Season’s greetings 2022
lights camera he looks into the lens pictures his waiting subjects a nation barely held together by customs just like this it’s not that much of a gripespecially… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2022
A Second Life challenge: create a video poem
I’ve never issued a Second Life challenge before, largely because I suspect my status in the SL-sphere isn’t impactful enough to create much more of a… Continue reading A Second Life challenge: create a video poem
Look what you made me do
Look what you made me do.Now there’s blood on my cuffs and this shirt is new.Look what you made me do.If you’d only done what I’d… Continue reading Look what you made me do
Hope is a four letter word (video)
I’ve been meaning for a while to put some of my poems up on YouTube, and finally got around to recording one this weekend. Given the… Continue reading Hope is a four letter word (video)
Season’s greetings 2021
Never mind the body count. The true crisisis the assault on our freedom to gather and consume.To shop, goddammit. To drink away our doubt.We’re also out… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2021
Ode to gacha
They say you were a harmless thing, a little bit of fun.Yet the times that I enjoyed you can be said to equal none.I guess I… Continue reading Ode to gacha
Season’s greetings 2020
Santa, My parents have assured me of your ongoing existenceso I’m asking that this year you try to keep a social distance.My stocking this year won’t… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2020
Hope is a four letter word (2020 revision)
Hope is a four letter word that we learned as children meant our dreams just might be heard. That the world just might not end, that… Continue reading Hope is a four letter word (2020 revision)
stock picker
(for GJH) 12B arrives at midnight and marches from his ride; salutes the guard, hi-5s the drivers, and rubs his hands, and walks inside. It’s time… Continue reading stock picker
Season’s greetings 2019
He landed his sleigh in the car park of Big Data UK HQ and trudged with his sack across freshly laid snow and into the foyer,… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2019
Where avatars die
This is the place where avatars die. A white-edged limbo, lost in the sky, where the empties slump in suspended goodbye, discarded containers of life, now… Continue reading Where avatars die
Texture
I started to type something funny, but then I saw that she was typing something. So I stopped to wait for her comment. And then she… Continue reading Texture
Behind the counter
hair clips hair brushes toothbrushes toothpicks lipstick bleach a tray of bottles of nail polish bottles of correction fluid plastic alarm clocks ballpoint pens balls of… Continue reading Behind the counter
Viral
Click. One thought breaks free, seeking minds, to be absorbed; a stray neutron, fat and heavy: it penetrates; it infuriates; it swells its target. Click click.… Continue reading Viral
flat
the absence of time the absence of self the absence of feeling I know what to say I know how to look I know what pictures… Continue reading flat
Season’s greetings 2018
another log on the fire another tin for the shed the newsreader drones on on Drones a sudden silence as Snowflaiks fall and shops empty a… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2018
Beware of nostalgia: you weren’t the same person back then
In an explosion of red and orange sparkles, I was visited last night by my fourteen-year-old self. He appeared right in the middle of the living… Continue reading Beware of nostalgia: you weren’t the same person back then
Old friend, reformatted
One of the depressingly large number of items on my book management ‘to do’ list is to create a new version of my 2011 poetry compilation,… Continue reading Old friend, reformatted
Born-again bachelor
Born-again bachelor, quite the surprise; his new boots and waistcoat a labelled disguise. He gives his account of a decade of lies; a one year old… Continue reading Born-again bachelor
Eggshell
The door bursts open and a new guy appears, ushers me into the workshop and hands me a sweat-coated phone, (one of those new, retro Nokias,… Continue reading Eggshell
‘No North’ exhibition @ DiXmiX gallery
In the final three minutes the sun still casts shadows, right up to the moment the button gets clicked. Close your eyes and you will miss… Continue reading ‘No North’ exhibition @ DiXmiX gallery
