We appealed to readers to send us their best creative prose to celebrate Easter and the coming of spring. Here are the winning entries!
Under the Easter Umbrella
(Two Limericks & Three Haikus Intertwined)
by Dan Costinas
An old seaman from Algarve, quite keen,
Whose boat held no fish, it would seem;
Then of spring, oranges, and sun,
His three tiny poems outrun
“Five-Seven-Five,” the haikus were cheerfully preen:
new joy starts anew
winter’s sleep gives way to spring—
life wakes, fresh and bright
pink blooms softly rise,
branches dance in gentle breeze—
sweet scent fills the air
eggs hidden, spring’s bloom,
joyful children hunt and find—
hope’s sweet song unfolds
The bunnies had, on beaches so wide,
Eggs to paint—that the sea tried to hide.
Almond trees all in white,
Showing a truly sweet sight,
“Blithe Easter!” the seagulls all cried.
To Jasper
A dog’s life
by Nick Darker
When I wake up in the morning the people are still snoring
So I creep into the bedroom even though it’s really boring
My nose is moist and questing and my whiskers are erect
As I push gently through the bedclothes and I touch their face direct
They snort and fumble blindly as I give them full attention
Oh Jasper will you go away! Or we’ll put you in detention!
I drop a poisonous doggy fart so they figure out the issue
And on the lawn below the house I start to poo, sans tissue!
The day begins to brighten with the filling of the dish
A pile of canine cereals and a chunk of yummy fish
Well just a moment later I yowl to get the lead
And Jerome runs out along the road to do his master deed
I do pretend the morning walk is what I really need
But frankly there are better walks but how to make him heed?
The perfect doggy trot should have a stick as well as ball
A few slow hounds to chase around while frantic owners call.
But then all done we head for home
And supper is prepared!
‘Woof woof’ we shout and tongues fall out
The evening meal is declared!
Although the humans cook for hours then slowly eat all night
For me I have no problem to gulp it down – that’s right!
Then I crawl into my doggy bed
And growl at phantom frights
While the humans play their silly games
I slowly snooze all night …
The Easter Bunny
by David Lugg
There’s something strange about Easter
A myth that’s odd and funny.
A folklore figure so cute yet stern
It’s called the Easter Bunny.
I understand the Easter eggs
And get the Easter lilies.
But hopping hares and rambunctious rabbits?
For me, that’s rather silly.
Don’t get me wrong, I like a bunny
I like tooth fairies too.
And Santa Claus and unicorns
To mention just a few.
But delivering eggs from rabbit legs?
That’s not for me, my fella.
I think this Easter what I’ll do
Is make rabbit paella.
Spring Is Coming
by Robert Spalding
The weather is changeable. Sometimes the sun shines in a clear blue Lagos sky tricking people into wearing a light coat, enough clothing until they turn onto a shaded street with the wind blowing and chilling to the bone. Yet some hardy souls, presumably from Northern climes, venture out in shorts and tee-shirts. Other times, the rain comes blown in from the ocean, adding a damp cold, filling the calçadas with puddles, and blowing umbrellas inside-out. The Algarve desperately needs rain, and grateful as everyone is, some wish it would wait until night when they are inside, warm and dry.
Winter drags on, but spring is coming. Already the hills are yellow with flowers, dotted amongst the green grass that laid dormant during the dry time. The swallows are back dog-fighting with insects, blackbirds too; the pigeons are cooing and seagulls can be seen cosying up to one another on the rooftops, the males hoping to find a mate. People venture out from hibernation. Dogs play in the praça, their owners waiting patiently, gossiping with one another. More cars on the streets, cyclists and runners stretch their legs. The train and bus stations fill up with passengers, and some suitcases can be heard rattling the calçadas. The market is full of fresh fruit and vegetables, oranges, juicy and sweet, lemons, apples and fresh vegetables recently picked with chilled hands. Vendors smiling, glad to be around people, looking forward to their farmyard tasks in warmer weather. The whole mood of Lagos is bright.
