a place to relax…
...if you're tired of the strive, fed up with gurus, and in need of informed, intelligent, entertaining conversation about what truly matters. Here in the fv café, we share the breadth of our art—poetry, paintings, prose, photographs, music, and our collective wisdom.
What counts, in the café as in life, is that our hearts are in it.
“Life is rich and rewarding in so many ways if we only take the time and space to notice.”
read, watch or listen
essays
An essay in five parts, from an adventure to Brighton calling in on people and places along the way.
The essence behind the fertile void café
Love freely, without judgement…
… this is a friend.
poetry
spoken & video
Nothing can mend
a broken heart
except time…
or maybe a new girlfriend
Five minutes of spoken poetry at The Lord Nelson in Brigg. Some thoughtful, some playful. All me.
a spoken word poem by Matthew Sutcliffe
a spoken word poem by Matthew Sutcliffe
on our final moments with Mother
written and produced by Sara Starling
It's a tradition here at Starling's Nest.
Every year I whip up a little bit of utterly bonkers festive magic, and this year's no exception.
You won't be surprised to know that a little Toad sneaks in on the action, too.
written and produced by Sara Starling
Every year I whip up a little bit of utterly bonkers festive magic, and this year’s no exception.
You won’t be surprised to know that a little Toad sneaks in on the action, too.
You didn't think I'd forgotten, did you...?
I confess, it was a close-run thing.
I mean, an entire year of voicing
AND writing and recording The Bubbling Toad Stories
Not to mention all the behind-the-scenes stuff associated with all of that !
It's a lot.
But traditions are traditions.
So, here it is.
This year's totally crackers audio Christmas card - with added Toad.
____
Thank you for all your support this year.
For the scripts, for listening, for all the kind words.
It means the world.🙏🧡
For the first time in years,
Leon (the man of the nest) and I finally get to enjoy the entire festive period together!
Wishing you love, light, peace and a bloody good rest!
See more of Sara’s work and stories at Starling’s Nest https://sarastarling1.substack.com
written by Matthew Sutcliffe and read by Sara Starling
a poem on schooling
written by Matthew Sutcliffe and read by Sara Starling
a poem reflecting on how schooling impacts creativity
go analog in the café shop
POETIC COASTERS
hand-crafted tiny thoughts on a mat
“perfect with poetry”
Four coasters celebrating the art of the ring mark - now intentional.
The Ring Marks Collection turns accidental kitchen archaeology into deliberate design. Each coaster features an actual coffee or tea stain (photographed, not simulated) with poetry written inside the ring.
Because if your drink is going to leave a mark anyway, it might as well have something to say.
Set includes four designs:
- My tea grows colder as I grow older (if I drank it while hot, perhaps I'd not)
- It's cool to be seen drinking tea that's green (sometimes)
- any coffee stain on this coaster is not part of the original design
- It was a dark and stormy night in the tea-cup
Four coasters for people who appreciate absurdist philosophy and slightly crooked illustrations.
The Whimsical Collection explores the space between profound and ridiculous, where running out of time turns out you didn't have much anyway, and the verb "to sit" requires no preposition or object.
Gentle existential crises, illustrated.
Set includes four designs:
- Alone in the dawning of a freshly chilled morning (waiting for the next line to...)
- Ran out of time today (turns out didn't have much anyway)
- 2B or not 2B (that is the question asked by every sketch artist)
- Sit (a verb) - needing no preposition, no need of any object, only you as its subject
Four coasters for people who prefer their wit dark and their coffee darker.
The Ominous Collection explores what happens when we're honest about falling apart, being lonely, and watching hopes crumble like stock cubes over a stew.
Each coaster pairs unsettling truths with cracked, weathered textures - the aesthetic of things that have seen better days and aren't pretending otherwise.
Set includes four designs:
- Together we often fall apart (apart we always come back together)
- When is a colony not a colony (when it's only full of lonely)
- Didn't see the signs sent by the dead today (looking hard as usual, just the other way)
- Hopes and dreams crumbling (like stock cubes broken over a stew)
TINY FOLDED POEMS
hand-made artisan poetry booklets
“delightfully non-digital”
TINY FOLDED POEMS - hand-crafted square poetry booklets - born from a season of daily ten-minute writing sessions as a member of Soul Circle with Beth Kempton, each booklet is a collection captures a season through thoughtful, playful verse—childhood memories, philosophical moments, and gentle humour woven together. Individually numbered, signed, and stitched with love.
What It Is: I wrote each poem in a spontaneous ten-minute sessions inspired by the day’s theme; there was strictly minimal editing. Each collection blends childhood wonder, philosophical musings, and my tongue-in-cheek humour. These aren't polished performances—they're honest snapshots from me of spontaneous moments, playful and contemplative in equal measure.
