Image: Texas humour, well West Texas anyway, I was sat with David aka Ben, Bob and Regina a local journalist having  ameal at the Senior Citizens Centre when we were approached by a local character known as an ecentric. He asked if any of us had a "diamond pin", we said no, he offered us one, somewhat perplexed we said "yes please" the result was the attached play on words "dime and pin" and Lamesa laundry system a "washer and drier".

 

96) First full day an’ I’m away to do a promo on KPET Radio

Welcomed by Don, the air I’m soon on

Asking if I find it alright, drivin’ on the right

I answer “it’s ok but one thing makes me sore,

I keep gettin’ in the wrong door”.

Then the Festival, where to find it,

Thankin’ those who put their support behind it

Then hopefully people would relate

To a poem about Texas bein’ Gods own State

Followed by events from a list, what shouldn’t be missed

Who would say, who would sing and play

Where they were from an’ then some

Then away to say to others what’s goin’ down this weekend in Lamesa town

 

97) A good will visit my next intent, an intention well meant

A pleasant surprise when I drop in on the Fire Guys

Always pleased to see each other Firefighter to retired Firefighter, like brother to brother

How nice it was to meet and chat again, then it was time to go

But there was more as Larry made sure this travelin’ chap

Came away with a Chicken Fried Steak Festival tee shirt

An’ proudly wearing a Lames Fire Rescue baseball cap

 

98) Been out an’ about gettin’ the posters out

For the Forrest Fest this weekend, who’s comin’ their work to rend

As is the norm, where we’re gonna perform

Where we can be heard an’ seen at Forrest Fest 2017

An event to savour, with international favour

Poets comin’ here from the UK and Sothern Hemisphere

No need to be blue, poets from other states and Texas too

An’ I took the time to give examples of my rhyme

A good job done, now relax in the evenin’ sun

 

20.04.2017 – 99) Down the road I go, once more to KPET Radio

To tell the folks what’s goin’ down in Lamesa town

Poets comin’ on the wind to sing say an’ play a celebration of Earth Day

Forrest Park the place to be, it’s fun, family friendly an’ it’s free

So come on down bring your own poems too

If you don’t want to read ‘em we’ll read ‘em for you

 

100) Forrest Fest promotion takin’ shape, took flyers an’ scotch tape

Round the town I go, stickin’ ‘em on notice board or window

Where they could be seen, showin’ I’d been

In motel receptions so they could tell, I’d been there as well

So folks’ll know what’s on show

Diverse an’ free for the local community

 

101) Promotion work done, time to relax in the sun

To Darla’s now for her famous pre festival chow

Then wait for the rest of the gang to arrive an’ make the evenin’ come alive

 

102)  We’d eaten, food that could not be beaten

Had a chat, chewed the fat

So everyone could understand what was planned

Then time to sing, say an’ play, before we’re away

To be before tomorrow an’ Forrest Fests openin' openin’ day

 

21.04.2017 – 103) I give my Ramrod’s whistle a blow

An’ say “ok folks let’s go to KPET Radio”

So we get down there an’ get on air

Playin’ our part with our particular art

Be it word music or song; keep it simple whether short or long

Radio done, then we’re away an’ givin’

More renditions at Sage Supported livin’

An’ some’s listenin’ eyes glistenin’ an’ swayin to the music that’s playin’

Like they can relate, to us it sure feels great

Then before you know, it’s time to go

Cos’ it’ll soon be time to perform to another bunch

At the Senior Citizens Centre while they’re havin’ their lunch

 

104) At the Senior Citizens centre we reformed an’ performed

Some of the guys looked in a trance, as Ranee performed her belly dance

But would they have seen red

If their wives had looked in a trance at a male belly dancer instead

 

105) Lunch at the Senior Citizens Centre sure took some lickin’

