Poems and Pictures

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Picture: Alexandra tiolley.

UNTIL TODAY...

Today the sunrise fell pitiful against the curtains And failed to dispel the all-enshrouding gloom. My arms empty, my mind numb, uncertain: Silence takes your place and suddenly this room Is no longer ours but mine, and mine alone. Nothing remains but the ghosts, the shadows of you In corners, trapped, until today unknown, Lying pregnant and poised until you flew; Only dim reminders these outside me, but inside Vicious memory so clear, the cause of all my fears. Even now the pillow's cold beneath my phantom bride. You, who tapped the spring, the source of these sharp tears. Only lace-fingered traces of perfume here linger on. Upwind of you now, I cry. For you are gone. Antony Dunn

Antony Dunn was awarded the John Crook poetry prize for this poem.

Falling is painful. Falling in love is fatal. He hadn't a clue how attention was won, never mind affection. He thought she was nice. She was young and beautiful. He could have had her had he really wanted. But, you know, having is risky and he was scared to risk a rejection for love he couldn't help and, knowing that, needed a shove to prick her interest. So what did happen to this little boy who hadn't the guts to risk all, for joy? Nothing. It's a disgrace. Poor human race.

James Mee

Picture: Paul Simpson.

Picture: Sarah Durham.

FAITH

He sat happily with her laughing comma drinking comma dancing comma and he sat happily comma with a girl comma he didn't know then stop. ...look— if you don't believe me there is a photograph, and it's still very real — how I was growing up leaving my friend behind — hoping she was glad.

James Mee

James Mee was the winner of the Skrentny Prize for Creative Writing.

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Picture: Paul Simpson.

NAMELESS POEMS — A COLLECTION

I cried the day I saw a poem once, written on a wall — 'Nothing can exist without friendship and help' I cried that day. I cried so much until the sky went black. I cried so much that day because I know.

Because I know it hurts, I know it hurts so much. No one can take away the pain that feels like fire to touch.

Now it's gone — fleetingly so. No words or explanations. Deprived of help, deprived of love. Happiness gone, never to return. Alone. I can love you, feel you and need you. Together we are no one.

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He was nothing. Only a coward, that was what hurt. Unable to face the blackness of her soul. He ran away and left her there to sit and rot alone.

Angela Rosindale

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Picture: Charlotte Graves-Tamvakis.

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