Right Hand World - Lyndon Queripel

If you mean what you say
And want to play
Disadvantages lay
Ahead straight away
The game is set
The match is met
Place your bet
But don't forget
In this circumstance
It's a right hand world
With nothing left to chance

I know a lot about a little
And a little about a lot
But this right hand world
Has got my fingers in a knot

It seems in all the dreams
That are worth pursuing
The left hand doesn't know
What the right hand is doing
The game is hard
With no holds barred
You punch your card
With your future starred
But you will find
In this right hand world
It's been left behind.

Lyndon Queripel

Forecasting Jude - Jenny Hamon

They forecast the storm
Was coming our way
Batten down the hatches
Or you will pay

Check mooring chains
And shut up the boat
Keep the torch by the door
And a waterproof coat

Chainsaw at the ready
In case of falling trees
Avoid the coast road
And mountainous seas

We’re ready tonight
For storm Jude to hit
I think I’ll retire
And sleep for a bit

Well, morning is here
A few leaves spread around
But nothing to fear
No damage is found

But wait, in our garden
Why did I not see
The wind has up-ended
A JCB

But do not despair
Of this terrible ploy
It belongs to my Grandson
It’s his yellow toy!

Jenny Hamon

Scenes of Autumn - Diane Scantlebury

The biting north wind
Brings a harsh seasonal chill,
Scoops up the fallen golden leaves
Letting them swirl where they will,
The drains and lanes
To choke and to fill,

Spiky horse chestnuts
Career and crash to the ground,
Releasing shiny conkers
To roll haphazardly around,
For the tiny, frozen fingers
Of gleeful children to be found,

The air is thick with the reek of bonfires
Thoughts turn
To witches and ghouls,
Halloween, pumpkins and parties
The treat or trick so cruel,
Amusement for the wicked
The shallow delight of fools.

Diane Scantlebury

The City Fox - Judith Anne Finetti

It was on a cold frosty January
Night in Morocco Street Southwark
That the City Fox crossed my path
On his way to Leathermarket Gardens

So sleek with a bounce in his walk
And so confident in his own habitat

I was the one out of place in an alien environment

With plenty of pickings for him from nearby
pubs and take aways
He knew exactly where to eat

Judith Anne Finetti

Competition Winner - October 2013I'm Not Looking For Nemo - Andrew Barham

I'm not looking for Nemo,
Just a safe haven to lay my eggs –
A bit of sand in a warm land
I can scoop out with my legs;

I'm not looking for Nemo
As I follow Ocean currents –
A clear stretch of sea that's free
Of driftnets and plastic debris;

I'm not looking for Nemo –
I've been around too long for that!
My ancestors were strong, my lineage long
Stretching back millions of years ago:

What need have I to look for Nemo?

Andrew Barham