Rest In Peace

I'm very touched that my poem 'Rest In Peace' has won Writing and Writers' News Magazine's monthly One Word Challenge on their online forum Talkback for December 2010. The theme was 'Peace'. I had several ideas for the challenge and particularly toyed with words about worthy Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo - but the poem wouldn't write itself. I guess, for once, I felt too emotional about it.

So I returned to the darkness, took a suck of a Grimm lozenge and spat out a character, Benjamin Spinks - who may well take on a life of his own if I don't rein him in.

Rest In Peace

Benjamin Spinks is the prick
to my finger,
his spindle - the weaver
of darkness and spite.
He lingers at noon
with a love declaration.
The door to my boudoir
is locked and shut tight.

At night when he croons
with a howl through the mist
I cry
“Leave me in peace!”
He laughs in my face, his voice
creeping tendrils from
outside the gate.
I am trapped by his cruelty.
A victim of hate.

I’ve no turret, no secret,
no fine golden thread.
I’ll be dead before morning,
his chains round my wrists.
He answered my prayer.
Five long days he’s been gone.
Not a drop of cold water,
no food’s touched my lips.

I whisper my last breath,
watch skin leave my bones.
Benjamin Spinks
has left me alone.

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A couple of little ones

Every month on Writers News online forum 'Talkback' we run a One Word Challenge. The idea is to write a piece of flash fiction under 201 words or poetry max 40 lines to a particular theme. The winners of the prose and poetry decide on the following month's theme, and judge their peers' entries.

The standard of entries is always exceptionally high, making judging a challenge in its own right. In the last 18 months I've had the privilege of judging the prose once, and poetry three times; it's a tough job.

I didn't get shortlisted for either this month - the theme of 'Autumn' was possibly a little twee for me, and I always feel somewhat obliged to behave myself on Talkback (very difficult) - but I'm posting my submissions here anyway.

Before I do, if anyone is looking for support as a new or lonely writer - give free, members only Talkback a try. They're a great bunch with a mixture of experience - and opinions.

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KNOCK 'EM SENSELESS

Don’t come at me half-baked, spitting invective and threatening to usurp. You will not win the game. 

Call that a gang? Spindly and spineless more like. I’ll show you what it means to take the lead, to take charge. We own this place and don’t you forget it. Strut in here giving it the big ‘I am’ - trust me, we’ll string you up.

Come on then. Give it your all. What’s that? You reckon you can smash me to the ground? Don’t make me laugh. I’m big and I’m tough and I’m poison through and through. I’ll crack your skull and chuck you to the pigs. Don’t think you can escape – I can chase you round the world, and back again.

I’m wired on single malt but I’m feeling dry... I need me some action. So listen hard and listen good. You’re a soft-arsed worthless chestnut, soft in the middle, floating on water.

I’m ready when you are - take me to your playground. 
I am King Conker. 
Prepare to die.

172 words [excluding title]

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EQUAL IS THE DAY. EQUAL IS THE NIGHT.

I am a drum.
I drum in Mabon.
I sing of the rose hips and apples and chestnuts,
The blackberries I’ve won.

I am the fire.
I rage with desire.
I colour the leaves and the skies and the conkers,
The fights I have won.

I am laid bare.
I run with the hare.
I slumber in ancient land, toiled by hand, waiting
For rewards I’ve won.

I am old age.
I defy the rage.
I die with a dignity, bold eccentricity,
Disputes I’ve won.

I am a drum.
I drum in Mabon.
I sing of the Equinox, nightly fucks, retired
From lovers I’ve won.

I am a drum.
I drum in Mabon.
I thank the ancestors, prepare the passages.

Now we are one.

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http://www.writersnews.co.uk/writers_talkback