An Autopsy
A true story of homelessness in mid-80s Sheffield. Previously published in “Absent Ginsberg” (A Swift Exit) With apologies to Saul Bass for the adapted poster.
Two of the reasons I’m doing a PhD
A Confessional Prose Poem of sorts. i) Martin came by to babysit. I was three and had heard Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys on the radio that morning … Continue reading
Seeds
With the battle lost, the remnants, ground down, were used as hardcore for roads, built to bolster shiny new tram lines that rush people past the ‘dozer razed haunt, with … Continue reading
The Urban Prairie
The title poem of my upcoming book and dissertation! Rooms seeping for pointing north; a coal head for illumination and air; coal fire that gave light and warmth; a griddle … Continue reading
Temptress -Another Tale From The Urban Prairie
The true story of my first visit to Sheffield. I had come for an interview at Shirecliffe College. Going by the reputation of the course and college, it was my … Continue reading
Bonnie Tyler and the Pigeon Gibbet (Tales From Tales From The Urban Prairie #26)
The guy next door suffered from schizophrenia. He talked about it to us often and gave us regular updates on his well-being and the state of his medication. I would often … Continue reading
I Can Never Forgive Ann Widdicombe
The day they tore the flats down, a woman dressed in a navy blue uniform with red silk sash – buttons and medals winking with delight in the low … Continue reading
I Saw – Another tale from Kelvin Flats
Twice a day she passes, each time tutting a mantra to banish the monolith. Knowing, as she does, the obvious squalor of it’s subhuman inhabitants. She writes her … Continue reading
My Ex In Anger
My ex, in anger, threw my favourite pyrex pie plate from our eighth floor balcony, hoping to smash it to pieces. But it landed in a tree – lodged between … Continue reading
Circus
Some kids from Barnsley came round with their geography teacher to point and gaze in wonderment and pity the decaying, failed estate. “A lack of planning,” he explained, chest … Continue reading
Will Vigar 
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