Scribble magazine Issue 19 2015 - The light Issue

19 20 15 Issue

New Writing poetry Fiction Reviews

Autumn

Upcoming: Cheryl Martin - Alaska Scribble Festival Kamila Rymajdo In Review: FUSE Project Darnhill Festival

Words from the Editor

Hello and welcome to Scribble Magazine!

We publish Scribble quarterly and share anything that can be written, spoken or performed!

Our work takes us to meet with new and undiscovered writers from across the Greater Manchester boroughs of Rochdale, Bury, and Oldham where we deliver the “Tell Us Another One” project for writers of all levels of experience who are given the opportunity to contribute to the pages of Scribble magazine with poems, fiction, news, and reviews and occasionally with featured articles with your favourite writers, poets and performers.

2015 is The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies and this issue of Scribble will include some creative writing based on the subject as well as some reviews and reflections, and some information on some upcoming events and introductions to some writers we will be working with on various projects here at Tell us Another One. Danny Fahey Editor Scribble magazine c/o: Tell Us Another One Cartwheel Arts 110 Manchester Street Heywood OL10 1DW

19 20 15 Issue

New Writing poetry Fiction Reviews

Autumn

Upcoming: Cheryl Martin - Alaska Scribble Festival Kamila Rymajdo In Review: FUSE Project Darnhill Festival

01706 361 300 danny@cartwheelarts.org.uk www.tellusanotherone.org

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INTRODUCING: KAMILA RYMAJDO IN REVIEW: DARNHILL FESTIVAL

IN REVIEW: FUSE PROJECT UPCOMING: SCRIBBLE FESTIVAL UPCOMING: ALASKA

fire will burn A candle in the wind So precious As it flickers So close to death Yet a spark Can ignite it Creating a wild untamed Forest fire Unstoppable, fierce, destruction Yet it gives us warm Light within the darkness Home cooked meals Romantic settings A fragile line is drawn Between life and death Respect the flame Respect fire

By Katie Haigh Copyright ©KatieHaigh

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sparrow I am proud to choose the sparrow It is a calm, peaceful cutie The sparrow says “I am a sparrow, we don’t degrade each other I am humble always singing, not worrying about what people think about me.”

I am glad when I look upon its glorious wings Struggling with the strong wind The sparrow says “I start the day with positive thinking we don’t fight with each other because of food” The Sparrow seeks livelihood by following nature Some sparrows are grey and some are multi-coloured The Colourful sparrow makes me think about my meaningful life The sparrow removes pain from my life Rakhshinda Aslam Spotland writers group

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bon fire Play kerplunk or operation Like a train on the tracks Coming to the station Dominoes or cards Build a rocket Zoom to the stars Cartoons are fantastic To watch and to learn Bonfire night the fire still burns JP Bamford

My wings are paper thin, yet they feel capable, as I tentatively try them out.

They feel strong‌. Where did they come from?

I awoke to dazzling colours, surrounded by the sun.

I feel so close to soaring on the horizon, warmed right through.

But memories of my past life prevent me.

In my youth, I tried to fill the void, eating as many crisp, green leaves as I could. I never questioned who I was, or where I belonged.

Times changed, and I found myself wrapped in soft bandages, Hanging alone from the branches of my tree.

I felt vulnerable and smothered in my cocoon Now, I realise that it gave me protection, And the time to come to know myself.

Birdsongs bring me back to the present, I perch on the scraps of my former home.

I feel suddenly care-free, awakened, and ready for my second youth.

I am not proud like a peacock, but as I flutter effortlessly into the sunset, I know I am pleasing to others, and also pleasing myself.

Yasmin Hussain, Deeplish writers group

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Introducing: Kamila Rymajdo Kamila Rymajdo is a writer from Manchester via Warsaw who specializes in flash fiction and works with intense, dark themes that will often push the comfort zone of someone reading. Kamila pushes the boundaries of expectation and kicks hard against the stereotypes of writers being lonesome, quiet and introverted.

She is founder of nightlife collective Witch*unt, who curate parties with a Trash-Glamour edge, and also writes often for the online powerhouse VICE network about her experiences as a club promoter in a world which is mainly male dominated writing her accounts with a strong feminist perspective. Kamila will be joining us this year at Oldham Library for Scribble Festival 2015 on 5th November for a performance with Q & A, and will also be facilitating a flash fiction workshop.

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This year in the lead up to Darnhill Festival the Tell Us Another one project created a book in observance of The United Nations International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, to raise awareness of the achievements of light science and its applications, and its importance to humankind.

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In review: Darnhill Festival

The project was facilitated by two artists, writer Reece Williams and visual artist Lisa Risbec, who engaged with young people from Heap Bridge Primary School, Our Lady & St Paul’s RC Primary School, and Holy Family RC and CE College. Pupils used creative writing and visual art to create collages and poems that include short form poetry such as Haiku, the Hemingway, and the Kenning to explore the theme of light using short form poetry and ultra short fiction, sayings and phrases, and the use of “Meme Culture” and what that means to the sharing of words and short stories. Generating ideas for typography and collages that reflect the aesthetic of social media such as Instagram and Snapchat.

