You are really ugly
Completely stupid too
The earth is flat, the moon’s green cheese.
Old hills are only new

Raindrops fall straight upwards
From fields of pale blue
I’m glad that I’m a teapot
And never think of you

I positively just can’t stand you
I’ll be glad when we are through
And though you’re thick, you must have clicked
Not one word of this is true.

Silhouetted in the sunset, swaying in the breeze
Society claimed a debt, this man paid its fees
The man’s only crime was to steal some bread
For it was past time that his family was fed

“The man was a thief!” good citizens claim,
But what of the grief of those with his name?
“A lesson was taught. Justice has been done.”
But none spare a though for the widow and son

They are alone in a hostile town
They have no home, no place to lie down
She must assume a new role to keep them alive
Sell her body and soul just to survive

The town’s morals are safe, to their homes they return
The woman and waif are not their concern
The long arm of the law will reach out again
And it will strike sure at such luckless men

Sweet angelic cherub
All dimples and laughing eyes
Arms and legs a waving
Chubby fingers, chubby thighs

A carrier of dreams and hopes
Possible futures still untapped
Swaddled in diapers and love
Is laid down for a regular nap

All is joy and happiness
Whatever path  his future may take
He goes to sleep so peacefully
But alas will never awake.

While strolling down a river heading seaward
I stopped beneath a sweeping willow tree
And lay peacefully gazing upward
Till slumber’s charms warmly captured me

An idyllic scene that seldom could be rivaled
All round, nature’s gifts were freely poured
And yet in the midst of untold beauty
Was a strident note of sad silent discord

Oh, why weepest thou willow
In this beautiful field of green
What memories create your unhappiness
What sorrows have you seen?

Can a willow yearn to meet another willow?
Does loneliness drive your arms so wide?
Does the lush, soothing facade of your canopy
Conceal a broken heart, deep inside?

Sometime later I awoke in thoughtful silence
Oh Willow, why does’t thou weep
What were your sapling aspirations
What sad and sorry secrets do ye keep?

“Thou Shall Not Keep No Pets.” they said
On our housing estate
Maybe that’s why mum got mad
When I brought home a snake.

It was very pretty really
With a pattern on its back
Parts of it was sorta green
The rest was sorta black

“Get that out of here.” Mum cried
Racing to the loo
“Get it right away.
I’ll not budge until you do.”

I thought, ‘Well. That ain’t friendly.
Such behaviour just ain’t right.’
“If that’s the way you feel mum,
You can stay in there all night.”

I settled down outside loo door
My lonely vigil I would keep
I would not weaken in my task
Not even for a sleep

“I can outlast you mum.” I called
“Just you wait and see
And I didn’t falter, till half past six
And it was time for tea.

“What can I have for dinner mum,
For surely I must eat?”
“Toss out that ruddy snake.” she said
“And I’ll cook you up a treat.”

“I will make your favourite meal
With lots of ice cream to follow.”
I tell you that was tempting
And my tummy was quite hollow.

But, “I’ll not submit to bribery, or coercion.”
I did claim.
“I have principles you know? But I’m hungry
All the same.”

“Well go into the kitchen dear.”
“Switch the oven on to ‘Bake’.”
And when it’s glowing, nice and hot
Toss in that bleedin’ snake”