Here's to the greenery of heaven sent scenery

Devoid of Man's cold grey cement.

Here's to the fields and trees 

Putting our minds at ease

Each in the way Nature meant.

Here's to the will of Man holding back when it can,

Knowing there's too much to lose;

Here's to those other days

Before the traffic haze

That comes with the cars in their queues.

Here's to our...

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The term "woke" has been the subject of discussion about its meaning  The following may assist

those who are confronted with the word.

Wokeness is the ideology that enables people to hide behind a wall of false virtue, preaching

acceptance, equality and diversity of opinion - at the same time that they simultaneously attack,

cancel and destroy anyone who offends them.

(Basically, it...

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There's an England I remember

That I seem to see somewhere

As my May becomes September

I dream that I am there

The old England that made me

Is forever in my heart;

This new England has betrayed me

Of it I want no part!

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The sun shone out all around me

When you walked into my life

The stars looked down and they found me

When you walked into my life

And I knew come what may

That love had come to stay

In my life

My heart said goodbye to sorrow

When you walked into my life

And I blessed every tomorrow

When you walked into my life

I treasure each new day

Now love lights the way...

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Autumn trees wear red and gold,

In royal majesty they stand -

And flaunt their colours, bright and bold,

To decorate the land.

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Shall freedom of speech live...

Or shall freedom of speech die?

Here are many millions of English folk who will know the reason why.

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What to make of socialism = what has it got?

A sense of humour is difficult to spot;

As for self-deprecation, that's something that's not

To be found in that supra-nation state lot.

And answering a question with a question

Is a cause for incipient indigestion!  

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The history of England  is a riot: Fact!

The unruly English faced the Riot Act

When a discomfited magistrate with heated breath

Declared: "Disperse...on pain of death"!

With the war-weary military of the day

Who knew what to do to earn their pay.

Violent mobs need be condemned

But what of political falsehood's trend?

Beware the Janus winking eye

And the falure to enquire...

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Now is the Starmer of our Discontent made furious summer by this stunted talk

And all the crowds that lower'd on our house are in the deep bosom of this England buried.

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How fortunate those who take a lifetime's voyage aboard the Good Ship "Friend",

For they are on a journey whose joy will only ever end

When time and tide run out together and the sun of life slips away

And sees body and soul drift off forever to discover come what may

Beyond the clasp of human hand and the cheering word

That friendship offers the open heart willing to hear and be he...

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Aim for a life of simple security,

One that is based in easeful purity.

Avoid the traps of poverty and wealth,

Both injurious to the health.

Beware of property or its envied lack,

Both may break the bearer's back.

For property only complicates life,

Adding to its woe and strife.

Happy the soul who owns the least

Enjoying most at life's long feast.

If you have enough f...

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Poetry can be likened to one of those multi-purpose tools,

Deserving experience and care and not best suited to fools.

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Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un,

Hardly my idea of fun;

Talking about defence from aggression,

Sanity plainly not in session.

Clearly the smoke screen to employ

To mask their tendency to destroy;

Attack is their chosen form of defence

Oh, for some sign of common sense.

Paranoia's the name of the game,

Always finding others to blame,

As a wondering world looks...

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I've been thinking of a way to bring cheer

To a section of poets  - some here?

But I may wait in vain

For a sponsor who might gain

From my "Fogey Old Poet of the Year"!

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One poem that stands out in a favourite compilation, essentially because it was written in days when 

religion was very much to the fore, is "An Agnostic's Creed" by Walter Malone (1866-1915).  Some of

its verses resonate particularly strongly with me these days.  Here are three of them - from a total of eight.

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There's a classical music YouTube blog I turn to quite a lot,

With a presenter who wears a T-shirt with words that hit the spot

And constitute the reason why my attention can be got:

"Abnormal is OK...Stupidity is not!"

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Is there anything more precious in life than a woman who is kind,

Who endures its slings and arrows, but seldom seems to mind.

Adorned by Nature's passing years to become a Sheba-wise sage,

Well able to handle the opposite sex from infancy to old age.

So, my lads, whoever you may be, pray to your god that you find

The pleasure of the treasure that caring designed - a woman who is ki...

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Running, screaming, cursing and more,

Those who made the Normandy shore

Rushed on in a swirl of carnage and noise,

Many little more than boys.

