1.

For my sister this Christmas,
I wish joy and laughter,
I wish you happiness and love,
For now and forever and ever-after,
I wish you the bliss this season brings,
Everyday of your life,
Every second you live,
For my sister this Christmas,
I wish these wondrous things.

2.

Dear brother, hear the sleigh bells,
Hear them ringing aloud,
Watch the snow fall down in time,
To the story that they tell,
They tell of children smiling with glee,
They tell of happy times,
And the family that surrounds thee.

3.

Father, may the memories stay,
Forever in your mind,
And I pray all the peace and wonder,
You will always find,
Will last until eternity,
With every festive time.

4.

You made this year so special,
Mother, you made us all complete,
You made us smile and be cheerful,
You gave us food to eat,
The love that surrounds us,
Every time you are near,
Will always be with us,
Each and every year.

5.

Andrew, at Christmas,
I pray you are happy,
I pray you are pleased,
With all the treasure you receive,
Look to the New Year,
With hope in your heart,
And cherish every moment,
Every beat of your heart.

6.

To a dear Grandmother,
You always make us smile,
We're always glad you're here,
And at Christmastime especially,
We're truly glad you're near.

7.

Auntie, this is my Christmas wish,
I wish that you know kindness,
The joy of a Christmas wish,
I hope you realise that you are dearly loved,
So enjoy this festive season,
With family,
With love.

8.

Sarah, it is Christmas,
The snow begins is dance,
The candle follows suit,
Joining the chanting trance,
The tree is decorated,
In reds, silvers, gold's,
This is a very special time,
That in your heart you'll hold.

My eyes waterfall as I watch you walk away,
And my cheekbones form a river as you drift away,
My lips earthquake and tremble as you fall through the cracks,
My hands are vines; grasping; my skin starts to crack,
As I watch you walk away my eyes waterfall,
As you drift away the river breaks and waterfalls.

Here the ringing in my ear,
The distant hum of doom,
I know to avoid the stinging tail,
Of the bumblebee buzz flying in to view.

Eat the honey of the evil bug,
Who bringeth tastes divine to all,
Why must I fear the faint noise?
That surely brings only joy.

A sting it will not give,
For with its evil comes certain death,
A punishment severe,
For a cherished bumblebee dear.

Watching the Panda resting,
Scorching in the southwestern sun,
China is a colourful place,
He eats the bamboo that grows with grace.

He's old now and has moved from the lowlands,
Farmers drove him from his safety,
He is endangered,
Docile and beautiful.

Out across the open lakes I stare,
Transfixed by the colour,
Grace and dignity; relaxed with no cares,
Pink plumes could get no fuller.

A swan sparkling with more class,
The brightness against the barren African plain,
The power of the landscape is hard to pass,
But the ocean of pink alights the darkest of grain.

Shutting down,
My immune system fails,
Vulnerable to the germs that breed about the town,
One mistake,
Protection wasn’t used,
Vulnerable to the taunts that make my soft heart break.

Although my heart is broken,
Words only cut so deep,
I know that I am human,
Even as I drift to endless sleep.


For advice and help – please contact any of the organisations below:
Terrence Higgins Trust
Web: www.tht.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 1221 200
Offers free and confidential services for people with ***.

Positively Women
Web: www.positivelywomen.org.uk
Helpline: 020 7713 0222 (staffed by *** positive women: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)

Aidsmap
Web: www.aidsmap.com
Information, news and resources for people with *** and AIDS.

I dedicate this poem to all those who are suffering from ***/AIDS, those the world has loved and lost through ***/AIDS and to all of those affected by ***/AIDS.

CHRISTMAS PARADISE

The table was filled with lots of things to eat,
Mince Pies, Stuffing, Turkey and many other meats,
A candle in the centre to flicker out its gold,
A special time for all of us to cherish and to hold.

Everyone pulls a ******* and wears their hats with pride,
As they sit around the burning logs warming all inside,
But through the window they can see a chestnut skating on the ice,
It tries to break through the frozen sheet to a Christmas paradise.