I saw a girl get shot
I saw a girl get shot. I knew her for maybe six, seven years. She was in my class in 6th grade. I sat on the… Continue reading I saw a girl get shot
concrete
I’m ok with people laughing at my fondness for straight lines and right-angled corners set in concrete designs. I acknowledge that these buildings haven’t stood the… Continue reading concrete
chasm
it will make not a bit of difference but one day you too will see this the boy staring at the chasm wondering how it can… Continue reading chasm
Real
Fifty years into the future, she asked if I had a 39-20 she could upload herself into. I told her I had a second-hand model, a… Continue reading Real
Season’s greetings 2017
A frost-covered igloo between parked cars. A blinkered personal space. And Christmas tidings falter as silenced shoppers pass. On their way to their homes. Continue reading Season’s greetings 2017
Snow Day
Continuing my look back over ten years of blogging (and on a day when snow is falling over large parts of the UK), here is one… Continue reading Snow Day
Why I should always sleep on stuff
Another poem from my 2011 poetry collection, “Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue.” Thanks to -K- Lynagh for inviting me over… Continue reading Why I should always sleep on stuff
Nancy Redgrave
December is also a month during which I remember one of my very first friends in SL, Nancy Redgrave. Nancy was the very first person to… Continue reading Nancy Redgrave
Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue
In my look back over ten years of blogging, I thought I’d publish a few of my favourites from the poems I’ve written over the years… Continue reading Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue
The crown shall
My reign as Paper Crown King comes to an end on Sunday at 3pm SLT, when the crown will be passed to the next Monarch for… Continue reading The crown shall
Emergency response
Get the ticker crawling, we need three connected headlines: The Thing that happened, a quote from the Prime Minister and an up-to-date number on the dead.… Continue reading Emergency response
the exchange
A trudge across the dirt yard in the lit night, our warm breath billowing like wood smoke. I know there was no snow that first time,… Continue reading the exchange
lacrimioare
‘lacrimioare’ is my first ever exhibition of SL photography. It will be shown at Berg by Nordan Art, with the opening on Sunday, January 8, at 9… Continue reading lacrimioare
Season’s greetings 2016
Somehow it just isn’t the same as when you couldn’t sleep and you lay listening for bells and you dreamt of snowfall, silent and soft, erasing… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2016
squat
Here, in the vacuum she smiles brightly, she attends to his needs, she busies herself with his wellbeing: odd jobs here and there, occasional gifts; she… Continue reading squat
Poetry issues
I’ve had a number of poems accepted by SL publications over the last few months, with ‘City Boy’ the latest of these and appearing in the… Continue reading Poetry issues
bring back the seventies
bring back the seventies bring back smoke filled pubs and non-PC levities bring back sixty watt light bulbs and zinc chloride batteries bring back soft focus… Continue reading bring back the seventies
Extra time
We drove to the used car dealer, parked up just outside of a thirty second radius in the shared forecourt to a handwash company. Four men… Continue reading Extra time
The things that make you cry don’t make me cry
The things that make you cry don’t make me cry. The things that make you cry don’t make me cry. The things that make you cry… Continue reading The things that make you cry don’t make me cry
So turn towards the sun
The most profound revelation is something you feared all along: that any promise of connection is at best only temporarily real; that no-one genuinely cares; that… Continue reading So turn towards the sun
cat and dog
she crouches he barks she sprints he chases she leaps he skids she hides he follows her scent she tears across the road and a red… Continue reading cat and dog
lily
she wobbles at the edge of the drop crouched, reaching she takes a fistful of dirt from the box kisses her soiled fingers and sobs and… Continue reading lily
Didn’t you die yet?
Didn’t you die yet? Didn’t you die yet? You said your goodbyes, we had tears in our eyes; everyone’s moved by a husband who cries. Are… Continue reading Didn’t you die yet?
