Torsade Literary Space Confidante: Fourth Wake
The Folly Wake Confidante Travel, if that were the cause of it A career of amputating limbs…a bent Towards a ruthless, curious, yearning to experiment Perhaps an inclination when he spoke Of all humanity’s being one To place himself outside of it Howitt, the only friend I’d known […]
Turtle Island (part two)
Turtle Island ii. The cavern wastes its vapors, offerings here Sacrifices to the god of Secret Dealings Far from the watchful eye of Nemesis Not so far she doesn’t see But the leg-bone in its trouser clad Snagged on a thrust of rock Separated from an old indentured torso But […]
Totem: To Be and to Choose (part four)
The Totem-Maker Chapter Four To Be and to Choose (part four) “Now he who is challenged may see fit to decline. If it be entered into the record that he has answered no, this is the same as to forfeit the right of dispute. Whatever is charged against him […]
Surgeon to the Bowfin: Third Wake
The Folly Wake Surgeon to the Bowfin ‘I am a respectable woman. Inspector, I still feel myself at sixes and sevens. I believe I took the greater shock today.’ ‘Now, madam, I hope you’ve thought of it— The assailant could well have cast aside those letters.’ She tells […]
King of Chaos: Haunt of Thieves (poem)
King of Chaos The recruitment sheds are manned Each by a bobbing puppet on a stick Tittering in death’s head greasepaint Shanty coffins banged at Gothic angles, these Painted black, a bloated joke A train scores the hill, a parade float Straddled by some nameless King of Chaos Loitered on, by […]
Bon Marché: Second Wake
The Folly Wake Bon Marché What makes a thing grow to a torment Not a thing, Wake tells himself. He has fallen prey The succubus has dealt him night for day. The Queen’s Road constable falls in beside him. ‘Fine evening, sir.’ ‘How,” says Wake, rigid, and refusing […]
Older in Their Wisdom: German Spy (eleven)
The Folly The German Spy Older in Their Wisdom Hearing, Falco would have said, or if insightful, so might say, a million other Falcos… Would have said, he means to say, it’s odd…more than you’d think. More odd, good sirs, more altogether. Yes, point of fact, done and […]
The Regent’s Bastard’s Grandson: First Wake
The Folly Wake The Regent’s Bastard’s Grandson And what do they keep in their reticules It has been his job to make them give these over This post a vulgar let-down, but Wake earns enough to keep the rent up While these holidaymakers, these thieves of the Queen’s […]
Let Them Go: Ninth Calmacott
The Folly Calmacott’s Brother Let Them Go ‘How does your mother do?’ Henry’s mind’s eye flashes him a slender shaft Of sun, a halo of blue sky, some other sense raises with a vividness that flicks him on the raw A smell of pipe tobacco and horse stall […]
Unfortunate Death: Eighth Calmacott
The Folly Calmacott’s Brother Unfortunate Death Coincidence. ‘Good you’re home in time, Arthur. You’ll have a guest for lunch.’ I heard a smile in her voice…she would not have smiled Knowing I was home. I could hear their talk, although the door sat closed. Stewart had followed on […]