Nostalgia

We remember in peculiar ways

With senses rather than with thoughts

A scent on the wind, or a bitter taste

Can remind us of such different days.

Of ice cream cones with lemon slices

Shining red apples, sliced in dishes,

Of home grown berries fresh from the garden

And soup or pies with unknown spices.

Sitting outside in the afternoon sun,

Running through grass from unwanted insects,

Playing guessing games to pass the time,

Peaceful things that still seem fun.

Long summer walks through winding lanes,

Late nights watching mindless programs,

Falling asleep to a soothing tune,

You know so well but cannot name.

Midweek treats and bare brick walls,

Listening just because you can,

A cat so large it waddles out of the door at night,
Gentle hands to pick you up when you fall.

The very last time you heard them laugh,
and the things you can’t remember saying,
the smile you remember even after it’s faded,

And what you wish you could have asked.

We remember in the strangest sense,

Of things that shouldn’t really matter

But that when combined complete our vision of a person

Of everything they were and more than they could ever be.

---------------------

- Jayne

Perception

When Alfred Stone was 9 years old
He was afraid to go bed.
The blackness that engulfed his room
Just filled him up with dread.

The darkness, he feared,
was full of things, that children should not see.
Monsters, ghouls and foul creatures,
from which he could never flee.

Then one day, in his teenage years,
Led on a dark and grassy moor,
Alfred gazed up at the stars,
And was drawn by their allure.

He replaced the stars with people,
fighting against the tide, 

To be seen to shine so brightly,

And it filled him up with pride.

Alfred wished to catch a star,

Right there upon that hill.

So he swung a rope around the moon,
- it is rumoured it’s there still.

As legend goes, on that very spot,

If a person is of true heart,

They can pluck a star out of the sky,

And that’s only just the start!

But one must be carefully how they use,

This gift of fame or glory,

For not everyone can have a perfect,

Happy ending story.

Alfred Stone was young and pure,

As you would never find him now,

So wish wisely upon that lonely hill

Or you will perhaps discover how…

A boy with so much talent,

though lost as he had seemed,

Sees nothing now but darkness,

in a dream that cannot be.

In his room he sits alone,

Curtains drawn to keep out light,

Older now and much more worn,

Too busy wanting to shine,

That he forgot to live at all.

----------------

- Jayne

First Impressions

Scene One
A busy hospital corridor, Lily Crozzgrove is sat alone reading a book

Eliza: (Flumps down next to her and sighs) Hi!

Lily: (Looks up from her book, startled) Hello

Eliza: Hospitals are weird, aren't they? So many people... Can't find a Doctor to give me a hand!

Lily: I could call for a Doctor, if you like?

Eliza: (Snorts with laughter) It's alright, I don't mind waiting (awkward pause) So... What cha reading?

Lily: Oh, erm... Nothing really. You're going to wait here?

Eliza: Oh yeah! Don't worry (holds up her green scaley hand) This happened last time, they gave me these tablets, then I was right as rain! (Pauses) Why are you here?

Lily: (Grins a bit) Last time? What on earth did you do?!

Eliza: It was originally a new type of cat food for my cat, but Eurekaa started breathing funny again so I gave her some milk, the milk went in the solution, then BOOM! Lizard hand!

Lily: (Stares) Are you on meds?

Eliza: (Sighs) not anymore, well, not since a new nose started growing, but I won't bore you with my scars!

Lily: Maybe I should call a Nurse

Eliza: Don't bother (pause) This is so boring... I'm going home (gets up to leave)

Lily: Wait! Just... Don't. I've kind of been here for... Well, ages! You're crazy, but just... Don't go yet

Eliza: (Flumping down back next to her) But it's so boring! (Puase) Want to come with?

Lily: (Considering it) I can't just leave! The nurses will...

Eliza: Come on! Just for an hour or two, I swear I've got tablets at home for this hand anyway (pause) It'll be better than staying here

Lily: ... But... But they'll notice! I really shouldn't

Eliza: An hour, that's it. I'll show you my cat, she likes people

Lily: (Sighs) Oh what the hell! (Gets up and joins her)

Eliza: Brill! (Linking arms with her almost skipping down the corridor) Wait till you meet Eureka's kittens, they keep on glowing, it's great!

Lily: ... Did I mention you're crazy? I'm Lily by the way

Eliza: I'm Eliza. Crazy's better than boring, come on!