May 14, 2017 - BOy Little Red Engine
(BOy Series, Clunk & Jam book, 2019).
Stories
April 26, 2017 - Slow Me Back To Small
(From ‘Clunk & Jam’ book, art by Harley Manifold, original in color. Reposted from 2013)
April 18, 2017 - BOy Handshakes
Begs a BOy question … Why are bear hugs, group hugs, butt slapping, tears and kisses acceptable (applauded even) on footy fields and in sporting arenas, yet in school yards, work places, and often the homes of growing lads, it’s often viewed as a sign of immaturity, weakness or ‘gayness’ – inviting tags such as ‘Mummy’s BOy’? A BOy’s rite of passage can be a lonely place.
(Boy Series, Clunk & Jam book, 2019)
March 5, 2017 - BOy Left Home
BOy culture seems to load lads up – sometimes, with more than BOy can bear. And if BOy can’t bear it – saying so isn’t an encouraged option, because BOy is supposed to be tough – right? Or maybe it’s BOy culture that’s wrong? Maybe BOy should be valued for his sensitivity, honesty, authenticity, difference and ability to grow and evolve beyond the confines of BOy stereotyping – rather than his worth being measured by size, strength, toughness and how much he can do?
February 12, 2017 - BOy What Comes Next
BOy is often told; “You know what you’ve got coming to ya!” But when BOy doesn’t. When BOy gets it wrong. Does it make what he got – right? And why should BOy have to be brave in the face of the cowardly acts of others? Why does he think he should be able to get there in time to change the course of bad things? Will he remain forever frozen on the edge of anticipation? Will there come a time when it’s safe for BOy to say “I don’t know?” When BOy is encouraged to feel and react to his own emotions and pain? When he can warmly and sensitively console another – BOy? Say ‘yes – it hurts’ and ‘no – that’s wrong’ ? To thaw and skip like stones beyond his tightly bound existence?
January 26, 2017 - Army of Ink Temple Tall
Rapunzel, Rapunzel. Don’t Let Yourself Down.
Once upon a short time ago, there was a girl with plaits so black she cut the tie with big chunky scissors believing it would bring her eternal silence. But it left her with nothing at all to distill her teaming thoughts. So she gathered her litter of locks and spun them into a spiraling lace that grew circles around her temple tall keeping her forever safe.
Most days you’ll find her growing tomatoes out the back.
(Clunk & Jam book, 2019. Drawing from Youth Focus camp, 2007.)