Category Archives: Poems in Progress

Jack gave up on caution and ran, speeding through the trading post with his prize clutched to his chest. No one chased him, too concerned with their own wares to help rewrite the injustice. Still, he didn’t stop until he was a mile deep into the forest, resting upright against a large tree and examiningContinue reading “23:171”

She’d noticed the young man watching, his interest greater than he wanted her to believe. He held a desperate glint in his eyes, a purpose to fulfill that blinded him to other suffering. It reminded her of her husband. Her weary heart broke a little as she purposely turned away from her wares, rummaging inContinue reading “23:170”

Her husband had been a wealthy collector, a kind man but far from sensible. Still, she loved him and enjoyed watching his face light up with excitement when he found another piece. But soon his family wealth had dwindled away and the fancy weapons caused resentment. As she struggled to feed their son her husbandContinue reading “23:169”

Jack’s village was too poor too uncultured to have a blacksmith or armoury. He would not be returning there. Instead he headed for the forest in Crazy Mary’s story, knowing there was a trading post at its border that attracted buyers and sellers alike. Wares were spread out on cloth, hasty displays enticing the desperateContinue reading “23:168”

Jack stored the cloth in the bottom of his rucksack, feeling it lift the straps from his shoulders, cutting into his armpits in a bid for freedom. He was useless with a needle so decided he would cut it into strips and tie them around his waist, legs and arms when the time came. HeContinue reading “23:167”

No one had touched the giant’s body, too scared to approach, too weary of angering the enemy further. It was left to rot and feed the wildlife, attracting carnivorous dangers away from people’s livestock. Jack travelled to where it had fallen a few miles from their village, but waited until dawn to approach, not wantingContinue reading “23:166”

Crazy Mary handed the beans over in a jar, which Jack covered with a cloth, guarding his treasure from all eyes. He went home, packing the few things he felt would be useful and left without saying farewell to the woman who gave him life. She didn’t try to stop him. There were two thingsContinue reading “23:162”

Jack’s mother used to be feisty, boisterous, energetic. She used to take misfortune in her stride and carry on with a sarcastic laugh. But the years had worn her down and she was tired, a deep tired she couldn’t shake, her movements sluggish with grief and responsibility. Even small, beautiful moments couldn’t touch her anymore.Continue reading “23:161”

(I’m not happy with this backstory much so might change it later or add more detail). ‘I met one, a giant.’ Crazy Mary told him, expression distant, no gloating or malice. ‘A child one, but still almost as tall as a tree. He was hiding in the forest, scared but prepared for death. His familyContinue reading “23:158”