Some Odd Shorts

A Place to Be

Sat against the tree watch the ants struggle through the grass and hear salt burned leaves rustling in the warm breeze. Looking at the clouds twisting in the clear blue sky I see the white flash of a gull. Breath deeply the earth smells trying to heal a soul hurt beyond earth’s power. Letting a mind wander where it would go and won’t go again. Silver ring gleams on your finger once as you walk away and are gone. Unsaid words hang ephemeral as smoke in stilled air. Did you choose the perfect day to decide enough was enough? So you just came to say that that was it and that’s all gone now for sure and some kind of love had to end. All I wanted was a place to be; a place to be in; with you just you and me. The ants know what they’re about, know where they go and try hard no matter what. Said you didn’t believe in my way anymore and it was your choice to be free of me. And I said I never wanted you to be a prisoner or feel trapped in any way and if you wanted to leave please go anytime because as much as I love you I want you to be happy too. And then your silence thundered for a while as thoughts of what might be said in that moment stirred like ashes in a dying fire and you got up slowly and walked away. Was it a dream? All I’ve ever wanted was a place to be.

Lucy the Girl in the Window Update (now available in Burmese)

I was surprised to discover the other day that my story ‘Lucy the Girl in the Window’ has now been ‘unnofficially’ translated into Burmese.  The translator includes a link to this blog for the English version (thanks).  Take a look if you have time. 

Burma gained independence from Great Britain in 1948 however it has had a troubled history.  The people there are at present far from free or independent under a military regime that is no stranger to abuses of human rights.  Lets hope that the military junta  realise that membership of and cooperation with the international community is a far better course than financing their stranglehold on their own people by selling hard drugs and squandering their natural resources (with no regard for the environment) to the highest bidder.  I have been a supporter of the release of Aung San Suu Kyi for many years.  I have a great respect for ordinary Burmese people and Burmese culture.

 Here I am an an unsigned and largely unpublished writer already available in other languages – the first somewhat ironically Burmese. 

Translated version (may not display unless you have Burmese font loaded)

http://tunwn.blogspot.com/2007/07/lucy-girl-in-window.html

Original English version

http://daraho.wordpress.com/2007/05/05/lucy-the-girl-in-the-window/

Decomposers

 

Watching mould spreading

Its cancerous threads eat my books My Cd’s are next then my DVDs Alien forms somehow taking holdResistance is futile; it’s coming to get youMy nightmare the mould enters my bodyCrawls in my ear and eats up my brain

The words I had there are all mouldy now

Reduced to odorous sludge

Exterminate, exterminate

I’m breaking down. Breaking……

Where am I what am I

is consciousness itself so many complex processes

To be broken down by mould eating up organic matter

Feeding on brain tissue in a relentless search for survival

Eats up my brain extinguishing thought

Mould the destroyer the converter the decomposer

decomposing not writing always breaking down

Breaking down my brain turning my thoughts to blackened gunge

Just having a little break to recharge batteries

 

Many thanks to all those who have sent me messages urging me to write again soon- your encouragement is much appreciated.  There are plenty of things in the pipeline but the pump needs an overhaul and some TLC.

I am just having a short break to try to shake off a flu thingy that seems to have gone on and on and even caused me not to attend a concert featuring Asian Sunrise last night that I had been invited to by a delightful writer down from Tokyo.  Hopefully I will be back soon feeling full of energy again soon so until then I am taking it easy (when not working my usual 12 hour on my feet and rushing around like a wotsit day).

Cheers