Carnival lights swim in circles like snakes guarding a secret,
machinery fog hovers question marks over heads of teen lovers.
Scents take me back to you. Pink sugar. Screams echo a thrill.
Lips touch and throats constrict inside tunnels of first love shadows,
merry-go-round parents cross fingers in hopes that the spinning
night air will tire a child. An omnipotent loudspeaker calls a win.
The day I arrived
in my own good time
(not at all shy)
neither early nor late
13th July
I remember it well
t'was a memorable date
as a present from my parents
(their pride and joy a baby boy)
a Wednesday I recall
some time in the morn
the best day of my life after all
for it was the one
on which I was born
I do not know how or when it happened.
One day I was by myself.
Then you swept me away.
Sponsor Nette Onclaud
Contest Name THE NUMBERS GAME
Date 8/30/2026
You knew by heart Beethoven
You liked to hum his tunes
Your wind was gently blowing
In our shoreline dunes
The light of our faces
Still shimmers in the air
Although we left no traces
No sign that we were there
Among the other randoms
That fill the narrow streets
The strangers pass like phantoms
We never care to meet
Back home again, you turn on
The aircraft broadcast
I couldn’t be more wrong
Thinking our time would last
Another time writes letters
Maybe a star, extinguished
Says we’re no more than petals
Of roses unrelinquished
It’s not the same old story
It changes every day
Each time I come, I worry
What you'd suppose to say..
Still flows like silky smooth ribbon,
So I see it is not yet rotten.
My interesting dinner date
said, "I want Hansel on my plate".
I said, "but you must settle
for Gretel".
Storm came from nowhere
Hope this won't ruin affair
Amber eyes so bright
Spring season mirror says right
I whisper being your knight
sunrise
surprise
today
The day
first date
I wait
nerves tense
live sense
mind swims
on dreams
I search
rose bunch
florist
shows list
red rose
I choose
sunset
I’m set
she comes
breeze hums
says hi
pitch high
sounds spurt
my heart
flower
charms her
fingers fold
she holds
thorn pricks
she shrieks
rose flakes
date breaks
my date was a surprise, a cat fish special for sure
He looked like GQ Magazine, but smelled like manure
He was carrying grain as if it was a present for me
I feigned sickness, and stayed home to drink apple tea
War’s no place to date,
with Picasso flesh.
The lover’s irate
and melons’ not fresh.
War’s no place to date,
nor time, too much space;
bananas in crate;
vanish without trace.
War’s no place to date,
with splinters in creche
sans paradise mate.
Mankind’s stench, too fresh.
pic show
no show?
she's late
first date
lame gaffe
big laugh
airborne
popcorn
I don't know who you are,
But I’m always with you, my dear.
I would care for you like your mother,
But why did you leave me here?
I placed you in my heart,
Then why did you leave me apart?
I continued living like a guest,
Then how do your words remain in my heart’s crest?
I know you pretend to be hard with me,
You said, “I need some space.”
But now that space only gives you peace,
While I can’t withdraw from you.
And I can’t think those days
Were just a play date.
The Phat Ladies of Malta or The Fat Ladies of Malta
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
8 chicken thighs de-boned and flatened
16 slices of ham
16 slices of swiss cheese
roll ham and cheese in the chicken
to create a cigar shape
use tooth picks or skewers to secure in place
flour with seasoned flour
egg wash and breadcrumb mixture
sautee golden brown ( almost done)
remove from the pan set aside.
in a pan sautee 1 cup of onion
1/4 cup of red bell pepper
5 T of chopped celery
4 tablespoons of garlic in olive oil
carmilize. add 4 tablespoons of tomato puree
1 teaspoon of anchvie paste.
2 cups of marsala
squeeze one leom
1/4 of parlsey
1 teaspoon of sweet basil
1 cup of chicken stock
1 14 oz. can of artichoke hearts
1 teaspoon of cayeene pepper
1/2 cup of black olives
1/2 cup of sunflower
salt to taste or taste and salt. if to salty water it down.
simmer on lowish medium for 20 to 30 minutes.
serve with a salad and some garlic bread enjoy!
The majestic position of the lion
Red made her look so lovely, it made my heart beat for her love.
Red was her color, it made me mad for her love, I fell to the ground and pleaded for her love.
She was so sweet, like a cherry growing on a tree, I could see her sweetness like the cherry growing on a tree.
Red was her color, it made me mad for her love, I fell to the ground and pleaded for her love.
She wore red for our date, I was happy all night when I looked at my sweet cherry date.
Red was her color, it made me mad for her love, I fell to the ground and pleaded for her love.
She gave me joy all night, with just her sweet cherry date, I felt happy with delight as I went to sleep.
I woke with the sun, my heart in a race,
Excitement and dreams written on my face.
Gifts in my hands, love in my sight,
Hoping to make this day feel just right.
I reached early, my nerves all flutter,
The world around us seemed soft as a whisper.
We chased the highway, with nowhere to go,
Just following the sun, letting life flow.
Five hours of drive, laughter in sight,
Moments that made the whole world feel light.
A hill appeared, so calm and so right,
We watched the world embrace in golden light,
And spoke of our dreams, our hearts in a race,
Feeling the magic of that special place.
I gave her the gifts, her eyes sparkled bright,
A pendant, a ring, each catching the light.
In her white dress, like a swan in my eyes,
I knew in that moment, she’d won my life.
On the ride back, the car flying fast,
Taylor Swift playing, memories to last.
Hands held tightly, a kiss in the night,
Stars overhead, our hearts feeling light.
That day etched forever, in laughter and fate,
An unforgettable memory, the very first date.
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