Owning its space, living amongst freedom
Diving deep into a field of gold
Touching the fluffiness of the cloud
Keeping its beady eyes peeled.
The flight of an eagle,
Swooping, catching a mouse
The King of the birds of prey
Its path revealed.

There once was a crow called Joe
Who always went with the flow
He was absolutely carefree
just perched in his tree
just taking life nice and slow.

Fear is an emotion
An adrenaline run
One that orders hairs
on the skin to attention.
A fright, a scare.  An upset
to the system.
Since time begun
From cavemen to now
Fear has made us stronger
otherwise we would not survive.
Live, breathe, come out alive.
But nobody likes fear.
It is not nice to now, experience
Life changes into first gear
for power, to exist, to run.
The breath gets short,
the heart moans and groans
under protest. It has fear.
We all do, but wish we had not.

There was once a woman that ate cheese
She thought it kept away disease.
But apart from being old
It was very icy cold
because she kept it in the deep freeze.

There she sits
poking holes through daisy stems
feeding the next through to make a chain.
Again and again.
A daisy chain.  It never rained.  It did not need to.
In our hearts it was always summer.  Then.
When we were young and free to roam.  When
we were young.  She still is in her heart.  Her soul
is old,  She is cold. But the memories warm her.
She lies under the daisies and revisits them whenever.
When she can.  While she can.  Trapped in her daisy time.
Not such a crime is it   To be left here.  With her heart.
She sits again and again threading daisies in a chain.
These are lazy days.  Tight nights.  White ways.  Dark fights.
Again and again these are lazy days.

When I stop and sit for a while
and think exactly what I do have
well that brings a smile to my face
because what I do have money cannot buy.
I have friends that care, are always by my side
through thick and thin, in stormy weathers.
They make my dark times bright
they make rainy days seem nice.
They turn clouds into sunshine
Make my days worthwhile.
My friends mean everything to me
And now at a trying time in my life
I can smile because they are around me.
My friends, without them where would I be.

Sitting there with an upside down smile
Anyone would think you are sad.
I have been observing for a while
and you know it is not that bad.

If you believe in fairy tales and magic
If you believe in wishes then join this queue
For tonight is the night out of many when
Your dreams might possibly come true.

Look into the midnight sky full of stars
It is as if the whole sky has silver freckles
Sparkly moons and planets and beams
Pearly things and saltwater speckles.

Hold your breath for a second then close the eyes
For magic is about to happen there’s no dispute.
For stars will whizz across the sky a light show
And dreams will start to come true as they shoot.

He is an eating machine
who gives himself grief
Devouring expensive cuisine
Whilst sitting on his leaf.

The time he sit there is brief
Gosh the minutes are umpteen
Boredom gets beyond belief
And his language is obscene.

The little frog – yes that is a relief
You’d think would be nice and clean
In the water he is the God, the chief
No wonder he is a funny shade of green.

Today I have realised
One very big thing
That I had better start
loving myself and bring
back my confidence
my inner strength
Thank you for showing me
that I have a say
that I count
that this very day
is the first day of the rest of my life.

There was once a man from York
Who had a craving for salty pork
But what was worst
He had the most terrible thirst
Drank the wine but swallowed the cork

She always knew fairy tales were held in a big glass jar
but they were released by just a buttercup and a big daisy
She sat staring at a new big glass screen which was bizarre
and she was warned that she would become very lazy.

The fact of the matter was the elf has installed electricity
which seemed to travel down a cord with three prongs
The other confused fairies looked upon her with pity
and thought she should not go where magic belongs.

She one day wished she could be a big glass screen star
it seemed to her that folk were jacks of all trades
she knew her dreams would come true held in her jar
and that one day she would wear proper clothes of many shades.

She positioned herself in front of the screen with her cash
and as if by magic the screen lit up and music played
and people were talking in front of her like a surprised flash
she was in her element, she was speechless, she was amazed.

The tree that held the screen confirmed there was another world
The images seemed real, they were moving, they could speak
her brain was on fire,  she listened. learned, and she uncurled
settling into her leaf, she could sit here any day of the week.

She put out her clothes each night on her tiny chair
for her day to be spent in front of the magic glass screen
it was important to her what she chose to wear
she did not want to be scruffy for the electric machine.

She watched television from morning to night fall
she made friends with new fairies and blue butterflies
she had become an expert on everything, anything at all
she was a television star, she was the fairy with square eyes.

