Esther Chilton

If you’d like to be included in this slot, please get in touch: estherchilton@gmail.com. Poems can be up to 60 lines and prose 2000 words. If you’d like to add a short bio and photo, then great. All I ask is that there’s nothing offensive.

This week’s guest is a new student of mine and a real inspiration. I’m delighted he’s written something for this slot. Please welcome Barry Watts to my blog this week.

                                                   Spellbound

I am frozen to the spot. I cannot move. The trees are dancing in the night. The elves and pixies dance to the green man who lurks in the branches of the trees.

He tells a story that we must listen to before the cruel wind descends and the rain lashes the trees. They have been uprooted and I can hear the snapping of branches and the tearing of roots.

I am panicking but am in the stillness of the storm that is relentless in its fury.

The green man smiles and I am trapped by a giant web that engulfs me.

The howling wind bites my body, and I submit to its power and feel the warm embrace of fear. I watch as the ground heaves and swells and bursts forth.

The thunder drowns my ears and the lightning seers my eyes.

I crawl into a dark hole and cower in fear, but the green man follows, sits and taunts me. 

There seems to be an eternity of noise and chaos from which I cannot escape and the wind and rain lashes my face. The demons of the storm surround me, the beasts of the earth have been unleashed. They gaze upon their victory.

But soon the dark clouds wither and in their glory flee. I crawl from the dark hole and gaze upon the scene. All is quiet, serene. Hell has been. I walk slowly through the forest. Night is night and day is day and now I can see the forest dance and play.

The green man smiles and walks slowly by my side and the bright moon holds me spellbound.

***

About Barry:

I was born in Tunbridge Wells and went to Huntleys Secondary Modern.

When I moved to Walsall with my wife I went to Wolverhampton University as a mature student and graduated with a BA(hons) in Politics and Psychology.

I am now a freelance writer with a diverse career behind me. I am seventy nine years of age (oh dear).

I was in the merchant navy. I have also been a social worker and a swim teacher. I have been married for fifty years, and am a lifelong athlete.

I continue to prioritize fitness exercises daily, whilst managing COPD.

My journey is defined by a deep curiosity about people and a commitment to staying active regardless of the challenge.

***