Submissions by Lozzamus
POEMS AND SHORT STORIES
Poet Introduction
I compare poetry to painting, believing that I lack any drawing/painting skills but believing my imagination and training in writing has enabled me to transfer my love of visual art to the written word
Silent, At The Service Station
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
They stopped at a Service Station and found a table away from other customers. They bought coffees, no food. She gave a brief explanation, leaving out her thoughts on Agnes Harlesden and a possible affair between Dad and the woman with the dark hair. She'd considered discussing those with Arthur, but she needed to see whose side he would take first. Whether he'd insist she own up to the Summer School and return to her adoptive parents' home in North Yorkshire.
'Ah,' Arthur said finally, taking a thoughtful sip of coffee. 'So you decided you...
They stopped at a Service Station and found a table away from other customers. They bought coffees, no food. She gave a brief explanation, leaving out her thoughts on Agnes Harlesden and a possible affair between Dad and the woman with the dark hair. She'd considered discussing those with Arthur, but she needed to see whose side he would take first. Whether he'd insist she own up to the Summer School and return to her adoptive parents' home in North Yorkshire.
'Ah,' Arthur said finally, taking a thoughtful sip of coffee. 'So you decided you...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
158 reads
2 Comments
Silent, The Car Journey (2)
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
'None of my adoptive family know I'm here,' she blurted out to Arthur. 'My adoptive parents think I'm on a walking holiday with a group of friends. But I'm not a runaway, you know. I've got somewhere to stay and a job.'
In the driver seat, Arthur maintained a neutral expression. 'A job at the House serving meals?'
'I thought you already knew about it.'
'Know about what? None of this is making any sense to me. You haven't told me anything yet and I haven't seen you for nine or ten years.’
‘Agnes Harlesden.
...
'None of my adoptive family know I'm here,' she blurted out to Arthur. 'My adoptive parents think I'm on a walking holiday with a group of friends. But I'm not a runaway, you know. I've got somewhere to stay and a job.'
In the driver seat, Arthur maintained a neutral expression. 'A job at the House serving meals?'
'I thought you already knew about it.'
'Know about what? None of this is making any sense to me. You haven't told me anything yet and I haven't seen you for nine or ten years.’
‘Agnes Harlesden.
...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
175 reads
2 Comments
Silent, The Car Journey
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
'What would you like to do?' Arthur Harlesden said. ‘Coffee and a bite to eat at the Service Station.'
'Suppose so.'
Arthur started the engine and drove away into the night, past a gift shop and a mobile phone store and a guest house opposite a pub by a set of lights. He took the road further inland, by fields and rows of tiny aerials that resembled baby bulbs. She vaguely remembered these from ten years ago. 'I was sorry to hear about Lily,' she said, to break the silence.
'Thank you,' Arthur said. 'Three years ago it...
'What would you like to do?' Arthur Harlesden said. ‘Coffee and a bite to eat at the Service Station.'
'Suppose so.'
Arthur started the engine and drove away into the night, past a gift shop and a mobile phone store and a guest house opposite a pub by a set of lights. He took the road further inland, by fields and rows of tiny aerials that resembled baby bulbs. She vaguely remembered these from ten years ago. 'I was sorry to hear about Lily,' she said, to break the silence.
'Thank you,' Arthur said. 'Three years ago it...
#memories
#mystery
#risk
139 reads
4 Comments
Silent, The Part (2)
Two Year Earlier, Gavin
Later, Philippa fumbled around in her bag for a half bottle of vodka. I jerked my head to the side, indicating that I needed to talk to her. She followed me to the railing overlooking the sea, a glazed smile on her face.
'What's going on?' I said
'You've already asked me that.'
‘Do you know Steve and his brother?'
'Not before today. Steve and his mate Jace got talking to me this afternoon and they invited me to the party.'
'But Steve and Jace aren't even here.'
'I'm not responsible for that,'...
Later, Philippa fumbled around in her bag for a half bottle of vodka. I jerked my head to the side, indicating that I needed to talk to her. She followed me to the railing overlooking the sea, a glazed smile on her face.
'What's going on?' I said
'You've already asked me that.'
‘Do you know Steve and his brother?'
'Not before today. Steve and his mate Jace got talking to me this afternoon and they invited me to the party.'
'But Steve and Jace aren't even here.'
