Tom Simmons 05/05/2025 Tom Simmons 05/05/2025

A Visitor From Afar

Yesterday, as often happens, I saw

through my window, somebody taking photographs.

A few moments later, the doorbell rang, and as I opened the door a couple stood in the street, the man apologised for bothering me, and explained that they had travelled from Tasmania to visit this house as it was here that his great great grandfather had lived.

Tom Simmons 01/05/2025 Tom Simmons 01/05/2025

The Candle Dropped

Nathan had done well for himself, he had left the village of his birth some years previously to find his fortune, and it had not disappointed him.

So, on this bright spring day, he proudly stepped off the train and walked along the river path the three winding miles to his birthplace – the Village where as a child he'd been the butt of many a prank. But Nathan had changed.

Tom Simmons 24/04/2025 Tom Simmons 24/04/2025

The Beech Tree

Every day, when the weather was fine, Jane liked to walk down the road to the park. There were lots of things to do in the park; swings, roundabouts, and slides. Often, she would play with her friends for hours, but sometimes she just liked to walk to the edge of the park where the beech trees grew. There, she could watch the squirrels and birds with no interruptions.

Tom Simmons 08/04/2025 Tom Simmons 08/04/2025

The Ranch-(Rancho Santa Ynez)

Outside my sleeping quarters at Rancho Santa Ynez is a magnificent old cactus, upon which hangs two skulls. One is a cow’s head, complete with hair and teeth, but minus one eye. The remaining one fast becoming desiccated.

The other skull very old….

Tom Simmons 27/03/2025 Tom Simmons 27/03/2025

Demelza- short story

One bright and sunny morning when the leaves were turning gold and blackberries had lost their flavour, Demelza went for a long walk through her favourite meadow.

She meandered through the long grass, trying not to trample the last of the wildflowers that grew there.

Tom Simmons 13/02/2025 Tom Simmons 13/02/2025

Dream Story- In touch…….

On the outskirts of a small town, stood a house, one of about a dozen comprising a close. It was not quite a cul-de-sac, because the builders had left vacant a plot of land at the end of the road – probably in order to extend the road into the fields beyond at some later date – should more houses be required. It was this green oasis at the end of the road, that the children who lived in the identical red brick houses of the close used to gather to play

Tom Simmons 28/01/2025 Tom Simmons 28/01/2025

Yellow on a grey day…

Polruan in January

The sky, the water, the cliffs, the narrow roads, the stone cottages and the slate roofs are all shades of grey.

Grey smoke curls from the chimneys of a few cottages that have wood burning stoves and people indoors to be comforted by them.

Tom Simmons 22/01/2025 Tom Simmons 22/01/2025

Cottage of Dreams

She sits alone, it matters not

if sea and sky are grey or bright.

Her thoughts are off in time to

When her step was firm and light.

Tom Simmons 05/01/2025 Tom Simmons 05/01/2025

Flash story - Simon’s Pact.

"What shall I write today"? Thought Simon.

The Sun shone into his room, importing a particular optimism to his somewhat befuddled brain. "I'll have to start on my novel – as soon as I've had breakfast"

Tom Simmons 13/11/2023 Tom Simmons 13/11/2023

Milk from the Pub!

The other day, I popped down to my local pub to buy a bottle of milk.

Claire Fairall 16/03/2023 Claire Fairall 16/03/2023

Tanzy- The Letter.

Tanzy A Fable - Thoughts and annotations…..

Tom Simmons 11/03/2023 Tom Simmons 11/03/2023

The somewhere else box.

Is an imaginary box where you put people, until you want to think about them again. Portmerion inspirational visit.

Claire Fairall 23/12/2022 Claire Fairall 23/12/2022

Ticking - Clocks, and Time.

"Alexa",I ask, "what time is it"? I am politely informed that it is 1:52 am. I've had two hours sleep, and will be awake for at least two hours more. My mind is at peace. The only sound I hear is the the soft murmur of the refrigerator, and if I concentrate, the comforting sound of my heartbeat – plus a faint ticking, as of a mechanical wrist watch.