Sunrise Polar Bear - Anna

I stepped outside and looked at the eastern sky. The horizon was glowing and beginning to turn the clouds pink. I walked west down my street towards the main road.

Before I got there I saw a polar bear walking towards me. He had a friendly aura. I was not sure if he was being drawn in by the sunrise or if he was coming to warn me about something.

As we met, he looked at me. Was he trying to say something? I kept going, and every time I turned back, he was still looking at me.

I would find out later if he was trying to warn me about something or if he was being lured east by the beautiful sunrise.

Ahuki series part 2 - Renee Michele Walrafen

53
as I eat this tasty egg
I think of chickens
hatching on breakfast bagels

81
songs written about monkeys
band called The Monkeys
we are obsessed with monkeys

88
monster, litigation, wept,
defenestration:
these are my favorite words

211
if I were the grand master
namer of all things
I would call them Colourflies

235
evil ones are among us
Carebears, Puss-in-boots
Daffy, Woody, Sebastian

256
contrary to my belief
the sun doesn't rise
I simply go upside down

270
vigilante jackrabbit
crimefighter saves the
planet from global warming

280
the ice rinks melted and the
zamboni driver
moved up north for the season

311
one blister and five bruises
sore arms and shoulders
working in the garden sucks!

340
hooking up the internet
is like untieing
a knot of crazy cobras

342
if I was a panda bear
I'd wear a hoodie
dance in music videos

357
police do-not-cross ribbon
the lawn chair jumper
snags my evening plans again!

Ahuki series part 1 - Renee Michele Walrafen

18
many thanks to you, my dark,
slick, thick, ebony,
musty, lusty sip of dusk

54
sexy cherry tree, swaying
softly blooming, ripe,
lush, sighing in the front yard

55
oak tree gnarled like an old dog
complaining of aches
heavy in the winter wind

80
you hanging above my door
head squeezed through the crack
limp like a watch on canvas

90
I want to be a stripper
red nails on the pole
ass in someone's candy face

92
wind encircles like tendrils
tracing my light skin
in a clockwise direction

191
subsistence surplus tariff
inhalation fee
excess mastication charge

217
I am the raging ocean
nuzzling the shoreline
teeming with everything

231
a parade of masked ravens
with propaganda
of raven democracy

243
there is a gateway to
all permutations
of the life you are living

262
caught in my internal tale
swarming bumblebees
gnaw at my blueberry brain

276
bunch of winged candy buds
in a pack, basking
too stiff to follow the sun

297
like a teenaged runaway
the passing moments
long to find their way back home

302
when I'm old I want to ride
a spaceship into
atoms of the after-life

The Dog Walk - Anna

I was taking my two dogs for a walk and two neighbours and their two dogs happened to be walking the same direction as me. We all went through an underpass of a disused railway station. The dogs had all gone on ahead.

But then a train came. We were worried the dogs might have got on the tracks so we quickly ran up to the platform to look for the dogs and call them to us. We couldn't find them. We thought they might have got on the train. We walked up and down the carriages looking for them.

I had separated from the neighbours and went downstairs to the first class carriages. There were really nice seats and dining areas. I must have looked like riff raff to everyone there as I walked quickly along the passage way looking for the dogs. There was absolutely no sign of them.

There was another level below the first class carriage. This was second class. I found the neighbours here. They said the dogs had been caught and put in a container. It was a long train journey into the neighbouring country and the dogs had to be kept in the cargo area. We hadn't registered our dogs in our home town, and since the next stop was in the next country, the dogs would become citizens of that country. They wouldn't be allowed back home without undergoing an extensive quarantine period. I was so upset and angry.

I saw the wooden crate that the dogs had been put in. There would be several days until the next stop. I wanted to open the crate to feed them and give them water but I wasn't allowed. In the end they suffered complications and died.

How Much Do You Like Cooking? - Anna

I got on the bus and sat behind a girl with long black hair. She turned around and asked myself and the other passengers near me how much we like cooking, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 meaning we loved cooking.

Someone next to me said "-1."

I timidly said, "I like it."

And a guy behind me said "-20."

I felt like the odd one out.

Then the girl with long black hair said, "If anyone likes yoghurt, I can make some nice yoghurt out of blackberry cake."

That sounded strange to me.

First Day of Spring - Anna

Today is the first day of Spring. I have ventured outside for the first time in a long time, in three months.

The sky is blue for the first time. The grass is green. There is a hint of warmth in the air.

I can see! I can smell! I had forgotten how nice it was to be outside!

I should do this more often, go outside. Relax, breathe, live.

HARD COPY OF ASPHYXIA LOOKING MORE LIKELY

Well it seems I am still able to scab some free copying, most likely towards the end of the year. This means that there could possibly be a hard copy of Asphyxia around December 2008, which will include my favourite bits of this online version.

I am always open to submissions. If you like what you see and have something you think you can add, shoot me a message!

Melty - Anna

Last night I saw a freak
who's car had
broken down.

His face had melted.

5:57am - Anna

Every morning at 5:57am I see the same lady on the same stretch of road at the same time every day.

She is always talking to herself. I don't know what she says because I am usually on the other side of the road. She is quite large and perhaps in her seventies.

I don't know where she is going at 5:57am. It's still dark then. The stars and moon are out. Sometimes it's frosty.

Where does this woman go at 5:57am?

(The Day) The Mist (Sucked Me In) - Anna

I woke up early and looked out the window. It was a little misty outside. I thought it would be a good start to the day to go for a walk.

I headed up the hill along the road. The road reached the forest and I turned to walk along the trail. The mist seemed a little thicker in the forest. It was enchanting. Further along the trail the mist became much thicker and I could not see more than 20 metres in front of me.

As I walked further, the mist became more intense. I noticed the birds had stopped chirping. Were they too cold to chirp in this weather or did they choose to not come here?

It was cold. The air was thick. All I could hear were my footsteps and my heartbeat. I wondered what it would be like to be enclosed in the whiteness. The mist was drawing me in. I continued forward to where the trees seemed to disappear into nothing.

Soon there was silence. I was in enveloped in the mist. I could not see anything but whiteness. I could not hear my heartbeat. I could not tell if I was moving because I could not see my feet and there was no noise. Silence. Nothing. The mist had sucked me in.

The Noise - Anna

It could take me in
and eat me up.
I don’t know where it comes from
or where it leads to.

Terrifying, no escape.
The noise is inevitable.

It happens again.
I run.
Safe again.

