Once upon a time, when the world was younger, a new plant sprouted that began releasing a strange new gas. It was poisonous and it started killing everything around it. That new, deadly gas was oxygen. This was, give or take, one of the stories my dad would tell me when I was a child, … Continue reading The Infinite Monkey Cage
flowers growing in unusual places
It started with a grain first fed then contained Fear kept it lovingly in its domain I was always brave when the time came. Breathe in rip it out like a band aid Now I harbour winds that rage like hurricanes but hardly whisper outside the brain I used to be brave when the time … Continue reading flowers growing in unusual places
‘Lady of the Sea’ – The Escape
(For the previous chapters, visit the Lady of the Sea's main page) Peafowl had never met a pirate before – not one that was not hanging from the gallows, anyway – and he was beginning to feel a bit more cheerful about his verbose dungeon neighbour. Not that he cared for him at all, as … Continue reading ‘Lady of the Sea’ – The Escape
Book Review: Cloud Atlas
Summary: Souls crossing ages like clouds cross skies. And Robert Frobisher wins my heart. Some book-to-movie adaptions work so well that you'll flutter towards the source material. Others are not as fortunate but, if the story is good, some will pick up the book to see what it's all about. For me, Cloud Atlas, the … Continue reading Book Review: Cloud Atlas
On why literary snobbery is meadow muffins
Once upon a time, I ran into a work colleague who had his nose stuck in a book. If there is one thing book-lovers have in common (other than the love of reading), is our cat-like curiosity about the books someone else is currently having an affair with. So I asked him what he was … Continue reading On why literary snobbery is meadow muffins
‘Lady of the Sea’ – The Tale of the Devil’s Passage
(For the previous chapters, visit the Lady of the Sea's main page) Supper is always a pirate's favourite time. After a hard day's labour and maybe some plundering and canon-blowing, the men are finally able to rest their legs - be they wooden or otherwise - and gather around food and drink skillfully prepared by … Continue reading ‘Lady of the Sea’ – The Tale of the Devil’s Passage
Love affairs
Some books you'll cary around only for a quick escape. They may be deep and engaging, heart-wrenching and thought-provoking but (be honest), they are like a casual date with an interesting someone whenever you're able to fit them into your schedule. They fill in the spaces between home and work, or help you digest a … Continue reading Love affairs
rewind the film
If you know anyone who loves to take photos the old school way, they'll tell you how cool it is to use an expired film once in a while - the colours get all funky and you'll end up with strong greens or oranges, no filters needed. What about a film that was perfectly fine … Continue reading rewind the film
Brain on Cocaine
If you go through my music collection today, you'll find heaps of alternative everything, Canadian indie, progressive metal and jazz oldies. But, as a teen, I was all about pop and radio-friendly songs, and no one struck a chord with 14-year-old me like Take That. I fiercely began writing my own songs (spoiler alert: they … Continue reading Brain on Cocaine
Horror stories
Started reading The Plot Against America because of the current political scenario all over the Western world. Had to put it down after the result of the Brazilian elections, because of the current political scenario all over the Western world. Picked up David Mitchell's Slade House instead. Because reality is scarier than horror fiction and, … Continue reading Horror stories
Spiritual Front plays The Smiths – and themselves
"Don't think of this as a Spiritual Front concert. Think of it as a party", frontman Simone Salvatore told us. And how right he was. Last night's Spiritual Front show in Lisbon's Sabotage Rock Club almost felt like those times when you hang out with that friend of yours who plays the guitar and serenades … Continue reading Spiritual Front plays The Smiths – and themselves
Some are Born to sweet delight
Some are Born to Endless Night. - William Blake, 'Auguries of Innocence' I bought this album over 10 years ago, on my birthday. It was terribly overpriced - probably with the excuse of being an indie import from a faraway country - but I felt so happy to see a Hawksley Workman record in a … Continue reading Some are Born to sweet delight
Orphans
As an orphan one learns to be self-sufficient and one learns the tricks of the trades which go with that. One becomes a freelance. (...) I propose a conspiracy of orphans. We exchange winks. We reject hierarchies. All hierarchies. We take the shit of the world for granted and we exchange stories about how we … Continue reading Orphans
I blame Tom
I blame Tom for fingers that want to dance along the skin for the fire emerging from sailing within.
Feminism: you’re doing it wrong
It's chicks like you that give women a bad name.
‘Lady of the Sea’ – The Mission
(For the previous chapters, visit the Lady of the Sea's main page) Azov’s pirates had been sailing all night when their captain rounded them up to reveal the news as the sun came up. The big sea bear cleared his throat and tried his best to look cool and collected. “As you know," he began, … Continue reading ‘Lady of the Sea’ – The Mission
No Love Lost
no love is ever lost when love stands still if you save it in a box no love is ever spilled love can never be lost when it's not carried in words to save every single drop just ignore the hummingbirds if you never reach to taste it no love is ever wasted save your … Continue reading No Love Lost
The Visitors
It wasn't like this before. We were never modern or trendy only feeding off old glories of dead sailors and football stars. So we liked having you here: the wealthy relatives who never held us in any regard. But now you come to visit all the time. There is no more sitting outside with a … Continue reading The Visitors
Seeds
The eyes In my mind See all the skies I've crossed Since they were left behind Can you see All the seeds you left Inside me How they grow Do you know It is all you I am turning into.
Translations
O meu amigo Ricardo escreve umas coisas - bastantes e boas. Há poucos dias publicou, no seu cantinho virtual, um poema em que pede para não ser traduzido. O que me pareceu a oportunidade perfeita para exercitar os músculos de tradutora e pseudo-poeta. Sem mais demoras, aqui vai: My friend Rick (see what I did there?) … Continue reading Translations
in reality
in reality music is more fitting for the measures of this heart but I cannot play all the keys it wants to say so I let it start with these silent songs
primordial
It breathes ancient, this thing. It stirs and it rings and pours out of my skin. There's a tempest within. I should hold down the lid but can't sail this ship while lost drunk on longing. The sails rip at the seams. My lips holding the seeds I can't sow - for now. Can the … Continue reading primordial
Bag Lady
Too many bags with too much baggage back from when your heart was savage and oblivious. A bag of lights A bag of doubts An empty bag on where to shout. The bag of tricks you've since collected - their smoke and mirrors have now deflected. So pile it up and build a pyre Make … Continue reading Bag Lady
Make Good Art
There is a crack in everything That's how the light gets in. Leonard Cohen, Anthem There is tremendous power in joy. It recharges you. It can be used as a shield against big, bad, scary creatures that threaten you with darkness. Better yet, it can be stored for subsequent use when these gloomy creatures … Continue reading Make Good Art
‘Lady of the Sea’ – Jonah
[For the previous chapters, check the Lady of the Sea's main page] What a useless little vermin, thought Isola to herself. That is the problem with the overly ambitious and under-intelligent: they act hastily and on impulse. 'Planning' is too big a word to fit in their tiny little skulls. Not that Peafowl knew any … Continue reading ‘Lady of the Sea’ – Jonah
Isidora Works 