“But it was only a myth, a story the old people told. Now sleep.” The children closed eyes. He smiled and licked his red teeth.
Working in an office in Edinburgh in August
High Street flyerers! Your attention please.
Look out for the man with a briefcase, and madness in his eyes.
He is going to a meeting. He does not wish to be disturbed.
Do not approach him; do not approach him.
Do not paint his face or tickle his chin.
Do not offer him a two for one.
He is going to a meeting. He does not wish to be disturbed.
Inside he carries his sadness. He should be having fun with you.
But he is carrying his briefcase and there is madness in his eyes.
He is going to a meeting. He does not wish to be disturbed.
Door
But where was the door? The door in the floor? It’d been there before, before he went out to score. He stared at the floor. No door.
Game
Children 1 and 2 skipped in the school yard. Miles away, Child 3 pressed the red button. One and Two disappeared from his screen.
Bugs
Gav dripped sugar water across the floor, into the server vent. The first ant touched the pool by the window. Last day, goodbye.
Countdown
Steve the sheep couldn’t sleep. He’d tried counting people. Nothing.
One.
One.
Nothing.
One.
Still wide awake.
Steve the sheep.
Stone pebble
Stone.
Stone pebble.
Stone pebble stone stone.
Stone pebble stone fire.
Stone fire.
Stone fire.
When Hardy met Rosa
They said Hardy had a heart of stone. But when Rosa smiled her white light smile, colours exploded from the diamond in his chest.
Phone
The stunning linguist left me a 1-word message “phoneme”. But which single sound did she want me to practise? Ah. Oh. Two words.
The pool
Hot August day, over fence, into lido. Tops off. Dried dead grass itches legs and back. Jump in, race, chip tooth. Home slowly.
simonsalento 