Unmistakably Quink - Susan Jones

An Angel sat in a sunset,
and wrote in cerise pink ink:
there’s more love, tenderness
and compassion in the world,
than whatever you may think.

The phonetic shorthand flowed,
in a frantic fluttering line:
there’s more laughter,
fun and kindness in the world-
had from friendships merry kind.

The raspberry ripple stripe
inscribed, decipherable and distinct:
there’s more gentleness.
trust and softness to be found
if you could just adjust,

rethink
reply to a stranger’s smile
a would be friend’s handclasp

it takes an open mind,
to establish a connection
solid and steadfast.

Beneath lowering clouds
of whipped egg white
colours leached from the dusk night sky

the Angel’s quill stuttered still
as the delicate link of hot pink quink
dissolved with the day’s demise

I was supremely privileged
to see such beauty,
hear words to appraise, and transcribe

indeed
there’s more spiritual richness
more opportunities
for a jaded spirit to revive,

than in one precarious lifetime I could ever chance by.

Susan Jones

Little Shoes - Diane Scantlebury

The world’s a fascinating
And wondrous place
When you wear little shoes,
Your eyes grow wide
And fill with tears
If mummy’s hand you lose,
Everything’s new and shiny bright
A smile or a hug
Can put all woes right,
Stairs are one more challenge
Over which you can triumph,
Stars are jewels in the sky
All grownups are giants,
No language is required
A mere finger point is good,
Every murmur or gurgle
Can be understood,
No need to walk
When you’ve got tired feet,
You can sit cosy on mummy’s lap
If you’re too small for the seat,
A story or sock puppet
Will keep you amused,
How wonderful the world is
When you wear little shoes.

Diane Scantlebury

What Sweet Bliss - Kathy Figueroa

What sweet bliss bringest coffee
And a homemade butter tart!
A salve for the hurt ego,
A balm for the aching heart!

Oh, sweet fragrance of dark roast
Fine grind, Fair Trade coffee bean!
Amongst all beverages
Thou surely must be the Queen!

This and the grand confection,
A pastry and sugar blend,
Prepared to peak perfection
Will, the most sore spirit, mend!

Kathy Figueroa

I Make No Apologies For My Passion - Lester Queripel

I make no apologies for my passion
My passion is what makes me .....me
My passion is not an item of fashion
A trend to be thrown away
I've had it since the day I was born
I'll have it till my very last day
It won't desert me, or make excuses for my being
It doesn't need to justify what everyone else is seeing
It is what it is
Excitable and creative
Tortured and emotive
It doesn't sit on the fence in a nonchalant way
It lets me know that it's there every single day
So I make no apologies for my passion
I make no apologies for being real
I make no apologies for the way that I feel
The person that you see
Is the real me
That's why I make no apologies for my passion

Lester Queripel

Chocolate - Kathy Figueroa

This is what I've learned today:
Chocolate chases the blues away
If tears are flowing from my eyes
I reach for chocolate, the large size
Chocolate, the food of Aztec kings
Is surely about what the sweet bird sings
A gift to mortals from the divine
Or to a lover, a valentine
It makes frayed nerves start to mend
Yes, chocolate is a woman's friend
It doesn't just put you in a good mood
It's a healthy, vitamin filled food
Chocolate makes you feel fine and regal
Let's hope they never make it illegal

Kathy Figueroa

Delight - Alec Jackson

The swifts are flying high today.
Is there something they know
that I do not?

They crest and dive; sharp 'chit chit' calls
dancing tidal riv'lets
of summer air.

Arcing, falling, skimming so low,
their forked tails racing past
and near miss me.

Barometers of soul and life,
inspiring maudlin songs
till the lights fade.

Yet delight croons through their bowed wings,
hearts lift and sing freely
o'er field and sea.

Alec Jackson