Nicholas Bell

The Empty Space

Lying in the tossed sheets in the morning you realise you have woken without something you have felt this before that empty space has been with you as long as you can remember but now it has taken form now that presence has crushed the pillows laid a towel over the chair traced itself uponContinue reading “The Empty Space”

Watermelons

A poem for my mother. – In our house (When the need arises) You cut watermelons Take the carving knife Gently And bring it to bear On the rough edges that hide our fruit Inspect the flesh It is flawed no doubt but without rot Slice it in even orderly parts The best for servingContinue reading “Watermelons”

The Bird who liked the Quiet

This is a children’s story I wrote for a quarantine project with Vertigo theatre. Originally it was quite sad, and I’m glad I was given a reason to revisit it and make something hopeful. – Once there was a little bird who lived in a quiet wood. And that was just how she liked it. She’dContinue reading “The Bird who liked the Quiet”

The room has four walls

The room has four walls And a window and a door And it always feels empty Even when it’s a mess The room has four walls And a ceiling which by rights Should be more novel to stare at Or at least I think so The room has four walls And the wardrobe doors areContinue reading “The room has four walls”

Dirge of Troy

If only I had strength to match my eyes That hold unblinking view upon the shores Where in the coming days the waves shall rise And bring to bear the fruit of distant wars To cast into the sea these bitter few Whose whims and wants are wrought in others’ blood And let the watersContinue reading “Dirge of Troy”

Scheherazade

In some ways I am luckier It is not every night I must Distract a glut’nous mind with what Few dreams I have to spare I try to picture daily dread Imprisoned in those perfumed silks Awaiting night, and knowing I Must lay my soul to bare For her a lord whose mercy came WhenContinue reading “Scheherazade”

The Mermaid and the Horizon

‘‘Tell me about the mermaid again, Grandpa.’’ According to her mother, Lucy tells everyone she meets about me. Just like that. She’ll just walk up and say “Hi, my name’s Lucy, and my grandpa’s Theodore Flint.” Everyone in the city knows the name, of course. They know the stories, just as she does. Captain Flint,Continue reading “The Mermaid and the Horizon”

Denouement

it is finally quiet the form on the floor that is for now still alive wonders when its world was last free of noise at its sides blood is pooling to meet chalk outlines not yet drawn and above it the ceiling light is unyielding and impossibly bright moments ago before the other left soContinue reading “Denouement”

Song of the Magpies

It’s only when the gunfire and shouting has become distant, with the battle’s dead left to the quiet and the crows, that we make our move. Soap is first, dropping straight from his perch in the tree’s tallest branches and rolling when he lands. After a few glances around he looks back up at us.Continue reading “Song of the Magpies”

Nicholas Bell is Writing

And no one knows how to stop him. So here it is. I’m going to write. In public. Why not? For the handful of friends reading this first post, hi. This is what I do in my spare time. For any strangers who happen along down the line, welcome. My name is Nicholas and IContinue reading “Nicholas Bell is Writing”