Poetry Blog by M.C. Newberry

Excuse me if I don't wilt

Under post-colonial guilt.

History is chapter and verse of the past,

For better or worse, its die is cast.

If wounds persist requiring sutures

Then let those sutures be better futures

For logic will say that this much is real:

Keep picking away and no wound can heal.

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Something to sing in Country style.  Thanks to Pete Dymond for the vocal.

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I wonder - when she wakes in the morning

Has she been dreaming of me?

When the darkness defers to the dawning

Is my face the face she would see?

I wonder - do her days feel longer?

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Common sense can be heard to beseech:

What has been done to freedom of speech?

Now the prisoner of opinion and offence

None of which makes very much sense.

Words chosen have to be - shall we say "foxy"

To avoid the wrath of the me-me orthodoxy,

Like the Hays Office that controlled what was seen

In days long gone on the cinema screen

When couples on a bed had their feet on t...

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I wish for a cure

For what is obscure

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I can't help but notice the proliferation of signs that are evident around virtually every road and road junction.

Here's my suggestion for impatient drivers wherever they are.

CARING UNDERTAKERS LOVE CARELESS OVERTAKERS!

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Great writers are relevant to any age >>>>>>

"The Americans are certainly great hero-worshippers, and always take heroes from the criminal classes."

Oscar Wilde (from a letter).

"Washington has too many bronze generals."

Oscar Wilde (in conversation).

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Criminal deceit is out on the street

Along with its partner in crime called conceit.

The far right's in plain sight,

The far left's more discreet.

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Taking a lead from the excellent JC....and with a nod to a famous song from Al Jolson.  Sing along!

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Foot, foot, footsie - I sigh

Foot, foot, footsie, - Oh my!

Even though the virus now forsakes me

Away from you no words can tell how sad it makes m...

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Anyone with an interest in the American Civil War

Who fought where and when, and what for...

Will know of the Massachusetts Fifty Fourth

A regiment that fought and showed its worth.

Strange that BBC online made no mention -

In the circumstances a very curious abstention -

Of the BLM daubing of its famous US memorial!

My thoughts on that are inquisitorial..

Just what was it ...

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Here, in the embrace of England, with its detailed history of "class"

There's a movement abroad intended to make equality come to pass.

But that presumption tends to present two rather pertinent questions:

Equality with whom?  Equality with what?  PLEASE SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS.

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Equality is a hocus-pocus word

Crusades in its name are frankly absurd.

A flight of fancy...a myth...a mystery -

A "never been known" throughout human history.

In reality here's a reasoned reference:

Those who claim it aim for preference.

Better by far for social unity

To strive for equal opportunity!

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As I plough on through my 8th decade it seems to be that the various "isms" that have obtained currency in 

the latter decades of my lifetime are based in nebulous notions, the foremost of which is that of "equality".

I dare anyone to define that single word in any way that is recognisabe, or achievable in life.

It has certainly never been known on any continent, in any country or any cul...

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What to make of the desecration of Churchill's statue?  Perhaps it's best to think that WSC would have merely

jammed his cigar firmly in one corner of his mouth and growled "Let 'em do what they think best. That's the

democracy that I and this country fought to preserve."  

But there is a lingering contemptuous distaste for the ignorance of the fact that without that old man and his

pu...

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The following is a piece of fiction within its context but I wish it had been seen at the time in place of the

inflammatory assumption and supposition.

"A man's suspicious behaviour in Minneapolis led to the required attendance of police to investigate.

The ensuing interaction between the suspect and the officers resulted in the former being held on the

ground under forcible restraint,...

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The other side of the coin that rarely gets any currency in a country that has arbitrary death in its DNA.

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One hundred and thirty one left for work

During the year two oh one nine.

They never returned to kith and kin,

Nor did any retire or resign.

"Killed in the line of duty" remains the log line

Added ...

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 Don't talk to me of "due process"

When I'm marching with the mob;

It messes with my actions 

And how I view my job

Of trashing up the neighbourhood

And plundering the shops,

Making hay as the sunshine sets

On the guilt or innocence of cops.

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Say what you must

And do what you can -

That's my idea

Of an admirable man

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They say "Everything comes to those who wait"

And that includes the farewell breath;

But most would have it hesitate -

That final curtain called death.

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Can you separate love from lust?

Religion would remonstrate: "We must"!

But how better to put both to the test

Than try to work out which is best.

