Our sincere apologies to Albert Oxford whose poem ‘Chance’ was published in Issue 1 of The Pages. We inadvertently missed out the first - and very important scene-setting verse – and as well as here, it will appear in Issue3, in its entirety.
Do you recall how she held his hand?
Her smile, her laugh, the sunlight on her hair?
Of course you do for we were together then, in love, and there.
We knew the joy they knew, we saw that glance:
The look that only lovers share,
Which speaks of tenderness and care;
Decreed by fate, you said, while I claimed chance.
Yes, they were a pair and we were a pair;
I know you recall, for we were together then, in love, and there.
We saw them watching us and smiling too
Because of the shared delights we all four knew;
Because of the way their eyes vowed love was true
Which mirrored that same joy in me and you.
It seemed, you said, that it was destined from the start,
How a pulse would race for the beat of another’s heart.
Our midwinter breath formed clouds of laughter in the air:
I’m sure you recall, for we were together then, in love, and there.
At the road’s edge they paused as we drew near,
Her eyes, still fixed on his, were bright and clear.
We later said, though we could say no more,
How close we were, what happened, what we heard and saw.
The sun-glint on the icy road, that’s sure; her laugh,
The car that skidded sideways on the path.
Four seconds maybe, though each one seemed long,
A hand’s-grip lost, a cry and she was gone.
Do you recall her last-breath’s vapour hanging in the air,
Close to the ground, thinning, unaware
As though it held some pale regret, some morsel of despair?
Yes, of course you do for we were together then, in love, and there.
His face was blank with disbelief and woe,
He stared at his empty hand that felt her go.
Perhaps the driver’s eyes met hers, just for a fleeting moment at the end,
But chance has neither enemy nor friend.
So carelessly, impartially and brief,
It dealt a random card whose name was grief.
And how you clung to me and how you wept.
Do you recall how you could not accept
A life erased; such cruel finality
That could have just as well been you or me.
Even now, though our paths are far apart
I’m sure that fear still lingers in your heart
And sometimes, when your breath forms clouds in air
© Albert Oxford
Signs
I recently realised that the baby has learnt his very own version of baby signing. (We had intended to teach him official baby signing, but haven’t quite got around to it.)
‘Kissey lips’ can either mean simply I want a kiss or I want some of what you’re having (generally something he’s not allowed).
‘Clapping hands’ can mean I’m finished or I’ve had enough, etc. Alternatively it can mean look at what I just did – I’m so clever – clap hands!
‘An outstretched hand’ speaks for itself – Gimme, gimme, gimme.
And when he’s hungry? Well, when we were on the weekly shopping trip, and turned around to find him gnawing on the end of a French stick, a look of glee and doughy sludge smeared across his face - I realised we must have missed that one!
Is it really this long since I’ve written here?
Well, a few hours to myself whilst the other half gallivants about the town and suddenly I’ve got time to spare! Time to do a whole range of things I’ve been putting off for an age.
The little man has started to get very clingy recently and screeching like a raptor is a brand new addition to his repertoire - so if anything’s going to get done it’s likely to be after 7.30pm.
We are currently working on Issue 2 of ‘The Pages’ and are on the look-out for submissions for future issues. With Halloween, Bonfire Night and Harvest (is it still celebrated?) coming up, we’d love to see some themed submissions.
…and next month the shops will start filling with all things Christmas, so of course we’re already thinking of our Christmas issue, and we’d love see your take on the season. Don’t forget, you can be as alternative or as conventional as you wish – we're aiming for an eclectic mix of writing.
Speaking of Christmas, we’re thinking of an Advent Anthology - 24 shorts stories, which would become available to read online each day in December. With the possibility of also making it available as ebook and/or in print.
…and to finish - if you have any ideas or suggestions for the website or ‘The Pages’ - please let us know! We’re hoping to make this site more interactive as we go along so your input is an important part of that.
Stina.