The same moon - Michael Bedward

This is the same moon
Backlighting the chance shapes and symmetries
Of fast moving clouds
Now a pair of hands
Now angel's wings
Now something almost recognised
Tugging at me
Fleeting

This is the same moon
Suddenly bright and unobscured
Undistanceable
But somehow the same as
The black and white television moon
Of my childhood
Closer then
Within reach

I shone my brightest torch into the night sky
Wondering if it could be seen from the moon
And knew that I would be there one day
Because it and everything was within reach
I lay in the backyard gazing up
Tucked into my imagined cramped capsule
Counting down
Ready

This is the same moon
Shining tonight on my adult head
Floating impossibly in the terrible void
That I will never cross nor comprehend
Hidden by cloud once more
It is lost
And I look down
Anxious for gravity

Flower - Michael Bedward

She holds out her hand
Palm upwards
Tiny and perfect
Flower !
A demand
But not like my demands
Hers are stronger
More certain
Empty of worry

I draw a daisy on her palm
She watches
Intent
Inspects it cafefully
Then all smiling
Shows it to me
I've studied flowers
But she knows them better

Nearly baited - Anna

From: madamsandra@vip.sina.com
To: madamsandra@vip.sina.com,
date: Wed, Feb 20, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Subject:Hello,
mailed-by:vip.sina.com

Feb 20

Hello,

I am mrs Sandra Mbame from Botswana. I am married to Dr.Joseph Mbame who worked with Botswana embassy in Leshoto for nine years before he died.

We were married for eighteen years with a child.My Husband died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Since his death I decided not to re-marry or get a child outside my matrimonial home.When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $14.865,000,00(Fourteen million Eight hundred and sixty five thousand U.S.Dollars) in a security company in Abidjan-Cote D'Ivoire.The money was deposited in a trunk box as family valuables.

Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next three months due to cancer Problem. Though what disturbs me most is the stoke,Having known my condition I decided to look for a God fearing individual that will utilize this money to the glory of God to take care of my only child for better future.I took this decision because my only child is still young and can not manage this fund very well and my husband relatives are not happy with my husband's wealth when he was alife and through my prayers and the directions of God,I have found out that their hands is in my husband's death and I don't want my husband's hard earned money to be misused by evil men. I don't want a situation where this money will be used in an ungodly manner,hence the reason for taking this bold decision.

As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Security company in Abidjan where my husband deposited the consignment . Any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing for another person for this same purpose.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I stated herein and you will take care of my only child.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs Sandra Mbame

N/B CONTACT ME VIA THIS ID.
sandrambame1@hotmail.fr

---

From: none
to: madamsandra@vip.sina.com,
sandrabame1@hotmail.fr,
date: Wed, Feb 20, 2008 at 3:44 PM
subject: Re: Hello,
mailed-bygmail.com

Feb 20

Hello Sandra,

Could you please tell me where Abidjan is? Then I will fear God and further action your request.

Regards,

Mrs Barmby

---

From: Madam sandra Mbame madam_sandra01@yahoo.com
To: none
date: Thu, Feb 21, 2008 at 1:34 AM
subject: Hello Mrs Barmby,
mailed-by: yahoo.com
signed-by: yahoo.com

Feb 21

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Thank you for your response, Inline with your question. Abidjan is located in Cote d' Ivoire in west africa. Standing as the capital. If you are willing to assist me in the fear of God i will so much appreciate it.

Hoping to hear from you soonest for details.

Remain blessed.

Madam Sandra

---

none to Madam
Feb 24
from: none,
date: Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 8:07 AM
subject: Re: Hello Mrs Barmby,

mailed-bygmail.com

Feb 24 Reply

Dear Madame,

Ah, la Cote d'Lvoire. Tell me about this place.

Remaining Blessed,

Mrs. Barmby

---

From: Madam sandra Mbame madam_sandra01@yahoo.com
to: none ,
date: Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 8:33 AM
subject Re: Hello Mrs Barmby,
mailed-byyahoo.com
signed-byyahoo.com

Feb 24

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Well i am a stranger here, My nationality is botswana and my mission here is because of this transaction nothing more as i do not know much about the country but it is a tourrist country. What i need from you is your willingness towards this project if you are ready to assist i can give you more details on the matter.

Regards.

Madam Sandra

---

From: none

To: Madam sandra Mbame ,
date: Sun, Feb 24, 2008 at 12:32 PM
subject: Re: Hello Mrs Barmby,
mailed-bygmail.com

Feb 24

Hello Madam Sandra,

In the fear of God I am willing to assist. What further details can you give?

Regards.

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 8

Mrs Barmby.

You can see that you are not serious about this matter, It is important you let me so that i can look another person to handle this project for me.

Regards

---

none to Madam

Mar 8

Dear Madam Sandra,

I would like to stress to you the seriousness of this event. You provide me with details, I will fear God.

Regarding you,

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 8

Hello Mrs Barmby,

I thank you so much for your concern to assist me towards this project, Actually i need your boldness and sincere heart and trust believing that you will not betray me at last because of the confidence i am building on you, I really needed the security of this money and also my only son to come over there in your country and stay with you for his education.

You can go ahead and contact the security company for the claim as the foreign beneficiary of the said box in thier custody.I want you to contact the security company Inform them that you are the foreign beneficiary standing on my behalf and ask for the release of the box to you.Note that you should not reveal the content of the box to them when contacting the security company because my late husband did not disclose the content to them on the day the deposit was made he declear it as family items for security reasons so everything shall be kept confidential between both of us.

Below is the contact of the security company.

Armor Group Security company abidjan.
Foreign Operational Director .
Mr Andrew Mackinnon.
Office Email: armor.group@consultant.com
Telephone/ 0022506985076
Fax/ 0022524399976

So it deem necessary for you to contact the operational director incharge of the company immediately. I shall be expecting to recieve further informations once you have concluded with the director of the security company, pls feel free to contact him because i want to make sure that we conclude this transaction asap.

---

none to Madam

Mar 8

Hello Madam sandra,

In the fear of God, you must explain to me why you don't contact the security company as they are in your country. Life and times are very poor in my country so you must understand I cannot make long distance phone calls and emails are not secure.

This is the plan. You contact the security company and foward all my details. You tell me which country you would like your son to further his education and commitment to the Lord. Then I will assist as much as humanly possible. God speed, so we may conlude this transaction asap.

Regards.

Mme Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 9

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Thanks for your mail response to me ,May good lord bless you, I will so much appreciate your urge to carry out my good heart wishes in this Assignment.