Slow subtraction
You have hours left to live. You will never go home. Your intestine is ruptured. Say your goodbyes. Say your goodbyes. Your heart is weak. We… Continue reading Slow subtraction
16
A twilight gathering of four. Birthday salutations and years wished many more. Perhaps forced frivolity has become too much a chore. Perhaps it’s just too painful… Continue reading 16
Birthday preparations
Happy 16th birthday, son. I’m sorry I can’t be there. This card is just to let you know I will always, always care. Happy 18th birthday,… Continue reading Birthday preparations
Fifteen minutes
Beautiful. Really beautiful. Heart touching. Perfect. Perfectly melancholy. Inspiring. Beautiful. Awesome. Cool. Fascinating and gorgeous. Beautiful and mind blowing. Wonderful. Inspiring. Very nice, good. Interesting and… Continue reading Fifteen minutes
That word
That word used to be a huge place, a soot-darkened, glass-paneled ceiling, a marble-floored arena of crossing paths, of newspaper stands and coffee outlets and roll-along… Continue reading That word
I will steal your pain
I will steal your pain. I will market it. I will brand it. I will stand on platforms and shout about it. I will point at… Continue reading I will steal your pain
Stosh
Farewell, my beautiful Sounds of Poems co-host. Big event. Lots of other poets. This poet enters. This poet chuckles. Other poets hear this poet’s chuckle. Oops.… Continue reading Stosh
Liquidator
A fine, sunny day. The leaves look good on the trees. I’ve waited through the winter to see just that. It is good to see them… Continue reading Liquidator
Hope is a four letter word
Hope is a four letter word that we learned as children meant our dreams could be heard. That the world might not end, that the nukes… Continue reading Hope is a four letter word
Blue Angel Landing to return
It’s with enormous pleasure that I can reveal I’ve accepted an invitation to join the team of editors who will work on a brand new edition… Continue reading Blue Angel Landing to return
Sounds of Poems at Fantasy Faire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m1xLJ8FxPQ Last night I attended Sounds of Poems at the 2016 Fantasy Faire, a fantasy-themed event you’ve probably already heard about that raises money for Relay… Continue reading Sounds of Poems at Fantasy Faire
Why cutting costs costs
1. Make some people redundant. Because you still have to meet your statutory responsibilities and now have less people to do it with: 2. Hire some… Continue reading Why cutting costs costs
The 25th tweet
Stephen Fry made a joke about someone on the telly. According to the BBC, lots of people complained on Twitter. Although the only actual example they… Continue reading The 25th tweet
Season’s greetings 2015
You do whatever weird, convoluted shit that you’re legally entitled, I suppose, to do. Meantime, I’ll thank you to stop telling me not to wish you… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2015
Last Christmas
If snow could only fall this year, take care of tidings spread, we wouldn’t have to work to make it Christmas in our head. We wouldn’t… Continue reading Last Christmas
Fade
It’s hard, but it isn’t. All you have to do is stop remembering, close the logs, pack away the pictures; just let the details fade. Sooner… Continue reading Fade
Forced tears
When you can’t cry, squeeze your eyes tight and cover them; wail; beat the table blindly. If it helps, think of someone you loved. Or invert… Continue reading Forced tears
9/11/11
Water falls. Trees grow. The day is full of names. Cut. Illuminated. Read aloud. And touched with fingers and foreheads. And rubbed upon unfolded paper. Continue reading 9/11/11
Have a great time
Me: I’m off! I’ll be back in a couple of weeks! Can’t wait to get away from it all! Boy, do I need this break! Looking… Continue reading Have a great time
Billy
Billy sits on the floor to my right whilst I eat, looking up at me, longingly, putting his chin on my leg in case I haven’t… Continue reading Billy
City Boy
City boy with his hardworking wife with his hands in his pockets never worked in his life watching others toil when he tries, he does it… Continue reading City Boy
Ex
“I loved our relationship,” she says, like it was a neat little package; a book with a title and a date. “I grieved it,” she adds,… Continue reading Ex
The obligatory smiley
(I’ve just realised I’ve a whole bunch of poems written since ‘Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue’ that have only had… Continue reading The obligatory smiley
What Second Life means to me
Here’s my contribution to Xiola Linden’s video share request. Continue reading What Second Life means to me
All about me
It’s like this thing that once happened to me (which is similar, but not very). It demonstrated that I have balls. Anyway, this is what I… Continue reading All about me
Are you a cyberbully?
