THOUGHTS AT CHRISTMAS
On the eve of Christmas, I'm re-posting this short poem in the spirit of remembrance. and the wonder of life's glorious renewal.
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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 loved who h...
Sunday 23rd December 2012 2:50 pm
WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND
Posted again - a carol to help the festive mood.
"Lift up your voice - let all rejoice
And make a joyful sound
Cast off the care Mankind must bear...
When Christmas comes around"
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Happy Christmas!
Wednesday 19th December 2012 11:30 am
THOUGHTS AT CHRISTMAS (2)
As we look back upon
The passing of the years,
All the hopes and dreams we had -
And all the crushing fears;
May we now look forward
To improve on thought and deed,
No matter what religion,
Status, caste or creed.
Tis said we only pass this way
But once - and if that's true,
What better than to seek what's right
In all we say and do?
If Earth...
Saturday 15th December 2012 3:30 pm
SPARE US
Give us the pleasure of a cheerful song
And spare us the measure of the tearful wrong;
Give us the words that are warming and witty
And spare us the whining of spite and self-pity.
Give us the heart to go forward with hope
And spare us the warning that we just can't cope;
Give us the memory of the best that we had
And spare us the thought that the rest is all bad;
...
Sunday 9th December 2012 4:35 pm
LITTLE OLD LADY
Little old lady sternly stands,
Son and daughter lending hands;
So many memories, so much done,
Battles lost and battles won.
An English girl from a country town
Who rose to power beneath the Crown.
For - or against - there's few to match her,
Happy Birthday, Lady Thatcher!
N.B.
Carp if you must but try to be witty,
Whining's depressing - and so is self-p...
Thursday 25th October 2012 4:37 pm
GET HAPPY!
Each time I log on I find a succession
Of poems that serve to bring on depression;
Please excuse this online equivalent of an "earful" -
But for sanity's sake, can we have something cheerful?!
Tuesday 23rd October 2012 2:04 pm
I PROTEST!!
I am a protesting poet
With an all-purpose axe quick to grind;
If it's unjust I'm ready to show it
Using whatever words I can find.
I will not be limited by brevity,
And sometimes get carried away;
And I've no time for frivolous levity
Making light of what I have to say.
Don't try to woo me with good humour,
I can never be influenced by that;
...
Friday 12th October 2012 10:41 pm
DEAD RECKONING
Considering poetical recitation,
A thought came into my head:
Wouldn't there be more appreciation
If the poets themselves were dead?
Better to be read when gone ahead,
And earn undying gratitude;
Better to be extinct than extant instead,
Than a slam-bam "I am" with attitude.
All too often the scribbler today
Posing as some meaningful poet
See...
Wednesday 10th October 2012 1:00 pm
WALTZING MATILDA or A BOLD FUSILIER?
The famous Australian song "Waltzing Matilda" reputedly has its origins much closer to home - in Rochester, Kent as it happens,...the time of The War of the Spanish Succcession 1701.
The Royal East Kent Regt. (aka The Buffs") performed duty as escorts to Botany Bay. Read on...and you'll
see how these old words fit the tune. The Duke of Marlborough was John Churchill - WSC's ancestor...
Monday 8th October 2012 4:19 pm
WHERE IS THE THANKS?
I can understand the jobless man
Who resents being called a shirker,
But I look in vain for thanks for the brain
Whose brilliance gives work to the worker!
(N.B. Three cheers for National Poetry Day!)
Thursday 4th October 2012 3:26 pm
SETTLING ACCOUNTS
The passing years are debit slips
In the bank of all our days;
We make withdrawals as life goes on,
When accounts close each man pays.
Wednesday 3rd October 2012 12:06 am
THE RIGHT ROAD - sing gospel!
CHORUS >
O Lord lead me to the right road! O Lord lead me to the right road
O Lord lead me to the right road...that's where I long to be
...................
I was a sinner man - yes sir-ee... I loved sin and sin loved me
We were thicker than flies could be - be wise and heed this warning
REPEAT CHORUS
The easy life was what I sought - everything that could be bought
A...
Sunday 30th September 2012 4:28 pm
ROCHDALE AHOY!
The current online letter from the Cyclists Touring Club refers to www.tellusanotherone.org which has a link to Connect2Poetry and a theme devoted to Rochdale and its environs. For info. of those of you "oop north".
