You can always rely on Santa to put on a good show
Bringing Christmas trees with the lights all aglow
But I have to admit
When the lights are lit
It turns into magical land complete with snow.

Once upon a time
"When was that then?"
For the purpose of this rhyme
it was perhaps ten past ten.
Look at the silly time
see how the hands ****
is that a perfect crime?
Perfect for a quiz!
Who is wrong?
Who is right?
Are they strong?
Are they bright?
This "time" that's under question
Who has the final say?
Is it too soon to mention?
Have I got the right day?
Now the stars have appeared
and the moon likes it
Why has it disappeared
has it quit?
It is all mumbo jumbo
now is that a crime?
It happened long ago
When it was time!

I am protected from danger
inside my shell
It is my home;  my palace
where I dwell
I get little mail
these days
For I am a snail
with funny ways.
Sometimes it can be a a living hell
with this and that
inside my shell.
You cannot swing a cat
so as to speak
I never would
I am too weak
I never could.
I went through spell
of not thinking straight
Inside my shell
I've learned to wait
It is never too late.
Is it?

Winter is waiting around the corner ready to settle
But before that colours are vibrant on every leaf
Gentle breezes carry away each little petal
Autumn is so beautiful beyond belief.

His heart beat to the sound of a distant drum
Marching and beating constantly so it seemed
Rhythmic like the guitar on which you strum
Little did anyone imagine this or could have dreamed.
The music stopped, the blood failed to rush
Relationships with the old heart ceased
The ears could her every kind of hush
And all that was called was the Priest.
Life flashed before the congregation's eyes
It seemed as though he was back for a while
The music drowned everyone's cries
He marched with angels long the golden mile.

Both birds would win medals for their hue
Both have rather a puffed up plump chest
Would the pigeon look apt on a christmas card
I think the robin does this job actually the best.
Who would win the contest with the loudest call
You dont see many robins in Trafalgar Square
But then again it is the cuteness that wins every time
Put that to the pigeon and he'd say "what do I care!"

Four letters for a four letter word
That may sound to you somewhat absurd
But we cling on to them, we all need hope
It is these little letters that let us cope.

Tears turn to ice
They do not roll
they tumble down my face.
Like hail from my eyes
Spitting frozen tears
into thick opaque breath
Visible upon death
but not now;  somehow
in this life time freezes.
A warm smile pleases my soul
A violet haze around my shoulder
melts away the gloom
bring presence into the room
thawing my wishes
that were frozen in time.

I looked at my hair
and I had grey roots again.
Snow had returned to my roof
and was driving me insane.
My face was beginning to look
just like a freshly ploughed field
and looking like an orange
that had just been peeled.
The general trend of old
was beginning to get me down
and I was wearing my smile
absolutely upside down.
My frock was covering my knees
instead of the daring sort of look
I think I need a makeover
I fumbled at the fashion book.
It is no good I dont know where to start
which page to turn to for the best
I looked down at my clothes and sighed
I certainly was not the best dressed.
And look at the state of my nails
they look like an old pair of claws
I hunted for files and polish
but could find nothing in my drawers.
I an having a mid life crisis, I want to be young
To feel freedom and youth one more time in my head
But that is not going to happen is it!
I have to make do with what I am and have instead.

My thoughts soar
Way above my expectations
Not like before
I look into the blue
and I hope he does too.

He went, I stayed
It was his price
that he paid
Looking into the blue
and I hope he did too.

My eyes are closed
They have retired.
Into the world of sleep
But my tears, they do flow
Trickling nice and slow.
I just weep.

My thoughts run free
Inside my head ; a mess
My messages run deep
But my tears will not dry
I just simply cannot cry
I just weep.

Red gingham on jam pots
Wax lids preserving the berry
Tattered lace and old spots
Labels for black cherry.

Strawberries with leaves left on
Cups of tea with cream in
All the nice jam has gone
But there are biscuits in the tin.

Crumbs left on top when cakes took
pride of place after they were made
There is jam around his face look
Do you think the evidence will fade?

No because he has jam all over his top
and there is a smile on his jammy face
He keeps eating them, no signs he will stop
when there are jam tarts all over the place.

Red gingham on the table cloth freshly laid
jam pots with strawberries now preserved.
All the sugar used up, jam for the year made
get your hands off, that *** is reserved!

