Corona Corona what a beautiful drink
But now a lousy virus
Has got you on the brink
Go to hell
COV-19
You smell

One night the room span
And I just couldn’t concentrate
My heart raced to a hundred beats
As I started to slowly lose weight

I lost the love for drinking
And smoked far to much
My thinking became unclear
And I spoke double Dutch

I didn’t want to go out
The world became a scary place
My energy became zero
And my head went into space

I thought of a thousand illnesses
Did I have one of those
Hoping blood tests would find them
I became withdrawn and quite morose

Crying became a problem
When I spoke about it all
Showers were non existent
I felt alone and very small

Sleeping was a nightmare
Wondering if I could
The days just seemed to be different
When they never really should

Forgetting my beans in Aldi
Scared me half to dead
I lost focus on my favourite programmes
And wondered why the interest left

I lost focus off things I loved
And I developed a lost stare
When I drove my kids to school
I just floated along on air

I think they call that brain fog
But fog usually clears
This fog was going nowhere
I even lost the tears

Fleeting moments of sadness
Shivering happened a lot
Struggling to have conversations
A nod is the most they got

Medication was given to me
Which made me into a snail
Mentally drained and feeling weak
It became my usual tale

At the moment I’m in limbo
Waiting for CBT
I’ve had all that before
And hopefully it’ll help me

I’m writing this poem for focus
Cause I need to connect again
But at the moment its just not happening
I’m wandering aimlessly through the rain

If anyone has this problem
Please give me a shout
The more talking you can give me
The more it’ll help me out

Darts, darts
A game for old farts
Simply not true
They’re younger than you
Sharp metal tips
Postured hips
Into the green, then the red
Nothing better than three in a bed
Treble twenty and double top
When will the excitement stop
Darts, darts
A game for old farts

I was gripped by a wild frenzied fear
Twisting through my flesh
Digging around my bones
Tingling my skin
Blood shot come my eyeballs
As the beast entered within

A solitary walk on the empty moors
When the howl echoed the night
And then the piercing growl
Through dense smothering fog
Something unearthly lived
That was no ordinary dog

It knocked me down
Onto the wet slippery grass
The putrid breath in my face
And the devil red eyes
That ****** themselves into my soul
Plotting my demise

Bang went the shotgun
Loud and full of life
I laughed from my stomach
A laugh of joy
Then cried as I turned
To see the naked boy

Swaying madly from side to side
He believes he’s on the radio station
His eyes all bulbous and wide
Playing songs to please the nation
From Elvis to Black lace
As a smile spreads across his face

In his mind he’s Tony Blackburn
And Scott Mills rolled into one
As sweat drips down his solitary sideburn
Cause the other side is completely gone
Next up its the Rolling Stones
Through his imaginary headphones

Now comes the weather report
Sun with patchy rain
A quick update on the sport
Raducanu has lost again
Then he utters goodbye
Clutching his bag close to his thigh

In the bus stop he then squats
Before searching through a bin
Tying his beard into knots
He scratches his aching shin
As the doors open again without fuss
Lets re-welcome the DJ on the bus

The sun doesn’t match your beauty
The wind can’t change your face
The seas will rise to greet you
As you wander with poise and such grace

The world will revel in your company
The birds will follow as you laugh
The chime of a million heartbeats
Smother you like bubbles in a bath

The men find their legs have left them
The women all copy as you go
The smell of your hypnotic perfume
Is like an arrow fired from Cupid’s bow

We kiss and roll then sit back up
My lady and me in the grass
The fields of gold
We were promised as kids
Never seems to grow old

We eat our food and give a smile
My lady and me at peace
The beautiful sunset
That was in our hearts
Never has escaped us yet

We stare at the sun
My lady and me in the heat
The picturesque sky
From our story books
Will be here until we die

We stroll back home hand in hand
My lady and me in love
The soul mate senses
We’ve always wanted
Never leaves and never condenses