Saturday 29th September 2012 1:20 pm
HEARTBREAK ETCHED IN STONE
I was visiting a memorial to my late father's first cousin killed in Ireland nearly a century ago.
Next to it was a headstone that told a desperately sad tale of another's loss.
................................................................................................................................................................................................
Hear...
Friday 21st September 2012 11:55 pm
GRAVE WORDS
The following was spotted on an old gravestone in a London cemetery. I liked its brevity and the sentiment.
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"Forgive O Lord, this tribute of a tear,
Forgive O Lord, the wish they were still here"
Monday 17th September 2012 5:54 pm
DARK AND LIGHT
Humanity harbours dark and light
As the world itself heralds day and night;
The honest sun in outrageous burst
Can kindle drought, disease and thirst,
While the darkest moon can bring relief
Stealing the sun's rays like a thief.
In Nature and Man they both abide
The day and night live side by side.
Disciples of the dark and light,
We strive without an end in ...
Friday 7th September 2012 7:35 pm
THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES
They were once "Conservative and Unionist"
But now it's "Con" - you get the gist:
Con-ning us all about the EU,
Con-creting the countryside we once knew,
Unlike the land they won't be missed.
They called themselves "New" Labour,
As if it was a new flavour,
But the "Guilty Party" is what they are
For what they did both near and far,
And I no longer know ...
Monday 3rd September 2012 3:10 pm
SUDS 'n DUDS
Thinking about Lynn Dye's "Oblivious" on WOL......
What happiness to live alone
And all the washing up's your own
To do - or leave for just a while
For later on - and then I smile
At the thought of flushing soap
From dish to sink - no time to mope;
And after that - my dirty duds
Waiting for the cleansing suds;
Domestic chores I tend to see
As inexpe...
Wednesday 29th August 2012 4:50 pm
THE WRONG SONG
Just stay where you are and say where you are
And I'll come running to you
Forget what I said - I was out of my head
When I accused you of being untrue
Don't hang up on me - I was wrong I agree
Forgive me and say you'll be there
Just give me the word - I'll take wing like a bird
With nothing between us but air
But you have to agree it wasn't just me
...Monday 27th August 2012 3:59 pm
TELL HIM - a lyric for all those Women in Country!
Tell him -
When you're feeling sad
Tell him -
When you're feeling bad
Tell him -
When you need his arms around you
Tell him -
That you need his love
Tell him -
You thank the stars above
For that precious day...
The day he found you
Never let the chance go by
To hold him close and tell him why
You need for him to stay
Every ...
Friday 10th August 2012 12:26 am
OLYMPIAN ASPIRATIONS AND DREAMS
Today marks the opening of a great time in UK sporting history and the opportunity to welcome the world to
our shores - and, in particular - to the world's most famous city. There are "lies, damned lies and statistics"
and the politics of envy and disbelief. But let us put them all aside for a few weeks while we marvel and
rejoice at the elevation of human aspiration in its fines...
Friday 27th July 2012 5:23 pm
DREAMS CAN COME TRUE
The victory of Bradley Wiggins in this year's Tour de France puts any coming Olympic
success somewhat in the shade, so great are the demands made on participants in that
famous 100-year old cycle road race. Imagine a Frenchman scoring a century at Lords...
each day for weeks on end! Here is my personal tribute to True Brit. Grit!
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Wednesday 25th July 2012 3:09 pm
TALKIN' THE WALK
Thanks to bobevansmusic.com for the tune and the version you will hear!
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Go on - walk away!
Should I beg you to stay
When you say
You're leaving for good?
You've told me before...
Many times - and what's more -
I don't think you will
Or you would.
Go on - if you dar...
Monday 23rd July 2012 3:53 pm
OLYMPIC DREAMS
The Olympic Torch - so I am told - won't be coming my way
No chance of a fine white tracksuit: perhaps another day?
I play at how it might have been - with my own Olympic flame -
But a cigarette lighter waved aloft just doesn't seem the same!
Friday 6th July 2012 8:21 pm
ENGLAND EXPECTS - or maybe not!
Ashley Young and Ashley Cole
Between them couldn't find the goal
We would love - but seldom get
Kicks high and wide into the net.
Charlie Mitten of old Man. United
Was their penalty king - superbly sighted,
With a penalty hat-trick against Aston Villa,
He showed how to be a killer-driller!
No 'keeper can ever hope to leap
And reach the ball - le...
