How to describe the feeling when you see loads of people sharing a meme about how far back can you understand English, which goes all the way back to Old English. People having fun and delighted to realise they can get through Middle English pretty easily, early Middle English somewhat and a bit of Old…
Tag: poetry
Dark Moon, Dark Goddess
As the dark moon is upon us this month and the winter solstice approaches, naturally thoughts turn to the Cailleach here in Scotland. The Crone of Winter some call her; she is the one who made the landscape as the old tales tell. She shoes up in the romantic poetry of the eighteenth century, such…
The Rowan Tree
Poem by Lady Nairne (1766-1845), born Carolina Oliphant: THE ROWAN TREE Oh rowan tree, oh rowan tree, Thou’lt aye be dear to me, Entwined thou art wi mony ties, O’ hame and infancy. Thy leaves were aye the first o’ spring, Thy flow’rs the simmer’s pride; There was nae sic a bonny tree In a’…
Channeling Dorothy Parker
I’m over at Gillian Polack’s blog musing on the effects of this year of pandemic and how we have all cycled through all the feelings (at least I have). Check out the wonderful crowd of women Gillian has gathered there for Women’s History Month, because she knows everybody. Yes, it features that lovely heart depicted…
#FolkHorror: Lullaby
I have been reading the excellent biography of Shirley Jackson by Ruth Franklin, which of course makes me turn to Jackson’s own writing for various things (some books are still packed in boxes alas, and it is too hot to spend time in the garage looking for them). I decided to re-read this essay which…
#NationalUnicornDay Medieval Style
In Scotland it is National Unicorn Day, the day they celebrate the national beast. With the lockdown and everyone staying indoors, they have become plentiful again, so I hear. Thus from medieval Scots history I offer you a tale told by a unicorn (on good authority!) from The Talis of Fyve Bestes (beasts that is,…
Spooky Day!
I’m knee deep in a writing project with a deadline tomorrow but! Halloween brings out the goodies from me and my pals: A new story! Number 13 is a little M. R. James, a touch of Chaucer and a whole lot noir over at Punk Noir Magazine, where they’ve also got Sebnem Sanders’ The Muse and Frank…
Out Now: Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith
A fabulous anthology on the ‘original resistance’ of Lilith, the first woman in Judeo-Christian mythology. Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves edited by Monette Chilson, Trista Hendren & Pat Daly explores the resonances of this ancient figure as a touch point for modern resistance. I have a poem (yes, a poem!) in the anthology which you…
Coming Soon: Lilith!
Coming next month! A fabulous anthology on the ‘original resistance’ of Lilith, the first woman in Judeo-Christian mythology. Original Resistance: Reclaiming Lilith, Reclaiming Ourselves edited by Monette Chilson, Trista Hendren & Pat Daly explores the resonances of this ancient figure as a touch point for modern resistance. I have a poem (yes, a poem!) in the…