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Jul 2020 · 151
Maggie
John Stephenson Jul 2020
Throw open the windows
And draw down the blinds.
Pause to remember
All the good times
Of friendships and kindness
Touched on us all

By this amazing lady.

Your force will live on
In those of us here
Blessed in the knowledge
You brought us all together.
Tribute to a dear friend who died 30/06/2020
Jun 2020 · 159
Life
John Stephenson Jun 2020
A simple poem writ,
to mark this special day.
Click the link below.
Upon it you can gaze.

It's not my finest work,
but, that's for you to judge.
On this I'll write no more.
Where thereby thought a drudge.

For now, the thoughts I have,
will be mine and mine alone.
No more with the world to share;
transcribed into a poem.

Instead, like the turning of a page,
it's happy thoughts I'll write.
The time has come
to reacquaint with life...….
Jun 2020 · 191
Three Years
John Stephenson Jun 2020
Three years, this very day
Since the parting of our ways.
I've done what I can do
to cherish the memory of You.

Read a prayer beside your tree.
Placed flowers at your grave
A candle in window lit.
A toast with wine is made.

And yet it's not enough.
I miss the comfort of your company.
Of hugs and kisses too.
I miss your presence in all I do.

I miss the arguments,
You always won,
and the making up again
It made life more fun.

To end each day contented.
was our Golden Rule,
Without you here, who is there,
to temper my mood?

There’s so much more I miss,
I could go on,
But I’ll leave it here.
My wittering done.

So, with memories held dear.
As each year wears on,
In my mind you will remain
Forever Young.
Mar 2020 · 239
The Woods
John Stephenson Mar 2020
I’m heading to a special wood.
A magic place to be.
Where whispers can be heard,
from swaying branch of every tree.

There’s Oak and Willow,
Ash and Cherry too.
Each has a tale to tell
and they’re whispering it to you.

I’m going to a special tree.
It’s been here just one thousand days.
At its trunk I sit to listen
to the branches in the breeze.

I pass to it my confidences
and tell it tales anew.
In the hope you hear me
through prayers I send to you.

They don’t just talk, you know.
They take the time to listen too.
If you’ve got a tale to tell,
the tree will pass it on for you.

So, find yourself a special tree
and tell to it your tale.
With a rustle in its leaves,
your story, upon the breeze, will sail.

Each tree, like a guardian,
stands tall and stout.
Giving succour to the ground
and all the flora ‘round about.

Their branches reaching to the sky.
Their roots the soil beneath.
A bridge ‘tween heaven and earth.
Giving faith to my belief.

I gaze upon this special tree.
Think back a thousand days.
‘Tis here you’re laid to rest.
The place I come to pray.

This tree brings hope, that much is true,
and like a conduit,
through it, ‘tis my way,
to commune with you.
a thousand days since my Wife was buried in a woodland cemetary
Feb 2020 · 151
A Thousand Days
John Stephenson Feb 2020
I’m heading to the Meadow,
A green and wonderous place,
Where we used to daydream.
There we dreamt our greatest plans,
Being bold and lacked no fear.
I’ve not trod this path
For more than a thousand days.

The meadow, I remember,
A green and vibrant land.
It fed our imaginations.
Inspired thoughts and fantasies,
And aspirations, Oh So Grand!
But these are just memories
From before the thousand days.

So, onto the meadow.
Follow the path beside the stream.
I recall the way,
To this Halcyon place,
A place where I can dream again.
And recall of times
Of more than a thousand days.

Alas. The meadow has gone now.
A running track takes its place.
The stream but a culvert.
No longer the place of dreams,
All trampled under running shoes.
Instead I’ll make my way,
To your new meadow.
For you’ve lain here all alone
This last one thousand days.
Mar 2019 · 356
Rhythm
John Stephenson Mar 2019
It's a rhythm,
Pounding in my brain,
For words to match.
That's the aim.

This poem has rules,
For which I make
The words to follow
Or the rhythm breaks.

Four lines a verse entails.
The rules are clear to me.
Lines second and last
Must have synchrony.

Some call this rhythm poetry,
To most a simple rhyme,
The words are much more to me.
They help improve my mind.

With every verse I write
New words come to me.
The rhythm and good luck
enhance my vocabulary.

Like the pulsing of a drum.
The rhythm has a beat.
The words, they march to that.
With measure and repeat.

Now the poundings stopped.
The words all written down.
I can rest a while
Listening for that sound.
Mar 2019 · 631
Hairs
John Stephenson Mar 2019
Hairs on my ears.
Hairs up my nose.
Hairs on my fingers.
Hairs on my toes.
I guess it's a sign.
I'm getting old!
Mar 2019 · 1.1k
Dopamine
John Stephenson Mar 2019
I need a fix
I'm going low
Without a hit
I'll get sad
And who's fault's that?
Give me a fix
Or I'll go mad

It's Dopamine I need

So click on 'Like'
No. Better still,
I'd love your 'Love'
It's such a thrill.
I'll feel better for
a 'Comment', or two.
a fix like that
would see me through the day.
The more you give
the happier I'll become

It's Dopamine I need

Give me a fix
I need it bad
If you 'Follow' me
I'd be so glad
You reward me
with this Happy Drug
I'll reward you
with a verse or two.

In the hope this drug flows both ways
Lets be Happy together.
So for both of us
just give me Dopamine
Mar 2019 · 1.4k
You're my best friend
John Stephenson Mar 2019
You are my best friend.
Loving, loyal and true.
Loving unconditionally,
I appreciate all that is you.

Sometimes you drive me mad,
When you disagree with me.
I want what's best for us.
My way to show I care, you see.

Everyday is much the same,
We both know the routine.
It starts with breakfast,
A time to share my dreams.

You recognise my moods
and listen to me intently.
You understand my feelings.
I feel your empathy.

Then off to work,
You watch me from the door.
With heavy heart I leave you.
Soon, I'll be with you once more.

The happiness you bring me.
Your welcome when I come home.
The guilt I feel,
Having left you all alone.

Your hugs are special
comforting and warm.
These moments, though infrequent
Make me keep you out of harm.

So now you wag your tail.
It's reached that time of day.
I'll get your ball and lead.
Walkies, let's go out to play.
Mar 2019 · 403
Anniversary
John Stephenson Mar 2019
It's an anniversary,
The children are playing in the garden,
The Sun is shining bright,
On this day you walked toward me,
For the rest of our life.

The roses are in full bloom.
Our friends and families gathered.
In the Sun's warm glow, we partied in Paradise.
On the day we walked on together,
As Husband and Wife.

In Paradise we built our kingdom.
We thought it could last forever.
But, the crystal light has faded.
Now I walk alone.
Each step, less sure, with every passing day.

Our kingdom is no more but Paradise remains.
With fond memories of years gone by, I remember.
Solemnly and Sincerely I recall our vows.
With roses from the garden,
I kneel beside you now.
Mar 2019 · 1.0k
Candle in a Window
John Stephenson Mar 2019
In a window placed
For all to see,
A candle burns.
My gift to thee.

A guiding light,
A beacon in the dark,
As this flame flickers,
It dances in my heart.

Though you’re not here,
You still burn bright,
Bringing comfort
You lead me through the night.

Rejoicing in this golden glow,
Now I begin to see,
The shimmer of this light
Is your gift to me.

— The End —