The Children by Emily Harrison

I was damp and tired when he finally showed up – August rain in the Dales is anything but fresh.

The House Opposite by Hilary Hares

The house opposite
is allowed to sleep
through winter,

its cupboards hollow,
its corners scoured
of their spiders.

Winter Forest by Sanda Moore Coleman

A walk in the woods is not the same
as a walk in the park, of this much I am certain.

Girl Who Spiralled by Amanda Oosthuizen

She woke up one morning and found the coccolith nestled in the palm of her left hand like a secret. When she tried to pick it off, it settled, winking mischievously.

Letters to the Body I Lived In by Danie Shokoohi

1.

Later, you’ll say it was like rosemary.
Like clean. Like lavender

in the bathtub.

Lilies for Lily by Meg Gripton-Cooper

I bought lilies for Lily,
my lunar girl, skybright and glowing.