The singers are singing their tunes of Christmas dreams,
So that everybody's hearts and eyes can gleam,
The ribbon that will lie stretched out across the floor,
Will be forever engraved to our minds and deep within our core.

From every house along their street giggling can be heard,
And silent prayers are spoken but God hears every word,
To sprinkle merriment upon their place if only for one day,
So that they can celebrate Christmas in their own special way.

ONE ENCHANTED DAY

I looked from the window on a misty Christmas morn,
The fog was thicker than it had ever been before,
It was cold and quiet and all around my house,
Nothing appeared cheerful not even the decorated tree,
The fairy she looked glumly down,
And the baubles hung their heads in shame,
The tinsel draped all carelessly among the fading lights,
Above the fire there stood one solitary card from someone I once knew.

Around the foot of my Christmas tree not a gift awaited me,
Santa forgot to visit and it all seems so lonely,
I was beginning to despair that this was just another day,
But along came an angel and this she said to me,
I'll give you a tree with decorations so bright and a mantle full of cards,
If you'll enjoy this special day with every inch of your heart,
And so now my Christmas is full of cheer, saved from heartbreak and despair,
I thank the moon and all the stars for my one enchanted day.

SANTA HOPPED ONTO HIS SLEIGH

Santa hopped onto his sleigh with his sack of treats,
Working hard and happy to deliver to the streets,
He carried with him gifts of gold, gifts of card and gifts of cheese,
In answer to the kiddies� wishes for around their Christmas trees.

Santa hopped onto his sleigh pulled by Reindeers strong,
There was Comet and there was Blitzen on his journey long,
Rudolph led the team of merry deer, his nose a shiny red,
While Santa glided down the chimneys - the children still in bed.

Santa hopped onto his sleigh running as fast as he could,
With Donner, Dancer and ***** he knew they'd do what they should,
Old Dasher and Reindeer Cupid flew Santa to the skies,
So that to every little girl and boy he could bring a surprise.

Santa hopped onto his sleigh with thoughts for everyone,
He knew he had to finish soon as he saw the rising sun,
High into the clouds they soared leaving only a jangling bell,
Removing all traces of his presence so that no one on Earth could tell.

SPARE A THOUGHT

As you sit there feeding your face full of seconds and thirds,
And opening gifts that you may not deserve,
There is a place where Santa won't go,
The doorways and steeples with people freezing below,
They only know its Christmas because the streets are so bare,
But on this day of happiness - who will show them some care?

So spare a thought this Christmas, spare a thought please do,
Spare a thought this Christmas for those less fortunate than you.

As we sit here laughing and falling asleep before the screen,
And eating lots more pudding - some with extra cream,
There is a place where Reindeer won't tread,
In the shelters and the hideaways filled with loneliness and dread,
They heard about a Christmas in a "once upon a time",
But on this day of indulgency - who will put their own greed on the line?

So spare a thought this Christmas, spare a thought please do,
Spare a thought this Christmas for those less fortunate than you.

As you secretly think of the things Christmas didn't bring to you,
And thinking of seasonal games for you to play and do,
There is a place so lost that Santa cannot find,
Just a box of cardboard where hope gets left behind,
They were told that Christmas was just around the corner,
It's a day that never comes - who will stand and be more than a mourner?

So spare a thought this Christmas, spare a thought please do,
Spare a thought this Christmas for those less fortunate than you.

So spare a thought this Christmas, spare a thought please do,
Spare a thought this Christmas for those less fortunate than you.

STOCKINGS

Timmy had a stocking hung from his bedroom door,
He wished that it be filled with things he'd never had before,
Maybe a toy soldier beating his drum,
Maybe a model sailor drinking his bottle of ***,
He hoped for a motorcar that could speed around his house,
Or maybe a cuddly toy the image of Mickey Mouse.

He hoped that Father Christmas would bring something for his mum,
Maybe a freshly baked cake or something filled with plum,
A brand new box of magic tricks for my brother Sam,
And a gift for dad to show how grateful I really am,
And Timmy hoped that his dog wouldn't be missed out,
Cause Rover would be sad and blue on Christmas day, no doubt.

