The Reading Neuk

You won’t find me

In the kitchen at parties

I’ll be in the library

Where my mind is

Lost in my own little world

Of infinite story books

And far, far away

From your disapproving looks

Bookworms

Solace
comes
swiftly
to
those
who
read

For
those
who
devour
words
are
freed

(Originally Posted 07.02.2020)

07/02/2023 4

…In With The New

Who cares if I stayed in bed all day

Watching The World’s Strongest Man

I did it because I enjoy it

I did it because I can

Out With The Old…

At least yesterday

I missed your feast

It was always the part

I liked the least

Faking a smile

Whilst passing the peas

Thank fuck that now

I can eat in peace

(Originally Posted 02.01.2020)

02/01/2023 6

Qualms

An allegory for so much

This one

Love, life and death

Trying to capture that feeling

When you need to stop

And pause for breath

Keep The Engine Running

Shall
we go
ahead
and jump

He
asked

Now that
we’ve
come
this far?

I’m not
so sure,
anymore,

She
said

Let’s just
get back
in the
car

(Originally Posted 16.12.2019)

16/12/2022 2

Feet First

In for a penny

In for a pound

Isn’t that what they say?

Well all I know is

If there are no strings

Then I’ll be there without delay

Cocktails At Dawn

Come over here

Let’s have a taste

As it would be a shame

If this went to waste

(Originally Posted 16.12.2020)

16/12/2022 4

Fine Dining

Never again

Will I be forced

To visit someone else’s home

Even if that means

Living off chips and beans

And forever eating alone

Dinnertime

I’ll never
go back
there
again

They
can all
just get
to fuck

I’ve no
desire
to talk
to them

As with
my heart
they’ve
ran amuck

(Originally Posted 12.12.2019)

12/12/2022 6

My Real Family

Lockdown birthdays

Were no fun

Not for me

Or for anyone

This year I’ll make up

For being alone the last two

By spending the day

Having fun with you

That Time Of Year

Maybe
it’s
because
I can’t
be there

Or
perhaps
it’s
more
I just
don’t
care

For
now
that my
confidence
has
grown

I’ll
spend my
birthday
at home
alone

(Originally Posted 08.08.2020)

08/08/2022 6

Figments

I often wonder

Reading back

Just who these people are

As their conversations

And confrontations

Make up some of my best work by far

Help Me

I never used to be like this

She said

I actually used to be brave

What was it that happened to you

He asked

So much so that you would cave

The world happened

She replied

But you wouldn’t understand

Why don’t you try me

He implored

As he reached for her hand

(Originally Posted 19.07.2019)

19/07/2022 6

A Chocolatey Collaboration

Isn’t it just amazing
What reading aloud can do
How through someone else’s voice
Your story can feel all the more true

I’m honoured you picked this piece, my friend,
And have given it life anew
I may well have written the words
But here the credit belongs to you

A huge thanks to Matt Snyder of https://aprolicicpotpourri.art/

https://anchor.fm/matt-david-snyder/embed/episodes/The-Bakery-Aisle-ev39s1 A short story about love by my favorite writer/collaborator friend from Northern Scotland, Little Charmer.
Short Story Saturday: The Bakery Aisle

08/05/2021 14