We spoon in our bed
My lady and me me together
The world carries on outside
And the dreams we forge closely
Stay with us never to hide

Wind leave the houses
Wind leave the trees
Wind leave the rivers
Concentrate on the seas

Wind don’t hit the rooftops
Wind don’t hit the gate
Wind don’t hit the tram lines
Your going to make me late

Wind stop shaking my car
Wind stop shaking my house
Wind stop shaking my little cat
It has to catch a mouse

Wind are you not tired
Wind are you stopping soon
Wind are you taking the proverbial’s
I’ll just emigrate to the moon

Through long stupid grass and over big stupid stones
We wandered for hours
Just me and you
All alone

Saying we’re almost there
But not sounding convincing
Saying we’re almost here
Whilst letting the curiosity in

And then we hit the summit
What a beautiful view
The valley spreads like an ocean
A beauty revealed by you

Saying isn’t this amazing
My mind is lost in space
Saying isn’t this amazing
How did you find this place

Now I know why I love you
You produce rabbits from a hat
This is why I’ll always be your man
Cause you keep my soul in existence

Underneath the stony bridge
On the banks of the ***** river
A couple enter the loving phase
Shes the recipient and he’s the giver
A sound of lust enters the night
But is swept away along the rushing tide
Of the murky depths of blackness
Called water where the reeds do hide
A regular spot for the couples
Who like to sexually engage
In promiscuity beyond belief
Away from the conformist cage
Then back up the banks they scurry
To the pubs and beds where they lay
Scurrying discreetly in the darkness
Like the rats who come out to play

Red, dead
It’s all been said
Mars

They stumble down the embankment
All bomber jackets and heavy boots
Shouting loud obscenities with venom
Swearing allegiance to the *******
The upbringing of a damaged world
And undisputed seeds of damaged minds

They hide in the shadows of the bridge
Terrified little boys clinging to each other
Poor unsuspecting victims of hatred
Innocent young hearts of a different belief
Praying to be safe and alive
Behind the sanctuary of a ***** old mattress

Displaying a rage so disturbing
As they stumble close to the waters edge
Throwing stones in menace
That cause ripples in the water
They laugh like tormented hyenas
Who terrorise animals in the wild

Hearts pounding underneath the rib cage
And sweat dripping from their brows
They huddle together in fear
Echoes of school bullies
And running for their lives down streets
Reverberate around their minds

Then a hand grabs quick
And a fist rains hard
Screams are stifled
As blood flows slowly into the river
And then silence
Accompanies the mattress as it floats away

The penguin it flew
Yes it flew
Way up high
Away from the zoo
Away from the people
The kids
And the noise
Into the clouds
With grace and poise
And then it got tired
It peaked too soon
As it soared past a satellite
On the outskirts of the moon
It started to fall
Swiftly back down
Through the clouds
And into the town
Bounced on a tree branch
And rolled over roofs
It landed on a bus heading for the zoo
Then it splashed onto the pool
Back where it belonged
Then did a little swim
And sang a little song
What an adventure
What a day
But it couldn’t talk for long
Cause sleep got in the way

We chase it we chase it
The car going fast
The cackle of delinquent
Hangs in the air
And we know it’s there
Across the grass it goes
Leaving holes in the soil
A wicked excitement follows
Then boom it’s on fire
From roof to tyre
Squeals of delight
Feeling of sadness
A persons pride and joy
The tool thats goes from A to B
Up in smoke like a firework set free

A question is worthless
If not without means
All clocks are just pointless
Without hands and mechanical beans
A day is extremely dull
When the wake up isn’t right
The moon doesn’t thrill
If the clouds cover her sight
Grass ceases to grow
After disruption by human endeavours
Birds won’t fly so high
Without wings and colourful feathers
People cannot talk
When freedoms are taken away
And societies cease to exist
If oppression gets in its way

