Giving in to something is a silly process
an insult to all that I have ever said and done.
But I am here to stay if you will have me
Because I am going to write, that is what I want to do
So until the sun ceases to shine, till the rains run dry
until the birds in the sky are unable to fly
I will write like the wind, fly like a bird and have fun.
If that is okay by you?

This is for Sally Bayan.  Her work is remarkable, outstanding and quite frankly she is to me the Poet of the Year.

She chooses wisely,
confidently, remarkably.
Her words crush
her words rise above ordinary words.
If words could stand on shoulders
her words would.
If words could scream from the page
Her words should.
They make tears flow
Relationships grow
and she lets the world know
that it cares.

Through thick and thin and the rough and the smooth
and what is now will be will be
He was always a very supportive friend a caring soul
and he was always a friend to me

He was always respectful, kind
and had always a solid gold heart
His work was always up there with the best
right from the very start.

I will miss him, and I wish him well
He had so much talent I can tell you that for free
Keep writing my friend, that is important
and you know he was always a friend to me.

Dressed like a waiter was he
In black, white and blue
He thought everything was free
He thought everything was true.

He Who Counts His Cash

It was morning, a miserable morning
One that was over in a flash
Suddenly without any warning
He decided to count the cash.

This sent him into an instant flap
He fiddled nervously with a saucepan lid
This was definitely some sort of trap
Wondered what the outcome would be if he hid.

“Young man, come here” the Manager shouted
Something appears to be missing.
His crinkled lips was now pouting
And his throat had started hissing.

“He does not trust me” he thought
After all the things I have done for him.
He was frantically hiding the things he had bought
And envisaged the situation looking grim.

A stash of cake and jam, lemon curd and honey
Silver nice things that he liked to buy.
He was not used to handling money
So he had a day practising how to buy.

It is not his fault if he spent the lot
He thought that they had loads more.
The amount he had spent had been forgot
Well his investments were banked offshore.

He did not want to upset his ten year bond
And his thousands were doing very well.
The extra noughts of which he was fond
And his shares he did not want to sell.

He was never aware of his wealth
Obviously did not know about being poor
He never worried about money or health
But alas the Manager was now crying on the floor.

His greed was now not nice
Maybe he should come clean and reveal his stash
His greed had definitely made him pay the price
He offered just five thousand and the rest of his cash.

Silently without thought
He slides his arm around her waist.
Brushing her face with his finger
Her soul feels embraced.
Nothing needs to be said
It is written across his face
The love they feel for each other
Could never be replaced.
But there is something
Buried deep inside his head
Something to which she cannot access
Something which she will always dread.
There is a frown that passes his brow
Each time he looks lovingly at her
It rings alarm bells in her mind
An emotion she would transfer.
Does he love her? I am sure that he does
He stays with her so that is clear
A shiver runs down her spine
And now she have everything to fear.
The grip tightens
She looks at him as if she’s under review.
His icy blue eyes smile and he whispers to her
“My darling, you are my life, I do love you.

Today I think of others
others lying cold in the street
surviving on nothing
with cold hearts and feet.
All they want is a chance
a hope a dream to come true
a meal, a drink a bit of love
and that coud come from you.
It could come from me as well
and I will do all that I can
open a door, open your heart
a welcome is all that they need
a hot meal will do for a start.
I am giving my coat today
to someone to keep them warm
in this cold biting wind
cold bittter snow that blows a storm.
It is no joke, lying with all but a box
cardboard to keep out the rain
endless cold days is enough
to drive anyone insane.
Give all you can as I will do today.
Thank you for reading this
and togther we can help.

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.

