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Fiction by BenSep 5, 20219:36 amSeptember 5, 2021
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Seconds…

There is no panic, which is odd because she thought there would be panic. This is the moment Sally has been least looking forward to, it’s fair to say…

Poetry by BenJan 13, 20214:44 amJanuary 13, 2021
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Skalugsuak

for a long time there is peace
and darkness
or what she has thought of as darkness
as in an absence of light
but then
there is distortion and violence and panic…

Poetry by BenMay 24, 20203:20 pmJanuary 13, 2021
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Miscarriage

I discovered all the words Donald Trump used in his inauguration speech that had never been used in an inauguration speech before, and mixed them up into this poem.

Flash Fiction by BenMar 21, 20206:33 amMarch 21, 2020
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Fireflies

Sid’s eyes dart around the room searching for something to rest upon but he is grateful for her apology, at least for her self-awareness. His eyes land on a bug on her shoulder crawling towards her neck.

Flash Fiction by BenMar 19, 20208:30 amMarch 19, 2020
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The Boy Had A Name

Everything is capable of being loved, he says.
The lady smiles.
Well I guess that’s true.
Her voice is barely a whisper.

Flash Fiction by BenMar 18, 20204:06 amMarch 18, 2020
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Sid Thinks Of The Syrian Boy

Sid thinks about the Syrian boy a lot. Even now, even all these years later. Lying on his tummy, arms by his side, palms upturned to the sky. He looks asleep in his red top.

Fiction by BenMar 17, 20206:40 amMarch 20, 2020
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It’s time to go again

I’ve been away a while. It’s time to go again.

General by BenJun 24, 201911:56 pmMarch 17, 2020
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Here Comes the Sun

Mum died on December 21, 2018. Six months later, to the day, my wife boarded a plane bound for Abu Dhabi.

Flash Fiction by BenJul 13, 20189:56 pmMarch 17, 2020
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June Bug

Although they stood only five yards away from George, the pair of them were quite oblivious to his presence.

100-Worders by BenJul 17, 20178:15 amMarch 17, 2020
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The Domestique

You use 40 percent less energy in the peloton. A life spent in the service of others.

Flash Fiction by BenJun 13, 20171:36 pmMarch 17, 2020
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Walking Home

She walks east. Tick tick tick tick, a woodpecker tapping at the side of her brain. Tick tick tick tick. Countless tiny brass squares of the city’s shame underfoot, unforgotten.

On Writing by BenMay 30, 201710:35 pmMay 31, 2017
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Muddled Messages

First up, an apology. I’ve been absent without leave, thanks largely to starting the novel. It’s consumed almost every thought and I haven’t been in a position to think about this place for a bit. […]

100-Worders by BenMay 23, 20172:15 pmMay 23, 2017
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Ghouls

When darkness falls, wraps the world in confusion and unexplainable horror, when truth slips away and the real becomes incomprehensible, so the ghouls appear, blacker than the darkness they breathe, to feed on the misery […]

100-Worders by BenMay 17, 201710:09 pmMay 23, 2017
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Flora’s Unspoken War

Flora Goodwin picks at the hole in the tablecloth on her kitchen table. There must be something she can do. Outside, six pigeons, two starlings, one crow, two swallows and a parakeet line up on […]

On Writing by BenMay 15, 201710:45 pmMay 15, 2017
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The Fear

Consumed by The Fear, the leaden knot in the pit of the stomach, the Charlie Brown raincloud lingering overhead.

Continue reading The Fear
Flash Fiction by BenMay 5, 20175:38 pmMay 5, 2017
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A Quiet Corner Of The Map

I was a camper. Everyone hated me.
OMG NOOB CAMPER QUIT CAMPING U FAG.
Finding a quiet corner of the map – or a dark spot in a busy corner of the map -and picking off passers-by was, apparently, not cool.

