As 2020 draws to a close, I have been thinking about the parallels between current times and the “Roaring Twenties” following WWI and the 1918 influenza pandemic. Just like then, we are living through a historical event that will be studied and written about one hundred years from now. Once all of us have receivedContinue reading “Redux”
Author Archives: Sonia Nicholson
Provenance Unknown: An Update
The year 2020 has been a Rubik’s Cube of emotion, an ever-changing combination of sadness, inspiration, confusion, anxiety, and connectedness. There have been days of merriment, days of not wanting to get out of bed, days of frustration. Sometimes the right squares aligned, and other times the colours were a contradictory jumble. I have experiencedContinue reading “Provenance Unknown: An Update”
Autumn
We blinked, and suddenly it’s fall. I wrote this poem last autumn but kept it squirrelled away until now. I’m more drawn to writing poetry these days even though my focus is my novel; it offers a welcome break between chapters. when i doubt the dimming light caught in drops like headlights in eyes castContinue reading “Autumn”
Birthday (A Poem for Rose)
This week we celebrated my daughter’s birthday. While she was opening presents, I quickly wrote this poem as a simple but heartfelt gift to her. Birthday (A Poem for Rose) sweet, green girleyes round like peachesrolling up to heavenwhen you think I can’t see you(in the young, fresh grass)sprouting, all limbsgangly and beautifulto carryforwardstrongly, boldlyyoursecretContinue reading “Birthday (A Poem for Rose)”
Sharing Paper Hearts: A Follow Up
Back on April 11 I posted my first attempt at song lyrics, “Paper Hearts”. At the time I asked any musicians who might be interested in giving the tune a go to contact me. Honestly, my expectations were low, and the lack of any kind of initial response just confirmed that this was justified thinking.Continue reading “Sharing Paper Hearts: A Follow Up”
Riding Miss Betsy
Her steel body squeaked unnervingly as we bounced along the uneven pavement. My hands, gripping the short, ribbed handlebars, struggled unsuccessfully to keep the oversized front wheel from wobbling. The man who lives at the top of the block looked up from his weeding, amused. I had regularly watched him breeze up the hill duringContinue reading “Riding Miss Betsy”
Paper Hearts
This is my first song, inspired by current circumstances and by the signs of hope that I’ve been seeing on my daily walks around the neighbourhood. I’m a writer and not a musician, though, so if someone would like to put my words to music, please get in touch. I would love to be ableContinue reading “Paper Hearts”
Living the In-Between
It’s been a while! Since my last post, I have been busy writing poetry and submitting to various publications; working on a novel (my big project for 2020 and the main reason why you won’t see too many posts this year!); and meeting once a month with a small, supportive group of writers. Here isContinue reading “Living the In-Between”
The Last Stand
I recently entered the Greater Victoria Public Library Tiny Stories Contest, in which submissions must be 420 characters. Quite a challenge! Though I wasn’t selected as a finalist, I was really pleased with my tiny story. An army advances, machines of mass destruction taking aim. Their targets face them in silence, standing tall and awaitingContinue reading “The Last Stand”
Objects of Affection
Well, my fingers didn’t fit in the holes quite like they used to when I was young, but everything else was perfect. The white numbers and letters circling the clear plastic dial like groups of children on a merry-go-round. The chrome hook cradling the heavy handset with its curly cord hanging slightly kinked in aContinue reading “Objects of Affection”
Victory for Victoria: 100 Years After the Peace Parade
I wrote this speech in 2018 for the Coursera course Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches. July 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the Peace Parade in Victoria following WWI. I was hoping to have the opportunity to see this speech delivered, either by me or someone else, but unfortunately there were no commemorativeContinue reading “Victory for Victoria: 100 Years After the Peace Parade”
Morning Song
When you step through the doors, the conductor has already raised the baton. The music begins pianissimo, so quiet that one might miss it completely. It starts with footsteps, the grit under your shoes breaking the rhythm when you don’t keep pace. You pick it up gently with the beat of your breath, strong andContinue reading “Morning Song”