I have many chapters
in my book of life.
From when I was small
to becoming a wife.
I will start mid point
somewhere I usually start
to when I put myself through
college to study art.
It was a time of my life
when my two boys had grown
They were at college themselves
and their seed had been sown.
Mine had not been planted yet
as I was unsure what I could do.
having raised two handsome sons
but now had time to think it through.
One sunny day I sat with pencil in hand
ready to write a few notes,who knows
I spotted out of the corner of my eye
a beautiful red English rose.
I started to sketch it without thought
concentrating on its form - new to me
I thought I will sketch what is there
and not what I think I can see.
The result was quite impressive
I had shaded exactly where the sun wont shine
I had shadows, I had tones, I had a drawing
to be proud of, something that was mine.
When my family returned, it was put before them
I felt rather good, they said nice things
So I rang college and enrolled in classes
at life drawing tutorials and the rest it brings.
I did five years studying all hours of the day
Painting watercolours, sketching and planning
I had something else to live for in every way.
I surprised myself and got to University level
passed all my exams with flags held high
and the best thing about it was I had a talent
I did not even have to try.
It came natural to me, now looking back
I am pleased about everything I have done
I have had exhibitions, and now paint everyday
my seed has done very well for me in the sun.

The skin I live within
Does the day have to begin
with a jolt
I however bolt
for the coffee it is a sin.

Dont think of me today
the day that I was born.
Think of others, who have nothing
no blanket to keep them warm.
Think of those sleeping on pavements
dusty streets with no fresh water
just their skin to keep them intact.
Lying there with worries, nowhere to bathe
No forthcoming meal, and no hope.
It should not be like this.
Could each and every one of us stop this.
So today, is their day, the homeless.
I pray they find shelter,  food and warmth.
today is their day.

A million little fairies
dance through a particular night
hanging moonbeams on the oak
securing them tight.
Silver ribbons, white ribbons
pinks one too, floating in the breeze
fairies flitting in and out
hiding amongst the leaves.
All but one tiny fairy
she refused and kept quite still
she reflected just for a second
then rolled speedily downhill.
she was trapped in a tight spin
collecting bracken in her hair
coming finally to an abrupt halt
in a lacy white, cold square.
"Oh I say, what have we here"
announced the scary spider
"Complete with flowers for me
she is a strange outsider".
"She's tiny and so frail
and now my heart is full of love.
The Lord has answered my prayer
This is what I have dreamed of.
A lady friend to share my lonely life
oh how I am trapped in a web of silence"
The fairy awoke with a look of sheer horror
"Oh I do not mean any offence".
"My long hairy legs are not so bad
they can offer you so very much
They move like the wind, are strong
yet they are sensitive to your touch"
I can spin you the best silk
and make you the finest gown
You will be the Queen of the forest
and I will make you the finest crown.
You can be my Queen and I will be your King
We will be together and never be apart
Do not be alarmed at my ugly exterior
underneath there beats a loving heart".
"I will worship you, pick the freshest of flowers
bring you sunshine on a very rainy day"
He turned round to admire his catch
She had gone and could hear "Please stay".
She had gone.

The first apple to fall is not necessarily the best.

Am I Really Dreaming?

I go to sleep
My mind drifts
I count sheep
Weight shifts.
On one side then the other
Hours slip away
If it’s not one thing it’s another
Revealing another boring day.
There is a movie in my mind
The same actors, scenery, speech
It is on constant rewind
Normality out of reach.
Am I dreaming, am I awake?
This seems so very real.
Tell me please for goodness sake
This situation is not ideal.

My words here on paper are real
As real as my love for you.
We were sixteen, sweet sixteen
And forty years later, our love is still true.
Each time I see you my heart skips a beat
The blood rushes through my veins
Bringing sweet harmony, taking away pains.
You are my rock, my strength, the reason I live
You stand tall for me, always there for me.
I love you with such intensity it hurts, my sweet
Until the sun dies, the stars will no longer be
I will love you more than there are stars in our sky,
Love you more than there are grains of sand,
I will love you more than ever before
Until I can no longer hold you by the hand.

Fiona, just want to let you know
we are by your side
We will be your strength to carry on
let our strength be your guide.

When times get tough, as time often does
our thoughts will be with you every step of your way
Let the rainbow of colours, of each and every shade
shine for you and then shatter the gloom and decay.

Think into the rose pink and the heavenly sunlit green
forget those yesterday's shadows, put them to rest
let the light bring happiness and joy inbetween
challenge the gloom let the shadows be depressed.

We are all with you in our hopes and our prayers
We will join hands and our prayers cannot be denied
Let these words give you both the strength to carry on
Because we love you both and we are by your side.
For Terry and Fiona
Such a lovely couple who have helped so many
and now it is our turn to help you.

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.

