The goshawk canvassed the forestspreading her news for the dayMore trees have fallenmore fruit is stolenthe end is on its wayPerhaps next yearor the one after thatbut all the signs were thereIf one listened to the gossip of the goshawk Light of wing on the air She sowed her seeds of warning as she flew … Continue reading The Goshawk
flash fiction
In the game
Her heart hammered in her chest and her breath came in short, sharp gasps. Her focus was entirely on this last lap of the pool, not the other competitors, nor the time on the clock. For these moments she embodied one singular purpose: winning. She concentrated on her stroke, practised to near perfection. There was … Continue reading In the game
The Silent Sparrow
The house sparrows felt at home in the noise and din of another day Chirping, chirruping, chattering, tweeting all they had to say Banter was their birth-right, they made their presence known Quarrel by name and nature, seeds of gossip daily sewn But one young sparrow merely listened, to the chatter of all the rest … Continue reading The Silent Sparrow
The Straw That Did It
‘Well what on earth did you do that for?’ Sue asked, as she set the iron carefully down on the ironing board and turned it off at the plug. Ron muted the TV and shifted in his armchair to face her, ‘Well I didn’t know did I? Thought he was gonna shoot the lot of … Continue reading The Straw That Did It
The Day We Moved the Tank
The day we moved the hot water tank Marked the start of the week that we all stank The one that nearly broke the bank On the day we moved the hot water tank The taps ran dry but we were knee high In that watery stuff as my tears did gush, adding to the … Continue reading The Day We Moved the Tank
Goldfish
He walked the familiar route through the hospital corridors, the weight of his heart dragging his steps. She’d been on the end-of-life ward for over two weeks, though she’d been lost longer than that. The creeping fog that invaded his wife not long after retirement had taken the best parts and left a stranger in … Continue reading Goldfish
Yogi Yoda
Our children are our teachers, mirrors deep as the sea Each trigger a new learning point, pushed relentlessly Lessons learned the hard way on the messy path to growth No route free of worry or strife, I’ve made my peace with both But the love they bring is infinite, burning brighter than the stars Unlocking … Continue reading Yogi Yoda
Bake Off
Four and twenty blackbirds were baked into a pie But one escaped this wicked fate and soared into the sky Felt freedom touch her wingtips in the rushing of the air Four and twenty heartaches tinged her lightness with despair Time passed by and she became exhausted by her grief Made a resolute decision to … Continue reading Bake Off
The Icing on the Cake
The doughnuts had failed to de-escalate the situation. Maybe she’d have had more luck if they were Krispy Kreme’s, but she’d only had time to nip to Asda. ‘Look Ruth…’, she began as she continued to proffer the iced confections, holding the box between them like a shield that would ward off Ruth’s glare, so … Continue reading The Icing on the Cake
The Wilding of the Shrew
Living outside the box was hard for the shrew to do She’d stayed safe in her corner of leaves so long it was all the world she knew She hadn’t ventured far from home, to forage or explore All she needed was within easy reach, so why should she long for more? Yet the Wind … Continue reading The Wilding of the Shrew
Rae Cod’s Writing 