Image: Deparure day time to say goodbye for another year, Jojo with her grandson Josh, he loves her to bits, really looks after her and teases her relenlessly at times, as we say in Yorkshire "A reyt grand lad". 

 

 

 

 

 

08.05.25 – 137) Rise with a feeling of sadness after a month of gladness

Poetry events an’ more, sharin’ my latest score on my 13th Texas poetry tour

Tryin’ not to cry as me an’ Jojo say goodbye

Make the most of out last time together

Talk about what we’ve seen, how great it’s been

Hugs and goodbyes said, an’ once more to the airport I head

138) Arrive in good time, car dropped off, shame David’s not here

An’ he asks “how many cars this year?”

I can say “it’s getting better my old son, again it’s only one

Check in a queue, patience an I’m through, same at customs too

Find the departure gate an’ prepare for a two hour wait

 

139) Airport shops no price on certain items

I thought what have they got to hide

Scan it first it will say, how much you have to pay

I saw the price and like as such

Thought like a true Yorkshireman “’ow much”

If they hoped I’d buy it they’d hoped in vain

I decided to wait till I got on the plane

 

140) Last messages sent before the flight

I’m walkin’ to the gate, don’t wanna be late

My groups queuing it’s going fine

I’m at the back of the line, ring Jojo one last time

After which I’ll not hear, her voice again till next year

I’ll be delighted when once again we’re reunited

An’ seen, together on the poetry scene

It’ll be swell if she continues to stay well

But sadly I tell her I gotta go, an’ find my seat for he flight to Heathrow

 

141) The inflight audio at first makes me frown, so I scroll downtown

An’ see an’ smile. Concertina for the Emerald Isle

No time for nappin’ soon my fet’s tappin’

Jason O’ Rorke an’ with him, someone on spoons tappin’ out a rhythm

Thins is really rollin’ an’ I’m scrollin

I see something to inspire, it’s Handel’s Messiah

Takes me back to my past, playin’ it on many a community radio broadcast

An’ the story behind it, on my computer you’ll find it

Unravellin’ the mystery of the Christmas Carol history

I scroll on an’ find more of a much loved classical score

An’ something tells me it could be a good flight

At least musically cos’ the space between the seats is tight

As were flying through the night

Seats are going back an’ there’s more space to lack

An’ we’ve still over 5 hours to go, think I’m gonna let the classics flow

 

09.05.25 – 142) We’ve flown through the night, a somewhat boring flight

Feeling jaded, interest in music faded

Breakfast coming round I’ll be glad when we’re on the ground

Flown a long way, watch now set to the UK

Breakfast came round, soggy and wet, the worst yet

When it came out it was nothing to brag about

Feeling low, glad there’s just over an hour to go

 

143) Heathrow bathed in sun wait for final flight begun

Through customs all clear, five hours to wait here

Hopin’ lunch’ll be alright plenty of choice not like on the flight

For now it’s wait, keep of the booze an’ maybe a snooze

 

144) Departure board come up to say,”slight delay”

Not going fine flight should be 15:05, now it’s 15:29

Hardly the ideal way to end my homecoming day

Then we were at the gate hoping not to be late

But it was in vain there were busses to the plane

Then to our dismay, no tug to take us away

Time’s abating, we’re still waiting then it’s here we give a silent cheer

Safety instructions given, we’re away, wahay. Manchester 35 minutes away

 

145) Wahay in vain, we’re waiting again, Time ticking by

All we want to do is fly, I’m thinking what a messaged

Would I have been better using National Express

 

146) Now it’s wahay, we’re on our way, In the air can’t wait to get there

To Manchester get my suitcase and a taxi to end my roam

In my beloved Yorkshire and home