Flash Fiction by BenMay 4, 201712:56 pmMay 4, 2017
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Anton dreams of armchairs

Anton has had a good month. His energy consumption is down and his reputation capital has doubled after volunteering at the Sunnyside Nursing Home. Content, he relaxes into his fabricated Eichholtz Goldoni armchair, swipes off his retina display and shuts his eyes.

Continue reading Anton dreams of armchairs
On Writing by BenMay 3, 20171:20 pmMay 3, 2017
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Taking Stock

Well, 108 days into this adventure, I thought I’d give an update on where I am, if only to collect my own thoughts and ensure I’m remaining focused.

I’ve had two lovely surprises over the last seven days.

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100-Worders by BenMay 2, 20173:09 pmMay 2, 2017
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Foxman (The Origin Story)

One day there is a dead fox in the road outside the school. It is all opened up, inside out.

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Flash Fiction by BenMay 1, 201710:12 pmMay 1, 2017
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The Escape

Jake removes his Bose headphones and stashes them in his rucksack as he turns into the estate. He needs every sense down this end of town where, lit by a full moon, giant concrete Tetris shapes litter the landscape, vomited up out of the ’60s architectural nightmare.

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Flash Fiction by BenApr 29, 201710:27 pmApril 29, 2017
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All There In Black And White

A farcical opening has me down a rook, two pawns and in check with the game 10 moves old. Only one way back.
‘Esther was asking after you this morning.’
As casual as you like. Don’t look up, let him soak in the information.

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Flash Fiction by BenApr 28, 20171:00 pmApril 28, 2017
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Luna Gets Played

Every morning the same: Ellis relearning how to get through Tiny Swing Door, pawing at it like Greg fumbling at the front door when he’s drunk and cuddles too hard.

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Flash Fiction by BenApr 27, 20171:37 pmApril 27, 2017
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Godspeed Brave Alfie Twitch

Alfie Twitch rubs his wrists, sore from the plastic ties that had him strapped to the chair. He watches as Jess eyes the painting above his desk. With flick-knife still in hand, she approaches the scene of London at night and cuts a St Paul’s-shaped hole out of the canvas.

Flash Fiction by BenApr 26, 20171:16 pmApril 26, 2017
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The Gaps

Grandad, slumped in his tatty armchair, turns slowly to face me as I walk in with Mum.
‘Is that my favourite Grandson?’ he says, his voice thin.
‘It’s your only Grandson.’

Continue reading The Gaps
On Writing by BenApr 25, 201711:23 pmApril 25, 2017
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Relief!

No, you’re eating Corn Flakes in celebration at 11pm.

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Flash Fiction by BenApr 24, 201711:27 pmApril 24, 2017
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Overton’s Window – Part Two

For once, the dog keeps quiet. The one time Percy is duty-bound to raise hell and he bottles it. Instead he sits, feet in perfect ballerina’s second position, next to the old woman’s cracked skull as it leaks blood onto the pavement.

Mitigating Circumstances by BenApr 22, 20174:03 pmApril 22, 2017
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Mitigating Circumstances

‘Truman, you can’t expect a crushed child on your watch to go without consequences.’

Derek Granger gulps down his Coke and burps.

‘People pay a lot of money to leave their kids here. It is supposed to be a safe environment, away from the Horde.

Flash Fiction by BenApr 21, 20176:38 pmApril 21, 2017
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Searching for Self

The tube trundles woozily under the east end. Jonathan’s leg jiggles as he pours every thought into his phone screen, but the alcohol is making it difficult to focus.

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Poetry by BenApr 20, 20171:07 pmApril 20, 2017
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What I See When I Look For You (Redux)

Too many other people,
not enough you,
in this museum,
lollygagging at my pregnant grief…

Poetry by BenApr 19, 201711:10 pmApril 20, 2017
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What I See When I Look For You

This time next week I will have submitted three poems – alongside a short story and a piece of drama – for the MA. I’ve been advised to be as bold with my poetry as […]

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