I reckon he could get an Oscar for his performance
In fact there are many times he would be a nominee
He has not won much throughout his sad life though
That's not up for an award it is told completely for free.

He pulls faces to suit his strange moods whatever they are
whether it be disappointment or a sort of half smile
His face would crack open if he were to show all his teeth
It is extra effort for him to laugh it is not worth the while.

So it is a look of shock and horror with wrinkles and crinkles
I have to look away because I'm giggling far too much to be fair
he would have made millions in acting I should fancy
All he needed was his lines and a woman telling him what to wear!
The man with many faces mmmm!

Life is different
Never expect the same
A new dice rolls over
and plays another game.
This time there are no sixes
it has changed to a seven
The dice has another face
a ghost face from Heaven.
The other face rolls to a five
and then falls over to a three
The cloudless sky is as blue
and as azure as the foamy sea.
The dice smiles on the sunshine
a sight for very sore eyes
the dealer flicks the dice
and the edges wince and cries
Dont take anything for granted
because life has some funny ways
A mixture of good and bad
tears smiles and sunny days.

Life is a funny old thing
but for each of us there is an end.
But on Monday, alas, we say
farewell to a dear old friend.

He was a lovely man, honourable
and loved by so many, young and old
He had time for everyone all over
and had a huge heart of solid gold.

He was a leader, a well respected man
someone anyone could talk to with ease
But now he is a butterfly, he is the sunshine
and he is every new leaf on the trees.

He will look down from Heaven, with a smile
he knows and hears each and every good wish
but for each of us left behind, there is sadness
in our hearts, for Geoff it is you that we will miss.

Can anyone I wonder guess the age
of the Parrot reading a book in the cage.
Of course, he's been told
he does not look that old
Or rather that's what he read on the page.

I have to tell you about a musical mouse
he lives here with me in my house
he taps his feet
to the beat
and perform the waltz to the composer strauss.

She was led away, into the land of peace
Guided gently by the hand of a million butterflies
To a place where sleep is guarded by angels
nobody talks, nobody laughs and nobody cries.
Their wings shone in the moonlight lit by stars
She found her resting place and lay to sleep
an eternal sleep, with beauty all around her
No pain, no hurt, no false promises to keep.
Just pain free, drifting at her own free will
The million butterflies watch over with pride
Her life celebrated on the day of her release
Time will heal the hurt in the living inside.
Time to sleep.  Time to sleep. Everyone goes
this way.  Time to keep our thoughts about us
as we pray for those for whom we weep.

Majestically he strode towards the pond
waddling away as if nothing cared
Dreaming of what life's like beyond
going to pastures new if he even dared.

The emerald ring around his neck line
matched one or two feathers in his tail
Cerise and ruby like a fine red wine
were there letting others know he's male.

The female of the species is rather dull
her brown feathers not so appealing
Even the best bits around her skull
didn't approve the way she was feeling.

But the green male knew he was the top
the right colour, the right attitude
he knows which button makes his bus stop
he always has plenty of gratitude.

The buttons he presses pleases his mate
swimming around her admiring her place
the day he met her well, he knew it was fate
he fell in love with her cute ducky face.

Since the day we very first met
my heart skipped one single beat
Now it plays a merry love tune
when we decide to meet.

That meeting is every day, almost
when life is nothing but pure bliss
Love plays tunes all of the day
even when I am planted a kiss.

When the moon calls me to my bed
you are there to hold my hand all night
You are there when my eyes close
and when they open at light.

Forever and a day I will love you always my dear
When the hearts beat slowly and the poem has no rhyme
I will cherish you in my heart and dreams
because that comes with loving you for a lifetime.

We count the hours that steadily pass
To say we have time on our hands
Observe the trickling hourglass
Seconds replace falling sands

Sand slides and progressively rolls,
Rolling away, hours pouring
Time for sleep when the bed calls
Time skips without our knowing.

Time speeds up during the day
No time to meet with demands
Need more time I heard you say
I need more time on my hands.

Humpty Dumpty did sit on a wall
His spirits had that day been crushed
He did not as stated have a big fall
but in fact he was bullied and pushed.

All his King's horses and all the King's men
had the giggles for the rest of the day
a couple of them had wet themselves then
laughing so much, but could not say.