Pencil, rubber, ruler and pen
Across the grass
And we’re here again

Teachers, preachers and crazy creatures
Ageing buildings
With crooked features

Gym, showers and trampoline
The smell of coffee
And nicotine

Ties, blazers, bags and shoes
A gas explosion
Making the news

Smart, dumb, bully or fool
Mushed together
Make a school

It swings, it dings, happiness it brings
None of us like it...really

Made of metal like a rusting kettle
None of us like it...really

It lifts me up like a winning cup
None of us like it...really

I’m hoist, I’m raised which isn’t my choice
None of us like it...really

A harness to aid, not afraid or paid
None of us like it...really

Keep on walking
Faster, a little faster
Speed up your walking
Don’t look back
I dread a terrible disaster

Let’s start now to sprint
Quicker, much, much quicker
Run on your little limbs
Don’t look back
He’s coming stinking of liquor

We need to hide ourselves now
Don’t dawdle, please don’t slow
Find a safe place to perch
Don’t look back
The devil behind us will know

Be quiet and don’t speak
No shuffling, no rustling the ground
I think we may safe
Don’t look back
Pray to god we won’t be found

Like a trumpet in full song
The noise she roared
Floating in the air
From the nostril to my door
I don’t blame the vessel
All tucked up asleep
I blame the creator
Whoever that may be
A tip for the unlucky listener
Try to fall asleep first
Otherwise suffer the fate
Of the sleep depriving snore

She’s gives me the ice cream
Then takes it away
Playfully and full of fun
But a bit naughty also
Curly haired and sweet
With a mischievous grin
Portuguese I’m told
She can be whatever she wants
For me

The dancing butterflies
See how they fly
Like a scene from Swan Lake
Like birds in the sky
Skimming over grass
And twisting through the tress
Beautiful butterflies full of love
Beautiful butterflies in the breeze
Majestic and mesmerising
Enjoying their little chase
A smile at their wonder
A smile on my face
Do they weave in anger
Are they at war in flight
Is it just a friendly game
Is it love at first sight
The dancing butterflies
Racing around in the heat
I’m gripped in utter fascination
I’m gripped firmly to my seat

Why are you here?
Cried the man in the night
What do you seek?
Shrieked the lady in fright

So dark and so empowering
Stammered the man in the hat
Please go back to hell
Whispered the lady who strokes the cat

Like a cloak of darkness
Chirped the man on the bed
A blanket of blackness
Sang the lady to the dead

Come forward to the flame
Spoke the man wearing a tie
Cross over my darling spirit
Prayed the lady to the sky

I feel a quietness enter the room
Said the man with the shirt opened wide
Yes his sins are now forgiven
Listened the lady to her spirit guide

From under the salty tasting waves
Skin fused with slime and sand
Comes the serpent
Teeth like jagged rocks
It’s spring loaded jaw snapping in the air
A boat on the water
Floats along silently
Unaware of the danger to come
All is calm until...
CRUNCH! Goes the wood of the hull
Broken like twigs on a branch
Bodies slung up into the air
Like bread being tossed to the ducks
Screams awash the portrait like sky
And then silence
Blood covers the foamy waters
Like paint onto an artists canvas
The serpent has come
And fed its belly
It’s rotten dark putrid belly
Awash with bone and flesh and wood
Down it’s drifts
Back into the depths of middle earth
Sleeping like a baby
Until interruption brings it forth
To wreak havoc once more

I put my heart into a box
Then wrapped the box with ribbon
Your address was then wrote on it
And to the post office it was given

It boarded a van in Manchester
Then on an aeroplane it went for a ride
Along with a clear instruction
This parcel is fragile inside

You opened it on your birthday
And tears flowed from your eyes
You may be thousands of miles away
But love just never dies