HOUR OF THE PEARL
Bluebells droop sleepily
Tired in a pine scented wood
Lemons drip casually
In the groves the best they could.
Orange leaves dance in the breeze
Jigging to the buzz of the bee.
Lapping up the early morning sun
Limes threaten to ripen
Withered branches from the olive
Twisting, turning and entwining.
Almonds spring from everywhere
Grapes glisten, turning sweet
Packed into the vine/
Mellowing, yellowing
To become famous wine.
Sun bakes the land and the bread
Has a secret promise with a sugar top.
Chickens are fed from left overs.
The hour of the pearl, the interval
Between day and night
When time stands still examines itself
And turn to dark, the moon clicks
Clouds stick.

Stepping over the clover
along the river bank.
I suddenly had a thought
and then my heart sank.
How long will this last,
this beauty, this delight?
When all around there is destruction
and the never-ending fight.
Trees are being chopped down
walls that keep in the warm.
Now we are left with emptiness
and exposed to every harm.
Birds will no longer fly free
there will be no trees for them to perch.
Instead there will be just cloudy skies
and there will be the never ending search.
Searching for food that does not grow
Looking for water, clean water to drink.
Filth has exterminated every fish in the sea
and every brain has the inability to think.
How long before there will be nothing but rubble
Every building being took to its knees.
How long before civilisation packs up completely
There will be no land left, just raging, angry seas.
Nobody wants to see this happen, the world come to this
Let us all do something about it now and take action
Build relationships, end wars, make your peace
Put smiles on faces and end sadness, end destruction.
Shake hands, bring war to an end, make it a thing of the past
a little boy drowned, washed to shore, a crying shame
Think to yourself, I can make a difference, I can make peace
Then you have yourself to thank, be proud and have no one to blame.

My river
in my soul
red,  forever grows
The breeze in my veins
rushes headlong, flows
It never rains
In me, never pours
My skin glows
with heath no lines
no wrinkles,  crinkles.
no deep paths to tread.
Just a river that runs ahead
smoothing, flowing
to its source instead.
To the sponge that absorbs
the essence of life itself
where thoughts and memories
are placed on my shelf.
The shelf of life with
a river that flows in my head.

Its cheeks on fire
Cooling in the mist
a Rose Bush blushes
A sight not to be missed.
When I was small,
a small. sweet girl
I made a sweet perfume
from the petals that curl.
Now trapped in the mad hustle
always in a rush
I smile at the space
where I kept this sweet bush.

Hush now, my gentle sweet soul
Everything will be alright.
When the time comes,  worry later
Close those eyes and hug me tight.

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.

I drift
here and there
Without notice
no fare.
I float
like a butterfly
without notice
don't ask why.
My very being is filled
with nothing, I know nothing
I am strong willed
I act upon the something.
I can fill up with tears
they rain on your soul
Tear drops, rain drops
they are all the same to me.
I can fill your day with fears
my shade gives it away
will it pour will it drizzle
Chances are I know not.
I drift lazily, floating, caressing
kissing stars, dodging hail
When I am hot and humid
I disappear, then I've got mail
I dispense where I like, just let it go
sometimes it is fog, mist or the
other extreme which is snow.
I adore my mist, it has the air
of mystery about it.
I wrap my cloak around the tree
and drape my blanket of fog
the cyclist cannot see
The dense, the white, the smog
it gets to me,  I withdraw
I am powerful, I know I'm blind
I came and I saw
me.

Oh the joy, the seduction
The thrill of cocoa in my mind
It has to be the milky sort
I am not keen on the dark kind.
It is not velvety enough
does not quite melt in the mouth
not quite my cup of tea
although they both travel south.
But it is the taste of liquid Heaven
melting slowly on my tongue
Then a waterfall of delight
Is that so very wrong.
I love chocolate
always have and always will
If this cures all sorts of things
Marvellous - I will have it in a pill.
I think it does, it cures my thoughts
Comes complete with a big fat hug
and that is sometimes all we need
Zapping and taking care of any bug.
If you are depressed it will pick you up
wrap its chocolatey arms around you
tell you things are going to be okay
It will do whatever it needs to do.
I am in my special little place
nice and warm, my toes are curled
My little fingers opening a bar of treasure
and I am in my own little chocolate world.

