Angela Watt

As way of introduction, here are 10 favourite 📚📚 The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald) The Secret History (Tartt) Fingersmith (Waters) The Magic Faraway Tree (Blyton) Wintering (May) Wild (Strayed) Tall Bones (Bailey) The Santaland Diaries (Sedaris) A Christmas Carol (Dickens) The Glass Castle (Walls) 📚💙

It was a job he could give his #commitment to. The dead never complained about their cappuccino milk being scalded or his manner being offhand. Here he could be himself without judgement. He was respectful, chatty & present until it was their time to go. He made sure he always said goodbye. #vss365

‘Are you #nervous? About this? About us?’ What to admit she thought as she took a sip of cappuccino, quickly wiping her lips with a napkin in case froth remained there. ‘What do you think? We had an agreement. Not to meet or speak of it.’ He leaned in. Yes, but now they’ve found the body.’ #vss365

Sign up for six weeks at a special price. Managing Feminine Rage was the #training course title. The first week covered mansplaining and appropriate replies and responses. She skipped over the other weeks until she landed on week six. Revenge. Now that’s more like it she thought as she paid. #vss365

It was an enormous #lottery prize. Life changing. The government said there would be twenty four winners. Win and leave a life of drudgery behind. Lose and leave your life behind the advert said. No one knew what that meant. He took a ticket. The money was enough to make it worth the risk. #vss365

Finding the money in the cupboard of our new house was #unexpected. Spending it was easy. Explaining how I would replace it with my wife tied up and held at knifepoint - well that was a bit more tricky. #vss365

I see you ahead of me, there in the street, just outside our favourite cafe. You have an easy smile, and no umbrella, despite the rain. I yearn to throw my coat over your shoulders, protect you. But I failed you before. My brain kicks in. She’s #dead. But my heart continues to seek you out. #vss365

The day of the #dead is fine. It’s the night she fears.They converge at her door, wander in the garden, messing up her borders. Hopefully she can appease them, share good reasons why they were not reunited with loved ones. If it kicks off like last last year, she’s not sure what she’ll do. #vss365

Standing by the small stone that marked her father’s time was an act of #bravery. And one of rebellion. His name was only ever whispered, his story unfinished. She brushed dust from his grave, and said his name out loud. ‘Your heart is my heart, your blood, my blood. I’ll make things right.’ #vss365

The #dice have rolled. They chose their fate when they took you from me. A mistake. An accident they said and the court believed them. But I’m not the forgiving kind. Not when it comes to you. Let them gamble and take their chances. I can wait, strike when least expected. I like my odds. #vss365

As I #comb through her fur, I know she’s growing older. Her younger self would not tolerate this intrusion. But she is patient letting me work on matted fur she can no longer keep smooth. And then I tug a little too hard. There’s a swipe and blood is drawn. There’s life in the old cat yet. #vss365

He began planting the new trees in his late seventies. Even added a wildflower patch to the #garden. ‘What’s the point?’ his wife said. ‘Neither of us will get to see your results.’ ‘But somebody will,’ he replied. ‘And that’s good enough for me.’ #vss365

I watch you #toil each day to make ends meet. To give your kids a chance. The chance you never got. I see the tiredness behind your eyes, behind your smile. I know your story. For it is mine too. Shattered dreams. Yet here we are, early shift at the factory, finding things to laugh about. #vss365

I recently finished reading #GhostMonth by @simonwroe.bsky.social The concept intrigued me - ghosts can return one month a year and be seen by the living. It started in a somewhat light-hearted way but developed into a much deeper book exploring grief and the impact of loss. #bookreviews #books

it's not your calm mask that soothes me during our farewells it's the way you hug me as if you're trying to absorb me into your being I never tell you but I love this #betrayal of your nonchalant act #vss365

The #betrayal comes from the least expected source. Her neighbour and friend, Elizabeth. Now the King’s men are accusing her, waiting to take her. ‘There’s bread in the oven,’ she cries. ‘I can’t leave.’ And then Elizabeth is there. I’ll sort it,’ she says, and then whispers, I’m sorry.’ #vss365

#Betrayal cuts a deep wound. Seeing him brings back an agonising ache. A family wedding, at the hotel, with his new wife, new shiny children, like he’d wiped everything clean and started again. She watches him smooth his hair, a familiar action. She’ll never know him like I did, she thinks. #vss365

He asked for #forgiveness. I willingly gave it. We are all only human after all. Then I told him it was over and I saw the confusion on his face. To forgive is one thing, to forget another. And I could not live a life with those memories forever entangled in the fabric of our relationship. #vss365

She gave him a #fleeting glance from her seat on the bus. One person on the street on her way to work. It changed him forever. He followed that bus, found out where she worked, lied to get her name, tracked her online, stalked her every movement, until she was forced to become someone new. #vss365

I am #haunted by the girl I once was. I catch her out of the corner of my eye reading quietly or hear her joyful cries as she jumps into a pool to swim. I am haunted by the young woman I once was. I see her bravery and determination, her belief in the goodness of others. Can she return? #vss365

When I went to speak he put up his hand. ‘Let me, #dear friend, I don’t have long now.’ I turned away so he couldn't see the pain in my face. ‘Don’t be sad. We’ve had some fun along the way, But listen, get the key to the lockup. When you see what’s inside everything will become clear.’ #vss365

Hell have no #fury like a woman scorned. She writes these words at the top of the page. Underneath the subtitle - Revenge Plan. And then 22 bullet points. He’s about to discover the meaning of fuck around and find out. She returned later that day, crossed though point one. 21 more to go. #vss365