The project was produced by Darnhill Festival Association in partnership with the Tell Us Another One project with the “Darnhill Book Of Light” presented and celebrated with some workshops and performances at the annual Darnhill festival. Here are some highlights from the book!

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Sun Power, Shining through walls Fighting, darkness defeater Flames Inspire, Hope starter Caitlin Horan, A3

The moon hung above us, Like a patient, pale blue face.

Molly finn

A star, pathway to glory A map to happiness Mackenzie Hart

Fire essence, burns away utter darkness Colour creator, fades away Georgina Graham, A7

Gold fish, skin shimmering Bright as the sun, white as the moon Diamonds swimming around.

Hope giver, hanging in space Darkness destroyer, never appreciated Source of all life.

Lia Kay

Connor Bannister, A3

Alarm, Flashing red and blue, Noisy, Fire, burglar, wake up!

Tyler Lang

Light of a Laptop An escape from reality Another world Quotes and light Luminous

Electricity powerful like the sun Headlights stare like a fox at night Stars shine like small fires flickering Thomas Campbell

Light, Giddy, a bag of mixed emotions Dizzying, bright

Adam Davies, A3

Charlie Coulson

The Moon, a bright colour that lights up the sky Makes a reflection in the water Made of cheese, an appetizer for an astronaut.

Aoife Smith

Lightsaber, slicer and dicer Party starter, dance and destroy Joe Cunningham

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In review: FUSE Project

The Fuse project was delivered over summer in partnership with Contact Theatre, and The Brew Cafe with the aim of engaging young people of the Fitton Hill area of Oldham in various creative activities that involve creative writing.

We worked with artists, One69a, Chimpo, Kelly Morgan, Reece Williams, Lisa Risbec, and Reform Radio, who delivered workshops in Screen printing, DJ’ing, Drama, Poetry, Visual art, and podcasting respectively.

The young people involved got the chance to create a podcast which not only documented their process but gave them the chance to share their own views and opinions of what it is to be creative and also their neighbourhood and locality. We finished our project with some good food and drink provided by The Brew CafĂŠ and also a very special performance and sharing of video and audio created by FUSE participants with skills taught to them by Reform Radio.

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LIGHT We are guided by it Made blind by it Stuck a candle in a bottle And dined by it Light Light fingered Light headed Light hearted Make it lite if you need a quick bite Always best to travel Light A little bit of opera A snack at lunch A stroll by the canal A comedy, a touch Light Soft, on a romantic night A soothing breeze, a layer of snow A gentle kiss before you go Light See it at the tunnels end In epiphanies of peace, the day we met as friends Light But the best light is one That shines & never dies It’s the firefly, the feather, it’s the break of dawn, It’s the lovelight in your eyes Phil Barling, Dumers Lane writers group

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rise Dawn rises extinguishing the last slits of night It’s light sneaks between curtains ajar Nature awakens with a chorus of birds While the cockerel shrilly shrieks ‘Good Morn’ And those in bed begrudgingly yawn For day does beckon us all awake We bid farewell to sleep filled dreams As we dress in garments of a daytime theme We greet reality as life we face Opening ourselves honestly we embrace

By Katie Haigh Copyright ©K.Haigh

The moon’s light is nice We talk to each other Play hide and seek Stars blink The sea waves jump Fireflies shine on and off Children giggle in the moonlight Ghazala Jabeen Deeplish writers group (translated by Anjum Malik)

When I see the Eid moon on this starry night It is like Noor’s light outshining the stars It touches the river waters rippling across My heart is happy as I put henna on my hands Parveen Iqbal Deeplish writers group (translated by Anjum Malik)

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Upcoming: Scribble Festival

This years Scribble Festival will be taking place at Oldham Library on 5th November 2015. We will be joined by some of our favourite writers who deliver work with us all year round and also by some new names and faces who will be sharing their work and practice. We will be holding workshops and Q&A’s, sharing audio visual work, and will present readings and performances from Writers Reece Williams, Shirley May, Shamshad Khan, Kamila Rymajdo, songwriter Jenna G and another special guest yet to be announced.

Scribble Festival 2015 Thursday 5th November 2pm – 9pm Oldham Library Cultural Quarter, Greaves St, Oldham OL1 1AL For information: 01706 361 300 danny@cartwheelarts.org.uk

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Alaska tells the story of a black pre-menopausal lesbian’s descent into suicidal depression and her emergence from it. Playwright Cheryl Martin tries to keep a warm heart in an icy world, without losing her mind. A raw and powerful performance, with humour, heart and soul, with stunning vocals and beautiful images. With one in four of us estimated to experience mental health difficulties at sometime in our lives, this is a story that touches everyone, whether first-hand or through family and friends.

