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A Short Study of Friends

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A Short Study of Friends a response to In the Studio by Marie Bashkirtseff (France) 1881 As I stood there painting, I wondered over my artist friends at their different preoccupations around the studio. Anne had been halfway through mixing the paint on her palette when Georgette came by, putting some short, quick remark to her from behind. Anne looked up over her shoulder at her, dark eyes puzzled and searching. I made out a sense of disbelief in her face that said Georgette had crossed a sort of line saying what she had. For her part, Georgette stood there tense, as if to sympathize with the shock she knew she had given. If only I knew what it was about. A short way from Anne, Giselle dabbed at the small canvas on the chair before her. She held her extra-long brush near its end (a difficult way to paint in my mind) as she filled in part of her portrait. After making a few strokes, she stared at the top of her brush, then the half-finished picture on her canvas, as if weighing some ...
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Family Frenzy

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Family Frenzy A quick crack, shocked silence, then a half-heard sob. Beloved Nanna, mother’s Mum, rubbing her cheek. I saw it, I heard it, I was there, aged eight. Her son-in-law – my father – pacing guiltily up and down. My father, who hadn’t raised a hand in anger against his own, nor ever would again. Impossible to forget that moment, yet Mum claimed years later that she had and my brother was a baby. No other witnesses. A peaceful country drive, a perfect picnic spot – now marred for ever in my memory. Pauline Fraser 14/09/2025
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Six Months

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 Six Months by Roberta Beach Jacobson Nobody mentioned all the doors would be locked, but Sarah sensed it from the moment the nurse left her alone. She's signed and dated the intake forms. Six months might feel like an extended stay. It would be summer before Sarah stepped outside again. She cursed the silence. Now what?
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BBC News

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BBC News “ This is Radio Two. The BBC news read by John Thomas.” “ Good Morning. Following extensive public consultation, the government this morning removed the reigning monarch formerly known as King Charles the Third” “ Over to Robert Starling at Buckingham Palace.” “ Good morning, John. Mr Charles Windsor was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police in the early hours of this morning and he has been taken to what they describe as a 'safe palace'. “ An hour later, a chauffeur-driven limousine arrived at the palace to deliver a canary, who has been named as 'Binky'. Members of the public at the gates have been turning up dressed in yellow; some of them have had yellow face paint and hair dye too; as a mark of respect. The yellow flag is flying over Buckingham Palace for the first time. “ This will be Britain's first avian monarch. The closest analogy was when George the Third made his tree prime minister. The government has announced that the...
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#worthingflash

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If you have had work published in another magazine, #worthingflash will happily publish it. Other magazines may have a different policy. As far as I am concerned, I am very pleased if #worthingflash writers are published elsewhere as well. Derek McMillan Editor #worthingflash
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When the Clock strikes twelve at midnight’s hour

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When the Clock strikes twelve at midnight’s hour   Each beginning leaves a spark Every spark becomes a flame Life is turning, slowly, softly As the years tick by the same   When the clock strikes twelve at midnight’s hour The year a brand new start Every promise feels more honest Every hope comes from the heart While the year is starting over Let it start with something true In the quiet of the New Year All my wishes turn to you   The world will hold its breath tonight In streetlights' silver glow There’s truth’s in words we never said And thoughts we’ve yet to know The future lives above our heads Like fireflies in the dark As the old year bids us farewell The new about to start We’re counting down the what’s and if’s And smile at faults we see All the broken resolutions Teach us who we’re meant to be Hands are cold, but hearts are warm As tomorrow comes in view A blank page waiting patiently For something bri...
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Take Down

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TAKE DOWN (Response to Deposition by Pascal Möhlmann (2024) ) The painter said they had arranged the scene as he liked, "thank you very much", so the crew of his assistants emerged from the corners to take it down. It was a crucifixion scene, the cross made of two long panels of wood leaned against a horizontal rafter of the studio; another wood panel rested in front of them on a sawhorse where the main figure had stood. The arrangement resembled a giant painter's easel, the artist's attempt at an understated comment on his work. The crew took down the long panels of wood easily; none had been nailed to hold them in place. The young woman in the red sweat jacket, who'd stood on the cross, the two assistants lowered toward the floor. The woman descended stiffly, her head leaning on a shoulder, her neck strained from its long pose. But everyone was glad to see her coy expression despite the trouble. Her left arm that had been firm to the cross she held rigidly ...
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