It brought the horses to their knees
laughing so much it did hurt
The riders were begging them to please
do not throw them into the dirt.

But the horses they did bolt
and the riders went spinning
over the top, not their fault
the horses chances were thinning.

This did cheer Humpty Dumpty up so
His bullying all behind him and gone
The horses were mounted and ready to go
who promptly marched off all except one.

One horse stayed behind to comfort
Humpty Dumpty and offered him a ride.
He accepted and they talked it through
Humpty Dumpty now felt better inside.

Jack and Jill
went up the hill
to fetch a pint of beer
Jack decided that after
that he felt a little queer.
They fetched a pill
with a glass of pop
to make him feel better.
Jill said "stop"
and produced a letter.
It said keep off the drink
so they had a think
and came back down the hill.
That was that for a while
after walking a mile
no more drink then....until
they saw a lit bar
with a shining star
that enticed them for more.
Jack looked at Jill
but knew he had taken the pill
and came back out through the door.
They said "what the hell"
They said nobody would tell
their naughty little tale
and promptly ordered the ale.
It went down with a bolt
and their stomachs had their fill.
Jack declared "halt"
as he tried to look at Jill
who by which time had ordered more
only to find poor Jack back on the floor.
The moral of this story is plain
take it from Jack and Jill
Dont take to the drink again
especially if you have had a pill.

I saw a million butterflies
Al dressed in grey
Further up there were
Millions of birds of prey.
They had gathered
To pay their respects
On behalf of all creatures
As one would expect.
The death of a ladybird
Her spots faded now
Her redness faded to pink
And  they wiped her brow.
Ants lined the route
To her burial place
Nobody would ever forget
The sadness on the magpie’s face.
He bowed his head as she went by
Surrounded by love and flowers
The ceremony expected to last
For many more hours.
The moths flew by in twos
Followed by the wasps and bees
Other birds had sad beaks
Depression had hit the trees.
Crickets stood silent for once
Their noisy knees under control
Other insects bowed in unison
as the cuckoo announced the patrol.
They laid her to rest, six spots and all
Among the roses all a rich deep red
They sauntered back home, hearts heavy
And did nothing but cry all night in bed.
That night I saw a million butterflies
Which in all is a bit extreme
What a crazy night that was
It is funny what you dream.

The mauve, it remembers
The perfume has faded away
from the memories in her mind
from then to this very day.
She is back beneath the lilac
where dreams will hope to survive
But in reality this is no ordinary lilac
it has powers to make dreams come alive.
Or that is what she thought
he met her five years ago to this very day.
Then he disappeared from her life, her music
was like an orchestra with no instruments to play.
No days were with sunshine, just cold hard rain
Her mind was full of sadness.  It is here to stay.
So she returns, to listen to her mind, the perfume
entices her in again gives her advice and stuff
but she wonders if it is all doom and gloom
and has she actually had quite enough.
The roots reassure her, the lilac knows
She hears footsteps from the right hand side
Where the young inexperienced lilac grows
and now she knows she has nothing to hide.
She is greeted with a warm smile and a touch
A touch that sends electric signals around her soul
She is overwhelmed and it is all too much
crying emotional tears was not her goal.
He wiped the tears with a delicate finger
and craved her attention to his face
Now she knows the perfume of the lilac will linger
and she is reassured that it is a trustworthy place.

A powder puff full of sugar dangled from the blue
a surge of milk swept across the sky
A could not count the chocolate drops, there were a few
as they appeared from nowhere and drifted on by.
The chocolate appeared to be coloured,  very nice
All the colours of the rainbow before my very eyes
My lips were very moist and my tongue paid the price
I was not an angel but the naughty angel in disguise.
I could not help myself, I broke a bit of the rainbow
it snapped quite easily and I held it in my hand
Well, I suppose the bit I broke off was destined to go
in my mouth, I have got to say the taste was grand.
It tasted like Heaven on Earth, that is all I can say
Like someone had placed 24 carat gold melted treasure
I could have stayed at that moment forever and a day
I floated, I laughed with extreme well deserved pleasure.
It was like being lifted into the clouds to taste the rain
Like sipping the cold waters from the first drop to the last
it was like running to kingdom come and then back again
I was in my own little world having my own little blast.
My chocolate rainbow, sent from the rain and sunshine
Mixed with milk, love and honey made by Royal Bees
The day I will remember for the rest of my days is mine
it brought me hope it gave me smiles and took me to my knees.