Timmy was always thinking of others not only of himself,
That�s why he left a small token for Santa on the shelf,
There was plate filled with cookies - the ones with the choc-chip,
And there was some brandy to keep out the cold - just a little nip,
He also left a bag of many little snacks,
For all the hungry reindeer that'd help fly Santa back.

THE MEANING OF THIS CHRISTMAS

As you huddle beneath your Christmas tree,
Amidst a flame of warmth,
Opening presents, sharing presents, and sharing laughter too,
Remember the meaning of this Christmas is love and joy - peace, happiness for you.

Try to know the story of a baby that was born,
In a manger bed from a woman pure as snow,
Her husband he watched lovingly,
As he calmly cooled her brow.

On that starry night three wise travellers appeared,
Bearing gifts of golden wonder,
Without a need for return,
They sought only a moment with a new life that to this Earth He placed.

And now two thousand years away,
Let's try to recall the message of Christmas,
As we fill our plates with plenty - turkey and chocolate treats,
Singing carols and dancing alive with glee.

Try not to be contented with an overwhelming greed,
Look within your heart and see what you really need,
Is it music? Is it toys? Is it the latest craze?
Learn to embrace a loved one without a possession haze.

Hear the silent footsteps of the men, who travelled all night,
See the snowflakes drifting down from the heavens above,
A reminder to us all,
The meaning of this Christmas my dear, it must be love.

THE ROBIN

Is it the distant whisper of a thousand tiny bells?
Or is it the carolling that tells us when it starts?
I wish for the knowledge from many wishing wells,
I now know when Christmas arrives from the beating of my heart.

It's the day when first you see a robin perched upon a tree,
When you hear his little chirping from a snow covered branch,
You'll see his red breast moving in time with your heartbeat so free,
Be it snowy, be it wet, be it sunny, be it cold - I'll know from the robin on my ranch.

He comes my way each Christmas week and settles in his nest,
It's then I'll know that my sweet family will arrive,
And bring with them such hilarity that makes me truly blessed,
So I raise up my eyes to God and give thanks that I'm alive.

THE SNOWMAN COMES TO LIFE

Little Josephine spent yesterday outside,
She darted through the streets feeling snow under foot,
Her face shone out delight; her smile couldn't hide,
Nothing could ***** the blanket of white not even the blackness of soot,
So she found a silent spot, a space open wide,
A place to build her snowman, where he could always stay put.

She built him high and tall, as tall as her legs would allow,
She made him round and whole with a face that looked so proud,
Now the snow had settled down, it lay upon the bough,
She drew his eyes from coal and a mouth to laugh aloud,
She gave him nose of carrot, hat and scarf but darkness fell and go, she had to now,
She told the snowman she'd return tomorrow, this with crossed heart she vowed.

Home she ambled to her sleepy room to lay down her sweet head,
In her silent sleep that night the wondrous dreams she had,
She saw her snowman come to life and dance, not sit, around instead,
She watched him smile and seeing him fly - it all just made her glad,
In her books and stories a tale like this she'd never read,
She knew it was a dream yet she wasn't sad, the visions she saw were good - not bad.

Little Josephine returned the very next day,
Her snowman was gone the sunshine was here,
Her eyes welled up - her tongue no words to say,
The hat and scarf still on the ground showed nothing was to fear,
For in her mind she knew he'd visit - he would find a way,
If he couldn't get back inside, she'd made memories to recall each and every year.

TWO LOVERS HOLDING HANDS

Two lovers holding hands across the table,
Share this Christmas time,
Something simple no fancy foods,
Not concerned with wine,
They focus on the laughter, on the pleasure of this day,
As their smiles intertwine.

They take an elegant candle and place it in the mud,
They light the wick and out its fire shines bright,
There material belongings for which they will not care,
As they rest their heads on the carpet of endless white,
Holding each other tight they'll gaze beyond the stars,
Nothing will matter as their souls become one this Christmas night.