Praying inwardly to survive

Hoping to find their mates alive

And reach a place that offered protection

That cheated the Grim Reaper's casual selection.

Bravery and cowardice share a human name,

The spinning coin of circumstance al...

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They splashed ashore on their target beach

And death came flying from out of their reach,

Returned in kind from grey battleships behind

Aiming but not always accurately to find

The concrete and cemented bastions that lay

Ahead - to keep expected forces at bay..

A break in the weather had foxed the foe

And saw the dawn-mist Allies go

Boldly where Angels would fear to tread

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Winter days are drifting by

Each one passing with a sigh,

How cold the days have grown.

The love you thought was here to stay

Has somehow sadly slipped away

And now you're all alone.

They say that the first day of Spring brings a chance now

It brings you the chance of romance.

They say new affections will lead you a dance now

But all you recall is her glance.

They say...

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Many males of youthful years seek physical perfection

And put a lot of effort in that particular direction,

But who would bet against the personal selection

Of the hope of developing perfection in erection?  

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You'll have heard about the MP for Dover

Who took the decision to cross over...

And I don't mean the Channel -

Never mentioned in the flannel.

Employed by this opportunist rover!.

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I don't really mind seeing the rain in May,

I view it as April showers - suffering a slight delay..

And I take some satisfaction on a particularly foul day, 

Imagining politicians on their traffic-jammed Ulez way!

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When you feel a fool to folly,

Or a surfeit of melancholy;

When it seems  you're on your own

And facing fractious life alone,

When it looks like hope is gone...

Go and put the kettle on!!!

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The time approaches to mark England's English day,

And bring to mind memories that somehow find their way.

We are not a perfect people, equal to many, better than most,

How else to explain the alien host that heads for our island coast?

An American poet of other days knew this when she wrote

Words that robustly resonate, still surely worthy of note...

 "I have loved England, and ...

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Love, come if you can to find me,

And if you do, then please be true

And be sure to treat me kindly.

Whether the quiet sort

Or with passion wrought,

Attend if you will,

Let me drink my fill;

But if you can't -  

Don't mind me!

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I received this observation from a long time pal and couldn't resist posting it for its jovial literary connotation.

Read on.

Despite it being windy and wet, I decided to erect a marquee in my garden, complete with flashing lights

and the rhythmic beat of loud music:

Now is the winter of my disco tent!

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Once, it was the future ahead,

Now, it's time gone by;

Then it was a smile for where life led,

Now, it's a wistful sigh.

And from within - a querulous cry

What was the purpose...

To emerge, endure and die?

But no sign or sound

Supplied a reply,

Begging the eternal question = WHY?

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Congratulations are due to Channel Five

For keeping verse (and fun!) alive,

By offering viewers welcome shares

In the pleasing company of Pam Ayres,

Wending her gentle Cotswold way

Taking pause to have her say;

Reminding us to rhyme "excoriate"

With her shameful exclusion from Poet Laureate.

While the poetry world lacks the gumption to sketch a plan

To select this succes...

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It is said of woman that inspiring love is a must,

Yet Mother Nature has her own perverse plan -

To ensure procreation she ensures hapless man

Is inspired less by love than insistent lust.

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I hear that today is World Poetry Day

So the good, bad and indifferent can have their say,

In whatever form they care to choose,

How nice if anything memorable ensues!

But it can seem like an excuse for the outstretched hand

From the poetry elite and their support seeking band

Playing the hard-up tune for their cause

Keeping it going...milking hands-up applause,

While the u...

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I've just had a letter I thought I*d mention,

From that government department that pays my pension.

It seems that as I reach four score

They want to pay me 25p. more!

Their correspondence came as a surprise

Such official largesse brought tears to my eyes

Not least in times of fraught economy

Did I expect to see such generosity!

So. dear readers, when you approach ...

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There's something unsaid about the electric car -

That's its worth to net zero will certainly mar!

It's an invention which is merely seeing a renewal,

But the problem is its power is sourced by fossil fuel !

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Noble Lady England now wears a rancid gown

From the feckless, foolish and faithless busy doing her down

She sinks in a crime and grime-filled gutter

Her once regal voice a feeble mutter:

"Please forgive my condition...my pitiful state...

