They had only been together for a matter of weeks when Cecil asked if Hayley would accompany him on a visit to his parents. He wanted to introduce her to them and thought it would be a good idea to go for a weekend. She wasn’t so enthusiastic and told him so.
“It’s too soon, we need to know each other better before we meet each other’s parents.”
“Nonsense, you’ll like my parents and they’ll like you. They are so easy to get along with.”
He kept on and on at her and eventually she relented. She didn’t want to go, it was more to shut him up than anything. Continue reading →
Joe Lyons – one of our ‘virtual members’ – offers this response to our trigger ‘culture’
Culture by Joe Lyons
The cultured pearls around her neck had an iridescent gleam
The smile of pride upon her lips as she took in the scene
When the people who had gathered had the chance to take note
It was all she could do to suppress the thought, not to gloat
This, the main difference between the classes present
Sometimes it is the showing and just being pleasant
With the nature of the classes all you need is self-control
And to remember as in life you are always playing a role
Picture credit: http://poetrygroup2015exeter.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/symbolism.html
Chris’s second piece from triggers Confused – now definite.
Definite? by Chris South
How do I define myself
Am I definite and here
Is this me in the definitive?
It really isn’t clear!
I could be anyone or anything
And anywhere at all
It wasn’t made explicit
From what I can recall
Supposing that I am here
In this body and this mind
And not some other entity
Is this how I’m defined?
By the parameters of existence
Encased within this shell
Futile in its persistence
To embrace this living hell
When life by definition
Is complex and imprecise
That the slightest indecision
Could result in sacrifice
Of the definitely definite
Thing I claim to be
Until I fade into the infinite
And am no longer me!
Copyright(c)/C8-@/Frivolous Oblivion/Definite/25/10/2015
This is not the End by Brendan Stoneham
Life suffers a languishing blow-
Anguish haunts her vitality.
Her shadows have come undone,
Their magic lies in tatters.
They dance no more-
They cry out at this
Unceasing cessation of life…
An Interview with Life
“What are your credentials?”
“I have none.”
“Are you all together?”
“No, I’m undone.”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
“Here, with these questions,
With still no answers, I fear.”
“What can you offer,
Anything at all?”
“Something, I think
But the chances are small.”
“What experience have you
That can be brought to the table?”
“I once burnt my house down
When I misread a label:
The label said: ‘flammable’
I thought it said ‘flame able’.”
“Oh…oh no, well at least you’re all right.”
“Oh I know, though the parrot had a fright.”
“Is it all right?”
“No, it choked it and croaked it by fire light.”
“Right…
…Any other failures
You’d like to share?
Maybe ones with less blood shed
If you’d care?”
“I shot myself in the foot
When I was aiming for my head
Only cos I forgot to look,
But I’m useless, like I said.”
“I’ll note that down,
That sounds like a skill,
Maybe a better aim next time
And you might make a kill.”
I nod in reply,
“That sounds like a plan,
I’m pale and frail
So then I’d have a red tan.”
“That’s the basis of the basics
Do you have anything to add?”
“Well, yes, I do…
And to say it
Makes me feel sad…
I know we’ve not always gotten on
I’m lazy and do things wrong
You probably see me as bad,
And want to get rid of me just as bad,
But I’m young.
I’ve been hurt many times –
Even though it’s hard to carry on a life
Like mine…I would still like to try…”
“Hmm, you’re not the usual sort,
I’ll give you that,
I’ve dealt with a lot of weirdos
And you still are that…
But a second chance is on the cards
For poor hands in the past have made it hard.
I’m letting you off for now
But I suggest the next time we meet
That you get off your arse and onto your feet!”
“Oh and one more thing,
Now that we’re friends –
Please, whatever you do…
Don’t get a parrot again.”
Sun by Angela O’Connor- Salinas
Up she rises early morn
Burning me with her glow
Embers of her fiesty fire
Scorch my gentle soul
Deep deeper deepest
Before you an enchanting warmth
Sei solare!
For I no such pleasurable vista
Her cruel radiance clouds my vision
Damp damper dampest
My drenched spirit sets