I will have to give you more explanation over the matter and shall wish that you come up fully with your assistance as much I shall like my son leave here within in the most quickly moment. Coming on the issue of the box which contained the money in question is deposited in the security company and it was deposited by my late husband while he was working with the embassy. It comes up that I came with my son to retrieve the box while the security company issued the directive that i shall produce the foriegn beneficiary. My late husband has indicated to them during the deposit that the box belong to an associate of his and he was depositing the consignment on behalf of the associate. He did not disclosed to the security company what the content is and did not disclose to them any name as the beneficiary and his associate for security purpose. It is based on this directive that you are contacted, you shall stand as the beneficiary of the box and the associate to my late husband so that the security company can release the box to you. Upon the release of the box to you, my son shall join you to your country for his education, He will be under your care as a son and you guide him properly in the fear God. I do not know what faith has it for me but whatever comes my way I shall take it that way. I have battled with this illhealth for number of years and I have no fear whatever again. However, I shall require that you provide me with your information. The information includes, your full name and address including telephone and fax number, this information shall be submitted to the security company and you shall be presented to security company as the beneficiary and the associate to my late husband. I do hope that you are getting me clear. So please forward to me the information as much possible as you can, I would want that you keep the matter within you alone as I do not wish that information about this transaction fly to other parties. Please this is very important for the security and safety of the box and my son. I will stop here and wait to hear from you.

Very regards

Madam Sandra

---

none to Madam

Mar 9

Hello Mrs Sandra,

Thanking you for your explanations. These are my details: Teresiamo Barmby, Villa Enrique -Casa Colorada, Km 24,5 Carretera Sur, El Crucero, Managua, Nicaragua. Tel: ++3906854439. Now as a matter of trust and faith, you must provide me full details of your son. And you must transfer by wire transfer the funds outstanding using my address.

In the fear of the Lord,

Mrs Barmby.

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 10

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Thank you for your willingness to assist me in towards this assignment, Well i have attached the photo of my son and full details as follows. Name Richard Mbame. Age 16 years old. Our present address in abidjan is siege social plateau, Avenue terrasson de fougeres 01 bp 4007 abidjan 01.

However i have also forwarded your informations to the security company presenting you as the foreign beneficiary of the box in thier custody hopefully the operational director will contact you for further directives be informed that the box will only be transfered to your address via diplomatic delivery as the director adviced.I will also need to have your complete details including your photo in your next mail.

Regards.

Madam Sandra.

---

none to Madam

Mar 10

Hello Madam Sandra,

You already have my details, as provided in previous email. Just tell me when the box will be delivered.

In the name of the Lord,

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 10

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Yes i have gotten your details but you did not give me your id or photo for proper identication ofcourse it is very important to have your full details therefore you should send to me your photo or any id. Presently i do not know the actuall date of delivery but the operational director of the company promised to contact you for further directives.

---

none to Madam

Mar 10

Hello Mrs Mbame,

Firstly you are to send me a scan of your passport so I know that I am really dealing with a good honest Christian; Secondly, you have not told me much about your son, and you seem more concerned with our financial agreement. Obviously both are important matters, I just would have though that being a mother and a God fearing Christian that you might have concern for your only son who is to live in my country. Please send me a photo of you and your son together.

Thanking you, remain blessed.

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 10

Hello Mrs Barmby,

I do not like the way you are talking because it seems you are not understanding anything regarding this assignment, Money has no meaning to me than my son,I have stated the matter to you clearly i wonder why such comment will arise besides i do not have any of your indentification hence i have requested for it, Sorry i do not have any passport or a photo together with me and my son. I have personal photo otherwise photo with me and my late husband.

I think i have given you all the detail informations about my son as i do not know what else you need from me again as my major concern is for the walfare of my only child for a better future in your country. If you are serious then send to me your indentification hence i do not have any time to delay about this project.

---

none to Madam

Mar 11

Mrs Sandra,

Listen carefully. If you are serious, your son would have a passport. Please show me before I continue my discussions with you. I am happy to provide a good and stable life here in Nicaragua for him but if he can't even come here, what are you going to do about it?

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 11

Hello Mrs Barmby,

I do not like the way you are understanding matters,It is you that is not serious because you are not following the matter sequentially. My son passport is not yet ready they are processing it which will take some few days besides i have already given you the photo to your perusal.My dear we need to understand each other than sentiments. You have not even given me yours it is very important you understand me clearly. I have forwarded your informations to the security company and the operational director told me that he will contact you regarding the claim on your behalf you should let me know once you hear from them.

I hope to hear from you soonest.

---

none to Madam

Mar 11

Dear Mrs Sandra,

It is a shame you have such a negative attitude. I was under the impression you needed my assistance in your business. I am more than willing to assist financially, but you must understand that I do not know you, and need some security, therefore you must assist me to assit you. So in 3 days, when your son's passport is ready, you will scan and email it to me so I can see that you are genuine in this cause, for you have provided me no evidence that you have a son. Then I will forward you my photo and we shall proceed from there. Alternatively, you may suggest another method for me to place my full trust in you.

I expect your response pronto.

Mrs Barmby.

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 11

Hello Mrs Barmby,

With Due respect i never had any negative attitude like you have just said to me hence i needed your assistance to carry out my heart wishes towards this project.I know you are willing to assist me but bear in mind that i have never let you down ever since we started this transaction only that i was trying to know your seriouness weather you are sincere in heart because this my son is the only hope left behind ever since i lost my husband so everything about him i use to be very careful to avoid going into a wrong hand pls try to reason my security measures actually i know that money is not everything in life because from all indication i have come to realise that you have fear of God hence i do not want to deal with an unbeliever.

In other to certify your security having dealing with me i must have to give you all that you needed from me as to avoid any further doubts aswell confirm my genuinety towards my claim.I will scan the passport for you by tommorow because i do not have a scanning machine but i will check on the nearest cyber cafe to scan it for you in other to certify your want. Pls bear with me and also understand why i am been skeptical.

I shall get back to you as soon as i scan the passport.

Remain blessed.

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 12

Subject: Re: Hello Mrs Barmby, Richard passport Attached



Hello Mrs Barmby,

I have scanned and attached Richard passport to your perusal in other to certify your security wants. I really want to proofe to you that all i have indicated to you is with concrete evidence with know rate of turning and i believe you will remain honest and sincere to me.

I hope to recieve your positive response.

Remain bless in lord.

Madam Sandra.

---

none to Madam

Mar 12

Hello Mrs Sandra,

Thank you for showing me Richard's passport. Please show me a photo of both of you together. I would like Richard to remember you fondly, so photos are a must.

I received an email from the security company and will respond to them shortly.

A Tissue, Bless you,

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 12

Hello Mrs Barmby,

I do not have photo of both of us together as you required both i have the photo of me and my late husband. I think i have tried to show you my sincerity towards this matter and i will not want you to go astray so if you are willing to assist me then go ahead and do that and stop further sentiments as i have given you all you needed as a proofe of your security as demanded. If you are not willing to assist me pls do not delay so that i can look for another person because i hate taken much hence time waits for nobody.