Two dollars for mash, beans, leeks and chicken

My wallet it didn’t hurt, there was fruit for dessert

Then to Forrest Park to see if any locals take up the invite

To bring their poetry an recite

But no takers from the local poetry makers

No need for dread, relax an’ enjoy the solitude instead

 

106) Boys an’ Girls club done, sure was fun

Takin’ delight in gettin’ them to draw an’ write

Musical activities for all to do, Bob let’s them have a go with his didgeridoo

Gymnasium ringin’ to the sound of their singin’

Playin’ with ball an’ parachute an’ shortly after

It’s ringin’ to the sound of their laughter

Then away to rest an’ enjoy the final event of the day

 

22.04.2017 – 107) The wind got up last night, still blowin this mornin’

As day’s dawnin’

Stronger than a breeze, blowin’  through the trees

It’s cold too but they say the sun’ll come out at noon

I’m thinkin’ it won’t be a moment too soon

Whatever it won’t stop us gettin’ out an’ away

On the Forrest Fests final and International Earth Day

 

108) To the centre we’re goin’ cold wind still blowin’

We’re gonna see Bob maintain a paper pulp face he put on a tree

An example of part of his environmental art

Now we’re here an’ I’m watchin’ him an’ he’s knowin’

When it’s done we can get inside, away from the wind that’s blowin’

 

109) We’ve had breakfast at the centre celebrated Earth Day

Now we’re away to sing and say

Our recitals to do, at Beehives one and two

Showin we care, by takin’ the Forrest Fest to them as can’t get there

 

110) I’m doin’ things right, I’ve booked a motel for the night

So I can have a good night of sleepin’ before morning comes creepin’

An’ my luggage I’ve put down, save luggin’ it all round town

An’ tomorrow to Austin I’ll run, settin’ of before the risin’ of the sun

 

111) Did what we always do at Beehives one an’ two

No complainin’ as we were entertainin’

Musical accompaniment makin’ rice in plastic eggs shakin’

An while the music’s playin’ again some are swayin’

In time, then they listen to our rhyme

Us they’re laudin’ yup once again so rewardin’

 

112) Well, it was my intent to fuel up the car before the next event

For when I depart my usual early start. That done, to Connie’s I run

Expenses statement to print an’ hopefully find, I’ve left nothing behind

That done it was a matter of tryin’ to say goodbye to her pets without cryin’

They all get a hug or a stroke from this poetry bloke

An they snuggle up to me, we get on famously

Sad to leave, but they’ll be with me anywhere, any day

Livin’ in the memories I take away

 

113) Four-o-clock our times our own, gonna spend mine alone

To the motel, check my case is packed right, then turn out the light

An’ have a sleep before The Theology of Leonard Cohen and Poets in the Wind tonight

 

114) The Theology of Leonard Cohen began when, poet Ken

Made a brief intro and sang one of his songs on the piano

The introduced Steve, who told Cohen’s story from failures to glory,

The good times to the worse, which often inspired Cohen’s verse

The audience captured, they listened enraptured

Playin’ his part singin’ from the heart

Cohen’s “Hallelujah” he rendered, his theology tribute ended

Then Poets in The Wind came on, recited and as if in the wind they were gone

 

115) Tonight was our last show, tomorrow we’ll go

Our separate ways, so we’ll say “Goodbye” an’ smile

Before we travel many a mile

There’ll be no need to cry

Cos’ “Hey, that’s no way to say goodbye”.

Last line is the title of one of Cohens songs that featured on the flip side of the Judy Collins single "Both Sides Now" in the 1960's.

 

The following was written as a protest following a friend refering to me as "The Rhymey Limey" on of my stage names, which I don't mind. Apparently he got some nasty looks from other people, I don't know why, I have no problem with the term. Would have been far worse had English sailors been given grape juice and been called Grapeys

116) If you don’t know my name just say “Hi Limey Guy”

Say it in a friendly way, I’ll not show dismay

Others may be offended, I don’t know why

So carry on greeting me with “Hi Limey Guy”