SAINT GEORGE'S DAY
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 ...
Sunday 21st April 2024 4:31 pm
LOVE, COME IF YOU CAN
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!
...........................................
Saturday 13th April 2024 6:24 pm
OUCH!
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!
...............................................................
Tuesday 9th April 2024 5:49 pm
WHY?
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?
..................................................................
Saturday 6th April 2024 6:13 pm
POETRY ON TV
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...
Wednesday 3rd April 2024 3:54 pm
PERVERSE
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.
..........................................................................................
Monday 1st April 2024 5:58 pm
WORLD POETRY DAY
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...
Thursday 21st March 2024 4:13 pm
25p.
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 ...
Tuesday 27th February 2024 12:23 pm
ELECTRIC CAR
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 !
............................................................................................
Monday 26th February 2024 3:42 pm
FAREWELL LADY ENGLAND
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...
Monday 19th February 2024 3:09 am
THE PROPERTY DEVELOPER REVISITED
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...
Friday 2nd February 2024 4:47 pm
GENERATIONAL DECAY
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...
Wednesday 31st January 2024 4:01 pm
HATE SPEECH - a warning
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.
..........................................................................
Monday 22nd January 2024 1:17 pm
TAKE YOUR LOVE
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!
.............................................
Sunday 21st January 2024 4:25 pm
SIR JOHN BETJEMAN REVISITED
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...
Friday 19th January 2024 5:44 pm
ISMs
Cynicism is the last resort of idealism;
Optimism is the balance of realism.
............................................................
Thursday 11th January 2024 5:31 pm
CONCORDE - fondly remembered
With a passing nod to a certain high-flying English poet.
..........................................................................................
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.
................................................
Monday 8th January 2024 3:22 pm
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