How It's Made: Every booklet is a hand-crafted object. Printed on premium Munken cream paper, the 21-page collection is hand-stitched with distinctive red thread binding. I personally sign each copy and include a handwritten message, making every booklet unique. Presented to you in a bespoke matt black matchbox-style carton—these are meant to be kept, treasured, collected.
Ways to Enjoy: Read slowly, one poem at a time. Keep by your bedside. Gift to someone who appreciates the analogue world. Collect all four seasons. Let the white space breathe. Return to favourites (I’ve included a bookmark ribbon). Notice how each collection reflects different moods within the same playful-thoughtful voice.
FREE UK Delivery. (Other destinations delivery at cost)
TINY FOLDED POEMS were born from a season of daily ten-minute writing sessions as a member of Soul Circle with Beth Kempton. Each collection captures a season through thoughtful, playful verse—childhood memories, philosophical moments, and gentle humour woven together. Individually numbered, signed, and stitched with love.
What It Is: I wrote each poem in a spontaneous ten-minute sessions inspired by the day’s theme; there was strictly minimal editing. Each collection blends childhood wonder, philosophical musings, and my tongue-in-cheek humour. These aren't polished performances—they're honest snapshots from me of spontaneous moments, playful and contemplative in equal measure.
How It's Made: Every booklet is a hand-crafted object. Printed on premium Munken cream paper, the 36-page collection is hand-stitched with distinctive red thread binding. I personally sign each copy and include a handwritten message, making every booklet unique. Presented to you in a bespoke matt black matchbox-style carton—these are meant to be kept, treasured, collected.
Ways to Enjoy: Read slowly, one poem at a time. Keep by your bedside. Gift to someone who appreciates the analogue world. Collect all four seasons. Let the white space breathe. Return to favourites (I’ve included a bookmark ribbon). Notice how each collection reflects different moods within the same playful-thoughtful voice.
FREE UK Delivery. (Other destinations delivery subsidised)
TINY FOLDED POEMS - hand-crafted square poetry booklets - born from a season of daily ten-minute writing sessions as a member of Soul Circle with Beth Kempton, each booklet is a collection captures a season through thoughtful, playful verse—childhood memories, philosophical moments, and gentle humour woven together. Individually numbered, signed, and stitched with love.
What It Is: I wrote each poem in a spontaneous ten-minute sessions inspired by the day’s theme; there was strictly minimal editing. Each collection blends childhood wonder, philosophical musings, and my tongue-in-cheek humour. These aren't polished performances—they're honest snapshots from me of spontaneous moments, playful and contemplative in equal measure.
How It's Made: Every booklet is a hand-crafted object. Printed on premium Munken cream paper, the 21-page collection is hand-stitched with distinctive red thread binding. I personally sign each copy and include a handwritten message, making every booklet unique. Presented to you in a bespoke matt black matchbox-style carton—these are meant to be kept, treasured, collected.
Ways to Enjoy: Read slowly, one poem at a time. Keep by your bedside. Gift to someone who appreciates the analogue world. Collect all four seasons. Let the white space breathe. Return to favourites (I’ve included a bookmark ribbon). Notice how each collection reflects different moods within the same playful-thoughtful voice.
FREE UK Delivery. (Other destinations delivery subsidised)
MINI-MOODS
original art framed paintings
“emotional fantasyscapes”
Mini-mood: “Stalagmites & Story”
Original abstract by Yvonne Moore, exploring the liminal space between landscape and emotion. Acrylic on canvas, mounted, glazed and framed in white wood. 18cm × 18cm Painted in her Northern Ireland studio, each piece is unique and signed.
Mini-mood: “Guiding”
Original abstract by Yvonne Moore, exploring the liminal space between landscape and emotion. Acrylic on canvas, mounted, glazed and framed in white wood. 18cm × 18cm Painted in her Northern Ireland studio, each piece is unique and signed.
Mini-mood: “Be Ribboned”
Original abstract by Yvonne Moore, exploring the liminal space between landscape and emotion. Acrylic on canvas, mounted, glazed and framed in white wood. 18cm × 18cm Painted in her Northern Ireland studio, each piece is unique and signed.
who we are
Matthew, Arnaly, Sara and Yvonne.
Four creatively like-hearted people who love all that’s best about being human.
Each of us does “our own thing” in our individual, unique ways but we come together as often as we can in the Fertile Void Café to share stories, experiences, laughter and troubles, too.
Above all, we come to celebrate being alive.
In a nutshell, Matthew writes, Arnaly sings, Sara voices and Yvonne paints.
But the truth is, we all do all of these things - and more. There are no labels or restrictions in the Fertile Void!
You can find out more inside the Café - just as soon as we find time in between creating wonderful stuff and write a bit about ourselves. And have our photos taken, of course.
Settle into the down and feathers of the world created by Sara Starling as she reads the introduction to The Bubbling Toad of Vogrie