I just cannot win
the cream is too thin.
I bought whipping not double
and that seems to be the trouble
It is not what it says on the tin.

The cherry I placed on the top
of he trifle just will not stop.
It has took a deep plunge
to the bottom of the sponge
What next will decide to drop.

I really have to confess
the dessert looks a mess.
But hey what  treat
it is good enough to eat
That is all that matters I guess.

He speaks with a gentle voice
He has a gorgeous face.
His eyes are like the bluest of pools
his smile brightens the place.
and with all that said and done
he is my beautiful eldest son.

THE FUNNY FARM

Take a look, the cow’s milking itself
And the sheep are shearing their wool.
The hens gathering eggs from the shelf
And the pigs entertaining the bull.

The geese are collecting litter
Foxes are mending the fence
Farmers never been fitter
No work for him to commence.

Chickens have pecked the hedge
To make everywhere neat
Ducklings have polished the ledge
Where the farmer keeps his feet.

The plough horse back from the field
Had quite enough for one day
Now has to calculate cabbages to yield
Then clean out the hay.

This is the funny farm
Where smart animals hang out
Full of character and bags of charm
Lots to shout about.

Such is a time when
Admiring the flow of the river
The reflection of the birch
Its bark so patchy and silver.
The call of the dove
Breaks the silence of the flow
Water cascading against a pebble
Lapping the bank where reeds grow
And otters play at night.
Four babies and mother
silver like the moon
streaks across the reflection
and very soon
shadows will be gone
the sun will arrive
and the otters will depart
and once again
the circle of the silver will start.

I used to stand, dreaming
I could win that brown bear
Only takes three darts, top scores
To win, at the local fair.
Or a fish, I would have liked that
An orange thing in a plastic bag
Or hook-a-duck, a chance to win
Perhaps a new toy or wave a flag.
The smell of onions frying all day
Hot crispy potato skins enticing
The unmistakable aroma of doughnuts
With different kinds of icing.
The thrill and fear of the ghost train
With dangley things in your face
Screams, sighs, a creepy hand touching
I loved that very creepy place.
The helter skelter, skimming on a mat
Winding to the bottom with a smile
Then queuing for ages once again
Strangers in a single file.
The fair, money for this and that
Oh I wanted that teddy bear.
Eventually I got him, my new friend
Sitting there with his short brown hair.
A reminder of days when fun was fun
Screeches, screams and music very loud
They’d play the number one in the charts
To a very approving fun loving crowd.
So with my short lived fish in a bag
My bear and tummy full of candy floss
My pockets with no money just tissues
Smeared with onions and tomato sauce.
I’d head back home, looking over my shoulder
The lights, the atmosphere nothing can compare
Dodgems, rides that made you feel sick
But that’s okay at the local funfair.

He removes his coat
and spreads it over a puddle
of rain water.
She fairy steps gently
in a lady like way.
He smiles at her twinkling eyes
She adores his dimples in his cheeks
Like the flesh of a peach; adorable.
She giggles her hips wriggle as he
lifts her the final bit of coat.
Her heart is floating in happiness
Her blood is racing through
colourful veins, back to a happy heart
There is no rainbow, no sorrow, no tears
no shadows, no worries and no fears
But there are dreams, hopefulness, joy
and laughter and clapping of hands
and there is a twinkle, and there is above
everything else one single thing, tenderness.

Standing on a street corner watching, noticing.
Just watching the world drift on by.
The clouds picture stories in the sky.
The shapes of the clouds messing with my head.
Picturing my life in shapes instead.
A boat chugs through the murky canal
picking up ***** carrier bags as it struggles
through reeds and roots strangling its hold.
Watching the swans bow to the cygnets
gracefully noticing their young, white and bold
Their orange beaks signalling to the boats the way to go.
Waiting and watching go hand in hand
Like the bride and groom standing on steps to the altar
waiting and watching the day unfold their fears
bringing hopefully happiness to wash away the years.
Watching time go by.

Held

Held in the moment
Held in the suspension of time
This time was not the moment
He was a victim of crime.
Held in the cell
Held against his will
This time was not his moment
He needs a magical spell.
His wish came true
Held in the dream
It was definitely the moment
Thanks to the defending team.
It was all a mistake
He was held without cause
Well I guess it has to be
No get out clause.

