Haiku Journal – 13
Walled Garden walled kitchen garden, sea-besieged, forest-hemmed peaceful fertile womb Cauliflower naked brassica severed from crowning glory: prize cauliflower
Walled Garden walled kitchen garden, sea-besieged, forest-hemmed peaceful fertile womb Cauliflower naked brassica severed from crowning glory: prize cauliflower
Dear Orlando, I hope you won’t mind a letter from a mere dog. Actually, I’m more properly described as a hound, and my breed profile says I will chase anything that moves. That is certainly true if I encounter a rabbit, badger, pine marten, sheep, or (and I do apologise for this, but you’d understand … Continue reading A letter from Hamish
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I come from the Northeast of England and was born in Durham I lived and worked in the Netherlands for 8 years in the 1980s and speak reasonably good Dutch I always wanted to live in Scotland and in 1990 my dream came true ☺ Despite never intending … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Susan Garnsworthy
Abdourahim was born in the Comoros Archipelago on the island of Grande Comoro (Ngazidja) in 1953 into a family of ten and grew up in the capital city of Moroni. There, he received both his primary and secondary education. Following the award of his French Baccalaureate Diploma, he got a scholarship to further his studies … Continue reading Black History Month: From the Comoros to Scotland
Anne Dunford, our recent reviewer of Henry Mance’s How To Love Animals In A Human-Shaped World, has been in touch with us to tell Orlando about the cat in her life. Anne says: Orlando will understand how cats can achieve more than we humans can at times, so he’ll understand what this poem is about! … Continue reading Mango the Cat
Black British writers, publishers and bookshops – because we love books! Last week we started celebrating Black History Month with general information and links to organisations or sources (more knowledgeable than us) to explain anti-racism and white allyship. This week we’re honouring some of the Black British people at the forefront of bringing us arguably … Continue reading Celebrating Black History Month 2021
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I love big dogs and have an Irish Wolfhound called Hamish. I met my husband when we were both playing in an indie rock band in London in the 1980s. We’ve lived on our croft in the north-west Highlands for nearly 22 years and brought up our two … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Clare O’Brien
During September we asked you to send in your flash fictions on the topic of pets, animals and the natural world. Thank you to all those who took the time to enter. All the Autumn Voices staff held a secret ballot to choose our favourite and the eventual winner was: Roger Knight, who’s 70 and … Continue reading Flash fiction – Pets, animals and the natural world – Winner Announcement
This is a book that I would love to give to as many people as possible. I wish that someone had written something similar many years ago. However, with the increasing concern about climate change and more people becoming aware of a plant-based diet or veganism, this is probably a more opportune moment for a … Continue reading Anne Dunford reviews – How to Love Animals in a Human Shaped World by Henry Mance
Dear Orlando, I am a sixty-four-year-old Tuxedo cat and have always considered myself a fine example of my breeding, but I must confess I’ve let things slip on the exercise front during lockdown and gained some unwanted ounces. I’ve always been very active; I am extremely fond of night-prowling, terrorising dogs and occasionally engaging in … Continue reading A Book Shop Tuck Shop cat
* This blog post is intended as a very broad starting point for our older white audience members who are keen to learn how they can be an ally, and as an act of solidarity with older Black people, who we very much hope to welcome to the Autumn Voices community. It was written by … Continue reading Autumn Voices celebrates Black History Month 2021
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I was born in Belfast I wanted to be a vet but I wasn’t clever enough I like the newness of Spring I love swimming. What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why? My 30s, when I was at home with all … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Judy Lever
Dear Orlando, Happy Caturday! I am dictating this to my human Miss Annabel Sings who I hear is coming to work with you on a pilot project. Good for me, I get some alone time. When she told me about you, I thought ‘oh I must say hello’. I hope your humans tell you daily … Continue reading Hello from Dexy
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself: I am very hard of hearing and rely on my hearing aids for any sort of meaningful communication. Apart from smiling and nodding that is. I am a Yorkshire man (just). I have lived in Scotland for over 40 years I have had serious back problems since my … Continue reading Quick & Quirky Questions with Roger Lever
On the 1st of December, 1980, I bundled two small boys, two collie dogs and some random bags bulging with essential everyday paraphernalia into my yellow Ford Escort. I loved that car! I was setting off on a journey from Tain up in Rosshire, all the way down to the south to the quiet little … Continue reading A High Street Vet