Set the Controls for the Heart of The Club Bar in Paisley, a poem by Graham Fulton Scotland have just beaten Croatia 1-0 in Zagreb when we least expect it, and to add to the amplified wash of unreality the pub is now playing back to back songs by Pink Floyd beginning with ‘Set...
Read MoreThe Deceit by Bobby Motherwell They rise from the scrapes like windblown leaves, a deceit of sixty plus Lapwings. From white to black they flicker in flight. Pages of flip art motion. Escapees against a smothering sky. They mesmerise. Daring me to distraction to Goosander and Widgeon and Great Crested Grebe bobbing nearby. Spiralling...
Read MoreThe Big Fish of Galilee – a poem by Ross McWhinnie Spare a thought for people lost between the lines, unmarked on the Bible page gauged unworthy to make that great geography of names and shames that frame the stories kept. Think a moment on the ferment felt by Lazarus’ undertaker, robbed of his...
Read MoreBoth Ends Against the Middle by Mairi Murphy Mothers knit the streets together: picking up dropped stitches of the careworn darning tears, dispensing gallus compassion, doling out rampant favouritism – cheeky bisoms shouting the odds, one slap fits all. Everyone named, everyone known, doors open, falling out, falling in, swinging lampposts, chalking beds, deliberate...
Read MoreThe Best Shop in Paisley, written by The Oak Tree Writers Club (ages 12+), Aaron McWilliams, Emily Head, Leo Whaley, Murray McGeoch & Sophie Watt. Paisley, full of wonderful shops, But one stands out from all the rest. Some others think they’re better, But this one is the best. I love all of the cakes,...
Read MoreThe Mystery of Ward 18 by Rosalinda Millar The lights were dimmed As sister made her round Drowsy patients safely snuggled down Beyond the window with gentle sighs The whispering wind sang a lullaby. Gently, gently, the door clicked shut Then Sister stiffened – What! Oh Mercy! what is that? A rumbling grumbling thunderous...
Read MoreMammy Roon thi Firepit by Michael Mullen During the days of lockdown I was going through a drought of inspiration. My neighbour was barbecuing for her whole family and it was something so simple yet very powerful. I wanted to create an ode to something as mundane and beautiful as a Mother and her...
Read MorePassionate Paisley by Elizabeth Van Dyke There’s a place far away I hope to get there one day Where the streets glisten in the pouring rain From the Lowlands to the Gleniffer Braes The River Cart in all her glory Ancient castles rewind their stories The Buskers, Arts and Town Centre Piazza, pubs, bistros, the...
Read MoreDelicatessen by Jacqueline Jay Wilde Because you were smoking We stopped at the door And peered into a cavern Clustered with salami stalactites. The curve of the glass counter Gleamed in the half light, Mirrored shelves and shelves Of Italianate tins and jars And bottles and boxes Stuffed with exotic morsels. The scent of...
Read MoreThomas Campbell is an S2 student at Castlehead High School in Paisley, this is his poem, An Adventure at Gleniffer Braes. High on Renfrewshire we walk, On Gleniffer Braes we laugh and talk, At the very top we can see for miles, At the very top you can see our smiles. Our family will...
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