Jilly Henderson-Long

Pen to Print

5 days ago

Every Tuesday we will be sharing a poem from one of our wonderful Pen to Print and Write On! contributors. We hope you enjoy!**Cat's Lick And A Promise by Tracey McEvoyCAT’S LICK AND A PROMISE Grandma holds mein the cuspal light,lowers meonto cold enamel,steadies meas the water fills. I cannot see a cat?Or hear the birds.Just silence – louder than any I have known.Breath escapes my lipsin white wisps. She lifts the pale blue nightgown over my head and soaps while I protest,scrubs with a ragged flannel which flicks around my thighs. I shiver. Draw a face on the steamed-up window.What’s that outside? she asksin a voice that saysshe already knows the answer. I see quiet. White, white everywhereI shake my head. Is it snow?She nods and smiles dries me limb by limb. Then lifts me out of the sink,hot metal taps brushing against my legs.Tells me today,we will build a snowman. An icy draught coilsaround my ankles. Yes, but—where’s the cat’s lick? And where’s the promise you promised?(c) Tracey McEvoy ...

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Pen to Print

5 days ago

Every Tuesday we will be sharing a poem from one of our wonderful Pen to Print and Write On! contributors. We hope you enjoy!**Cat's Lick And A Promise by Tracey McEvoy @traceymcevoyGrandma holds mein the cuspal light,lowers meonto cold enamel,steadies meas the water fills. I cannot see a cat?Or hear the birds.Just silence – louder than any I have known.Breath escapes my lipsin white wisps.She lifts the pale blue nightgown over my head and soaps while I protest,scrubs with a ragged flannel which flicks around my thighs.I shiver. Draw a face on the steamed-up window.What’s that outside? she asksin a voice that saysshe already knows the answer.I see quiet. White, white everywhereI shake my head. Is it snow?She nods and smiles dries me limb by limb.Then lifts me out of the sink,hot metal taps brushing against my legs.Tells me today,we will build a snowman.An icy draught coilsaround my ankles.Yes, but—where’s the cat’s lick? And where’s the promise you promised?(c) Tracey McEvoy ...

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Pen to Print

5 days ago

**September is ReadFest 2026 - Barking & Dagenham's Literary Festival**Book Recommendation - Abide With Me by Ian Ayris1975. Eight year old John Sissons watches his beloved West Ham win the FA cup just as his friend Kenny tumbles out the front door of the house opposite, blood all over his face.Fourteen years later we find both boys - their childhoods ripped apart by the unforgiving streets of London's East End - in a showdown with local gangster Ronnie Swordfish.The stakes couldn't be higher and the decisions they make might just cast a shadow over their lives forever. ...

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