Here’s my May column for AVENUE magazine. Photography this month is by Val Kendal. Cyberbullying is a topic of increasing urgency, chiefly because it’s killing people. … Continue reading Are you a cyberbully?
five
I’ve also put together a book to celebrate my five years of SL. A collection of my SL pictures, poems and excerpts of the six novels… Continue reading five
Connectives
As Michael Rosen is currently pointing out, ten and eleven year olds in the UK are currently entering into SATs revision. I say ‘entering into’… in… Continue reading Connectives
Christmas day poems
Happy Christmas, all. I’m in a poetry writing mood today. I’ll add poems here as I write them. Let’s see how many I can manage.Forced tearsby… Continue reading Christmas day poems
Season’s greetings 2011
We visited a greetings card. We cut invisible lines in the ice, left non-existent tracks like hesitant dots across the snow. Our cheeks would have been… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2011
Plymouth
The union’s changed and the underpass is gone, and the walk down Sydney Street feels like the memory of some dream I once had, where… Continue reading Plymouth
Poetry compilation now in hardback
My poetry compilation, ‘Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue,’ is now available to buy in hardback as well as paperback. I… Continue reading Poetry compilation now in hardback
Audioboo recording
I just discovered the amazing Audioboo site, where you can upload sound recordings. Follow the link and you’ll be able to hear me reading the title… Continue reading Audioboo recording
Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue (2011) by Huckleberry H. Hax
Selected poems (2008 – 2010) by Second Life® writer, Huckleberry H. Hax. Available formats: Print: Paperback Digital: PDF Kindle (see below) ePub (TBA) Amazon Kindle: Due… Continue reading Old friend, learn to look behind you in the coffee queue (2011) by Huckleberry H. Hax
Season’s greetings 2010
Your words are knitted gifts. I hold them to my cheek, savour their warmth and texture. And consider myself spoiled. Continue reading Season’s greetings 2010
Poem published in Urban District Writer
One of my poems, “Phone”, has been published in issue 11 of the poetry journal “Urban District Writer”. A printed copy will cost you just £2. … Continue reading Poem published in Urban District Writer
Ex-lovers’ vows
I’m going to start posting some of my poems here. First off, here’s one I wrote a week ago for the Blue Angel open mic (every… Continue reading Ex-lovers’ vows
The Blue Angel is dead… Long live the Blue Angel!
The Blue Angel Poets’ Dive, SL’s longest running literary venue (and one of my very favourite places to be in SL) is moving to a… Continue reading The Blue Angel is dead… Long live the Blue Angel!
Poets for Haiti – The loudness of tiny, inside noises
A poem of mine – ‘The loudness of tiny, inside noises’ has been published in a compilation made to raise money for the Haiti disaster. ‘Poets… Continue reading Poets for Haiti – The loudness of tiny, inside noises
Aspie
This week has been Autism Awareness Week at Tiatopia Island. The organiser of the event, Tia Macbain, contacted a number of SL poets – of which… Continue reading Aspie
Season’s greetings 2009
In Salon six, on Christmas Eve, the old man in red entered and waved his stick with traditional menace, yet no small degree of trepidation: these… Continue reading Season’s greetings 2009
Poetry reading.
I’m one of four poets reading at the Poet’s Showcase at Twilght’s Peace Galleries on Tuesday, 15 December at 4pm SLT. SLURL here. Continue reading Poetry reading.
Blue Angel Landing issue 1
We’re getting perilously close to launching a print version of Blue Angel Landing (initially mentioned here). In the meantime – and courtesy of http://www.issuu.com – you… Continue reading Blue Angel Landing issue 1
Sounds of Poetry
Last Monday was my first go at co-presenting the weekly ‘Sounds of Poems’ event held at Cookie. I presented with the very able Stosh Quartz and… Continue reading Sounds of Poetry
Blue Angel Landing launches
Issue One of Blue Angel Landing, the SL poetry journal I’ve been working on with Persephone Phoenix and Shara Levanque, is now available. It’s 44 pages… Continue reading Blue Angel Landing launches
‘At the beach’ comes joint first in VE Day poetry competition.
My poem, ‘At the beach,’ which was written about the Normandy landings in World War Two, has been awarded joint first prize in a VE Day… Continue reading ‘At the beach’ comes joint first in VE Day poetry competition.
Off the Shelf
I get a mention in the latest edition of Off the shelf, an audio podcast by Bookstacks managers Kghia Gherardi and Simeon Beresford. The episode features… Continue reading Off the Shelf