What joy to know they're hand in hand

To lead us to that promised land

That's often sought but seldom found

When sentenced to remain Earth-bound.

Lust has its place to draw us in,

There's much to say for so-called sin;

Then...

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The lines below are a result of an incident just witnessed in the street outside my flat. 

I've just been leaning out of my bathroom window

Taking a breath of much needed air

When a young woman with a dog paused below

Looking on as her mutt did its business there.

I watched, somehow knowing she wasn't prepared

To clean up when the doggy deed was complete

And sure eno...

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When humanity and nature become corrupted

The health of both is interrupted

And hidden forces find a way

To grab their chance to make both pay.

The unlucky are like lambs to slaughter

While the rest seek hope in soap and water.

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Shh. now..they kept it quiet,. 

But don't keep it under your hat;.

I got the startling news just now,

The first I knew about that!.

It wasn't reported in the papers  

No mention on the news,

But it's a fact, not silly capers,

(No, I've not been on the booze!).

The world knows about Piccadilly,

Its famous history in London Town

Where for centuries the free of spirit

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In anticipation of the accusatory sycophantic sob

Let me state at once that the NHS does a marvellous job.

But I have this nagging concern about those helping hands

How come so many are imported from distant far needier lands,

Whose people are now without the medical help that they deserve

And when falling sick have lost the ones who'd help them hold their nerve?

Why have our "pa...

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Come, take a walk with me in beautiful South Devon - starting high above Kingswear and following the track that leads down to the coast and the estuary of the River Dart where the Mewstone Rock lies opposite the 

old wartime coastal defences.  Let your mind float free in the air, unencumbered by four walls  Walk along

as often as you please.

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I get email promotions about gadgets and gizmos seeking funding.  The latest aims to "treat your fat" via the

"Cryofreeze" method.  The link provides big glossy pics (plus prices and promises!) - New York/USA based,

promoting a waist-belt device and accessories that are offered as aids to reduce fat via so-called "freezing".. 

A thought about how frozen water becomes ice has me wondering ...

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On the few occasions I now look at the main media news I am assailed by the latest fatality rate from Covid 19

bad enough in itself, but I find myself getting mad at the utterly unnecessary use of the phrase "sadly died".

Not sadly---tragically!.  But why use either word at all?.  The opposite of sad is happy - and no one would

expect to hear that victims have "happily died".  That conjur...

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Let's all cheer up at the recollection of those in the media who don't always get it right.

Racing commentator watching jockey Tony McCoy in a formidable lead: "Tony has a quick look between his 

legs and likes what he sees."

Interviewer asking racing driver Ralf Schumacher at a Grand Prix: "What does it feel like being rammed up the

backside by Barrichello?"

Racing pundit Brough Sc...

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If you are feeling obsessed with self-doubt and anxiety - and who isn't? - then bear in mind this excellent

advice from that great worldly-wise wit of yesteryear, Dorothy Parker.

Razors pain you;

Rivers are damp;

Acids stain you;

And drugs cause cramp.

Guns aren't lawful;

Nooses give;

Gas smells awful;

You might as well live.

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It has been observed that if women seek a quiet time all they have to do is hang around with men.

Men won't say a thing unless there's food in mind or the house is on fire.  Women don't read in the

bathroom because men allow them solitude wherever they want it,  It's harder for men to find

peace and quiet. The loo is probably the only refuge where they can be alone, but even there they

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War may be the ultimate insanity but there can be righteous madness in it,

We British are slow to anger but once roused our aim is to win it.

The elation of a nation that prevails can be derided

By those who call it jingoism in the freedom that's provided.

But celebration embraces commemoration for those who suffered and died

So feel free to call it what you want when tyranny is den...

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It's strange how nightmare times can turn into the stuff of dreams

And how in the pitch black of nighttime something brighter gleams.

Sinking back beneath the duvet, my tired head welcoming the pillow

I seemed to see another life and hear the sound of leather on willow

Through closed eyes helped by the shade of a tightly drawn-down blind.

I saw the images of the scenes I once k...

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Others can make you good;

Others can make you bad;

Others can make you miserable;

Others can make you glad.

You'll note I've mentioned others

But this is what is meant:

Just don't depend upon others

If you aim to be content!

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When life leads you a not so merry dance

As a partner of passing circumstance,

Step out to meet its fitful tune

With hope and you will find that soon

The dance will change - and you will too -

So keep in step and follow through.

Until the not so merry dance

Comes to an end and life will chance

To change its tune and see your feet

Skip readily to a happier beat.. 