Monday 2nd July 2012 8:26 pm
BACK STREETS - inspired by a line in another WOL post
I've travelled down the major highways
To self-important places;
And I've spent my time in minor byways,
Meeting much-loved faces,
But no matter where I choose to roam,
I end up at the start,
Always finding my way home
To the back streets of my heart.
Sunday 17th June 2012 2:56 pm
GOLDEN BOY - a memory of schooldays hero-worship
O sun tanned youth
Who fired my heart,
Never meant to meet or part,
How many times you'd pass me by,
And leave me wishing I could die.
O brown faced lad
Were you aware
Of this admirer's silent stare?
Were there times when you were near
To saying something I might hear?
O golden boy
Now old like me,
Do you perhaps look back and see
...
Thursday 14th June 2012 4:26 pm
RICHIE BENAUD - on his retirement to Australia
One of the great cricketers and cricket commentators, his decision to retire from UK cricket
commentary was a sad occasion for all who love the game - and his inimitable "delivery".
This short tribute was written at the time.
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With a tone...
Sunday 10th June 2012 3:12 pm
A BLUR OF GREY FUR
A tiny grey mouse likes to visit my flat
No doubt aware that I don't keep a cat;
The landlord's long lease puts a block on all pets -
For my timorous guest that's as good as it gets.
The woman occupying the studio above
Complained of a rat (try Specsavers, love!);
She went to the agents and gave them what for -
And "Pest Control" followed, to knock on the door.
...Friday 8th June 2012 4:12 pm
PASSING ROYALTY
Young boy and old duffer
Looking on;
A shout...a cheer...
Where's time gone?
Young girl and old lady
Passing by;
A smile...a wave...
The blink of an eye.
Wednesday 6th June 2012 4:25 pm
JUBILEE JOY - welcoming our guests
Re-posted from 31/5/2012 to salute the Jubilee June holiday week-end.
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Dear valued visitor...
So glad to see you here;
The warmest of warm welcomes
In this very special year -
When we celebrate a diamond Queen
Upon an ancient throne,
While Olympic jewels strive to ...
Friday 1st June 2012 6:42 pm
JUBILEE JOY - welcoming our guests
Dear valued visitor...
So glad to see you here,
The warmest of warm welcomes
In this very special year -
When we celebrate a diamond Queen
Upon an ancient throne,
While Olympic gems will have a sheen
With royalty of their own.
Our land is proudly on parade,
Its capital playing host,
With traditions that will never fade
(Though it's not our...
Thursday 31st May 2012 6:21 pm
GEORGE LLOYD - composer
The happiest discoveries are often made in pubs - and one of the happiest for me was
an introduction to the music of George Lloyd. A true prodigy, his youthful career was to be
blighted by WW 2 service with the Royal Marines on Arctic Convoy duty when his ship was
torpedoed and he narrowly escaped death. His post-war career was overtaken by the
fashion for atonal music and ne...
Tuesday 22nd May 2012 3:54 pm
UNTIL I SAW YOUR FACE - song
Recently, I posted the words, now here's the song...a breezy alternative to the admirable profundity often found on WOL. Recording/vocal credit goes to Pete Dymond in Bristol.
Monday 21st May 2012 4:18 pm
WHEN YOU WALKED INTO MY LIFE
I thought I'd post this as a gentle antidote to the harsher world. The tune (a personal favourite)
is adapted from the music of Kingsley Mellanby, a composer from Hampshire, UK.
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The sun shone out all around me
When you walked int...
Monday 14th May 2012 4:00 pm
UNTIL I SAW YOUR FACE - a love song lyric
I never gave much thought to love
It was a stranger to my heart
I never knew what life could be
And I thought I was smart!
I didn't care that love wasn't there
What you don't have you don't miss
I didn't know what it was to share
The commitment in a kiss
I never gave love the time of day
Or the things that lovers do
I never learnt how to act t...
Saturday 12th May 2012 1:36 pm
SAILING DAYS
For Jack Lytton - brother-in-law - who has just signed off this life to chart the great unknown.
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It's the tang of the spray
On a bright summer's day
When you're carried along by the breeze.
It's the bite of the wind
When your face feels skinned,
Salted by cold winter seas.
It's th...
Monday 23rd April 2012 10:58 pm
NELSON WAS A NORFOLK BOY
Greg Freeman's "Duty" reminded me of some old lines I penned about Lord Nelson.
