“I’ll tell you my favourite story about your mother taking this uncouth man & converting him to a #secouth uncle,” said Dan.
Mia giggled. “She wants feeding.” She took Kamaria to another room.
“Has Ari calmed down from us not phoning?” asked Tom.
“Jin’s job,” said Ava. #vss365

Delighted to get my copy of The Fig Tree with my poem “A Moonlit Daughter” among some excellent company with thanks to the editor.

Pleased my copy of Body arrived with my poem “Just Before the Blue Hour” with thanks to the editors at Rough Diamond.

“How did such a pretty little thing emerge from a father like him?” Dan held Kamaria.
“I blame Mia,” said Tom. “She did such a good job.”
Kamaria gurgled.
“You’ll learn a lot from your uncle’s #echolalia,” said Mia.
“He’s good with kids,” said Ava.
Dan shot her a look. #vss365

My review of S K Kelen's "The Cult of What Comes Next"
https://emmalee1.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/the-cult-of-what-comes-next-s-k-kelen-puncher-wattmann-book-review/

“Your #karma deserves nothing but brightness,” said Tom.
“They’ll be cross we didn’t say anything earlier?” asked Mia.
The midwife stopped her paperwork. “Whatever they were doing, they didn’t birth a healthy baby this morning.”
Tom nodded.
Mia looked at her phone. #vss365

“Don’t want them to see me like this,” said Mia. “When I’m ready.”
Tom kissed her forehead. “Labour’s no #nirvana. No one’s expecting you to look like you breezed through it. I’m so proud.”
“He’s a keeper,” said the midwife.
Mia tapped her phone. “Texted. Happy now?” #vss365

#NaPoWriMo day 30 poem 30 May my perfume haunt you for eternity

“They are going to want to know,” said Tom.
“Can’t we wait until we get home,” said Mia. “I want to shower. Put something on that isn’t a nightdress. I don’t want #additional people here, in hospital.”
“I get that,” said Tom with an expression that said he didn’t. “But shouldn’t you have phoned work first thing?” #vss365

#NaPoWriMo day 29 poem 29 It's not just vases that are hollow

Tom raised an eyebrow as the midwife slipped an electronic tab in the baby’s sleepsuit.
“It raises the alarm if anyone tries to take her from the ward,” said the midwife.
“Not #branding her,” Tom joked.
“Shouldn’t you be phoning the others?” said Mia.
“Do we have to?” #vss365

#NaPoWriMo day 28 poem 28 The sea can wear rock to sand

“I’d like to go home,” said Mia.
“We’ll get you on a ward. You’ll be home later today,” said the midwife.
“Good. She doesn’t do well in hospitals,” said Tom.
“We’re not going to do a #conversion & keep you longer than needed.”
Mia felt tears well: someone understood. #vss365

#NaPoWriMo day 27 poem 27 It’s not always about you

“She’s gorgeous,” said Tom. “#Free to meet Dad.”
The midwife put their baby in his arms.
Mia sank back. “She’s a 9.” The midwife’s apgar score echoed. A test, their daughter had passed.
Tom passed her to Mia. “Kamaria.”
“Kam.” Mia looked at the puce bundle. Beautiful? #vss365

#NaPoWriMo day 26 poem 26 You don’t make laws for good people

“Where are we with the #newsletter?” asked Ian.
“Done. Waiting on sign off,” said Ava.
“You do it while I wasn’t looking?”
“It’s when I always do it. Loses its magic if I put it together while you’re looking.”
“Ha-ha.”
Ava jumped. Her phone vibrated. “Dan, what’s going on?” #vss365

#NaPoWriMo day 25 poem 25 Who could forget the "Obligatory Cat Poem"?

“Maybe Dan’s just in a meeting,” said Ian. “An instant respond can’t be unusual.”
“Actually it is.” Ava blushed as she remembered their initial dates & her anxiety.
“If he’s caught up, he’s not going to advertise on a #website is he?”
“Maybe.” Ava put her phone down. #vss365

Delighted to get my copy of Mingled Voices 9 winning and shortlisted poems from the Proverse Poetry Competition where my "All Gardens Carry a Whiff of Decay" was shortlisted.