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Lucky it's me

So glad it's you

Enchantment in all

Of the things that we do

My feelings are many

My words but a few

Remember - I love you today

Maybe we could

Maybe we would

Always be tender

It's good that we should

When love comes so rarely

It's misunderstood

Remember - I love you today

The smile that I know

The way you say hello

The thrill...

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Call it artistic attrition

But I decline to budge.

In a poetry competition

Who's there to judge the judge?

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We English can take a lot of stick

That often misses what makes us tick.

Our reticence to boast and preen

Can be misunderstood and seen

As arrogance that needs pulling down

From those who view it with a frown,

So used are they to those who brag

And spare no chance to wave a flag.

With a knowing smile we carry on

Whether humble goose or noble swan,

Confronting the fash...

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I see Greta Thunberg's back online

On both climate change and the virus...

Talking about how it would be fine

To have the two combined inspire us

To make this world a better place

In terms that suggest many things

That keep control of the human race

But not those pulling her strings!

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The wife's back on the warpath again. 

She was up for making a sex movie last night and all i did was suggest we should hold auditions for her part.

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Living this life from day to day

Let's beware of three words:

Could, might and may.

Let us be careful not to react

Like startled birds

And regard them as fact.

It is essential not to take fright

When they appear...

Could, may and might

But instead let's behave like wise people should

Resisting false fear

Of might, may and could.

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Tell her -

When you're feeling sad

Tell her -

When you're feeling bad

Tell her -

When you want her arms around you.

Tell her -

That you need her love

Tell her -

You thank the stars above

For that precious day...

The day when true love found you.

Never let the chance go by

To hold her close and tell her why

You need for her to stay

Every day an...

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In the interest of raising a smile in these wayward times, here's something guaranteed to offend SOMEONE!

My missus packed my bags and as I walked out the front door she screamed "I wish you a slow 

and painful death, you bastard!".

"Oh", I replied, "so now you want me to stay!".

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A wave can mean hello...

A wave can mean goodbye,

But it's as well that we should know

The difference - and this is why;

Especially now in this time of dread

To use common sense and savvily save

Our courage and keep our collective head:

Prepared for a returning "hi" after the "goodbye" wave

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Clutching our ticket to life,

We wait at the station

Where risks are rife

As we seek our next destination.

The ticket is not marked "Class",

We take our chances to go on as one,

Hoping to continue the journey and pass 

To a safe arrival when it's done.

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Tea for one

And one for tea

Just stay at home

Act sensibly

It makes sense

As far as I can see

There's no requisit

For anyone to visit

No caring or sharing

No nosy folk staring

We can enjoy enough

Of the stuff for three!

Earl Grey for you

PG for me

Semi-skimmed will do

(No lactose-free!)

Now let's see

How healthy we can be. 

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Right you lot...sing along in accordance with the latest government instruction !

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Tea for two

And two for tea

Me for you

And you for me

Can't you see

How healthy we would be?

Nobody near us

To see us or hear us

No friends or relations

On viral visitations

Can't you see how happy we would be.

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OFFICIAL - for strict compliance until further notice.

If you feel a sudden unease

And an overwhelming need to sneeze,

Speedily settle the matter at issue

By sticking your nose into a tissue.

Then throw it away and understand

It's vital to vigorously scrub each hand.

Steer clear of germ and acquaintance alike

And tell this virus "On yer bike!"

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This Wuhandemic

Is now totemic

Of an epidemic

That is systemic -

And points to this panic-buying polemic.

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I find in retirement my lifestyle situation

Now provides a surprise reason for self-motivation.

Restricted by personal physical restraint

I find I'm advised not to do what I cain't!

In domestic terms it's "make do and mend"

An instruction to which, I (with difficulty) bend.

I accept it's no cause for wider elation

But I'm happy "as is" in my self-isolation.

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Those of a certain vintage will remember with glee the various scabrously funny songs by Tom Lehrer.  I

still recall doubling up with laughter at some of the content.  One for the atomic age was "We'll All Go Together When We Go".  Then there was "The Masochism Tango" and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park".  In grateful

memory of the great man at this time, may I draw WOL readers to his hugely ...

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With a deserving nod to the late lamented Big O.

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Don't be any dumber than you are

Self-isolation shows the way

Or be any glummer than you are

Live your life day by day...only the lonely

Only the lonely

Know the way I feel at home

Only the lonely 

Know what it's like when you can't roam,

Th...

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