Alaska is a playful, joyful, visual and aural experiment taking you into one black woman’s experiences growing up, inspired by Cheryl Martin’s poetry collection, listed for the 2015 Polari Prize Commissioned by The Albany, supported by Contact, STUN, Commonword, and the Arts Council England National Lottery “It is a devastatingly beautiful show…, poetic narrative and heart achingly profound... people should go” Audience Member Alaska will be showing at : Touchstones Rochdale The Esplanade Rochdale OL16 1AQ

Upcoming: Alaska Cartwheel Arts & Touchstones present Alaska 20

Saturday 3rd October 1pm – 3pm FREE Suitable for 13 years and upwards

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Daily Rainbow

MORNING EYES In the morning when my eyes open, I see the sunrays come in through the window.

I saw from the window, the pale light of the sun Along with the cool, cool breeze that was blowing

Am I too late, the day has started

I get ready in the morning to go for a walk Everyday I see a rainbow when I open my door

I close my eyes I think of those without eyes

Naseem, Spotland writers group (translated from Urdu)

Lifes activities are all from light The daily routine depends on it.

Shahida, Spotland writers group (translated from Urdu)

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LIFE AND ENERGY 24

The sky opens, the wind runs wild Sunlight comes through the clouds Sunlight, hot and shining My garden’s flowers glow in sunlight Sunlight gives plants life and energy Birds fly everywhere in the daylight Up and down, tree to tree Busy singing Attiya, Spotland writers group (translated from Urdu)

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Light improves life Light is hope Light boosts confidence Light gives us ideas Light is happiness Moonlight, smooth and calm Bright in the dark with moon and star light Attiya, Spotland writers group (translated from Urdu)

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GIVER 27

Sitting around my dad in the courtyard telling us stories of his life.

All of my brothers and sisters, listening carefully, sitting on beds made of wood and rope in the beautiful moonlight.

We can see so clearly, as if there are tube lights on.

In the plants at the bottom of the courtyard we can spot fire flies, Asking dad if we can catch them.

Shellah, Spotland writers group

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LIGHT, ENERGY, VISION Matter, world, energy, light.

We need light to see matter

When imagination rises up we see light To realise we need insight Light gives sight Insight gives vision Day light, sun light, moon light, tube light One overpowers the others, there is a clash But nature has beautifully arranged the system.

Delicate sunrise shows off our skin When the sunsets the light dims The sun bathes in the blue water It blossoms into the moon, glowing like a newly wed bride.

Rukhshinda, Spotland writers group

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Have you ever felt the wind brush against your face in a soft moonlight?

Just sit outside admiring the moon and it’s glow, so many questions come to mind. Will we ever know the answers our hearts desire? Over time we may, yet when we do get those answers, are they ever really true, because questions can’t be answered completely. We can never know everything, it may seem that way, but it’s masked deception. Though some may refuse to believe, we all know it deep down, the truth. copyright © Ashleigh Haigh

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When the silvery night comes Your memory comes with it Sometimes sad, sometimes happy I remember every moment I see light everywhere The night is like day Your face bright like Noor Your smile serene, dazzling My heart is always satisfied

The Eid moon is shinning in the sky Every face is bright like shimmering light Smiling at each other with congratulations Laughter and Eid surprises every where Bazaars full of the sound of laughter People waiting for their long missing friends Happiness in their hearts and all around The air perfumed with henna and Eid feasts

Attiya Malik, Deeplish writers group (translated by Anjum Malik)

Balqis Akram, Deeplish writers group (translated by Anjum Malik)

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Anyone can join our Tell Us Another One regular writing groups which we support across the Greater Manchester Boroughs of Rochdale, Oldham, and Bury. Groups meet monthly and are always welcoming towards new members. For more information contact 01706 361 300

Join In!

Darnhill Library Argyle Parade, Heywood 0L10 3RY Second Monday 1pm - 3pm Spotland Community Centre 92-96 Spotland Rd, Rochdale OL12 6PJ Fourth Wednesday 9am - 11am Deeplish Community Centre Hare St, Rochdale OL11 1JT Third Tuesday 1pm - 3pm Dumers Lane Library 245 Dumers Ln, Radcliffe M26 2GN Third Friday 11am - 1pm Moorside Library Seedfield Resource Centre Parkinson St, Bury BL9 6NY First Thursday 2pm - 4pm

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Scribble Magazine is part of the Tell Us Another One Project, a three-year creative writing project, run by Cartwheel Arts in the North-West of England.

The project operates in the Greater Manchester boroughs of Rochdale, Bury and Oldham and is funded by Big Lottery and supported by each borough respectively.

We run monthly creative writing groups for adults in locations around the three boroughs considered to be in need of cultural provision.

These groups are free and open to everyone with no previous experience of creative writing needed, you don’t need to have perfect grammar or for your first language to be English.

If you’re interested in creative writing and would like to try new forms and styles, from poetry to ultra-short fiction, to song lyrics to dramatic monologues or playscripts, if you’d like to meet and work with well known professional writers and if you’d like to know other people in your local area who enjoy creative writing, your local Tell Us Another One group is waiting to welcome you.

 Find us on Facebook: Cartwheel Arts

 Follow us on Twitter: @cartwheelarts w Watch us on youtube: Cartwheelartsonline