Regards.

Madam Sandra.

---

none to Madam

Mar 12

Dear Mrs Sandra,

I agree with you that time waits for nobody but you have not put a deadline on this project as as I understand it, it should be done carefully and correctly. Do you agree?

Show me a photo of you and your son. Or at least show me a photo with you holding a sign that says "BAITED". I want to know exactly who I am dealing with and who I can trust in the name of the Lord. You can already trust me, for it was you who originally contacted me and had faith in me.

I think you would like to know that the security company sent me a form to fill out and I am doing that now.

Regarding you,

Mrs Barmby

---

from: armor group
to:
date: Mon, Mar 10, 2008 at 8:46 PM
subject: Attn Mrs Barmby, Notification


Mar 10

Attn Mrs Barmby,

Sequel to the receipt of information from your partner Mrs sandra mbame presenting you as the foreign beneficiary of one trunk box deposited in our vault by the late husband Dr Joseph mbame. We hereby inform you concerning your transaction for processing,you should fill out the claim of ownership form attached and return back to this company with the fee of $1,235.00 US dollars. Call upon the receipt of this letter for further directives.

Yours in service,

Mr Andrew Mackinnon

(Foreign Operational Director).
Armor Group company,Cote d' Ivoire Abidjan..
Tel/ 0022506985076
Fax/ 0022524399976



.....................................................................................................................................................................................

Privileged/Confidential information may be contained in this communication (which includes any attachment). If you are not an intended recipient, you must not use, copy, disclose, distribute or retain this communication or any part of it. Instead, please delete all copies of this communication from your computer system and notify the sender immediately by reply email. Thank you



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Get a free e-mail account today at www.mail.com!

---

none to armor

Mar 12

Dear Andrew Mackinnon,

Please find completed form attached. Contact Mrs Madam Sandra Mbame and she will cover the fees and associated costs.

Kindly inform me when you will ship the box and provide tracking number.

Regards,

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 13

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Pls do not border to assist me again let me look for another person i don't have such time for nonsences.

---

none to Madam

Mar 13

Hello Mrs Sandra,

I would dearly love to assist you. If you do not want my help you should not have asked me in the first place. Do you want my assistance or not?

I have already contacted the security company so you must follow through.

Response required pronto,

Mrs Barmby

---

Madam sandra Mbame to me

Mar 13

Hello Mrs Barmby,

Sorry do not border yourself as am maken plans for a new beneficiary.

Thank you.

---

none to Madam

Mar 13

Hello Mrs Sandra,

I am not bordered at all. I will do bizness with you. If not, I have a friend in Nigeria who will offer me more.

A Tissue, Bless you,

Mrs Barmby

Route 40 - Michael Bedward

The end of my fourth decade approaches
Lumbering towards me
Like an old worn out Sydney bus
Paint scratched
Upholstery sagging
Engine rumbling unevenly
And prone to spluttering under effort

I can see it getting closer
With its indicator flashing
There's no mistaking the fact
That it's heading for my stop
I wish it was one of those sleek new ones
With the flexy bits in the middle
And a clearly displayed destination
I'm really not sure
Where this one is going

POETRY - Anna

       Random words take on meaning
or does
       meaning take on random words?

community service - Brad Evans

6am

and joe, the neighbourhood drunkard, gets up
leaves his wife
shuffles down the street

he looks like moses
only more dishevelled and a little less crazy.

he dumps his empties into my bin
and says 'thank you' to a vacant street

in bed, I awaken once more
to the unmistakable clink of joe's bottles

and I say 'thank you'
to the bedroom ceiling

and for failing
to get out of bed in time

to give joe
a clip on the chin.

Definition of an Artist - Anna

What is an artist? What makes a true artist? Some people are true artists. They live for their art. They are in a constant state of creativeness. They look artistic. They have artistic conversations. They have artistic beliefs. They are beautiful souls.

Can you call yourself an artist? Do you? Is it just something you switch on or ARE you an artist all the time?

Some people are visual artists or musicians or whatever. They have a 9-5 job to support themselves and are artists in their spare time. Some people are artists all the time. They live for their art. They are true artists. Are the 9-5ers true artists? They are able to switch on and off their artistic talent at will. The others can not. They are permanently artists. Are the 9-5ers lesser artists? They are more conditioned by society to have a job and earn an income and do regular things. Maybe they own a car and a house. They go to bed early because they get up early. They do “normal” things most of the time. The other artist, who lives an artist’s life, may not have a full time job. They practice their art every day. They stay up all night if they are inspired to. They live independently. They are separated from society. They do things their way. They have total freedom. The 9-5er has financial freedom and can do what they like because they have the money for it. But the permanent artist has creative freedom. They can do what they like because they are driven by their art and will find a way. Some true artists can make good money pursuing their art. After some time though (a week, month, year or more) they will turn into the 9-5er. They will become a brand name and are not free to change their artistic direction, therefore deeming their art fake.

So I was wondering what exactly makes a true artist? Is it possible for a 9-5er to be a true artist? If so, how? And what defines them as a true artist? What defines an artist? I would really like to know the answer to this. If anyone knows, please write in and tell me. If there is no set definition, I would at least like to know other people’s opinions. Please give me insight.

The Bus Stop In The Bush - Anna

I would like to preface this by letting you know that this story, unlike my others, is non-fiction. I could give an approximate Melways reference for the Bus Stop but it is quite difficult to the give the exact location as the trail comes to an end early on the map.

It was early Sunday morning and I decided to set off on a long run. I’d been gradually increasing the distance of my Sunday run, and this day I was set to do 33km.

I was running along a trail that follows the river. It’s a great place to run, popular with a lot of runners, as it’s nice and shady with the gum trees, and there is a good range of wildlife to see. I’ve seen rabbits, foxes, lizards, snakes, the occasional black cockatoo, and further along, families of kangaroos.

This would be the furthest I’d ever run and it was a good day for it. Cool and overcast. I was feeling good and strong, pacing myself so I’d last the whole 33km. the trail was soft dirt, and the gum trees towered above me. It really felt like the middle of nowhere. I was quite far away from civilization at the 14k mark and coming across fewer runners and dog-walkers. At the 17k mark, I felt like I was truly alone in the wilderness. This was now the furthest I’d been on this particular trail so I was in new territory for me, and I took the opportunity to take in the environment, listen to the sounds of the bell birds and the odd kookaburra or noisy cockatoo.

At the 22k point, I slowed down a bit as the trail headed up a steep hill. When I got to the top of the hill, I stopped when I saw it.

Just past the crest of the hill was a bus stop sign bolted to a tree. I’d heard of this before, but thought it was a myth. The Bus Stop in the Bush. This is where magical things happen. I found it! I actually got to the Bus Stop in the Bush!

