Venus on horseback

Venus on horseback It’s two o’clock in the morning. Awake again with the currents swirling in my belly, a dream called me to waken, a self portrait as Venus: oranges and yellows shining, strips of colour like light through trees, sunshine through water as I swim, my arms golden – young again – pulling me […]

Night writing

31.07.20 I’m awake again in the night, before dawn. Sea scent surrounds me. I’m sliding within, and riding upon, a snake or a serpent. My face grows into and is behind the face of the snake. Time happens twice, watches itself, echoes with child, gives suck. I am clothed in white, a shimmering powdery luminescence […]

Notes on love and sacrifice

After swimming, my son rescued a bee from my bedroom. I find sugar crystals; he rolls his finger in them – the sugar sticks. The bee is pale, fading, and exhausted. Then she finds the sugar, and a long, strong, silvery tongue begins to feed. Her tongue goes backwards and forwards, sucking up the sugar […]

Some more writing from Italy and home, 2006/2020

Here’s a little more writing, a first draft from 2006, reflecting time spent near Montevarchi, in Tuscany, and some recent exploratory notes from home. Walk to Croce de Pratomagno 1,591m All day. Starting at Gorgito then through the silent forest where every sound seemed to be muffled. I heard wolves howling in the distance, filling […]

Memories of Italy

Unable to travel anywhere, in this time of Covid, I’ve been reading again old notebooks, which accompanied me on journeys to Italy, and time spent in precious places. Here are some notes from 2017 when I was in Puglia: Lunch of open textured bread,castagno honey, cheese – soft and creamy from Norcia – pistachio nuts […]

The Dark Mountain Project

Black Light I am so proud, humbled and delighted to be part of the new Dark Mountain publication, with Mat Osmond. Our new book, Black Madonna’s song, will be published soon after the lockdown ends. Details of launches and events will be available soon.