I used to have a couple friends who grew up on islands. They’d stare out into the open countryside, not a drop of water in sight, as if they were searching for a dear friend. Other friends would stare at the sun in the height of summer, laying a brazen faced challenge for it to burn. But it only simmers in England, far from the overwhelming heat they grew up in.

Fiction Bite - It Always Rains in Cardiff

She loved when the rain drifted down in soft clouds that caressed her skin. As the first drops fell, she’d rush out, shedding clothes to whirl round the garden, feeling the water trickle across her body. And as she spun, ideas would seep in. Crazy, wild nuggets of genius that would break whatever impasse she was facing. Dave had laughed the first time she’d explained, and the second. But he let her sell the house and didn’t ask why they were moving to Cardiff.

Quote of the Week

'The great flow of the ocean sets me moving, floating, floating like algae on the surface of the water.

The celestial vault excites me and the powerful wit stirs my spirit and I fling myself in the dust.

I tremble with joy.' - Eskimo (I need to cough up a failure here. I’m pretty sure there’s more to the attribution, but it’s missing from my notes. It was a library book and I’ve not been able to check in time. I found the quote in Mind and Muscle by Elizabeth Langford)

Book recommendation - Blue Horses by Mary Oliver [Poetry]

Final Words

A few houses ago, I would wake and stare at the mountains from the kitchen window. Their comforting loom would hug me throughout the day. Then we moved, and I lost their companionship, but found others in ancient trees. We’d speak every day; they were far wiser than me. But in the last few years we’ve lived in a city. A small, green city, but recently I’ve found myself with that same yearning look, searching for the countryside I knew and loved. It’s been calling to me. It never stopped. I just couldn’t hear its voice for a while.

With Love,

Josiah

P.S. What did you think of this week’s email? Which was your favourite bit? What didn’t work for you? Hit reply and let me know.