The trail continued round a corner and I walked round to see a veggie patch with the most brilliant orange pumpkins. I knew I could follow the trail ahead to get to my destination, or I could wait at the bus stop for the bus to come. Of course, there were no roads out there, but this was a magical bus that took people to magical destinations.

I sat down against the tree that the sign was bolted to and decided to wait for the bus. I’d heard it usually arrived a dusk, although it could arrive at any time. I stretched my legs out in front of me and closed my eyes. Something good was about to happen. I knew it.

The Madman - Anna

Walking through the eternal garden of Eden,
Everything is perfect if I keep on walking.

Round & round
Talking to myself
Walking round the garden of bliss

What a life!

Scenery in the City - Anna

I was walking around Sydney CBD, but it looked quite foreign, like being overseas and discovering a city for the first time. I was looking at the skyscrapers from a distance. Then the city started to tilt. All the CBD skyscrapers tilted on an angle towards me, at almost a 90º angle. The city was showing everyone a bird's eye view of the skyline. It formed quite a nice shape, like an architect had purposely built a city so that it would look good at an angle. I could kind of see the Olympic rings in the buildings. This was because the Olympics were being held here soon so it was a touristy thing. I got my camera out to take photos. For some reason I had some crappy disposable camera as well as my SLR. I was using the disposable one though because I couldn't be bothered putting the zoom lens on the SLR. Then after a while, the buildings began tilting back into place. It was very interesting, and left everyone feeling uplifted, awakened, aware, conscious and at peace.

Moving to a New City - Anna

Anthony and I decided to go to Sydney to see what the job market was like and if we could make a go of it there. We went to the north shore since we had stayed there before and looked for somewhere to stay. We walked along the water's edge for a while. It was really nice and peaceful. Then we saw the hostel where we once stayed.

"Shall we go there and see if they've got a room?" I said.

"Nah, they were shit, remember"

"Oh yeah," I remembered.

We saw a path and decided to walk up to the road to keep looking for somewhere. There were plenty of hotels, but most looked 5 star.

We walked down a side street and saw a guy walk out of a house. He said he was looking for a housemate. It was only $120 per week. We didn't really intend on sharing due to previous experiences and we really just wanted to live by ourselves but we thought why not? We'll give it a go.

From the outside it appeared to be a small terrace house. Pretty, but the room would be too small for the price. Then we noticed it was double storey, but the lower floor was actually below ground level so of course it wouldn't get any light. We followed the guy in.

The rooms were actually quite big. We passed two bedrooms and weren't sure how many people we'd be sharing with. We went downstairs. Anthony didn't want to go, thinking it would be crap. I followed the guy and the stairs led to a large lounge room.

"Come on," I said, "It's really big."

As we walked down the long staircase, I saw a tree planted inside. It was magical! A massive tree inside the house! And a few ferns at the foot of the tree. The room opened up and there was grass and a lake. It was just perfect. We were so excited! We saw a few people relaxing, and found out that 5 others lived here. It seemed like a lot to of people to share with, but with your own lake and plenty of space you wouldn't get in each others way.

The guy indicated that the spare room is actually in another building on the other side of the lake. The other building was another house and we'd have it all to ourselves. Perfect! And only at $120 per week! We were so excited! Yes! We wanted to live here!

The guy said he'd have to talk to everyone about it to see if it was ok, but was optimistic about us moving in.

I was so excited at moving into a place with a lake and beautiful trees and gardens. Of course it would take us a while to get to work because we'd have to walk around the lake just to get back onto the road but it would be worth it.

So I Started to Sing a Song - Anna

Flipping through a magazine, I saw an add for clothes in a 1940s style. I could see beauty in the models and the clothes they wore so I started to sing a song. It went something like this:

I am interested in your boy
That’s a nice hat
He must be very nice
What an elegant skirt

Biker Gang - Anna

I had recently arrived in Tasmania for a holidays at my parent’s place. I was walking back to their place from the shops, when I noticed a motorbike parked in their driveway. No one had said anything to me about it, so I thought it might have been my brother’s.

That afternoon, I was on the computer and noticed two suspicious people ride past on a motorbike. As they rode past, they looked at our house. I thought this was very strange.

A day or two later, I noticed that the bike that was parked in the driveway had gone. Every now and then looked out my old bedroom window to keep an eye on things.

A few days later, looking out the window, I saw a small yellow dirt bike parked on top of the shed. It had an L plate on it. I thought it strange that a learner would park his beloved bike on our shed. Just then, a gust of wind blew the bike down onto the driveway. Later that afternoon, I noticed the strange people on their bikes drive past several times. I looked out my bedroom window and saw that the yellow bike had gone.

Now I knew what was happening. Some biker gang was using our garage to store stuff they’d stolen so they could pick it up later. Over the next day, no more objects were place din the driveway, but I did see people drive past several times, and also a yellow Volvo station wagon drive past with a man in who had red hair and a red moustache and looked like he was from the wild wild west.

I got quite scared so I told my brother what I thought was happening. He said he’d noticed the bikes parked on the property and he’d also seen the yellow Volvo slowly drive past occasionally. He sat with me on the veranda for a while, watching these people drive by. He had to go to uni, so he gave me $50 incase I had to make a run for it. I was so scared. Too scared to leave the house, but too scared to stay.

Location: Imagination Station - Anna

Bastard Tales - Chapter 2 - Sarah Ranft

Jeremiah lent again the wall of the coffee house, and tucked his chin into his coat. It was so cold that his eyeballs hurt, and his breath came out of his nose in steamy draughts. Fortunately Carly had gone over to Samara’s to study tonight, so he was free to roam the streets as he pleased. It didn’t feel like such a great idea now though. It was dark, and anyone with any sense was walking quickly home, or towards an intimate restaurant dinner. The waves danced against the dock in rhythmic blackness, oblivious to the anxiety and pursuits of others. He watched the moths humming around the street lights, and kept waiting.

A tug of his elbow brought him out of his icy trace. Adrienne stood there in a forest green duffle coat, her red hair ruffled by the wind. Her cheeks were mauve and her made-up features were sunken with cold. They walked inside and moved the cumbersome wooden chairs to sit opposite each other. Adrienne removed her fingerless gloves, laid them on the table and gave Jeremiah a friendly smile as they both started to thaw.

There was a naked pause. Jeremiah’s mind shriveled with panic as he tried to think of something to say.

“Did you book your holiday to Brazil?” Adrienne’s tone was polite, if not slightly unconvincing. Jeremiah rolled his eyes and chuckled. Surely this was not a line of conversation they needed to pursue with any seriousness. Her facial expression remained quite solemn. This was her occupation after all, and he’d been wasting her efforts for some time.