Two lovers holding hands for eternity,
Sharing each Christmas time,
Something precious and something true,
No concerns for design,
They focus on the sharing, on the wonder of each day,
As their lives will suddenly be defined.

They call me 'bear' but I'm not,
I live in the sub-tropics where it's hot,
I'm ash-coloured and cute but my claws can scratch,
I feast on the leaves in my local patch,
I don't travel far and i can be quite slow,
But i attract loving stares wherever i go.

Birthday,
Birthday,
Come my way,
Birthday,
Birthday,
Head my way,
Birthday,
Birthday,
Make my day,
Birthday,
Birthday,
Be me day,
Birthday,
Birthday

I live by the water,
This lake is my home,
My nymph is aquatic,
It doesn’t like to roam,
My legs are weak and fragile,
Walking I can’t do,
But my wings are powerful,
They carry me across the blue,
High in the trees I glide,
My length cuts through the air,
I speed above the picnickers,
They don’t know I’m there,
I’m a Yellow-winged Darter,
Sympetrum flaveolum to my friends,
Watch me as I whizz on by,
Down the river-bend.

Hummingbird:
Small,
Fast,
Beating wings,
Hovers,
Dashes,
Darts,
Pretty,
Clever,
True,
Cuts,
Darts,
­Dashes,
Hovers,
Beating wings,
Fast,
Small:
Hummingbird.

I miss the playground as it used to be,
Laughter, fun and frivolity,
Sliding down and spinning 'round,
Chasing the breeze and winning the race,
Hope was written on my face.

I see the playground as i wish it were,
Children playing and running free,
Climbing the trees and smiling,
Collecting the conkers and the dreams,
It's not how it once did seem.

I'm in the playground with my adult eyes,
Dealers, knives and the addiction,
Crashing down and going mad,
With legs of lead and vision so blurred,
If i had screamed...no one heard.

I'm in the playground with my fear and hate,
Shooting up and going under,
Paying but the money's gone,
Needing to slide when i'm feeling high,
I have kissed my past goodbye.

Stuffed full of toys and ribbons,
Tinsel and baubles,
Santa and his reindeer,
Deliver to all,
Presents for children,
For their mums and their dads,
For Aunts and Uncles,
Nans and Granddads,
There’s perfume and clothing,
Chocolate and sweets,
Santa delivers the nicest of treats.

Other cats can climb trees,
And stand high on branch catching the breeze,
But I make the wind rush,
So fast that the ground I barely brush,
Camouflaged in black spots,
I hide in the bush far from their shots,
I can’t roar but I growl,
I chirp, I stutter, I purr and yowl,
Then I run like a train,
And back to my home; safety again.

Everywhere my eyes turn i see fear,
I see it in the frown lines,
The wrinkles of a baby boys gaze,
In the fog of anger,
The challenge of their daily haze.

Everywhere my eyes turn; injustice,
The black man with his head hung,
The lesbians struggle with their shame,
Unnatural hatred,
The reality of the blame.

This is the fight.

An orchid stood tall in the window,
Looking out at the yard,
Where the dragon chases the pearl,
Aflame and brightly burning,
Make the orients' subtlety seem hard.

Ladies pass the house,
Pause to observe,
The smile on the orchids petal,
Waiting, like they, to serve,
Hoping not to lose its sunlight,
Not to break its nerve.

Bow down before the ancient scriptures,
The stories that they told,
Of magic wands and spinning wheels,
And of the sacred flower,
The orchid of the orient; unfold.

