Author Archives: Aisla Houghton-Foster

Trans-gressing in the World of Men

Before I transitioned, before I even knew I was trans, I found male spaces a real challenge to navigate. Before I transitioned, before I even knew I was trans, I found male spaces a real challenge to navigate. I have never understood the ins and outs, the appeals, the hooks of being ‘one of theContinue reading “Trans-gressing in the World of Men”

Bakemono

(Poem May 2021) Inspiration abounds in the above illustration from Bakemono Zukushi, a painted scroll depicting yokai cryptids of Japanese folklore. Bakemono (or obake) are said to be shapeshifting creatures, of various different origins and natures and generally stalk the half-light of dusk and dawn. They are included in a cultural bank of Asian cautionaryContinue reading “Bakemono”

Address to the Aphid

(Poem: 10.6.21) For why must you my plants infest –Condemn yourself, all-time, to be,Nothing more than a petty garden pest? To you, nature truly is a cruel jest,It’s beauty spurns you, in all degrees;And so, with malice, you must the rose infest; Forthwith to slowly drain them, without rest,Till disease or death is all thatContinue reading “Address to the Aphid”

I Don’t Know What Will Get Me

(Poem: 16.8.20) I don’t know what will get me,When the repo comes to call.Maybe a bullet,Stray shrapnel,Or double-edged sword.Unlikely, all things considered,But not impossible. I don’t know who will take me,Whether He or Her or Them.A snapped ladder,Car crash,A bigot with a flick-knife?Maybe. Though I try to be safe,Follow the rules, sort of. I don’tContinue reading “I Don’t Know What Will Get Me”

What is it With Me and Priories?!

(Review-ish!) It feels like a long time ago now, but once upon a time I was enrolled as a PhD student at the University of York. I was investigating the role of religious houses (two in York, two in London) in their surrounding communities, and I found out some really cool stuff. I won’t goContinue reading “What is it With Me and Priories?!”

Code 43

(Poem: 9.8.21) As they handled the electro-shearsand approached the target,there was not a hint ofhesitation or doubt in their mind. The task needed to be done,the contract fulfilled,the client satisfied. Determination coursedthrough the ones and zeroesof their processing coreas the certainty of theplan-action-consequence(PAC)drive kicked into gear. Service selected,the client,too,knew what was comingand was ready. ‘AreContinue reading “Code 43”

The New Pretender

(Fiction) I think the worst part of all this is that we simply were not prepared… We’re so fucked… NAC Bio-Scholar’s Log #450728:154328th July 2145 (circa.) [Redacted] No one is quite sure precisely where the would-be ‘Neo-Jacobites’ came from, but it was clear almost from the outset what their purpose was: Raise army, march south,Continue reading “The New Pretender”