The Infernal Combustion Engine - Lyndon Queripel

"Piston broke!”
“You are?”
“No, my car.”
“Ahh.”
“You could choke on the smoke
And not only that
A front tyre went flat
The radiator burst
And if that wasn't the worst
It had to breakdown
In the middle of town,
In the pouring rain.”
“Oh, what a pain.”
“Yes,it was no joke,
Just another stroke
Of bad luck of course.”
“So, what did the garage
Have to say by the way ?”
“Well, they recommended
Not to get it mended.
It's not worth it you see ?”
“But was there no warranty
“Or even any guarantee ?”
“No, but the mechanic chap
Said they'd scrap it for free.”
“Hey, what's this thing for?
I found it on the floor.
By the back wheel.
It's stainless steel.”
“Who knows where that bit goes?”
“Well, I suppose .....
You could try riding a horse!”

Lyndon Queripel

Auction Hall - Kathy Figueroa

Department stores are nice
But prices there are high
If you've got lots of cash
They've lots of things to buy

But if you're like most folks
Just trying to make do
You'll want to save some bucks
But get a bargain too

I know a type of place
That isn't hard to find
Where you can stop to shop
And still have peace of mind

It'll have what you require
Deals there are glorious
No need for debt most dire
Thrift'll be victorious

It's like Utopia
A great big bargain mine
A cornucopia
Of stuff that's mighty fine

Washers, tools, lawnmowers
Books that are very old
Antiques, art, and armchairs
And dishes edged with gold

Buttons, brooms, and cow bells
Snowshoes and winter boots
Radios and tvs
Harmonicas and flutes

Old china cabinets
Candles with fancy scents
Sheets and pillowcases
Knick-knacks and ornaments

Coins, carvings, and curtains
Paintings and flower pots
And boxes of treasure
That are known as "job lots"

Should you need to hearken
To Frugality's call
Then just head on over
To a great Auction Hall!

Kathy Figueroa

Pool Thoughts - Diane Scantlebury

The sun dances
In crazy patterns
Random and mesmerising
On the white pool wall
As my thoughts float
Over the tepid water
Broken only by
The hum of the pump
Then drift up
Into the mildly steamy air
Through the window
In the bluest of blue sky
Cliché foamy clouds glide
With no urgency or purpose
To an unknown destination
Beyond the edge of the frame
Splish
The slap of the tangy water
Breaks my reverie
And I swim to the side

Diane Scantlebury

Competition Winner - April 2013Optimist Primed ~ Tranformed - Adrian Osborne

Image Source: John Buchanan

The image above is called 'Just Resting'. It was taken by John Buchanan.

Optimist Primed ~ Tranformed - Adrian Osborne

So many eyes behold the change,
the awesome transformation seems to be somewhat complete
but look, a thousand variations are now presented to our minds
each one of us that views the process? Sees a very different end..
for some ? the warmth of flame comes roaring forth.
for others ? the promise of a stylish furnished room.
for me ? a place to charcoal scribe my optimistic thoughts
deep within the giants very heart,
for you ? the process flows with you to where ever you’ll imagine,
But for most ? it’s just a fallen tree, that crashed upon the ground.

Adrian Osborne

Your Flame - Marianna Pliakou

Your eyes are burning,
but within I spy forests and rivers
and panthers jumping out,
in quest of everything there is.
I swear I saw them again the other day,
and then,
last night,
the moon was overflowing on your skin.

And there, before you,
before your sun & your moon and your panthers,
I know that this flame is a noble one.
Marianna Pliakou