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Lord Nelson was a Norfolk boy,
A Norfolk boy was he,
And he sailed into our English hearts
Aboard the "Vic-tor-ee"!
Lord Nelson was a parson's son,
A p...
Friday 20th April 2012 3:51 pm
LIVE AND LET DYE - A cyclist's riposte to dear Lynn Dye
I was cycling along carefully, mentally flossing,
When I saw straight ahead a pedestrian crossing.
But if you are uncertain what I am about,
Let me remove any shadow of doubt.
I refer to the facility supplied by the law,
That's meant to give sensible foot passengers the floor;
But by chance as it happened - and looking at a loss,
At that moment a pedestrian see...
Wednesday 18th April 2012 2:57 pm
THE BEST AND WORST OF THINGS
I once knew a guy you would never call shy
From the way that he acted and dressed;
He'd say "It's no shock when the world wants to mock...
I've been called the worst things by the best".
Then there was this gal - she was more than a pal,
By nature most generously blessed.
I'd buy her a drink and she'd say with a wink -
"I've been called the worst things by the ...
Sunday 15th April 2012 3:33 pm
BROTHERS
Railway station platforms bring partings back to me,
The traces of the those lonely places locked in memory.
How many times we stood together, awkward, you and I,
Each entrapped in misery's web of how to say goodbye.
Now those days are long ago, the platforms owned by others,
In their turn seeking out the words that brothers need for brothers.
Sunday 8th April 2012 1:06 pm
RENEWAL - some thoughts at Easter
Put away those negative thoughts, it's always best you should,
Don't let them creep into each new found day;
Like germs, they can infect you and never do you good,
And left untreated, find a way to stay.
Ac-cen-tu-ate the pos-i-tive - so the old song goes...
And push aside those nagging doubts and fears;
The thoughts that bring you happiness will wipe away yo...
Friday 6th April 2012 4:26 pm
KEEPING WATCH
The preacher's eyes had a fire that seemed to burn right through,
"The dead are all around us - watching what we do"!
I must confess
To a degree of stress
When I recall his words
In the loo.
Thursday 5th April 2012 12:10 am
FREEHOLD OR VACANT
Consider the guy
Whose prize
Is the size
Of his freehold
That draws many eyes..
Whilst he seems
Free from cares
About who would
Go shares
In the vacant space
He owns upstairs!
Tuesday 3rd April 2012 4:29 pm
HAWK
Keen-eyed keeper of the skies,
Lord of everything that flies,
There's no way your watchful prey
Will wait to pass the time of day.
Patrolling country, cliff and city,
You were not designed for pity;
Not for you the hurting heart,
You were born a deadly dart.
Nature fashioned hawk and prey
To keep the balance in her way;
Not for you to reason w...
Monday 2nd April 2012 4:52 pm
LOVE'S NOT A WORD I CARE ABOUT
How can love cover the distance?
How can love manage the space?
The memory's a miracle worker
But it doesn't make up for your face.
For a lifetime you lived close by me
I saw you most every day
And I thought that you'd always be there
But suddenly you went away
You can't put a price on the life we knew
But when you left that life was through
E...
Friday 30th March 2012 4:13 pm
MERCHANT BANKERS
In olden days, those golden days,
When trust was the public watchword,
Lubricating work-worn wheels
And not just some hotchpotch word,
As safe as the Bank of England, sir!
Were words you could rely on,
And those safeguarding public wealth
We never dreamt to spy on.
But times can change - my, how they change,
And beyond banking's portals
Those ...
Monday 26th March 2012 5:07 pm
WATERBOARDING
(or what if he really doesn't know the answer?!)
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"O say, do you see..." were the proud words composed
When America's great journey to freedom began.
O say, do you see the hooded head hosed
Now America feels free to ill-treat when it can?
O say, do you see when a president declares
It's OK to half-drown...
Saturday 24th March 2012 4:11 pm
LAST RESORT
If you're in line for a change of scene
With others of like mind
With attentive staff and lots to do
But no need to unwind
A break in sunny Cuba...
It's hot on any day
Rendition Flights are offering
A trip to Guantanamo Bay.
No hassle with your booking
They'll take you right away
You can even go via other lands
To maximise your stay
Sampling...
Thursday 22nd March 2012 4:49 pm
THEY SAY - a vocal version - thanks Alan Hill!
As spring approaches, here's a ballad for all who may have been unlucky in love.
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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 ...
Tuesday 20th March 2012 6:13 pm
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