I am not a circus I don’t possess three rings Although sometimes Sawdust clouds my thoughts I am not a multiplex With mega-surround sound All one would hear Would be tinnitus feedback I am not street I don’t mime, balance or juggle Although occasionally It would appear as though I try What I am is music Acoustic and low As heard in a quiet bar After a filling meal What I am is a small stage Ambient lighting and atmosphere A stool and a microphone A gentle h...

When I woke up this morning, I couldn't find my happy trousers so I had to put on my grumpy pants instead. I didn't want to put them on, They're scratchy and itchy And make me cranky. When I got to my desk, The first that happened is I was attacked, Mercilessly and ruthlessly, by work. It didn't let up until I finished it off With a couple of phones calls, And judicious use of a red pen. However, my pants were still grumpy as was my grumbling stomach. My morning coffee wouldn't...

I’m not aiming for dazzling brilliance; I think is better to be relevant for a long time rather than idolised for an instant. I have far too much to give to simply burn bright then fade from existence, only to be replaced by the next shining beacon of cool. What I have learnt over the years took a long time to acquire, so it stands to reason if I want to impart some of this, it will take time as well. But don’t let me stop you from checking out the bright lights....

I want to give you something You’ve never been given before Something deserved To make you think Before you speak in future And bash someone else senseless With your callous, cavalier invective I want to give you something A present or a gift, if you fancy Something thoughtful To remind you to be more Careful in the future So you won’t tear emotional strips Off someone who doesn’t deserve it I have a number of choices And this is my dilemma Whether I should ...

As I get older, I find myself less inclined to any grace and tolerance towards those who show none for others. I teeter-totter on the edge, berating lack-of-indicators, swearing at pedestrian-ignorers, fist-waving mobile phone drivers, and large battering-pram walkers. As I get older, I find myself more justified in my personal ire towards those who engender stupidity. I swing back and forth, verbally menacing bible-bashers, stultifying narrow-minders, vituperating rude-s...

I watched him run across the sand to the water. He stopped where it met the sand and waited for another wave to run up the beach at him. Tentatively, he dabbed his foot on the wet sand, testing to see if it the water was warm enough. A wave broke around his skinny legs, legs the same as mine and he was off, running towards the deeper water, lifting his legs in a loping gait familiar to all beach lovers. I continued watching him for a time as he ducked-dived under the waves before emerging aga...

It felt the black surround and hold it in place.   Every time It moved, the shadowlight pulled against It, wrenching at its existence.   But each time, It could feel the shadow losing its grip, allowing It to slip a little further away than previously.   Soon, It would be completely rid of the shackles of this plane.   When this happened, It would feed as much as it wanted without the restrictions imposed by ritual and incantation.   But the procedure had to be f...

To get to the centre One has to start at the edge Be it of a social circle, A conversation Or achieving a dream   Its not as though One can hit the bullseye Without missing a few Yet so many try And believe they’re can   My limited experience Doesn’t grant me extra powers More a desire To remain peripheral While others rush past   Call me edgy if you want I’m happy w...

It was dark and cold.   A bitter wind blew around him as he traipsed along the dirt track.   There were high hummocks growing in the centre of it indicating the track hadn’t been used in a long time.   These brushed against his legs as he walked; startling him each time this happened.   He could taste the sharp metal of his anxiety in the back of his throat.                 &nbs...

The shopfront still had a ‘For Lease’ in the window but activity inside negated this sign. A group of kids, noisy and nosey, were pressed up against the window, watching the goings on. The air around them fairly pinged with eager anticipation. The group broke apart suddenly, all members scooting across the footpath to stand by the gutter. As they did, the shop door swung open and a disembodied voice cajoled them. “Come in, kids, come on, come in.” None of the childr...

Try as I might, I have been finding it particularly difficult to rise to the latest JUWC challenge. The fact that both Tova and Roy have done such particularly good jobs with theirs has left me bereft of ideas. Every time I try to start something, it evolves into a very poor second to Tova’s wonderful entry. But the words she chose are absolutely fantastic. Some of them I’d heard of before and had even added to my vocabulary (such as rive, odious and usurp). Others I’d read ...

Inspired by both DeathbyBeebles and Tova (and at both Tova and UDig's insistence), here is the next challenge for the JU Writers Club. The idea is to write a story in 6 words.  I know it sounds like a hard thing to do (and believe me, it is).  But not everything challenging is easy.  If you want to see a few good examples, check out Beeble's post here: http://deathbybeebles.joeuser.com/article/308581/My_Six_Word_Story It is a tough exercise, no doubt.  But here is ...

She woke with a start, shook the remains of the dream she was having and habitually reached out and touched the wall. It felt warm. She sat up in the cot, looking across the annex to the kid’s empty beds. Groaning to herself, she swung her legs off the cot and stood, stretching up until she felt her back click. As she walked across the room, she rolled her head from side to side and then rolled her shoulders. She felt a little better for the light stretches. The kitchen bay was empt...