If ever I got the chance to change the world
I make mountains out of coffee and cream
the rivers would flow with strawberry milk
and there would be fudge in every stream.
Blueberries would hang from trees galore
the trees bearing non stop fruity jam
there would be sacks of oranges everywhere
plenty for every child, woman and man.
Cabbages would line each street
covered with a sauce rich in cheese
creamy mashed potatoes in every doorway
crammed with grilled mushrooms and peas.
Fences made out of bacon and tomato paste
onion gravy on rooftops with fried bread
plenty of food to go around if ever I got my way
and each hungry mouth would be fed.

If ever there were a magnificent view
Hooded by a crisp golden sky
It is the Norfolk fields of blue
A first class seat money can buy.
Rows upon rows of lavender divine
In straight lines up and then down
The performance it gives is all mine
And I have the best seat in town.

If fish had fingers
and ten little toes
and if they had a tissue
they could blow their little nose.

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.

I would love to possess a magic wand
One that would work without cable
The freedom it would have - unbelievable
To the world's advantage and if I were able.
The facility to change lives for the better
The power to reverse the evil and the curse.
To do all of that would e a miracle
It would certainly be more positive not worse.
I would get to the root of the evil of some things
Chopping out the bad, making it all good for all
Creating harmony, spreading more love all around
allowing the weak to stand on mountains, be tall.
Give the voice to those that need it and will sing
Give the strength back where dormant muscles lie
Allow the ebb to return and send us more flow
Return of happiness to those that constantly cry.
Take away the pain from those that suffer
Day in, day out so that hurt becomes a thing of the past
Fill up streams with clear running water to drink
Change the crop seasons so that more food lasts.
Have seeds rain from the clouds, to end all hunger
Plant a fruit tree every few yards from those that need it
Grow instant apple pies with ready made custard
Bring extra chairs for those that walk all day and want to sit.
I could go on and on all of the day about things we need
I could stand on a soap box and put the world to right.
But why does this not happen without it turning to greed
Why is it we choose to argue, be sad and always fight?
I dont understand, perhaps someone could explain?
why doesn't someone stand on this mountain of change
take away sadness, suffering and above all the pain.

IF ONLY
If only my fridge spoke
It would tell me to go away.
Put the pie back on the shelf
And eat it another day.
If only my oven spoke
It would tell me to keep it clean
I try but it gets messy again
That is not me being mean.
If only my dishwasher spoke
It would tell me it has had enough
Fed up with ***** pots and pans
Fed up with being treated rough.
If only I were superwoman
I could get these jobs done
What I need is a superman
Wonder if h will ever come?

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.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

The stream was transparent
like a sky without a cloud
Reflections were apparent
as fresh as a field just ploughed.
The water trickled, it just fell
as if nothing mattered at all
sweeping across where otters dwell
up to the crashing waters in the fall.
It was delightful, refreshing to hear
crystal clear waters along the verge
creeping gingerly to the weir
where fish peep then submerge.
Bullrushes like brooms stand guard
like soldiers in a regimented row
each having such a high regard
where each plant should grow.
Trees shade the dappled splashes
of the odd little leak
up to where the foamy spray crashes
along the stone lined creek.
Kingfishers, as blue as the sea
cradle their catch for grim death
snuggling up in their nests in the tree
living the moment to catch their breath.
The call of the blackbird with a golden beak
singing for its star in the show
oh if only this gorgeous bird could speak
it would tell you things you know.

If a rabbit had its mind set
to play a game of cricket.
No doubt it would wear its whites
standing in front of the wicket.

Everyone in the house
say "Yes"
Would you like to hear what I have to say
say "Yes"
Would you like to know what it is?
say "Yes"
Everyone in the house
say "Yes"
I have Parkinsons Disease
Are you still here
say "Yes"
Show your support for me by saying
"Yes"
To all shakers out there we have hope
Say "Yes"

Thank goodness he has gone out of my life, through the door
He just about managed to squeeze his head through the gap.
He thought himself above his station, what a nightmare, a bore
I told him he needs to rinse out his words under a running tap.

