Story sticks

Tree Stories
 
The sound of wind through leaves
            marks a gathering mood
the rings in their heartwood
            hoard history’s unstable sap
they remember the hide and seek
            of robbers and princes;
in Skiathos there’s a pine tree
            where a Russian icon appeared
a bright Virgin swaying in the sirocco’s
            hot and dusty breath.
 
Sue Burge
 
Twelve 'story sticks' by Ben Coode-Adams occupy the Great Churchyard: making them, they became a memorial to my twenty-eight year-old self, still growing and finding my way. These works are both memorials and images of memorials strung together so that those images can converse with each other and the viewer. 

A branch arches a narrative
of lichen encrusted eyes 
that have witnessed cold sunsets, 
solemn maids creased under windows.
She is available, in mild agony
eyebrows heavy from linens.
Today she will pick the patterns 
of roses.
 
Inside, cloaks eclipse legs
bent on repayment or 
annihilation, awaiting orders
or desiring to flounce,
with hands opaquely holding.
Below them, little cloaks
and arms taut like wire imitating wire.
 
Outside in the meadow, cow’s eyes dart 
up hills and behind set shadows,
leaping with each sparkle across the bank.
On the river the cow finds nothing 
but time, ceaselessly passing.

Marianne Habeshaw

Ben Coode-Adams is an artist who was born and lives in Essex, in the East of England.  He studied Fine Art at The University of Edinburgh and Art in Architecture at the University of East London.  He draws, paints and makes sculpture. Twitter @bencoodeadams Instagram bencoodeadams Facebook Ben Coode-Adams www.bencoodeadams.com

Sue Burge  is a freelance creative writing and film studies tutor based in North Norfolk.  Her four poetry collections are: In the Kingdom of Shadows (Live Canon 2018), Lumière (Hedgehog Poetry Press 2018), The Saltwater Diaries (Hedgehog Poetry Press 2020) and Confetti Dancers (Live Canon 2021).  www.sueburge.uk

​Marianne Habeshaw is an emerging, contemporary poet living in Peterborough/East London. Her work reflects on learnt social behaviours and internal conflicts, written with intimate, frank humour and striking, fulsome imagery. 
Marianne’s first poetry collection Blather Gaps has been recently been awarded the TLC Free Reads Scheme. 

Habeshaw's  poem The Scene is part of LADA, Something Other latest chapter Visions; the poem Sandpaper Hands is included in  their upcoming Unseen! 4 with Unseen Words and Visuals Collective; poems Puffer Trains and Obtainable Anxiety  are part of Gold Akanbi’s upcoming collection Unbound. Instagram @razmaztaz