'I'm not responsible for that,'...
#relationships
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
137 reads
2 Comments
Silent, The Party
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
Party on the old fairground.
The guys in army clothing, Jace and his mate Steve, didn't turn up, and no one seemed to know where they were. Kids still at school milled around, knocking back vodka and cider, criticising everyone over the age of twenty-one. They didn't say much to Philippa or me at first. Just looked us up and down, as if we were teachers or something. They all spoke with accents. Mild Scouse, with Innit and Bro added.
'Hey,' this kid in a hoodie shouted, sounding drunk. He was about fourteen, fifteen. Rusty...
Party on the old fairground.
The guys in army clothing, Jace and his mate Steve, didn't turn up, and no one seemed to know where they were. Kids still at school milled around, knocking back vodka and cider, criticising everyone over the age of twenty-one. They didn't say much to Philippa or me at first. Just looked us up and down, as if we were teachers or something. They all spoke with accents. Mild Scouse, with Innit and Bro added.
'Hey,' this kid in a hoodie shouted, sounding drunk. He was about fourteen, fifteen. Rusty...
#relationships
#mystery
#risk
140 reads
3 Comments
Silent, The Meeting At Night
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
She continued waiting, moving about to keep herself from getting cold. The waves danced to and fro, causing vibrations to pass through the pier-structure. They reminded her of glockenspiels and of the lonely corridors of the former Prep School for musicians. The Ogre had run the School like a convent.
A sound distracted her. A thud. The main door of the Theatre opening, then shutting. A man stepped out, wearing a suit and an overcoat, his silhouette illuminated from the outside theatre lighting. The man opened up an umbrella and peered in the...
She continued waiting, moving about to keep herself from getting cold. The waves danced to and fro, causing vibrations to pass through the pier-structure. They reminded her of glockenspiels and of the lonely corridors of the former Prep School for musicians. The Ogre had run the School like a convent.
A sound distracted her. A thud. The main door of the Theatre opening, then shutting. A man stepped out, wearing a suit and an overcoat, his silhouette illuminated from the outside theatre lighting. The man opened up an umbrella and peered in the...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
141 reads
1 Comment
Silent, The Pier At Night
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
Free wine after the concert. Lots of it. Later, Philippa and I headed off to Jace's party, stepping into the drizzle and a strong smell of cigarette smoke. The sun had nearly disappeared, leaving a dazzling glow that hurt my eyes. I heard shouting and laughter in the distance. A gust blew at us.
'It's meant to be summer and it's freezing,' I said. 'Where's the party?'
'The abandoned fairground.'
'In this weather?'
'Jace won't cancel.'
'How do you know that? Do you know him?'
'No,'...
Free wine after the concert. Lots of it. Later, Philippa and I headed off to Jace's party, stepping into the drizzle and a strong smell of cigarette smoke. The sun had nearly disappeared, leaving a dazzling glow that hurt my eyes. I heard shouting and laughter in the distance. A gust blew at us.
'It's meant to be summer and it's freezing,' I said. 'Where's the party?'
'The abandoned fairground.'
'In this weather?'
'Jace won't cancel.'
'How do you know that? Do you know him?'
'No,'...
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
162 reads
4 Comments
Silent, The Desolate Evening
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
She wished she'd put on better clothing instead of rushing off like that. The weather had changed. Overheard, clouds had gathered, casting shadows along the private driveway. She hurried. As a child, she'd disliked the driveway, viewing it as long and lonely, a pathway to nowhere. The tall hedges and bushes blocked out the evening light, producing a dim hue and a chill, despite the clammy atmosphere.
She quickened her speed, thinking of earlier and the disturbance in her room and the sense of someone watching in the field. The Ogre, obviously....
She wished she'd put on better clothing instead of rushing off like that. The weather had changed. Overheard, clouds had gathered, casting shadows along the private driveway. She hurried. As a child, she'd disliked the driveway, viewing it as long and lonely, a pathway to nowhere. The tall hedges and bushes blocked out the evening light, producing a dim hue and a chill, despite the clammy atmosphere.
She quickened her speed, thinking of earlier and the disturbance in her room and the sense of someone watching in the field. The Ogre, obviously....