Will he listen though, I hope he does, it is up to him, I don't care
Too many years I have suffered heard it all so many times before.
But I know what he'll do, bury his head, I like to think where
He is rotten in his bones, in his head through to his very core.

The moon disappears 
Fading into grey
A new light shines
For a brand new day.
My day, the wind blew my way.
As Frank Sinatra sang.
My Way as a clap of thunder
Shook my world with a bang.
A clash of lights, colours explode
An orchestra in the sky.
A screaming child pushes by
Claiming one penny for his 'guy'.
The moon disappears
Fading into the grey
And I have nothing to say.

My last post was a little strange.  I do hope that it has not offended anyone or upset anyone.  I apologise from the bottom of my heart if I have.  It was a little idea I had - but if you have read it and say "yes" then I am grateful and I do thank you for reading it.  Cheryl

Far and few between
are my problems
but I knew that.
The endless queue for this
and that, it just grew
Into a squabbling line
I just knew.
Red faces, fast paces
screaming insults
Stamping feet, undone laces
not saving graces.
I just knew
I peel the vegetables
the floor is splattered
with peelings, not in my bowl
where they are meant to go.
oh no, the air is blue
I just knew.
The road is nose to tail
from beginning to end
would be quicker to mail
what I have to send.
I just knew
It is true I just knew.

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.

They divided it up
Not in equal pieces
A bit too much for him
Too little for her.
In my tea cup
Leaves lie in creases
Loads around the rim
Now in the saucer.
The tea leaves read a story
Told by my fairy godmother.
The tale was rather gory
So I said not to bother.
But it went on, the story I heard
Did not stop, never to cease
I listened hard, a lively tale
A story of my life, with no peace.
But it was a good life
I did not fear or complain
All I wanted was a little peace
to live my life once again.
I will get that chance, in my next to come
When I am a rainbow looking down
My colours will be brighter than some
and I will not wear a frown.
I got my peace, on a golden hill
Where the water laughs
and time stands still.
Yes I got my peace, oh very yes
Where the waters laugh and
time stands still I guess.

I'm the proudest mum
I have got to say
I love my two sons
forever and a day.
I love them more than
there are stars in the sky
more than blades of grass
I will tell you why.
They are both gentlemen
respect others, and are polite
work hard, are as handsome as can be
they do their best and what's right.
My sons mean the world to me
I am so very proud. that is true
so to each of my loving sons
i say I will always love you.

I'm following my yellow brick road
To where, well nobody knows
The more I say it though, the more
the idea on me grows and grows.

Yep, I'm stepping out on it step by step
with shoes on that you would not believe
If I told you they were green and sparkled
Then it is a web I set out to weave.

A lie, a delibate lie from me, no the shoes are plain
Just normal walking shoes, just run of the mill.
But you would think I would step out in style
Launch the rocket that fits the bill.

But I cannot be bothered, to tell the truth
This yellow brick road seems normal to me.
But Elton John would not have wanted that, of no
Showmanship is what is required, I hear the plea.

So okay then, my glottering shoes are on,
catching rainbows of their own.
Wait just one little minute, something I have forgotten
Must take a selfie on my mobile phone.

Well, wouldn't want the wicked witch of the east to come
and grab me whilst on my way.
I have got proof now from the mibile photo
No matter what one silly witch would say.

Elton John would be proud of me, I would hope
In my shiny shoes, and my way to nowhere
But it is what we are, what we do, I hear the cries
Or does anyone actually give a care!

This is written for Mike Hauser, I know he likes Elton John
To me he is the greatest ever singer/songwriter.  
Mike I hope you like your poem and have enjoyed reading it.

You could swing anything you liked around my space
I'm free to fly like a soaring, free as you like bird.
Oh I have the biggest smile on my pretty little face
This is my life, my space, my time in my own little world.