Lady Vervaine's photostream  

Polaroid SX70. Polaroid ATZ.

And so, after a final 48 hour burst that involved 2 hours of sleep in total, I finally finished the draft of the new book on Monday morning! Then I collapsed for a week, and haven't had the strength to post anything until now ;))

It's not the final draft, but it's getting pretty good, I think... So I'd just like to take a moment to thank not only those of you who were kind enough to send me messages of support, but all of you fabulous Flickrfolk. I started the first draft of this book at almost exactly the same time I started Flickring: three and a half years ago. My adventures here have been a massive work-displacement time-sink, but they've also been a window onto a wider world that has helped keep me sane. So a very heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you!

One last thing. This link will not take you to anything I've written, but it will take you to the single most inspiring thing I've read in all that time. It's a book of poems that is brilliant, funny, sexy and wise, and if you've enjoyed any of the words or pictures I've posted here, then I urge you to buy it, either direct from the publishers, or from Amazon, or from anywhere else you like, just as long as you buy it! It costs less than £10 or $15, and you'll not only be bringing a beautiful thing into your life; you'll also be supporting the good guys. Small press poetry publishing is a fine-margins business at the best of times, but in today's economic climate, every sale really can make the difference between life and death.

Holga 120N. Kodak Portra 160VC. One minute exposure on bulb setting.

"It's so easy to laugh,
It's so easy to hate,
It takes strength to be gentle and kind,
Over, over, over, over, over.
It's so easy to laugh,
It's so easy to hate,
It takes guts to be gentle and kind,
Over, over…

Love is natural and real,
But not for you, my love,
Not tonight, my love.
Love is natural and real,
But not for such as you and I, my love…

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my...."

- The Smiths
'I Know It's Over'

Holga 120N. Kodak Portra 160VC. 15 seconds exposure on bulb setting.

"....I know it's over
And it never really began,
But in my heart it was so real.
And you even spoke to me, and said:

'If you're so funny,
Then why are you on your own tonight?
And if you're so clever,
Then why are you on your own tonight?
If you're so very entertaining,
Then why are you on your own tonight?
If you're so very good-looking
Why do you sleep alone tonight?

I know: 'cause tonight is just like any other night.
That's why you're on your own tonight….'"

- The Smiths
'I Know It's Over'

Holga 120N. Kodak Portra 160VC.

"Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head.
And as I climb into an empty bed –
Oh well. Enough said.
I know it's over – still I cling,
I don't know where else I can go.
Over....

Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head.
See, the sea wants to take me,
The knife wants to slit me;
Do you think you can help me?"

- The Smiths
'I Know It's Over'

Holga 120N. Kodak Portra 160VC.

"In spirit she's drifted to the ocean
All those years of waiting for the water
She's watching long shadows caught in the tide
But the sunset by the sea is in her mind
The sunset by the sea is in her mind....."

- Alela Diane
'The Ocean'
from her brilliant new album 'To Be Still' - probably my album of the year so far….