"Forever bashing together"
He was referring to his knees
I am a noisy thing that is plain
More disruptive than bees.
He is sad, no doubt about that
He considered a one way ticket
that is until his mouth fell wide open
his eyes spied the future Mrs Cricket.
Wow, his knees beat louder
his eyes were on stalks that is for sure
and the most brilliant piece of news
he is not a sad cricket anymore

Shuffling along with wrinkles to match the leaves
Both the leaves and the feet were dry and crispy.
Veins, broken down a long time ago now, she knew
the blood wavy like the curls in her hair, thin and wispy.

Her breath was cold, she was icy, no jacket to keep her warm
Her mind had gone together with her dreams
Goodness where they have gone - she knew
she stopped taking her pills, lotions and her creams.

She lived in her own sweet little world, her safe world
just eating, drinking and sleeping when she could.
Whether it be last weeks crust of the bread, she knew
Most of her intake was either mouldy or covered in blood.

She coughed, her icy breath just about holding out in her
Her lungs filling and collapsing with the damp morning air.
She had no idea where she was going she wished she knew
Her family had washed their hands of her, she had no care.

In this day and age, this should be not so, there are many like her
The elderly, the forgotten elderly, they have seen so many things
Are wise and yet know so very little, but she knew
She knew one thing,  loneliness is killing her. It's the misery it brings.

How truth distorts
How lies appear
funny isn't it!

My voice booms like a loud speaker in a tight space
My rib cage hurts from the sound coming from my face
My knees are  knocking with a knock that brings a smile
I am singing unnoticed if only just for a short while.

Interesting, isn't it
That we sometimes long
To be someone else
Whether its right or wrong
That is the case.
Whether it is a scarecrow
strapped to a wooden frame
A dancer in a pretty pink dress
The dream seems to be the same
In a manner of speaking, I guess.
A champion swimmer,
A footballer scoring the goal
A hero saving an important soul.
A doctor, a driver, a diver
Photographer, artist,
A special person, a survivor.
We all think the same. but at the end of the day
We are ourselves, you are you, we all play
we all work, sleep, no matter what colour
skin we are sitting in, we are the same.
So join hands because if I were a me
I would want to be me all over again.

What I'm about to tell you is the truth
It happened when i was in my youth
All I used to eat
was something sweet
and that affected my left front tooth.

I go to sleep
My mind drifts
I count sheep
Weight shifts.
On one side then the other
Hours slip away
If it’s not one thing it’s another
Revealing another boring day.
There is a movie in my mind
The same actors, scenery, speech
It is on constant rewind
Normality out of reach.
Am I dreaming, am I awake?
This seems so very real.
Tell me please for goodness sake
This situation is not ideal.

A Happy Easter to everyone

You never know what is around the bend
whether the news  is good or even bad
We take it on the chin let's not pretend
whether we should rejoice or be sad.

If only when was a small girl
All I ever wanted was to be good
I mixed soil in a puddle and I'd get
the most brilliant pie made of mud
Id have it in my socks and on my face
and that was the very best bit
but I was shown the "naughty step"
and that is where I'd have to sit.
I could not understand why oh why
I was only trying to be good
and all I wanted was to feed my dollies
some dinner although it was made of mud.
So there I sat seemed like forever and a day
My mind used to think silly things so they said
I used to ask the reason why I was silly
but that question always got me straight to bed.
I was told I was not hungry before going to sleep
but I was, how did they know, they didn't enquire
I was cold I remember, and the screams got me nowhere
but they weren't cold, they had a roaring fire.
I could smell their dinner cooking but it was not for me
everytime I asked for food  I was given a slap
I could not find the reason why, if only I could
I now realise I was the victim of child abuse
and I dont know why, if only I could have been good.

You know what it is like
you bump into someone
and you have seen them before
but the name - it's gone!

Standing there in desperation
sieving the corners of your mind
not really paying attention
and trying to be nice and kind.

If you say the wrong name
you are in a sticky situation
Got to say something and it
is back to the old desperation.

So you start clutching at straws
feeding in bits of "I want a clue"
Searching through the grey areas in the mind
wondering what on earth to do.

But the mind plays tricks on us dont we know
and it has us wiping the floor.
When thank goodness a good thing to say is
Have I seen you somewhere before?

The way I used to giggle
the thickness of my hair
when I walked I had a wiggle
and men would stare.
I smiled and the world smiled
I laughed and everyone did the same
My phone was always on dialled
I was at the top of my game.
Then Mr P took hold of my life
he demanded I live by his rule
now it is all trouble and strife
and the pain I have is just cruel.
But do you know what Mr P
I have had enough of your ways
I do not want you in my life anymore
I want to have nicer days.
So Parkinsons disease can take a hike
to pastures new and then get lost
go on get on your bike
Im free from you now at no further cost.
Well I am not but in my head I am
I can do without all of the stress
Mr P brings plenty of that glam
Im glad my life is not now a mess.