A Little Pink Toothbrush

“Do not grab me”
“She has done it again,
You have got to agree
She is a pain.”
The little pink toothbrush
Moaning about the way it’s treated
In the mad morning rush
Till the cleaning session’s completed.
“Pick me up gently, that is it
Now squeeze the paste”
“Too much, too much, just a bit
Oh my life, what a waste.”
The little pink toothbrush is a fed up
He wants to be looked after lovingly
From when he comes out of his cup
Which is fair comment to some degree.
“In the mouth we go,
Always the same molar
Now woman brush to and fro
No, no, wrong, I’m trying to control you.
“Up and down, not like a yard brush
Gently, we have to do it gently
It is not some major rush
Do it differently.
Do human beings know?
Do they actually care?
Is their brain like pastry dough?
Is it even there?
If I have thought it once,
I’ve thought it a million times a day
She must be a dunce
And that is all I can say.
Rinse woman , rinse me
Under the sparkling spray
Oh no don’t dip me in your cup of tea
I’ll be yellow and smelly all day.”
Does she not know I have needs
Not know how to treat me nice
It is like she succeeds
I have to think everything twice.
“And don’t throw me
Put me gently back in my place
And I’m covered in tea
Pity it’s not on your face.”
Look soap, look everyone what she does
Treats me like a scrubbing brush
And she does it because
She is always in a rush!”

The Fairy of the Silver Shop

Now all little fairies run out of things
Little clover soaps and even replacement wings.
Little vine laces for their little fairy feet
Little fairy apple pips as a midday treat.
So they all go to the silver shop for spares
And there is a fairy appointed that really cares
She has drawers filled with this and that
From silver bells to a rose petal hat
There is no such thing as money in fairyland
Every sale done with a shake of the hand.
The fairy of the silver shop everyone’s delight
Open every morning and closes at midnight.
The imps and elves enjoy the pleasure
Of rooting through such precious treasure.
Cherry stones and acorns make great pipes
And little lacy cobwebs make superior wipes
She stocks all these and very much more
It won’t be long before she opens a superstore.

Bobbing about bringing happiness everywhere
in the land of hope and glory that is me
Why not, the dreams I have are mine if I dare
for I am so happy and wonderfully carefree.

Gently rolling in clover
looking for four leaves
On the white cliffs of Dover
chalk as thick as thieves.
A blue butterfly drifts by
capturing the aroma of honey
the clouds are miles high
if you were to bet with any money.
A rainbow kisses time
bringing freckles to a dream
it rains and steam evaporates from lime
clouding the view way past the stream.
A kingfisher bold as brass
perches on a jet black stump
it takes pleasure from cool wet grass
making a bony cricket jump.
The clouds are miles high once again
the kingfisher swoops across the way
Its spitting fine spots of rain
And the rainbow is back out at play.

Approaching May
As the time on this planet marches
Full steam ahead towards May
We should look around us
Appreciate what we have today,
The robin singing on the post
With his famous red jacket
Like a postman whistling
Posting his brown packet.
Then there is the rain
The usual April showers
Pouring down, brollys out
It goes on for hours.
Then we have the buds
Of our bluebells
Nature’s way of casting
Magical spells.
Enchanting our woods
With stars of blue and white
Oh to be in England in April
What a wonderful sight.

If you close your eyes
Inside your mind
You capture your prize
No telling what you’ll find.
There is a magical land
Just waiting to be explored
Available on demand
A guarantee you wont be bored.
Maybe inside your dreams
There are castles and moats
Strawberries and creams
Yachts and sailing boats.
Caves with orchestras to observe
Listen and relax and drift away.
Maybe a beautiful nature reserve
To watch lion cubs at play.
Maybe there are chocolate waterfalls
And the rocks are made of fudge
A tree where a kingfisher calls
Or where nobody can criticise or judge.
In your mind are flowers made of silk
And last forever and ever
The cows produce flavoured milk
Cold with ice for whoever and whenever.
You can visit these things any time
Just close your eyes and you are there
No rivers to cross, no hills to climb
No parking ticket required , no taxi fare.
It is a free service, provided just for you
Just close your eyes, enjoy what you see
See your fields of green, your skies of blue
Your rivers of chocolate and a butterfly tree.