Yorkshire Writers' Lunch

  Land of the Free or so they say But this week it doesn’t feel that way Where women’s choice has been taken away And men in suits choose their fate, come what may   It doesn’t matter how it occurred Their right to choose has now been deferred With struggle, anguish and pain preferred A girl or a woman’s voice, no longer heard   Was it ever a choice so easily made? Hell no! There was always a price to be paid With guilt and shame, and now more afraid Punished and cursed, refused legal aid   And this is the year 2022 I can’t quite believe it, can you? Pro-‘Conceived’-life they herald, is the victorious view Yet gun laws NOT overturned, right on cue   They sell guns like sweets to those on the streets Allow murder in schools, cannot change those rules The red necks need the power of a trigger, to make them feel bigger In the name of protection, America’s lasting infection   And, so as a woman and mother to a ...

  (See 2 nd May for Part 1) Harrison finds it hard to keep up the pace. Unlike the dog, who is more or less pulling him along. Surely the lad will turn off at Lock 9 and head into town. But no, he seems to be glued to the canalside. Although he glances back briefly, perhaps sensing someone’s on his tail, there’s no sign of recognition. But shortly afterwards, he comes to a halt, phone clamped to his ear. Harrison puts the brakes on. The dog looks up at him, wondering why the game has come to an abrupt stop.       “Are you Harrison?” The dog barks. Harrison jumps. Where has this man in a grey overcoat sprung from? He’s too breathless to reply.       “Well … are you?” Harrison doesn’t like his tone. Like he’s got some right to ask a stranger a question in the middle of nowhere. Or maybe not nowhere, but nowhere special.     “Who are you ?” he manages, finally, turning to check what the lad is up to. But he’s dis...

  Here's a bit of a change of pace. This week, I have an event to plug. The Kirklees Authors Forum Exchange is coming back this Saturday with a new workshop.  What is Kirklees Authors Forum Exchange? A grass roots, author-led group started within Kirklees Library, working in tandem with it. KAFE is a network created to bring writers in West Yorkshire together, regardless of gender, race, age, education, literary connections, previous authorial experience and genre. After a hiatus prolonged by pandemic and lockdowns, KAFE is beginning physical meetings again, on monthly Saturdays starting 18th June. What is happening on the 18th June? KAFE welcomes Writing Coach Cat Lumb, who will be delivering a workshop focused on understanding and getting the most out of the writing lifestyle with practical activities. It doesn't matter where you are in your creative journey, there will be something useful that you can take away from this session. Just join us at Huddersfield Library in the ...

         This isn’t quite the way it seems It’s not that I’m too fat But sometimes life is just too much When you live with a supercilious cat! She made it look so easy, you see As she gracefully rippled through Then, nose in the air, she turned to stare As if to say “Now you” If she hadn’t looked at me just so I might have been more thick-skinned But that final flick of her high class tail And caution was thrown to the wind My horoscope said to stay indoors “Have a rest, take a quick cat nap” If I’d only listened and stayed by the fire, I wouldn‘t be in such a flap. Though I’ve struggled and squirmed, and scrabbled a bit In a way that was quite ‘infra dig’ Now I can see, there’s too much of me. In fact, I admit, I’m too big. Just wait till I learn to unlock the door I shall saunter abroad with a sneer But until I discover a way to retract, I’m afraid I shall stay right here.