#memories
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
155 reads
0 Comments
Silent, The Old Flat
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
The House was silent now, her duties over for the evening. The people had gone. On the first floor, she peered down the narrow corridors, listening out for sounds just in case - although it didn't really matter, as everyone would find out who she was at the final concert three weeks from now. She would have Ash and Maxine with her then. Which reminded her. She ought to text Maxine and tell her about the Ogre's return. She hadn't done that yet. Something was stopping her from revealing this latest information to Maxine. It was too raw. Agnes represented...
The House was silent now, her duties over for the evening. The people had gone. On the first floor, she peered down the narrow corridors, listening out for sounds just in case - although it didn't really matter, as everyone would find out who she was at the final concert three weeks from now. She would have Ash and Maxine with her then. Which reminded her. She ought to text Maxine and tell her about the Ogre's return. She hadn't done that yet. Something was stopping her from revealing this latest information to Maxine. It was too raw. Agnes represented...
#memories
#mystery
#nostalgia #risk
#nostalgia #risk
230 reads
2 Comments
Silent, First Evening - The Concert
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
Philippa and I shared a taxi with Dawn and one of the other guys, Dawn quiet during the ride, giving the impression that she knew about the drinking binge in my room. Whatever. In the car park, we paid a quarter of the fair each, got out and walked along the promenade to the Grand Theatre, passing a group of hoodies gathered by the railings with cigarettes and cans of cider. They stared as we passed, giggled. The walkway was slippery, the sky a gigantic bruise, all purple, black, yellow and storm-like. Waves rolled in the background. The wind was strong,...
Philippa and I shared a taxi with Dawn and one of the other guys, Dawn quiet during the ride, giving the impression that she knew about the drinking binge in my room. Whatever. In the car park, we paid a quarter of the fair each, got out and walked along the promenade to the Grand Theatre, passing a group of hoodies gathered by the railings with cigarettes and cans of cider. They stared as we passed, giggled. The walkway was slippery, the sky a gigantic bruise, all purple, black, yellow and storm-like. Waves rolled in the background. The wind was strong,...
#relationships
#music
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
161 reads
4 Comments
Silent, First Evening
Two Years Earlier, Gavin
The rain started outside after dinner, big heavy drops warning of thunder. I headed to my room to slip on some smarter clothes. Had a shave and prepped back my hair with gel. Gazed at myself in the mirror. Nice one. Yes!
Tapping at my door. Philippa with a bottle of vodka, Russian. Good because it wouldn't smell on the breath. 'Come in. Sorry about the mess.’
Once we were seated, I said, 'All this stuff with the Harlesden family and the fire. You've got something planned, right?’
Philippa nodded. ‘I'm here on a...
The rain started outside after dinner, big heavy drops warning of thunder. I headed to my room to slip on some smarter clothes. Had a shave and prepped back my hair with gel. Gazed at myself in the mirror. Nice one. Yes!
Tapping at my door. Philippa with a bottle of vodka, Russian. Good because it wouldn't smell on the breath. 'Come in. Sorry about the mess.’
Once we were seated, I said, 'All this stuff with the Harlesden family and the fire. You've got something planned, right?’
Philippa nodded. ‘I'm here on a...
#relationships
#mystery
#obsession #risk
#obsession #risk
135 reads
4 Comments
Silent, A Ghost From The Past
Two Years Earlier, Lucy
She took a step back, struggling to control her breathing. Arthur Harlesden had arrived, rosy apple cheeks and specs. Another vague figure from her childhood, always on the outskirts. He reassembled Dad. Older, though. Much older, and taller. Eerie. Almost as if Dad had come back.
The Ogre (Agnes) and Arthur Harlesden, both together in the same room. No way could this be happening. Apparently, they hadn't spoken since the fire. They never got on.
It was time to go over to the staff table. Her hands shook when she served the elderly...
She took a step back, struggling to control her breathing. Arthur Harlesden had arrived, rosy apple cheeks and specs. Another vague figure from her childhood, always on the outskirts. He reassembled Dad. Older, though. Much older, and taller. Eerie. Almost as if Dad had come back.
The Ogre (Agnes) and Arthur Harlesden, both together in the same room. No way could this be happening. Apparently, they hadn't spoken since the fire. They never got on.
It was time to go over to the staff table. Her hands shook when she served the elderly...
#mystery
#obsession
#risk
219 reads
0 Comments
DU Poetry : Submissions by Lozzamus