People's Prize Winner and Runner-Up in Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association Flash Fiction Competition 2006. Read by Robin Dalgliesh.listen to storyWe Have To Do Something“We have to do something. Socialism is slipping through our fingers like sand.”Boris was worried, so were the gathered representatives of all the remaining communist states, they too could see the writing on the crumbling wall.“Jose has an idea that I think is a stroke of genius,” Xiang said enthusiastically.“Well, we have to

Winner in Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association Monologue Competition 2005. Read by Matthew Zajac/Annie Grace and produced by Hamish MacDonald for DGAA.listen (lo-fi)for a hi-fi version of this recording, click here.

Winner in Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association Monologue Competition 2005. Read by Matthew Zajac/Annie Grace and produced by Hamish MacDonald for DGAA.listen hereOr for a hi-fi version of this recording, click here.

Winner in Dumfries & Galloway Arts Association Monologue Competition 2005. Read by Matthew Zajac/Annie Grace and produced by Hamish MacDonald for DGAA.listenfor a hi-fi version of this recording, click here.

Reading in Scots of an Ode by Hamish MacDonald to Commemorate the World Burns Federation's First Summer School, July 2003. Hamish is the first Robert Burns Writing Fellow for Dumfries & Galloway, and Joint Artistic Director of Dogstar Theatre Company.about Hamish MacDonaldlistenFor a hifi version of this MP3, go here. Poems:Ode To Commemorate the World Burns Federation's First Summer School, July 2003For the full text, click here.

Poet, translator and performer Rab Wilson (Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire), reads from his latest collection in Scots and English. Works include his Scots translation of The Ruba’iyat of Omar Khayyam and parliamentary poems commissioned for MSP Cathie Jamieson. about Rab Wilson listen (2MB) For a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:BigginThe Last Sea-EagleDumfounert Wi WunnerAccent O The Mind

Reading by journalist and poet Mary Smith (Castle Douglas), author of Before the Taliban and a Creative Writing MLitt student at Glasgow University. Most recently, she collaborated with the National Theatre of Scotland on Home Dumfries. about Mary Smith listenFor a hifi version of this MP3, go herePoems:Water GodSurprisesAfrica in the NewsCutting Fodder in AfghanistanBuzkashiHazara Jat

Reading by poet and playwright Tom Pow (Dumfries), who heads the Creative and Cultural Studies department at Glasgow University's Crichton Campus. Recently shortlisted for a Creative Scotland Award, his collections include Landscapes and Legacies and Red Letter Day. about Tom Powlisten (3 MB)For a hifi version of this MP3, go herePoems:The FootballCrabs: TireeIsland LoveThe Buoy-TreeSpanish Shaving

Poetry reading in Scots and English by Derek Ross (Dumfries), Stranraer-born microbiologist at D&G Royal Infirmary. His poems and photography have also been exhibited in collaborations with Angus Macmillan, Canan's Solus (2003), Tidelines (2004), and Beyond the Wall (2005). about Derek Rosslisten (3 MB) For a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:Waterloo Tower, New AbbeyOriginsG8Red Kites at BellymackLooking Out

Reading in Scots and English by poet and playright Liz Niven (Dumfries), former D&G Writer in Residence. Her collections include Stravaigin and Burning Whins, and her poetry is engraved in public art installations in southwest Scotland.about Liz Nivenlisten (3MB)For a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:WickThe New MannieIn Memoriam Solway HarvesterThe Loch DistrictThe Thistle at the BeckThe Great Russian DreamFernTouch the lucky lead

Hugh McMillan (Penpont) teaches history at Dumfries Academy. He is a past winner of the Scottish Open Poetry Competition and several Arts Council bursaries. His four poetry collections include Aphrodite's Anorak (Peterloo, 1996) and After A Storm (Smith/Doorstep, 2005). about Hugh McMillanlisten (3MB)For a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:Surprise AttacksOld PhotographPoetryWanderedMay RevisionMarkedThe World Book of the McMillans

Reading in Gaelic and English by Angus Macmillan (Dumfries). Born in Lewis, he has worked in Dumfries as a psychologist for over twenty-five years. His collection, Life Lines, is published by Markings Press, and he has produced three exhibitions of poetry and photography with Derek Ross.about Angus Macmillan listen (3 MB)For a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:Uisge beatha/WhiskyDannsa 'san t-seomar-feitheamh/Dancing in the waiting roomTha e sileadh an Leodhas/It is Raining in

Poetry for children in Scots from Itchy Coo Press by Hamish MacDonald, Robert Burns Writing Fellow for Dumfries & Galloway. He is Joint Artistic Director of Dogstar Theatre Company, and his novel The Gravy Star is published by 11:9.about Hamish MacDonaldlisten For a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:From King o the Midden (Itchy Coo Press)CreationClatty Wattie's EmporiumTwo EpitaphsNae Fizz Izzy

Douglas Lipton is a poet and teacher based in Dumfries. His works include The Stone Sleeping Bag (Mariscat Press), Hale-Bopp Poems, Fairy Tales, The Outside World (all from Markings Press). about Douglas LiptonlistenFor a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:The Yellow JerseyLullabyThree FingersKiller BeesLuna De MielSexton BeetleOak Apple'A Good Sink': an anecdoteLe Cirque Albaron

Reading by musician and poet Vivien Jones (Powfoot). She is a recipient of a Scottish Arts Council writers’ bursary, and her fiction has been broadcast on BBC Radio.listenabout Vivien JonesFor a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:Churching Hat. 1894. Parton.Log Pattern Quilt c. 1900.Animal Traps: VariousMuseum: Empty CaseMy History of CurryOctopus in GallowayFry Up

Reading poet and ecologist Jackie Galley (Caerlaverock). Her work has appeared in anthologies and as the Herald's Poem of the Day. Past winner of the Kirkpatrick Dobie Prize.listen (2 MB)about Jackie GalleyFor a hifi version of this MP3, go here.Poems:Solway SunsetBearingsAlzheimer'sThe Stonemason's TouchGranite RemainsA Piece of the Cuillins

Dante and Virgil at the River of Blood, among the Violent

We meet the Minotaur. We meet Centaurs. We cross the river of hot blood where the Violent are spending eternity.

This will be my last podcast for a little while - but the blog continues here.Place of smells and silenceOf faces and paperA haze of careLift The PatientThe Patient Is LiftedHandflighted into bedI can't resistLift The Patient The Patient Is LiftedSink featherlight forever into sheetsDrift into conversations with someone.In the rainTwo fat pigeons snuggle in.I perch to shit on a tea trayIn the night count drips of salineInvaded by fearMemories of blood and light.The old man in the bed next door

The night you twocced my heartI thought it was secured -Parked, locked and under lightsTaxed, tested and insuredThe night you twocced my heartI left it parked in gearDownhill in the suburbsAnd dented in the rearThe night you twocced my heartIt had been cleaned – it’s justThe exterior trim was shabby With a lot less chrome than rust.The night you twocced my heart.At forty it was shakingIt backfired in the morningAnd had inconsistent braking.The night you twocced my heartYou’d have spotted something