You who recall I was once something "Great"..

I'm no longer the name I used to be,

Gratitude has gone and what you now see

Is the result o...

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What care I for gate or fence?

Come talk to me of pounds and pence.

What care I for trees and fields?

Pray tell me what the profit yields.

What care I for bird or beast?

(Unless the creatures are deceased!).

What care I for a vocal majority

When I've got the ear of the local authority?

I'm so grateful for uncontrolled immigration

Carte blanche to conc...

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The more I see

The more I say

We seem seized 

By generational decay.

All around expediency rules

While politicians take us for fools,

And "isms" are trotted out by rote

And change is needed when we vote!

Essential services now seem filled

By those whose caring appears chilled

Compared with the dedication in other days -

Now firmly focussed on just what it...

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Let us be chary of the term "hate speech"

Lest it becomes a strident screech

Designed to silence the critical voice..

Let us consider the ramifications

On satire and opinionated protestations

Before commencing to rejoice!

Warning: The Law is a blunt instrument.

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Take your love

But don't forget me;

Take it back

And as you go,

Take this heart

But say you'll let me

Keep that heart of you I know.

Take those arms

You used to hold me;

Take those lips

As sweet as wine;

But remember 

How you told me:

You'd be forever mine!

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Recently, I was delighted to find myself watching a most worthwhile "Parkinson" repeat from years

ago, in which the deservedly popular Sir John Betjeman featured as a guest, along with the likes of

the Oscar-winner Maggie Smith and the always erudite and entertaining Kenneth Williams.

But it was Sir John who preceded them into the Parkinson domain and who proceeded to delight the

audie...

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Cynicism is the last resort of idealism;

Optimism is the balance of realism.

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With a passing nod to a certain high-flying English poet.

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My heart leapt up when I would see

The Concorde in the sky;

So was it when its flights began,

Flying faster than a bullet can

Its silhouette so gracefully

Lodged in grateful memory.

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We live in an age that can be called "risk averse"

When "couldn't be better" is now "couldn't be worse".

So, as we head on towards 2024

It would be nice to try to even up the score,

And reply with "Oh fine" when asked how we feel

Instead of a moan and some self-pitying spiel;

And maybe even get the response of a smile

For seeking to make other folks' feelings worthwhile.

An...

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This seems the right sort of song message as we arrive at the Festive Season.  Something with a

happy ending!

MC  

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How fitting now in deep December,

When days are short and life is low,

That in our hearts we will remember

Those we knew who had to go

Christmas hours are briefly bright,

Their spark is spent in winter's pay

And soon surrenders to each night

When light retreats and fades away.

But O how wonderful this living!

How magical this life we own,

That we are given t...

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Once again - a thought for those who can't make it home for Christmas but who are always there

in their minds.  This version is from the crystal clear tones of the late lamented Marcie Summers.

1.

At home the Christmas snow is falling

I see it clear across the miles

I hear the happy voices calling

See the dear familiar smiles.

2.

Every Yuletide brings its reason

To celeb...

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Some more seasonal fun, with modern techy kids in mind giving their long-suffering parents a hard time.

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DAD

We get these questions from our kids...they won't leave us alone

When they jump out of bed on Christmas Day

Each time they ask their M...

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Lift up your voice

Let all rejoice

And make a joyful sound

Cast off the care

Most folk must bear

When Christmas comes around

Look to your hearts

That's where love starts

Where life itself begins

And you shall know

That Faith will show

Forgiveness for your sins

Look to His truth

In Age and Youth

Salvation shall be found

As One they stand 

Be...

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Winter trees are spindly spare -

Like old men in their show;

Shivering in the brittle air,

Bespoke in coats of snow.

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Poetry has a history of being involved with notable events, usually in celebratory vein but just as

effectively in critical mode.  Wit always works better than basic vulgarity, but has to be applied with

care (or courageous disregard depending on your mindset!).  A superior example of rhyme and

clever association is to be found in the couplet by William Collingbourne (Colynbourne), a Wilt...

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If anyone knows who took this charming photograph, I'd be happy to insert an acknowledgement/credit.

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See them knelt beside the bed,

Paws and hands before each head.

A sight to give us innocent joy...

Two friends together - dog and boy.

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