John Edward Smallshaw

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

We're all getting a bit Picasso
wondering what and who
and where does this piece go,
yes! we're
definitely becoming Picasso.

But life's a jigsaw anyway
and
some I know have pieces missing.

Cubism is just another ism
to add to the list,
neatly or not
squared away.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

Timed out

The doctor couldn't see me,
but I'm here,

seems like lots of people pass you by
and never wonder who or wonder why
then wonder if they passed you by at all.

It's midnight at four forty,
I'm thinking of getting ******,
but that's naughty
so I'm having coffee,

black or white?
white or black?
I do not lack questions
which is a ******' nuisance
at times like these.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

Lost it.

I'm certain that I've read of you in obscure publications wrote in off the grid locations and remember that the words were good
and if I could I would read again those glowing embers burnt in by the pen,
but sadly, memory lets me down
I can't remember where now or even how I came across your name
and you were famous too, I do recall that, but who are you?

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

The caller

.
But will we win though
when we play bingo?

Chance is as chances are,
few and far between.

How the years have flown
I only went to sleep
but had I known
I would have stayed awake.

on the red
two little ducks
twenty-two,
why do they do that?

It's Thursday
I think I'll stay
to see how things
pan out.

From the toy box through life and its hard knocks to end up back in the toy box

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

Testing the water

Where did the buffalo go?
into
stew and glue,
that's where.

the bones that held together
bound by flesh
covered in leather
are gone
from the prairie,

not fair, he
says
but does nothing.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

Could do better

There's a reason why it's called an alarm clock.
it always goes off when I'm tucked up in the middle of the best ever dream,

alarmed?
well, I would have been if I had seen what might have come next,
but that'll have to wait until a future date.

Wednesday is enough to alarm anyone and anyway I'm awake now and ready to put the kettle on,
winter and the summer is long gone,
that's alarming me too.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2021

On the rocks

We become the glints in the curious eyes that squint at the sun
the lighthouses in time of the ghosts at the edge,

I balance on a flywheel hoping to feel the spring coming in.
all I feel is vulnerable,

incapable of movement
watching galaxies burn
and trying to stay cool.

time become faster the slower I get,
but I cast out my voice
hoping you won't forget me
while the ghosts wait there for me
to fall.