‘Private Disclosure’ — Flash fiction

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With news of Babylon burning around the world, I ventured out with my dog onto the bleak winter marsh, Christmas hat on. 

Unexpectedly, a wind arose; Carly went crazy, barking, leaping, whilst I cowered on the ground, unsure of what was happening. There was an eerie light around us, a spinning disc above, descending, flashing multi-coloured beams in all directions. I made out symbols of a man, a lion, an ox, an eagle, emblazoned in gold light on the side, fixed signs of creation; Carly went quiet, whimpering between my legs. Suddenly the most beautiful woman I had ever seen stood before us, dressed in flowing silver raiment, her eyes a penetrating cyan. 

“Why me?” I asked in my mind. 

“Why not you?” she replied, smiling faintly. “Simply understand — this Christmas is like no other. I have to show you, not tell. Now you know.” 

With that she was gone; Carly began to bark and leap once more, feigning attack on the craft which rose silently, before zipping rapidly away towards the gelid north, higher and higher, until it became a tiny point of light among revealing stars.

An extra terrestrial, or some inter-dimensional being? An angel could take any form, I figured. So was I some latter day Ezekiel, primed for changes, a release from this lower dimensional captivity? Either way, in my heart all fear and doubt was gone; this one incident encapsulated the time: The new age of disclosure had begun.

Copyright Francis 2020

Christmas Is Coming!

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January Diets Are Not For Me

flat lay photography of vegetable salad on plate
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Come January and a plethora of dietary advice hits us like an Alpine avalanche.

You know the score, you’ve overeaten for a week or more and you dread getting on the scales each morning, right?

Well, I for one don’t really believe in diets. I think you have to mindful all year round, including Christmas. Sure you can eat a bit more, but I often skip breakfast, or have something really light at that time, if I know I’ll be partaking in a feast at night. I might drink more water too.

A week or ten day’s overindulgence could take weeks to put right in terms of losing that weight you’ve rapidly put on. So I simply don’t do it. I am not perfect by any stretch, I just say no to that extra drink, I don’t get drunk and I rarely overeat – even at Christmas.

Ultimately, prevention is so much better than cure. A ‘diet’ for me is for life, not just for January.

copyright Francis Barker 2020

Haiku: Books

adult book book store bookcase
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Books, books and more books
We never run out of room
Only time to read

copyright Francis Barker 2019

Haiku: Turn of the Year

macro shot photography of tea candles
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The brighter the lights
so the darker it becomes
All hail the sunshine!

copyright Francis Barker 2019