The Dressing Up Box

I was looking at a meme about the idea that we are ghosts inside a meat coated skeleton, made from stardust, riding a rock whilst hurtling through space, and I thought ‘there’s a poem in there somewhere’ 🤔 So here it is. Borrowed clothes of passing time, Once formed a cobweb so sublime. Those golden

Book Review: ‘The Silent Companions‘ by Laura Purcell

The first book I have read in absolutely ages. I have made a resolution to read books which have been piling up for ages. At last I have managed to get my concentration back by reading a little per night. Before I knew it, I began to get absorbed again into the pages, just like

Into the Read

In the beginning, Echostains, my art blog, featured art history, design, film, book reviews – in short a pot pouri of art/arts related topics. I then decided to transfer the book and film reviews and subjects to another blog. Thus Bookstains was born. Content on Bookstains has been sporadic, to say the least over the

Haiku: Lords a reaping

With reference to the Lord of Misrule. Traditionally, he is appointed at Christmas time to preside over the Feast of Fools. First in my new occasional series ‘End of Days’ where I dilute (and believe me, I do dilute) my political outrage into a Haiku. Its been a daily occurrence (my outrage and despair) since

Random Haiku from my Covid-19 Diary

Happy Birthday A E Housman!

Poem: Orb Worship Revisited

I see a bit of sunshine and at once my spirits are uplifted and borne away on a sunlit day, so artfully. Let’s hope there’s more of it around the corner. I was reminded of this poem I wrote, so I’ve revisited it. Orb Even the shite shines golden, You can see why the Druids

Selected Poem: ‘Whatifs’ by Shel Silverstein

In these days of uncertainty, made even more so in this present climate , I think everyone can relate to this poem. ‘Whatfs’ is a playful poem relating to our own personal fears and writtten imaginatively from a child’s point of view by American poet, artist, cartoonist and playwright Sheldon Allan Silverstein (September 25, 1930 –

Happy Robert Burns Night and an Address to a Haggis!

It’s Burns Night tonight. A traditional celebration to celebrate the great Scottish Poet Robert Burns birthday (b. 1759 – 1796).  Best known for his poem Auld Lang Syne, The Burns Supper tradition was first held in his cottage by  his friends in 1801 to mark the 5th anniversary of Burns death. Ayreshire merchants,  many whom

Great Lines: Charlotte Bronte

Great lines ; Charlotte delivers