The conversation lurched along awkwardly. Adrienne was named after Adrian Zach, a famed seventies philanthropist that her mother took a fancy to, and had apparently met at a Governor’s Afternoon Tea. No relationship or fling there though, Adrienne just bore his name from a passing admiration. Not to be deterred by her disappointing origins, Jeremiah probed further. If only to cover any pause in conversation.

Her parents were still married and had always lived in Melbourne. Her father had been in an industrial accident which hurt his back about ten years ago and now lived on compensation payments. He sounded to Jeremiah to have one of those existences entirely complete with just a television - mainly cricket and golf, and a fussing wife. Her mother owned a plant nursery but only worked part time these days, and cooked and cleaned religiously for her household in her spare hours. How can some people’s purposes be entirely spent, save for the passive commitment of parenthood? Jeremiah could not imagine his autumn years in barely consuming occupation, with an ageing, silly partner, while his children pursued love and establishment for the same outcome. It all seemed so sedentary and…tired. To be gored by a bull at a rodeo in Portugal, he thought instantly. That was a colorful, spectacular exit of which he could feel proud. Posthumously.

Adrienne was not studying either, which brought him some comfort. She had been working at the travel agent for three years and had no plans to leave. Was she saving towards anything special? She had bought a block of land, which Jeremiah realised was part of one of those dreadful artificial villages complete with lagoon on bare, flat land in outer West Melbourne. She was building a house, no doubt one of six possible beauties which exactly complemented the rest of the budding township.

The coffee was sipped slowly and the cake mashed into forks. Organic, vegetarian desserts always tasted slightly stale to Jeremiah, as if being displayed and consumed gradually for several weeks added kudos. He paid reluctantly and they walked out.

Adrienne needed to drive home, so they sat in the front of her rusting silver Datsun to keep warm while the evening reached a end. The seats smelt sour and the upholstery was crusted from years of use. Their breath mingled against the windscreen and both stared out at the streetlights and approaching mist. This was painful. Jeremiah couldn’t believe this meeting had retained the awkward chill from her place of employment - he just thought she’d be different when they struck up a friendship. He stared at her, moved closer until darkness obscured their sight, felt her cold nose against his.

Her mouth tasted like yoghurt icing and polenta, thin lips which held their poise and small, smooth teeth. He breathed deeply and pushed against her to increase her hunger, but she sat collected, firm. Jeremiah held his mouth against hers, moved the folds of her coat aside and grasped her boyish body. His hands reached under her soft jumper to find thin, smooth skin under which ribs jutted awkwardly, a small lacy teenage bra which cradled the hint of breasts. He moved his hips off the seat, across the gearstick, and moving the seat horizontal, laid his body awkwardly over hers. He was aware he was breathing too hard all over her face from the effort. Adrienne cleared her throat and calmly closed her eyes.

This felt so wrong, a shrinking regretful wrong. Jeremiah studied her face in the cool light from the street, looking for a sign, a response.

“I should probably get going… I have a girlfriend and she’s probably wondering where I’ve got to.”

This was probably the only honest statement Jeremiah had made to them both in the time they’d been acquainted. He was aware that it made him look like a fool, that he’d pursued this woman for little reason, initiated sex with her and had now mentioned his partner. He felt like a teenager, a child who had a girlfriend who wanted to marry him.

“Ok, well…it was really nice to see you again. Come in and say hi if you’re ever nearby.”

Adrienne’s cordiality upset him. She held a mystery in her guardedness, but he sensed that the escape, the adventure with her had never started. Jeremiah moved back into his seat, feeling the warmth from her body quickly drain from his legs and torso. He kissed her on the cheek and opened the car door.

“I’m……really sorry if I…”

Sorry. Just disappointed. He closed the door and walked home.

Carly’s face was illuminated blue near the table lamp as she played computer cards. She glanced at him but the interest wasn’t there.

“Chris and some of the guys from work went down the road to play pool so I hung out with them for a while.”

Jeremiah studied the instant memory of his lie…too much detail? Awkward tone. Said too soon. He leant again the wall of the front door hallway and watched Carly thinking, moving her cards about. She showed no sign of having heard him so he continued down the hall towards their bedroom. Their bed felt different, no longer natural and inviting, but cold, definitely cold. Like a friend who starts to blank you in the street and spread snide rumours. Carly still wasn’t in bed when he finally succumbed to sleep, but this wasn’t unusual. She often stayed up reading, aimlessly researching strands of online interest deep into the night.

The next day was Jeremiah’s day off. This meant that Carly would expect them to spend most of it together, and although neither of them ever intended it, there would be a fight. Jeremiah and Carly often talked at length about what they wanted to do together when they both had the time, but when the hours lay starkly laden with expectation ahead of them, the motivation crumbled and it was easier to burden each other with disappointment.

Today seemed different however. The sun was gently pressing again the aging architecture, and several people were jogging along the promenade in tightly banded thermals. The coffee house was cluttered with friends, smoking and sipping with elaborate gestures, immersing themselves in a post-Winter buzz. Jeremiah and Carly had a comfortable stride along the morning footpath, a pair who knew each other’s rhythm. The fresh, metallic taste of cleansed Melbourne air was exciting, foreboding and delicious.

One street surrendered to a sprawling market on this day every week, the smell of kebabs, potatoes and furniture oil on bookshelves and chopping boards. The overhead sunproofing sails hugged the assortment of stalls, making the browsing feel intimate and secluded. Carly ran her fingers across tendrils of plastic beads, smiling appreciation at the store owners. She picked at rings, and bought one, a silver alloy with a large bulb of pale quartz which immediately adorned her thumb. Jeremiah watched her as she roamed, transfixed by jewellery which was transporting her mind to India, Phuket or some other bohemian eden. He waited, not impatiently as she wandered and touched, flipped through pirated cds, lifted up metal sculptures made of forks. Her calm concentration was engaging, the way she considered the wares of the store owners and cackled supportingly at their jokes. Carly’s long mousy hair was tucked behind her small ears, from which swayed elaborate jade earrings. Her face disappeared behind her mouth when she laughed, and Jeremiah could see most of her teeth and her pierced tongue. She was tall for a girl, and had an awkwardly slim physique, as though her top half wasn’t properly joined to her bottom. She wore a layered plum skirt that Jeremiah hated. He knew from her stories that a former boyfriend had bought it for her during a latin street festival and they had danced, shimmied a summer away on his roof terrace listening to Nina Simone and Carlos Santana. Bastard.

