Welcome to the first of my four September Showcases, in this, the final month on our theme of ‘Change.’ I’m Lisa Scully-O’Grady, a writer with an interest in writing for creativity and healing.

Everything changes in life, from one year to the next and one day to the next. Nothing stays the same. We spend our lives learning and unlearning, only to finally realise that the point of life is to travel from our egos, the journey from our head to our hearts. It’s about finding community and taking care of our whole selves. None of us are just one thing. We’re not just daughters/sons, brothers/sisters, wives/husbands/partners, parents, aunts/uncles, our profession, the roles we hold, our achievements, the mistakes we’ve made. We are mind, body, emotions and spirit. My take on this is that the part of us living on in others’ hearts after we’ve died, i.e the good things they remember, is what really matters.

As humans, we have an innate yearning to belong. We long to gather in community, to share and exchange stories and eat together and be there for each other when things are confusing and difficult, not just for the fun times. The thought-provoking prose, essays and poetry I’m bringing you over the next four weeks are linked to ideas that bring us together and help us navigate change – individually, but also within a community.

Of course, we are also ushering in autumn; the ultimate season of change!

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What better place to start than to introduce our first poem by a pupil of Marsh Green Primary School reflecting on July’s Barking Carnival. This wonderful celebration of community spirit in the Borough can also be seen in the picture of Brenda Leacoch, below, performing at the carnival.

A Poem By Gabby (a performer in the carnival)

Coming to dance with,
A time we will always remember.
Rejoice together as a family.
Now we dance in unity!
I’ll cherish this very well.
Vanished are our worries and sorrows.
And we all danced together as a team.
Love for carnival is evident at Marsh Green Primary School.

(c) Gabby, 2024

To learn more or to volunteer for next year’s event, contact UKON Careers by emailing: info@ukoncareers.com or visit UKON’s website. www.ukoncareers.com.

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Our second piece speaks to us about the messiness of growing up. The awkward yet exciting in-between place of teens-meets-young-adulthood.

In And Out Of Childhood: Navigating The Path To Adulthood

Drifting in and out of childhood is a phase everyone must face; just as the summer holidays fade away and school children return with anticipation for a new term. For some, it means a new class and, for others, facing a new school. I still have memories of feeling nervous about starting a new school year. These days, it seems, children transition from the fun of the summer holidays to the reality of lessons, homework, school trips and class activities even more swiftly.

This experience parallels the process of growing up. Entering adulthood brings many changes, often beyond our control: biological changes, physical changes and psychological transitions as well. The realisation that certain behaviours are childish, and that maturity needs to take centre stage, begins to dawn on us. Navigating this transition requires significant strength. It can be overwhelming, particularly given the challenges that may be posed by family, friends, school and the community.

I naturally look and act older than my age, which has, in a way, always prepared me for the future. Interestingly, most of my friends are older than me.  This has been beneficial, as I’ve learned a lot about life from their experiences. This topic resonates with me because, at times, in critical situations, I find myself acting my actual age, or even younger, and I can’t help but wonder what game the universe is playing on me. To avoid making irrational mistakes or decisions, I seek advice and guidance from my mum as well as close relatives and friends. In work settings or around career choices, I turn to my mentors.

In essence, no child should be left alone during the growing-up phase. While it’s important to allow them the liberty of making their own choices, guidance and role models are crucial during this pivotal transition into adulthood. With the right support, they will grow into responsible adults who can one day be proud of themselves, contributing to society in a positive way.

 (c) Rachel Affiong Umoh, 2024

Rachel Affiong Umoh (Ladyray), is a Nigerian by descent, currently living in the United Kingdom. A Rehabilitation Practitioner, she specialises in disability and mental health support. Rachel’s passion for blending arts with advocacy is reflected through Ray’s Haven, her foundation for support the rehabilitation and psychological wellbeing of children and adults with disabilities in Africa.

Connect with Rachel on Instagram: @umoh_rachel

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My final choice this week is about the mixed feelings around a young family member leaving home and the contradictory emotions around this new and potentially freeing life stage.

Empty Nest

Our drive up north is weighty,
though I try to play it lightly.
Like marbles in a blender,
I see us rattle round a hollow home –
the nest-is-flown syndrome.

We slip on brave faces for our son and ourselves,
we focus on his excitement ahead,
gloss over his doubts and insecurities,
tell ourselves how tidy the house will be –
minus his teenage floordrobe.

Hugs and promises to visit soon
Leeds ain’t the dark side of the moon!
manage to keep tears at bay
as we wave goodbye
to our twelve-stone baby boy.

Heading south we take a break,
a stately home with ornamental lake.
We’re surprised to find behind the columned pile,
a brass band performing popular choices,
for an admiring middle-England audience.

It’s like we landed by parachute
in a Martin Parr photo shoot.
We sit on the lawn eating scones
listening to smooth metallic tones
of trumpets and sousaphones.

No sign that rain is on its way,
but when the band begins to play
the Elvis tune, Are You Lonesome Tonight?
I hear a snuffling out of place
and spy the teardrops on your face.

(c) Dan Janoff, 2024

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If you’d like to see your writing appear in the Write On! Showcase, please submit your short stories, poetry or novel extracts to: pentoprint.org/get-involved/submit-to-write-on/

Hear extracts from Showcase in our podcast. Write On! Audio. Find us on all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Google Podcasts and Spotify. Type Pen to Print into your browser and look for our logo or find us on Spotify for Pocasters.

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