I know we won't replace,
The vacant hole you once embraced,
Our hearts were full and solid gold,
Now there’s sadness and bitter cold,
You gave us love, you gave us time,
Beside us through every fall and climb,
Words can never explain the tears,
We cry now for the wasted years…

…years…

…years…

The many times we had laughed,
The emptiness can’t hope to halve,
And yet I can’t help but reflect upon,
The days and weeks and times; long gone,
But in my memory, that secret place,
Is the joy and magic I can trace,
Those times that only I can share,
With you, myself – a connection so rare…

…rare…

…rare…

Though now your soul is far away,
We’ll have thoughts of you each passing day,
Of superman at Christmas and Guinness for a saint,
The scolding of Tim Henman, that passionate complaint,
The stories of Las Vegas, and of the times we shared in France,
Will light up all our broken hearts and the mind can have its dance,
You were a special lady, we don’t want to release,
But I know that you are with us and your body is at peace…

…peace…

…peace…

(This poem was written in memory of my Nan, An Cronin.  R.I.P.)

She’s suffering,
Her eyes have lost that sparkle,
The glimmer of life has sailed away,
Vegetating,
She’s not the girl I once knew,
She wants to go…

…I don’t want her to go…

What can I do?

I stood and watched from a safe distance,
A fabulous Silverback strides around,
The strong body and rippling muscles,
He dominates and leads his troop,
He makes the decisions,
He's old, mature and protective,
He's the leader of the pack,
He is respected.

I am named wrong,
They don’t care,
Those humans who decide everything,
Do I look like a Stag with Antlers?
NO…my mandibles are strong and proud,
I’m a grand beetle,
Royal and fearsome (in appearance),
But don’t worry I won’t hurt you.

In my room alone,
I lay naked on my bed,
Magazines and videos - laid out nicely,
Not Andrex but Kleenex there instead,
I flick through the pages,
Holding on so tight,
While on the screen there's stuff obscene,
Ejoying this pleasing sight,
Up and down i gently rub,
'Til my head rolls back in bliss,
Faster, faster then i'll stroke,
Thinking of that kiss.

Wishing i were the one up there,
Getting ****** off by a pro,
Instead of spread eagle on my back,
I'd rather be getting a blow,
To have my **** ****** off by her,
The one with shaven lips,
To pull her close and enjoy the roast,
Driving at her hips,
Oh but alone i am with **** in hand,
Wanking myself to sleep,
But i know when i close my eyes,
The visions of you i'll keep.

So for now, content am i,
Playing with my ****,
Shooting out my *** in streams,
And tasting it til i'm sick,
I wish that you were back here with me,
To give me such a treat,
Then on my kness, for you i'd go,
And surely find something to eat,
But i'm stuck with magazines and videos,
Of ladies eating out,
So that's my tale for all to see,
What wanking's all about.

Making that final decision,
When to stop compressions,
To give up on a life,
Create a family depression.

Someone has to cope with calling,
When eternity calls,
We let doctors play God,
They stay professional as life falls.

An unrequited love is like a blossom,
Gently, slowly, softly floating from a tree,
The tree yearns and longs to hold it on its branch,
But the child who smiles is happy that it’s free.

At first it hurt to feel the pang of love that will never be,
To feel the shards of broken heart shattering in me,
A sudden realisation of having you in my life,
Takes away the desolation, the anger and the strife.  

At first it hurt to know the strain of love that is forgotten,
To feel the core of my being was turning rotten,
A sudden realisation of having you as a friend,
Takes away the desperation with knowledge that I’ll mend.

An unrequited love is like a rainbow,
Flying, shining, gliding across the grey sky,
The rain comes and floods the land of all its sun,
But the child who cried is dancing in the dry.

Standing in the silence of loneliness,
I ponder a life with others,
A day in the sun with friends,
With family and lovers,
But instead i wait patiently,
Patiently longing for an inclusion,
Far away from my...
....
...
...seclusion.

I can dance,
I can act,
I can sing,
I am a clown.

Watch me dance and fall down,
Laugh at me,
Laugh with me,
I don't care for I am a clown.

Want to hear a joke?
Knock, knock and what do you get...?
An open door, a busy tent,
The ringmaster cracks his whip and on I run with the animals,
In time to the beat I tap my feet,
I am a clown.

I can cry,
I can feel,
I can laugh,
I am a clown.

Watch me sweep the spotlight,
Applaud when I'm done,
Applaud but not in awe,
I am a clown.

