Ralph Dartford

There may be a good blossom.

by

by Ralph Dartford We have wounds. I tell myself this as I finger the scar on my cheek, wince at the film of it in the mirror. Memories are blood.I walk downstairs. The party swings like a bell and detritus reigns. There are crushed cans, plastic plates, dog ends and a burnt sausage in a wine glass. There’s an assignation in the hallway that ends in a punched wall. My … [Read more...] about There may be a good blossom.

Broken Stones.

by

by Ralph Dartford Veronica was never a bad seed. She was once a teenage beauty queen from St Lucia who dreamt of having a husband and children. But the sun never shone on her after that beautiful Caribbean day. She fell into bad luck, into the sepia margins of the city of London. Tonight. She’s an aged snake peeling off her red haywire wig and her rubber dress. There … [Read more...] about Broken Stones.

THE PALINDROME.

by

by Ralph DartfordI was at homeon the phonetalking to Evemy missus.There were nolong distance kissesbecause wewere having a row.I called her a cowand then a sillylittlemadam.She said.Bob the wordmadamis apalindrome.And sheput downthat phone.FuriousI called my Dad.I said.DadDadDad!What’s a palindromeWhen it’s at home?He said.Sonaskyour Mumyour Mum knows.your Mum knows … [Read more...] about THE PALINDROME.

The Mercy on Silver Street

by

by Ralph Dartford  17th July 2013   Dear Shane, We are writing this letter to you from our old table at Café Denis on Silver Street. Please excuse us for not writing on a regular basis, but you seem so very far away now and we don’t know if you want to hear from us at all these days. We suppose that we’re taking a bit of a chance … [Read more...] about The Mercy on Silver Street

Middle England

by

by Ralph DartfordA town like Billericay, in Essex.  A March Saturday night. A little bistro that serves pasta dishes to Gladys and Brian. She is twin set nostalgia; he is slacks and Argyle fantasies. There is talk of the credit crunch and muddling through, keeping calm and carrying on. There is always the rugby, their pals at the Ship. A pint in a tankard, just a small … [Read more...] about Middle England