Boris aka #Fury the local tomcat terrorized the neighbourhood. Other cats returned home with bitten ears, missing fur, limping and crying after encountering him. Susan refused to believe the stories. ‘You wouldn't harm a fly,’ she said stroking his upturned belly and listening to his purrs. #vss365

After 18 days I give it a #name. What is that? Still here then.You seem to be growing. What do you want? All things asked in recent days. I’ve scrubbed it, used bleach, prayed. Is exorcism my next step? I touch the edge of it and it bleeds into my hands like ink. Yes definitely exorcism. #vss365

#Cats drive you crazy, make you pamper to their every need, let you believe a belly stroke is safe. It isn’t. Adorable creatures with head boops, chatty meows, and mesmerising anxiety-reducing purrs. They wiggle into your heart and when it's time to go, a tiny piece of you is forever theirs. #vss365

They rest #undersea, have been stagnant, asleep, silent for aeons but time means nothing to them. When the signal comes, pulsing through the water, its vibrations finally reaching them, they push up from the sea bed swimming to the surface. Will they be accepted this time? Can they save us? #vss365

What #trickery is this? I woke this morning and found myself a year older. Yep I’ve completed another trip around the sun. Wasn’t it only yesterday I was 31. But then again birthdays give chance to celebrate. My choice a sundae. Lovely to be here with my #vss365 friends and to read daily stories.

At the #investiture they bowed deeply in front of their new king, false loyalty in their eyes and rebellion in their hearts. Their time would come. Not today. But soon. #vss365

She finds the key as she walks the shoreline, #seafoam salt staining her shoes. As she picks it up, a sharp image forms. The chest. The attic room. She rushes home, clambering up the stairs. A click. As she lifts the lid, waves cascade onto the floor and a mermaid reaches out a hand. #vss365

‘So what #word should I write in the card? Condolences, sorry, thinking of you.’ She left him to ponder, lifting the now cool casserole dish into a bag. She left it on the doorstep, rang the bell and walked away. No words would make this day easier but a prepared meal might help. #vss365

She loves the #letter M, likes the smack of it on her lips. M is for mayhem. Mischief. Mistake. Madness. M is for Murder. #vss365

‘Can’t take these,’she says handing me a box of Christmas deccies. ‘Thanks. I’ll miss you. Good luck.’ When December arrives, I open the box and find a letter hidden among the baubles. Sex and desire pours off the page. My neighbour’s affair laid bare, my husband’s name at the bottom. #vss365

Splashing Splashing in the water sending ripples racing toward the bank and back again. To us, paddling, kicking spraying water high into the air, causing a rainbow over the stream streaming hues of many colours, raining down in droplets, laden with frivolity. #water #poem #vss365 #freeverse

I believed my love like #water would always find a way to reach you but your dam holds me back. This time it is too big, too strong and all I can do is lap gently against your barriers hoping to find a way in. #vss365

I could see distaste on my mothers face before she spoke. ‘This is not a proper kitchen #sink. Way too small. In ours, I washed you kids, scrubbed laundry, washed every pot we owned. Look at my hands.’ I turned away. University, a great job, money. None of it was ever enough for her. #vss365

The house started to #sink after the funeral. Slow, steady as grief. Nothing seemed wrong with the ground. The priest they finally called knelt, ear to the floor. He said it was feeding. The old man had kept it away for years. Now nothing stood between the house and what the ground was owed. #vss365

I let the cold waves wash over my feet and toes until they #sink into the soggy sand and disappear. Once I pull them free, the sand closes over. You’d never know I was here. Life has been that way for me. Never able to settle. Maybe this place is somewhere I can finally leave footprints. #vss365

He laughs hearing her #sing in the shower. Every note a wrong ‘un. Yet love fills his every cell. He cannot imagine a morning without those strangled notes and murdered tunes. #vss365

#vss365

How did I not see that grief would unravel me? It was there all along, hiding in plain sight. I created a #blind spot, pushing my hurt and pain there. But grief refuses to be ignored. It shows up in my peripheral vision, blurring then sharp and sharper still. It will have its time with me. #vss365

When he switches off the torch, darkness engulfs me. I stumble in the field. ‘Where are you?’ I ask throwing my arms out like I’ve gone instantly #blind. ‘I’m here. Right here.’ He grips my hand. ‘I can’t see a thing.’ ‘Look up.’ I do and I’m in love. With the stars. With him. With life. #vss365

‘Tap the machine, and it goes straight to my #bank.’ I did so and sat down as she took my hand in hers. ‘Things have moved on since the cross my palm with silver days then.’ I waited for her wise words. Instead she dropped my hand and spat on the floor. ‘You,’ she cried. ‘Get away Demon.’ #vss365

Smell of Dads books, The staleness Of a dried up riverbank. Dressed in nicotine Dust covers, Finger prints of black butter One, Where a brew, Of motley crew Once stood in life, Gracious enough to Leave a lasting note. Love, Hidden in the smell Of dirty old books. #vss365 #bank

She stumbled down the #bank of the Thames, wellies squelching underfoot. Toni had found a gold cygnet ring last week & Jack a trinket box. Mudlarking they’d called it. She was here to find treasure. Hers came in the form of a human head, eyes & mouth stitched shut. She’d not be coming again. #vss365

#vss365 she found her words tucked under his pillow in the morning his keys hung sloppily over the lip of the plate the sun cut his figure out of the sky leaving a hellish glow he was angry stones skipping across the pond she was in love with tiger lilies sleeping by the river #bank

she runs to the river like in the movies rolling up her jeans boots left on the sand a small pause before it bursts out rough at first then softer her chest rises & falls she laughs “I laughed,” she notes then laughs at having laughed feet in the water boots on the #bank #vss365 #blueskypoets

Pen, paper, and #ink equals infinite possibilities #vss365