They sat together on a bench and ate plump grey German sausages and onions. Jeremiah was getting tired, his feet feeling heavy, his back aching. His gaze skimmed over the heads of the crowd until one sight almost forced the lunch back up his throat. A puff of red hair, a green coat trickled through the throng of people. Jeremiah started breathing deeply, quietly. He turned and fixed on Carly, giving her a grimy sausage kiss on the cheek and rubbing her back. It was almost enough to distract him from looking back…but he glanced up quickly and the red hair had vanished.

“Let”s get. The hell out of here.” muttered Jeremiah. This mood always irritated Carly, whenever they were outdoors and he wanted to go home quickly. It happened a lot and he was not open for questioning about why. She scooped up her trinkets and marched in the direction of home, expecting Jeremiah to reach and maintain her pace. He arrived alongside her and reached for her hand, but she pulled away. This gesture signaled the onset of a common condition between them, a distancing fog which neither wanted to clear. It was at these times that Jeremiah thought about her fantastical ideas for a wedding and a baby, and how she should probably be with a hairy ape man who would celebrate her zeal for the natural world. They could raise a naked family on a diet of plants in far North Queensland.

“Why aren’t you ever interested in just hanging out with me, at the markets, or down at the coffee place. Why do you want to go home all the time, but when you‘re there, you just spend it on THE COMPUTER?” Carly’s anger spilt over, and her darkening expression signaling the onset of something far from civilised.

Jeremiah sighed. This was a boring, boring line of questioning, and no answer would be acceptable. He had enough to think about at the moment, images of cold, ungainly kisses and a appalling effort to fuck someone coursed fresh through his mind like a migraine.

The argument was kicked and tossed between them over the afternoon as they arrived home and resumed their habits. He made fruit toast, sat down and ate, and made more, even though he had no appetite and the richness of the butter made him feel sick. Carly was right. He didn’t particularly want to spend mindless time with her. That sort of activity was only suitable for one person on their own. A consuming grip on a set of punishing mental images, and a desperate need to know what had gone wrong.

Something Weird Just Happened - Anna

I just got home from doing the shopping. I heard "I came from Alabama" playing. It sounded like a polyphonic ringtone. It sounded really close. I looked around the house. Was it the XBox? Alarm? Did we somehow have ringtones on our landline now? It stopped after 20 seconds or so.

Then my mobile rang. Didn't recognise number.
Me: "Hello?"
"What the hell's that?"
"Hello?"
"What the hell's that?"
Then they hung up.

I was stunned.

Bastard Tales - Chapter 1 - Sarah Ranft

Cheese has never been orange, thought Jeremiah as he removed the steaming saucepan from the stove. The tender packet macaroni made a sloppy, bubbling noise when he stirred it, which was both comforting and sickening. This was not real food, and certainly not real dairy. He left it on the bench to congeal.

The shadows were long in the courtyard outside now. Too late to be having lunch. Carly would know that he’d slept in again. Sitting at the kitchen table, he lifted the laptop screen and opened Facebook, not knowing how many times that day he had already repeated this action. Facebook was his friend and derailing, defeating nemesis. A loathing fatigue overcame him as he looked at the photos and tales of past acquaintances. Venezuela, Zaire, Alaska. It seemed to be the goal of his class to spread themselves to the geographical limits, like margarine over bread. Jeremiah repeated these countries to himself. They all looked so buoyant, smiling in bikinis, winter coats and sunglasses.

A shadow over the front door and rustling of plastic signaled Carly’s return home. Jeremiah quickly shook off his mood and scanned the kitchen for signs of slovenliness. She was not going to be impressed that he’d missed work today for no reason. He quickly decanted the macaroni into two plates to distract her with an early supper. Carly bustled down the hallway and dropped shopping bags on to the bench. Her breathy kiss on his cheek smelt faintly of incense.

“What’s going on, why aren’t you at work?” she asked as they sat down together to eat the pasta.

“I told Chris I had a family emergency.” Jeremiah said sheepishly. He had felt in his bones this morning that going to work was not a possibility, and short of developing any real illness, he had twelve hours remaining to put together a convincing narrative for his boss tomorrow.

Carly sighed. “I’m surprised he believed that since your whole family’s in Adelaide. Aren’t you going to ask me how my day went?”

There was a good chance Jeremiah would not be enthralled with these details either. Carly was two years into her course in Natural Medicine, a pursuit that he neither cared for, nor saw an illustrious future from. When they first met, her spiritual dancing and passion for alternative remedies lent her an air of mystique and defiance. Jeremiah was also grateful to move from South Australia to Melbourne so that she could study here. The interest in her career had quickly faded however, and he nodded vaguely as she regaled him today with her new facts about tongue health and the dangers of eating grains. Surely fake cheese macaroni was not a desired part of her diet then.

Carly’s wealthy parents had provided their daughter with steady financial support as they settled into Melburnian life - a key element to her appeal for Jeremiah. He couldn’t help but think however that she had brought an end to this opulent family dynasty by becoming a tree-hugging witch doctor. Was this the future, the couple life, he really wanted? Carly often hinted about getting married, which regularly produced mental images of some sort of nude, forest commitment ritual. Children was a far greater nightmare. As they lay in bed that night and he felt her knees nudging his legs open, he reached into the bedside drawer. There was no chance of them starting a future family together if he could help it.
……….

The morning brought new dread; the emergency story. Jeremiah walked warily into the large, budget seafood restaurant which provided him with an income and a barely interesting social network. Most of his table staff peers were students balancing their working hours with study in real estate, economics or tourism. Jeremiah told himself that his goals were more travel-based, even though his efforts to save so far would not have bought him a plane ticket to the next suburb.

“My great uncle had a stroke and my mother was on the phone to me the whole night.” Jeremiah said carefully when confronted by his boss, searching his facial expression for signs of compassion and understanding. Instead he was met with a slight smirk and a pat on the back. Jeremiah felt slight anger and self-pity, this could be a very difficult time for an especially close family. Lucky the distress was not greater.

The lunch rush was morose. Winter did not inspire a large amount of people to eat fish and chips, or a basket of prawns. A break in the afternoon afforded him a walk in the milky, chilly sunlight, towards a familiar sight in the busy plaza. Jeremiah’s legs felt weak and his posture awkward. There she was.

Her hair was short, a natural red. She had a boyish figure, well concealed under an ill-fitting uniform shirt. Jeremiah had never figured out why she was so attractive to him, sitting at her desk typing in brief bursts and handing over brochures to customers. He already had a collection of paraphernalia at home which they had mused over together with no result. Japan, United States, Fiji. It was no doubt becoming clear to her that he had no travel strategy or genuine need for her professional services. Nevertheless, he found himself sitting in front of her again.

“Haven’t we seen you in here before? How was your last trip?” she asked politely. Jeremiah felt his face becoming hot with the attention and a forthcoming lie.

