On Tuesday 12th July we held a writing day at Queen Katherine School in Kendal with two of our authors Dave Stephen and Frank English.  It was a first for both the school and ourselves and the feedback from  the students was extremely positive. Thanks to everyone students, staff and authors for their enthusiasm and contribution on the day.

We wanted to share some of the work that came out of day and some of the budding writers have agreed to share their work.  Bearing in mind the following were all created on the day (to be exact the afternoon) is a sign of the talent we have coming through.As always comments are always welcome as long as they are positive and helpful.  All work is copyrighted to the authors.

The Alzheimer’s Mirror

Where’s the living room gone?
The kitchen is over here
That woman
So fat
So ugly
A giggle, a kick, a sneer

Where’s the living room gone?
My other slipper too?
I’ve found the bathroom
In the garden
Is that ok with you?

Are the knife and the fork alone?
On the kitchen table
Is your chair next to mine?
I need you to keep me stable

Are the knife and fork alone?
No dear it’s a spoon
A spoon to dig for memories
A line between me and you

Its ok you lost our umbrella,
Your wallet, and your hat
Its ok you talk to napkins
And tickle the neighbour’s cat

As we get older and younger
And the tears scratch and gnaw
I’ll love you till your eyes stop singing
Through the drudging of my heart

*

The settee slumps silently in the corner
Where yellowing shoes sit
With grandmas apron cowering
Against a fire dimly lit

The crisp white heat judders
My speech slurred also
Remnants of those dinner dances
Encased in dresses all in a row.

It’s a shame I’ll never remember
That’s something I yearn to forget
It’s the chip on the wedding caravansary
My one only regret

I’ll scramble to know what the cause is
My life’s span all in vain
Soon I won’t know where the door is
The glass from the window pane

As the clock grinds in the corner
And the sheets sulk on the bed
The kettle will whine on the Aga
Our past
My future
Already dead.

©Rachael Wild

©Rowan Boardley

Death

Death is a mundane affair.
A straight black line on a white page,
Intrusive and threatening,
Ending abruptly,
Devoid of etiquette.
The world becomes monochromatic,
The colour of death clouds the fading memories,
Words on the page of life merge together,
Boldly spelling out deepest fears,
Highlighting each successful failure.
The chains of childhood,
Long unlocked and discarded by an ever-nearing death,
Remnants of the past everlasting in angelic light,
Carry me along the stepping stones towards darkness,
And Death’s spindly grip.

©Laura Day

My Favourite Place

Everybody has a place
A favourite place to be.
I’ll tell you all about the place
That’s really special to me.
A place that’s full of colours
Of music, laughs and fun
Of candyfloss and Cola-pops
And ice cream by the tonne!

A place where great white horses
Named Doris Day and Blue Moon
Glisten in the Sunshine
As they dance to a melodious tune.
I sit upon their sturdy backs
And feel so tall, so proud.
I swing my legs back and forth
And look out over the crowd.

I always have a go at Coconut Shy
Although…I’m not too great.
One time I lost my balance
and hit the sweet stand by mistake!
The pretty spinning teacups
They’ll whisk you right away.
They’re exactly what you need
At the end of a hard school day.

The ferris wheel’s my favourite,
I’m so close to the sky,
that the clouds and birds swirl round my head
It takes me up so high!
I pretend like I’m a seagull
and look down at the world below.

Anything is possible at the Fairground, y’know.

© Annie Woods

I have recently had the pleasure of meeting a group of writers from Queen Katherine School in Kendal whose work blew me away. So I asked whether they might be interested in looking at ways that I might be able to help them to promote their work.  They liked the idea and so I give you ‘Future Generation’

We have made a start with Megan and Frances – so please do have a read and any constructive feedback is welcome. Please also respect copyright.

You can also keep up to date with their writings and news on their Facebook page – coming soon…