A lady wears glasses to hide her eyelashes
The man in a coat seems to float
A girl is wearing a dress made to impress
The boy with a toy is acting all coy
A Jewish mans beard is treble tiered
The teenagers joke through cloudy smoke
A delivery man in shorts and a million thoughts
The polish store sells beer and more
A boarded shop is a graffiti stop
The Jamaican gent is counting his rent
A man wearing shoes reads the news
The Asians wear a frown as the meat falls down
A post box sits as the mail hits
The cars stream along like notes in a song
A dozen boxes are attracting the foxes
The ***** gives a sigh as the world drifts by

Finally he opens the window
After hours of sun
I’m perspiring for fun
My clothes feel like my skin
We’re sardines in a tin
On this coach heading for Rome

Finally he opens the window
Under a sunroof closed on top
Our souls will possibly drop
On this hottest day of the year
Our suits it would appear
Have become blankets

Finally he opens the window
I think he’s having fun
As he’s killing us in the sun
Wearing his shirt and shorts
To a female he cavorts
While us mortals in seats do perish

Finally he opens the window
Now comes the disgrace
When his mouth on his moustached face
Puffs on a large cigar
It’s a punishment gone too far
A deed which is clearly illegal

Finally he opens the window
As our luggage slams on the floor
When he casually closes the door
And he’s choked us half to death
Leaving our bodies pretty much bereft
Of any life

A gift for me
Left at my door
Placed in a box
But nothing more

I open the gift
Left in my care
It’s a curious thing
Who left it there

It wags its tail
Left to be cared for
A little bundle of hair
Lifts its paw

I carry it in the house
Left by a friend who’s seen
My smile had disappeared lately
A wave of sadness I have been

I stroke it ever so warmly
Left to be my friend
The puppy that I will call happiness
And will love to the very end

Demon eyes staring red
Fill the driver full of dread
Fangs are shown
And poison thrown
Onto the sheen
Of a windscreen
The car she dances
As the snake it glances
And then it’s gone
Then we’re back to one
On this mountain pass
Behind the reflective glass
Of the military jeep
Up hills so steep
The snake was there
And it gave me a scare
In my drive along
This path in Hong Kong

He knocked and he knocked
And he knocked for hours
Under the gaze of the April showers

The door stayed closed
No answer came
Everyday, just the same

He threw a stone
Up at the window
But no sign of a light glow

A car speeds by
His eyes quickly drift
Sadly as, a curtain lifts

Then off he goes
Trudging in sorrow
The same time he’ll be back tomorrow

The Enigma of the second earth
Hiding alive under foaming waves
Where dolphins sing in harmony
And ***** tap tap their claws
Ships hide derelict under darkness
Hills reach up but don’t touch the top
Giants unseen by the naked eye roam
The reeds slither and wriggle playfully
Deep dark black water
The enigma of the second earth

Aren’t they beautiful
The fields full of flies
Buzzing and nuzzling
Into the yellow
And the red
Flowers
And the green
And the serene
Grass
Isn’t it beautiful
The sea
The clear blue sea
Shimmering
Glimmering
Under a tinge of orange
They call the sun
Floating on the ripples
Of the waves as they crash
Isn’t it wonderful
The chorus of nature
Bouncing of the trees
Rising from the earth
A voice
A channel
The orchestral hum
That will come
With its existence
Isn’t it shear delight
Mankind working
Friendships blooming
Kindness looming
Solidarity in full song
The place we all belong
Like the dreams
The world shares
And now we’re there
I now awake
And cough
In a land of the pope
And the place of liberty
Where Columbus sat
And many others follow
I believe inside
There’s hope

Prisoners of war
Or prisoners of pride
Or prisoners of peace
Or something beside
The flip of a coin
To decide your fate
To decide your future
To simply change fate
Through the fields
Men with guns
Men with grenades
Men making runs
War is over
Relief to be here
Relief to be home
Relief brings a tear

Peace oh beautiful glorious peace
Given to folk for nothing
Given to folk for free
But do they appreciate it
No they don’t
They want noise
They want loudness
Take it while you can
Take the peace

Whilst drinking
I wasn’t thinking
And I pulled out a rocket
Made of anger and self loathing
Wrapped up in childish clothing
Then just released it into the room