“Really good, caught up with some friends in the UK and we ended up in Spain.” Jeremiah hoped that the continuation from London to the Mediterranean was a believable one. Scenes of drinking in local seedy bars and salsa-dancing senoritas filled any necessary gaps in his memory.

“Sounds like fun.” She waited for the reason for his visit. There was an awkward pause as he glanced at the magazine rack behind her. Where was somewhere suggestive he could start with?

“Looking at going to Brazil.” Surely this was a sexy place they could wistfully dream of together. She stood up and lifted a brochure out from under the wire rack. The bushy Amazon river glossed the cover. Jeremiah was not exactly a hardy, muscled jungle-beater but he hoped that would be overlooked.

“Are you thinking of traveling anywhere yourself?” he volunteered. She met his gaze and shook her head faintly. Jeremiah felt a bit put off. How can you trust a travel consultant if they haven’t traveled? She also hadn’t shown any interest in what was obviously a bit of a come-on - they could have planned a great itinerary together supported by meaninglessly cool casual work.

“Well thanks, I’ll just take this brochure and have a think about it.” He stumbled off the chair and out of the centre. Holding travel information had the effect of making him feel healthier and more alive, in the same way that trying on hiking boots and sitting in canoes in an outdoor equipment shop did. These experiences didn’t require any real adventure.

Dinner that night consisted of some buckwheat salad with cannelloni beans. Jeremiah tolerated Carly’s vegetarian preferences because the food was not unpleasant, just bland. She supported herself with iron tablets, he ate steak when he went to the pub. Carly was a good cook, imaginative with what she had to work with. They had experimented with soy meat substitutes from the deli in the past but fortunately were both unmoved by them. Surely vegetarians did not need a visual substitute to trick themselves into believing their meal included animals, so nugget and drumstick-shaped items were not required in their house.

That evening included a visit from one of Carly’s many college friends, Samara. Samara had a pierced lower lip and smelled like damp hay. She wore tight and flowing non-descript rainbow garments, the type which are seen abundantly at weekend markets. Jeremiah didn’t like the influence Samara had over Carly - she had a daughter in primary school called Sunflower, and was forever passing on future childrearing tips and non-hilarious anecdotes. Several months ago they had spent an afternoon smoking pot and Samara had confessed that she didn’t think Jeremiah was good enough for her friend Carly. Jeremiah saw it as the other way around and wished she’d piss off.

Jeremiah knew what was coming. When Samara finally left, Carly draped herself on the furniture and spent some time staring at him fondly. Jeremiah pretended to be engrossed in the latest escapades of his Facebook foes, noting their countries of choice for future reference.

“Canwehaveababyyyy………”

Carly strung the question together as if to lighten the impact.

“Mmm, we’ll see.” Jeremiah knowing exactly what his answer was, but aware it was inappropriate. They had been through this many times in the past and he could escape any verbal commitment without injury.

“Don’t you want to see the world first?” he inquired as a means of diversion. Carly had seen Africa and Europe with her parents as a child however, and if he was honest with himself, she was not his ideal travel companion.

“Yeah, probably a good idea, then we can settle down. Grace from school got married the other weekend on the Daintree beach, with a Buddhist priest, and everyone wore orange robes. Wouldn’t that be heaven?”

I would rather throw myself to the crocs, Jeremiah thought. Have one drag me away so it looked like an accident. The wedding party could burn herbs and wait for my spiritual resurrection. Her weird excitement was endearing however, and he smiled at her. This exchange satisfied them both for now.
……….

The next day it was raining, and he sprinted towards the travel agency during his break. Seated in the waiting line, he suddenly realised how embarrassing it was to be there two days in a row. Sure enough he was seated at the desk promptly, and before he began, he noticed her small name placard. Adrienne. It was quite old fashioned and exotic, he could imagine that her parents were foreign and conceived her out of dark, Parisian passion. Quite how she ended up in St Kilda would be something he’d have to find out.

Asking about a new destination would be indicative of mental illness at this point, so he blurted out something new.

“Have you been to the new café down the promenade, the one that serves organic coffee?” It was the most interesting place nearby he could think of. Carly had dragged him there several times because she liked the gay and lesbian culture there, and the organic cake with organic cream.

“I’ve been past it but haven’t been inside.” she replied, raising her eyebrows in unspoken question. Did this girl have any sense of adventure? He would need to labour the point further.

“Did you want to head down and try it out after work? I’m free most of this week.”

She cocked her head and stared at him for a moment, presumably weighing up how attractive it would be to become involved with a seasoned world traveler.

“I’m pretty busy but I‘ll be out on Thursday night if you want to meet up.” Oh dear, meeting at night would complicate things quite badly. And a coffee at night was a pathetic anticlimax - hard liquor at the Espy would be a better option. But no going back now. There was no way of knowing whether it would be just the two of their either - being out suggested friends. But it was a start either way. A start he didn’t know if he should make.

Light in the Forest - Anna

We live in the forest. One day a huge cold front approached and the clouds were so dark and grey. It was really windy and trees were falling down. A disaster! We had to scramble to get out of the way of falling branches and gum trees. Some people died in the process. People were screaming. We just kept running.

Suddenly there was calm, like the eye of the storm. There was bright sunlight in the sky. It was so dazzling that it was hard to see through the tree tops.

Then the storm started up again. The wind was blowing fiercely, but we were better prepared to dodge the falling trees as we were looking out for them more. I could tell which angle they would fall and knew the best path to get out of their way.

As this second storm was raging, I saw a beam of light again through the trees. I had to shield my eyes. As I peaked through my fingers, I could see the bright light was from an alien ship.

Looking around at everyone else, I could see that if they looked into the light, they would then become an alien. The aliens were taking people to increase their population on earth. They said we didn’t have to look at the light if we didn’t want to, but both us and them knew that gradually everyone would become one of them. In the end, there would be only aliens.

Inaugural Resurection of that which is AsphYxiA

Welcome!

Some old sklers might remember there used to be like a totally awesome zine called asphYxia originating in Tassie in the 1990s. It was too cool, and contained stories, poetry, and fairytales of the 21st century.

Then something happened to the editor. She became a lazy no good non-zine-writer. Asphyxia faded into nothingness.

Now...AsphYxiA has been REBORN through Google's Booger!

This is a very sudden rebornation. It certainly isn't a result of suddenly having a sudden surge of creative exploits that needed publishing. So, as a result of having ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OF ORIGINAL CREATIVE TYPINGS, Asphyxia wishes to share its new favourite dating site: Alphabet Creatures

Go there. It rocks.

And don't forget to bookmark this site. Updates will occur sometimes.