Competition

Highly Commended

Only a Memory
by Eloise Edwards

In the fresh shadows of the rainforest
Gravity takes hold of a tear
A girl searching, looking for a memory
Moisture in the air, the smell of perfume
which is
So familiar
Flashes from the past appear in her mind
As the girl stands out in the open adorned
Like a fairy
Waiting for a memory to come home
Footsteps run across powdered grass in search
of
Only a memory
A memory that no longer exists
Her long desire is that the wings on her
Back will break free
And fly her to the clouds
To meet only a memory that drifted out
Of her gasp
The pain of growing up with only a memory
The pain of growing up without a mother

Highly Commended

Park Fun
by Lisa Kleinau

A warm summer's afternoon,
made for a picnic at the playground.
The gentle hum of dragonflies fills the air.
Notes of laughter carried by the breeze,
shrieks and squeals of young and old alike,
snatched up by the wind.

Step by step up the ladder goes the child,
mother and father following close behind.
Standing up the top of the slide,
peering over the edge to the gleaming metal below.
One, two, three and down they go together.

Slipping, swerving down the slide,
landing gently in the sand.
Running over to the fresh grass,
ducking, diving, trying to grab the illusive butterflies.

The shadows grow long,
the sun slowly seeps below the horizon,
bathing the park in an orange glow.

Now the chirping of cicadas fills the air.
The breeze now rustles the leaves on the trees,
the wind only snatching up the fallen leaves.
Now the park is silent.
Till next Summer's afternoon,
when the next child and parents will come.