It flew into the faces
Of the innocents in their places
Which was wrong
I felt instant twinges of regret
But I wasn’t finished yet
As I swore and hit and cursed

A fool resides in here
His guilt is all too clear
The wallowing never stops
A conscience he must regain
That is floating in the rain
Before it gets washed away

We ran like soldiers in combat
And laughed like hippies smoking dope
We swung on rope swings like monkeys
And questioned how we’d all cope
When we finally entered adulthood

We swam in hidden lakes of water
And set fires underneath the trees
We rode bikes down steep inclines
And discussed the stormy seas
When we finally began adulthood

We wandered over well trodden grass
And hid from the local nutters
We watched a girl doing acrobatics
And listened what each of us mutters
About slowly descending into adulthood

We slid on the ice in winter
And watched cars float down the river
We did all the childhood emotions
And pondered what fate would deliver
As we all entered the start of adulthood

Shrubs grow wild along the empty tarmac
Lizards scurry through endless grass
Headlights shine over the cracked concrete
As the juggernauts fly down
Their horns bellowing like bagpipes
Drivers with corroded souls
And broken down hearts
Through divorces and estranged children
Listening to country and rock
Whilst drinking coffee from big cups
Going past Tony’s Diner
Lit up like a Christmas tree
Gasoline pumps rattling in the breeze
The trucks litter the carpark
Like milk cartons upright in a fridge
Inside the waitress pours the jug
Into large plain mugs
Then places plates down
With pancakes and jam
She smiles a sweet pleasant smile
And returns to behind the counter
Through the window the grizzly biker
All yellow fingered and wiry haired
Watch’s a couple hand in hand
Kissing between giggles
Thumbing down vehicles
Hoping the drivers to be sane
On their way to stardom
Billboards flash breakfast cereal adverts
And the latest movie trailers
Until a bulb flickers then dies into the night
Crickets laugh and cackle
Along the green and stony embankments
That lie under neon motorway signs
Directing traffic and leading the way
Birds fly from trees en mass
Like a scene from a horror movie
Before the animals run between cars
Some survive but some don’t
Then as the moon kisses the clouds
On the road of the ******
Dreams are lost but never forgotten
For eternity and forever more

What song today my boy
Van halen or the Who
Which song do you believe
Really interests you
What about the Beatles
Or the Stones or Carole King
Which song in the world
Would to you happiness bring
Maybe you like the Smiths
Or a little bit of the Jam
One of these songs I’m playing
Must make you give a ****
What about Motorhead
Or the Eagles playing a rift
That beautiful country sound
Just makes you slowly drift
What about Black Sabbath
Or Led Zeppelin turned up high
The magic of Jimmy Page
Well he almost makes me cry
I’m going to have to face it
My music taste has been given a knock
Cause the only sound you seem to hear
Is the ticking of the kitchen clock

Out on the street
Under the stars
Lives a man
With pickles in jars
In a ripped tweed jacket
And blue suede shoes
He thinks he’s elvis
Singing the blues
The demon drink
Has destroyed his brains
But life isn’t over
As it runs through his veins
He Battles the foxes
Over the bins that they share
And swears at people
Who see him and stare
His name is Francois
And his home is a bench
If you ask him a question
He’ll answer in french
The eccentric forgotten star
Still likes to entertain
Watchers showing interest
A distraction from the pain

I’ll probably fall asleep again
After a few cans of lager
But I don’t want to tonight
I want too enjoy the peace
Enjoy the freedom
Listen to the snoring from other rooms
The rain if it starts
The radiators making strange sounds
I want to listen to my mind churning
Thinking about the topics of the day
About football
About friends
About family
I want to watch old comedy
That remind me of being young
I want to......

