99 + 1 = ?
By _Razcalz_

If I ask
what this
contest of
poetry is
to you --
tell me,
what on
Neopia
will you
answer?

Maybe
you'll say, "A
motley band of
wordings wise,"
or "whispers jewelled
with allure" -- each
breath a personified
clear Maraqua, hand
-picked syllables in
which the vapours
arise and bloom
to life.

We know
of the worlds
from selections a
dozen hundreds --
but what of this game
itself, or the glimmers
of our writers' delight?
Let this one time be
the "1," and let my
hundred be the
"?" --

-- a number's but a number;
see the path of golden song, and see
what no numeral mirror can e'er hope
to relay.

A Moonrise Grim
By Larkspurlane

night comes
swiftly, bearing between
its dark palms a moon wide and
white, above a forest where a river runs
in wide veins through black pines and birch
with arms like silver sinew. There dwells the
Lupe pack, eyes golden, bold and keen -- their
movement through forgotten paths like a fanged
script, haunting in the fir-gloom -- their howl the
music of hard souls, voices of pale pearl, rubied
red, storm purple, raven black -- and they run,
blood singing in their ears, following wind
and the joy of flight, and hearing the wild
wood talk in its sleep, flying like souls
pursued among trees hanging dark
and hushed in autumn mist's
slow white dream

Inflatable Balthazar
By Mamasimios

I keep an Inflatable Balthazar
Within my Neohome.
I like to practise bopping him
Outside the Battledome.

For every time I get a blast
By Snowager, evil worm,
Or one of the many wheels of chance
Takes an unlucky turn

And I find myself low health
Or even approaching naught,
It's to the Battledome I hie
At a jaunty little trot.

For though I may be weakened,
It's battle that I seek
To challenge that phony rubber Lupe
As my main healing technique.

It may seem like overkill
That I always go berserk,
Choosing my strongest weapons
Dazzling with fancy footwork.

But as I overwhelm him,
I feel like his fleshy twin could be next.
I could teach Balthazar himself a lesson --
But then again, maybe not yet.

Sorcerers' Skirmish
By Pansyparkinson14

A group of sorcerers, elite,
Will protect their Eyrie Leader well,
With their intricate, magical staffs,
They will conjure a wrathful spell.

The Xweetok Sorceress makes the first move:
Her movements are lithe and fast,
Her power against the elemental fire,
Is demonstrated when her spell is cast.

Next to attack is the Kougra Sorceress:
With her magical blade, she'll fight,
Slashing her sword so mercilessly,
From dawn until deep into the night.

The Scorchio Sorcerer serves as the defence;
He blocks the foes and taunts them too:
He'll protect the others from sword and spell,
And he'll get your offence through.

Skeith Magician is the strongest of all,
Though slow and easily tired.
He'll cause your enemies to tremble in fear;
And he'll do for you all that's required.

But in every fight there is only one,
Who delivers the final blow:
It's the Gelert Sorcerer, whom you see now,
His face set and his weapon aglow.

He sidesteps a lunge and casts his spell:
And by then you know that it's done:
The Darigan Eyrie Leader disappears in a puff of smoke:
It's over -- your team has won!

A Sip in the Catacombs
By Mheetu

Would you like a cup of coffee?
I guarantee it's great,
The freshest and the tastiest.
There's not much of a wait;
We've got mochas and lattes
And cappuccinos too.
They come in several flavours --
Shall I name some to you?

Have a Double-Shot Expresso;
It'll wake you up, no doubt!
Try our special house-blend coffee
With cream or without?
If you like the fruity stuff,
Phear Coffee is the best.
Have a Peppermint Latte,
That's what I'd suggest.

Is coffee not your favourite?
We've also got some tea.
I'd go with the Chamomile,
The best if you ask me.
Or I can make us some Mint Tea.
It's lovely when it's iced.
Would you like some Blairnut Tea;
It's especially nice!

If you'd like a bite to eat
(If you are in the mood),
We've not only got coffee,
But we've also got some food.
Try some Tigersquash Ice Cream
Or a slice of Chai Tea Cake.
Snowberry Delight is tasty
And not that hard to make.

What could be better than coffee and tea
And service with a smile?
Come here to the Deep Catacombs --
Be sure to stay a while!
Next time you're in town, make sure
You come back down and visit.
I may have several new flavours,
And you won't want to miss it!