Stories

Aleksander has finished university and come home to his father's estate accompanied by his new friend and companion, Daniil Vinogradov. Daniil is a modern man who has been studying art and has ideas and passions that both influence and overwhelm Aleksander. There is a clash of old and new, a furore that threatens the peace and calm. Revolutionary ideas and sensuality form a heady mix that one might not survive.

“But whom to love?
To trust and treasure?
Who won’t betray us in the end?
And who’ll be kind enough to measure
Our words and deeds as we intend?”
― Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin.

‘But, Ronan . . .’

‘Hm?’

‘You’re gay.’ Andi hears the quaver of his own voice and clears his throat again.

‘Yeah,’ Ronan says slowly. ‘And you’re a guy.’

Ronan has been there for Andi since he began his transition. Now he wants to come visit and Andi is overjoyed, but he can't quite bring himself to believe that Ronan is truly interested in him, when his body isn't exactly what most gay men would want.

Based on Prompt 689

First Line: "If you die on me, I'll never forgive you."

Benji Usher thinks Halloween should last for a month. Not everyone wants to join in ...

Becoming a vampire is nothing like they tell you in those books. Frankly, it sucks. Especially when you're a failure, your master rejects you and you want nothing more than to fade away from your miserable existence, even if it's Christmas Eve.

Inspired by Jan Hutchinson’s prompts for National Poetry Writing Month 2023.

As I said somewhere else, I won’t manage to write a poem a day this April. The start was delayed, as I didn’t want to bore you with unimaginative rants giving righteous indignation and certain occurrences too many words and importance.

A night on the road. Is Alex chasing a dream? Patrick is angry and Alex is feeling annoyed. Why did Alex kiss the girl?

My Best Friends Wedding and a Day I would remeber.

At Daventry School for girls, Simon Holroyd lives comfortably. His best mate Luce is nearby, and his brother Matt is just a phone call away. The only problem: the small Welsh village they live in isn’t exactly bursting with potential lovers. He’s beginning to feel like there never will be the one for him, until a new teacher joins the staff and his whole world changes. Concrit and feedback welcome.

Poem written for the 2024 Poetry Antho.