We worry over money, we worry about the weather
While some poor folk have none of the above together.
They have nothing but the clouds over their heads
Nothing, no roof, no water or make do sheds.
They have plenty to fear, worry and dread
Searching for food or indeed for a clean bed.
If we gave something, to those that are without
It would ease their pain, ease their doubt
So for those with nothing, please give them something
Because our worries are nothing, but to them its everything.

Kicking the dust off my shoes
As I strolled towards my front door
Less for me to do I thought
As I had already cleaned my floor.
The front door needed painting
I had some spare paint in the shed
Nobody would miss my house
If I did the door in a nice bright red.
And the windows need replacing
The frames look shabby and worn
The paint on them seems to be peeling
They were on the house before I was born.
And while I am at it I’ll replace the mat
It has certainly seen much better days.
All these jobs don’t come for free you know
But Keeping on top definitely pays.
The letterbox keeps sticking too, I’ll see to that
The postman will be pleased with me
After all these jobs today I will be fast asleep
Oh I seem to have mislaid my key!

He needed a plan in which to inject
He knew his friend had become very hurt
So he has decided to treat him with respect
And buy him his favourite colour tee shirt.

That did not work so he’s bought a scouring pad
Well somewhere somehow one has to draw a line
And this thought he had made him feel really glad
Because it meant his friend could make his saucepans shine.

This friend was sinking into further depression
His whole being felt sort of broken.
He sat with his little face without expression
And what is more he had not spoken.

Friends these days have to be sort of thick skinned
Especially when you run out of hope.
Life is not like a a mad, mad whirlwind
But dwindlig like soap on a rope.

This golden little fish
had all but one crazy wish
to stop this boring swim
it was getting to him
spinning round and round the dish.

There was once a man from Bury
Who liked the odd jug of Sherry
He drank it quick
which made him sick
But it never once made him merry.

Call me old fashioned
but the sight of a kipper tie
is like nothing on earth
candy for the eye.
Bell bottoms on your jeans
bells hanging around your neck
Jazzy colours on your shirt
and nobody gave a heck.
Permed hair-dos on each head
everything went to the extreme
The Bay City Rollers
and you were living the dream.
The Osmonds you fell in love with
David Cassidy sending you in a spin
The sounds of the seventies
a memory you keep locked within.

If you are sitting comfortably I will tell you the story
of the magnificent, sparkling in its full glory.
And this is how the tale begins.
It was spectacular, with ribbons, bows and sequins.
It had ***** of gold glitter and magical charms
stars draped majestically from its arms.
Sparkly diamonds were all aglow
An array of colour straight from the rainbow.
Nobody has ever told it to dress down
and on its head it wears a golden crown
There are presents and gifts lying at its base
stuffed tightly in: there is no available space.
Boxes with ribbons in all different sizes
Hard work has done this to provide prizes.
It is that time of the year - yes it's the Christmas tree
and there it was - the tree.

The rigid strength it had felt cold like a fridge
the structure, the sheer length of the old bridge
never ending like a circular disc
cut throat business a huge risk.
The river flowed violently
they pushed on silently.
an echo was heard underground
it was a shrill, an evil sound
The atmosphere was flipping
the water was dripping
A situation they wanted to sever
the nightmare went on forever
The pace now became slow
the river ceased to flow
the memories they could keep
the river fell asleep
dried, crusted and wrinkled
they cried, their skin crinkled.
They were cold and old
their story was told.

The pair of them talked till the moon went blue
and the stars packed themselves away for the night
Their farewells were said to each other it is true
and what they had done they thought was right.

The frog and the toad were fed up with talk
their books were put under their slimy skin
the frog suggested he liked the toad after all
and the toad said he would never give in.

They had said the goodbyes as previously said
you all thought that it was me to leave
I would never leave my friends just like that
it is only myself I could deceive.

You all are such nice people on this site
it is like we are all sitting at one big wooden table
tapping out poems one after another
whether we tell stories, jokes or fables.

No I would only say goodbye to the last ship sailing
I would want to stay under our rainbow of words and rhyme.
we all have different lives to live each day, but we are the same
we all write, play, work, rest and have hills to climb.

Sitting around
waiting for the big moment
endless hours skim around
the bare face clock
The clock wont lie
It has one face not two
Unlike the town hall clock
that must tell some stories.
Waiting around
not in a busy crowd
but in rows, on lonely chairs
looking to one's left
then to the right.
Then back to the floor
Waiting in rows
nowhere to go
just through the cold door
Seem to be waiting forever more.
Waiting for Christmas so it seems
it will be here quicker than you know
papers will be torn,
on the day A Baby was born
Waiting for the New Year
Bells ring out, lights adorn the sky
another year goes flying by
A new year will ring
and what will it bring
happiness, or yes I hope so
I will wait gladly for that one.