Stories

A step-by-step course to teach yourself the art of Writing Poetry

Rule #1: Don't go into the woods. Matthew moves to New Eden, Connecticut to live with his newly discovered aunt and uncle after a devastating accident. He is given a list of rules to follow and learns that his heritage is stranger then he ever thought possible. There are two sides to every story, however; and after meeting Isaiah he begins to question everything he's been told, including staying away from the woods.

Writing a Dracula mash-up is not the most sensible thing to do perhaps. Especially when one of the principal characters takes exception to the tale.

A response to one of Cia's writing games.

When you think of Dracula, what other thoughts are present in your head? Forget blood and horror; how about maths, Kate Bush lyrics, or Chelsea FC supporters. No? Well, this is the story that includes them all and then some.

Alan loathes Christmas. He expects this one to be worse than usual. Then one of his neighbours calls.

Geoff is shy, lacking in self-assurance, and not out to his family. When by chance, he meets Tony, a fellow musician, he can't believe that anything will come of it ...

Not all demons are evil, sadistic bastards. Some, like our hero, want change in hell: gardening, a professional work ethic, reading romances. Perhaps, even love.

On stage, it's been a great night, but the glow soon fades ...

An actor's soliloquy.

When Jake’s brother dies, his mother is convinced that Jake killed him, and he ends up in a foster care institution. The worst part is that Jake can’t remember what happened the night his brother died. The only cure for his nightmares and anxiety appears to be his roommate Alex, but Alex has demons of his own.

Strolls; encounters; kisses through closed gates; lighted windows seen from below; rumpled bedsheets turning up men’s shirts . . . These are just a few of the images in August Stramm’s poetry collection titled “DU” (“THOU”).

What follows is a complete, fresh-look translation of the thirty-one poems of this set.