John Edward Smallshaw

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2024

#*** 23

Don't have
don't want
don't need,

that is food for the
don't have's because
they don't want
and they don't need,

feed 'em a line and
they fall for it
every time,

hear no
see no
speak no
wreak no
havoc.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2024

Dog tired in Catford.

The night is very near to me
and it's getting creepy

someone or something keeps me
safe
and I never look a gift horse
or a God in the mouth.

Jehovah looks over and he's shaking his head
it's a good job I'm alive or else I'd be dead.

Oh Man,
it's a rhyme
take some time
you'll get over it.

Now past the point of what's the point
I don't think I'll be coming back
unless it's as a playing card
and then you can call me Jack.

Nov 2024

Druzzayne Rika

it's all algorithm

I am reduced to a category
in the digital lifestyle.
The big giants govern me
Try tricks to entice me
To make it seems savoury
Feed me with bits that will modify me.
AI, advertisements and data,
they'll come together for business
Reduce me to a row of my criteria
They will see they can manipulate
with the day and time of my play.
They know exactly how I will simulate
At the least they have me ready
with the sentiment and numbers to calculate,
And it is only starting to be integrated.
Soon, the super intelligence would rule,
Being omniscient and omnipresent,
A new god on cue.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2024

Imps and things

Friday comes around on the clock
it's ten past sometime soon
and though the moon shines bright
it looks to me like the middle
of last night.

Someone tried to
mend the crack of dawn
but it's worn and frayed
I think
they've laid it to rest.

But
coffee's not the only thing
that makes my eyes pop
and gives me a zing
She
brings within her
the sunshine.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2024

High jinks

Shopping's not what it used to be
I never see buy one get one free
it's all about me, me and did you see
the Christmas Range?
it's like the High flamin' Chaparral
cowboys, everywhere you look.

yes, me, me underneath the polystyrene Christmas Tree,
take a selfie with the fairy on top
She says that I have to stop and that I'm only out here
to shop.

What the..? Oh,
I get it
you mean the fairy on top bit?
I tell her that 'it's just fun, ducks'
She
gives me another one of those looks

shopping's not what it used to be.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2024

Shadow puppets

On the campsite when the fire is lit
we sit to toast marshmallows
and tell our favourite
stories,

Jennifer
wafer-thin
surprises us all
by tucking in
and demolishes
a pack by herself

and when you lose count
if counting each spark
you can't go back
because
each spark goes dark,

I found that out
by myself.

John Edward Smallshaw Nov 2024

Scraps for the fire.

We're beyond
league tables
perfect badges
hall monitors
and gold stars,
there'll be no progress prizes
until progress is made,

'physician heal thyself'
is about as old as the current
thinking.

Government stategy

#proverbs