We look forward to making further announcements regarding new books very shortly, but in the meantime, our current book list for launch in late 2016 or early 2017 is as follows: 19 June 2016: Our n…

Source: Latest News

We look forward to making further announcements regarding new books very shortly, but in the meantime, our current book list for launch in late 2016 or early 2017 is as follows: 19 June 2016: Our n…

Source: Latest News

Wow – what a challenge this is. My brain hurts!! Day 8 of the poetry challenge asks us to use the word/ concept of ‘pleasure’ and to use ‘anaphora’ which means using the same word or phrase at the beginning of each verse….. so here it is.

The pleasure of buying a gift for a friend

Hoping they’ll like it and

Not just pretend.

The pleasure of reading a really good book

Then passing it on to someone who will cook

You a fabulous meal ‘cos they know

You hate cooking.

The pleasure of living and loving

And looking.

A ‘found’ poem from ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ (with flavour!)

After a time she heard a pattering of feet.

They began running when they liked

and stopped when they liked.

In that direction.

The direction of the delicious flavour.

The flavour of the stolen tarts.

Prompt: screen – enjambment

Behind the screen

she undresses.

Embarrassed that the doctor

is a man.

Too late to

back out now.

She closes her eyes and

holds her breath.

‘You can get dressed

now,’ he says,

‘you’re definitely

pregnant.’  Forgetting herself,

she hugs him.

‘

Imperfect – a limerick

My writing’s imperfect I know.

Procrastination’s my foe.

I dither around,

But at times I have found

That some startling ideas start to flow.

My Journey

My journey isn’t a long one.

It doesn’t take me to other countries, other times,

Except in my head.

Using my ‘pensioner gold card’ I board the train.

Travelling from the south coast of New South Wales

To the city of Sydney, I read whatever my current ‘read’ is.

At the moment it’s Stephen King’s ‘Danse Macabre.’

Reflecting on old horror films I imagine the Sydney Opera House

Covered in slime.

Those shell-like structures defaced by gruesome giant snails.

A mollusc-like monument.

What a story that could be – maybe I’ll write it – one day.

Friend

Feline companion, you treacherous soul,

Rubbing against me yet plotting to roll

In my basket of clothes, leaving white fur on black.

Empathy cat you most certainly lack.

Nor do you care where you sharpen your claws – yet

Dear friend I confess that my heart is still yours.

Thank you Jackie and PIO for giving me the opportunity to be part of today.
I love writing poetry about animals remembered in history and was delighted to see my poem ‘Mrs. Chippy’ appear in ‘Blast Off’ in 2015. I submitted this poem in 2012 and it was accepted a few months after submission. The wonderful thing about School Magazine is that they pay on acceptance – a rare treat! In 2015 ‘Blast Off’ featured Shackleton’s exploits into which ‘Mrs. Chippy’ fitted nicely. I’m delighted to have a second poem ‘A Goat Afloat’ accepted too and look forward to seeing this wonderful goat’s story published in due course. Hope you enjoy ‘Mrs. Chippy’.

Mrs. Chippy
I’m a tabby cat from Glasgow
on a ship trapped in the ice.
They call me Mrs. Chippy
and I’m here to catch the mice.

My breakfast it is seal meat,
my lunch and dinner too.
Penguin meat I will not eat.
Well really now, would you?

Pemmica’s quite tasty.
It’s a sort of meat paste dish.
The men seem to enjoy it
but I’d rather it was fish.

I do not like those husky dogs.
They’re howling growling bores.
I stroll upon their kennel tops
to sharpen my fine claws.

Our captain is called Shackleton
and shackled is the word.
We’re prisoners in this nasty ice.
It’s really quite absurd.

Our ship’s called the Endurance.
Will it live up to its name?
We’ve been stuck here for weeks and weeks.
Each boring day’s the same.

The ice is most uncomfortable.
It sticks between my toes
which is why I hide below the decks
to contemplate and doze.

I’m a tabby cat from Glasgow
on a ship trapped in the ice.
They call me Mrs. Chippy
and I’m here to catch the mice.