**** the alarms just gone off
I fell asleep

Brush my teeth
Go to work
Come back home
Go berserk
Smash the plates
Kick the cat
Order food
I’m feeling fat
Watch the news
Death and despair
It’s de-ja-vu
I’m already there

Time
What is time?
A time to unwind
A moment to rewind
The day you’ve just left behind

Time
What is time?
A time to reflect
A need to now direct
The path you life is choosing

Time
What is time?
A time to come clean
A chance to be seen
When the world closes in all around you

Time
What is time?
A time on a clock
A rest near the dock
Remembering the years gone by

Time
What is time?
A time in the sun
A sense of all things fun
As you drink and enjoy the moment

Time
What is time?
The numbers on a dial
The minutes that we smile
When we’re happy and feeling good

Time
What is time?
A sadness along the way
A church to sit and pray
When somebody is taken from us

Time
What is time?
A never ending movement
Sometimes an improvement
From one realm and then to another

Time
What is time?
A traveller in the sky
Coming to tell us why
We need to treat each other nicer

Time
What is time?
02:13 on my phone
When I wrote this on my own
And I really should have been sleeping

Next to the white painted fence
Underneath the old apple tree
My love of many years
Has promised to wait for me

Don’t be late was her message
Get here as fast as you can
A million leaves blew from the trees
When through the streets I ran and I ran

I got there and saw her smiling
Our arms embraced the day
But the problem with beautiful dreaming
Is that reality gets in the way

Then I remembered the daylight
And the birds were singing then
Please god do the impossible
And make this my dream again

I’m loud I’m brash made of glass
Why do I act this way
Is it because I’m a bit naive
Or just confused everyday

I’m small I’m tall made to fall
Why do I feel this way
Is it because I listen around
And believe the words that they say

I’m up I’m down running around
Why do I hurt this way
Is it because my weak little mind
Deserts me come what may

I’m fun I’ve won I think I’m done
Why do I pretend this way
Is it because my other face
Makes me believe I’m doing okay

I’m in I’m out I need to shout
Why do I cry this way
Is it because my beating heart
Has died and gone away

I’m restless I’m mad my thoughts are sad
Why do I live this way
Is it because somewhere inside
My soul left me yesterday

A is the acid that flies from your tongue
B is the bitterness that’s been there all along
C is the coldness that creeps ever more
D is the damage I take on the floor
E is the essence used to drag me in
F is the fear enforced once we begin
G is the guilt that I feel everyday
H is the happiness that never seems to stay
I is the insults behind the closed doors
J is the jealously flowing from your pores
K is the knife you twist all the time
L is the level you stoop to hide your crime
M is the mother that I’m not allowed to see
N is the narcissist that breaths next to me
O is the optimism you stole from my head
P is the punishment inflicted in our bed
Q is the queen who you call mother
R is the respect she hides from you lover
S is the secret that you never like to share
T is the terror that is imposed in your care
U is the ugly that I now believe I am
V is the violence once the doors slam
W is the world trying to say hello
X is the X-ray visits starting to grow
Y is the yacht I dream that I am sailing
Z is the zero on the chance of it prevailing

Pitter-a-patter
I hear it scatter
Rain in my brain
Poured down from a cloud
Revealing its presence
Nice and loud
I toss in my bed
Thinking about tomorrow
About it hitting my head
When will it stop
And will I eventually hear
The final rain drop
Pitter-a-patter
The liquid matter
As rain comes down again

Running and sweating
Sweating and running
Fighting and kicking
Kicking and fighting
Shouting and spitting
Spitting and shouting
A tale of short
A tale of tall
A tale of posts
This is football

Hoot she goes
The watcher in the night
Nestled on a roof top
Expertly out of sight
Eyes like saucers
Seeking out prey
A little mouse in the grass
Is lunch for this one today
Wingspan opens like a flytrap
As she stealthy sets sail
Swooping down onto the victim
Who runs but to no avail
Talons grip like vices
The poor squealing foe
Up up and away she soars
Out of sight she will go
A mission done so successful
An assassination in cold blood
Nobody knows of this killer
Lying shadowed in the wood