Am I the only person who doesn't get the gag?
Am I the only puppet person?
Pull my strings and I'll do what you want me to,
I am a clown,
But I don't feel the laughter that you do,
It's hard to laugh - so on with the make-up - a front.

Oh, to climb the ladder and do the trapeze,
Or walk the high wire,
But no!  I am a clown,
Respect?
"Sorry you're a clown."

I gave up,
I gave in,
Gave my all,
But I am a clown.

Don't bother to watch the tears,
Disregard the sad clown,
Disregard the talent of farce,
"You're a clown, you don't feel."

The darkroom is where I belong,
On a photo to bring joy, to make people laugh,
I make you laugh - I can command you,
But I know that when you go home,
Your lips won't mention me except to condescend,
It's an art! I trained at RADA you know.

So home I go,
Alone,
To a place where I can cry,
Into the arms of my wife,
See my children run to me,
The ones who know me,
That's what it's all been for,
Now I truly am a smiling clown,
It's not so bad as a clown at home.

The girl with the tights on fire,
Set alight,
Burning bright,
A flame of desire,
Walks into the crowded room,
Steals a glance,
Unique chance,
Innocence gone too soon.

I’m the smallest of the four big cats,
Not many of us left,
They destroy our land and hunt us down,
All to build their useless towns,
I can travel at 36 miles per hour,
I’ll consume all that I hunt and catch with my power,
I don’t have spots like my Cheetah friend,
But rosettes of blackness and live 21 years from start to end.

Ring,
Please call me,
Ring,
In touch,
Phone,
Please ring me,
Phone,
In touch,
Call,
Please phone me,
Call,
In touch.

Keeping in touch,
A contact sport,
A game we play,
Without much thought,
Keeping in touch.

Kiss,
Please touch me,
Kiss,
In touch,
Love,
Please kiss me,
Love,
In touch,
Touch,
Please love me,
Touch,
In touch.

An outcast,
A creature we despise,
It looks so small and tiny,
And has gimlet eyes,
It stalks the drains and kitchens,
And scavenges in the night,
And climbs upon our plates of food,
Such an unwelcome sight.

(Tuesday's child is full of grace.)

An elegant flower upon my table,
A tulip standing proud,
Tuesday is upon me and the world is fine,
Friends gather near me,
We talk amongst the breeze,
We laugh at the seasons that bring us to our knees.

Tried to talk to you,
But you ignored me,
Tried to laugh with you,
You said I was boring,
You tried to use me,
I let you use me,
Tried to abuse me,
I’m upset and hurt.

Our closest living relatives,
This ape is big and strong,
Long arms to gently sing or carry,
Walks on upright or on fours,
Its expressive face pierces my core.

(Thursday's child has far to go.)

Look at the road ahead,
I have never travelled it,
I'm scared of making my bed,
Before i've even laid in it,
But i have a destiny that i must reach,
That's the truth that Thursday breeds.

Basking in the heat of the African sun,
His acute hearing can hear the grass growing,
Keratin horn, thick skinned and weighs a ton,
Eating the foliage that Nature is sowing.

Dinner for two,
Just us - me and you,
Romance and fine wine,
Maybe then you'll be mine,
Bow tie, top hat and tails,
This will surely never fail,
We belong together,
In heaven, bliss and love forever.

(Song title from Fats Waller’s catalogue,
by Thomas “Fats” Waller and Andy Razaf)

The sweet scent of your perfume fills my room,
Floral and delicate,
Gentle and wild all at once,
That was our first night together,
Our first date, embrace, kiss and f*ck,
You filled me with hope and stole my luck,
The next morning I awoke and you were gone,
Was it a dream or imagination?
As I doubted my thoughts and reality truths,
I noticed the scent of summer and spring,
The whiff of a Honeysuckle Rose,
An aroma strong,
Floral and delicate,
Gentle and wild all at once.

(Song title from Lightnin’ Hopkins’ catalogue, by Whittaker)

He stalks the parks; staring; leering,
Smiling contented,
Hiding behind his façade of walking his dog,
He reveals his true darkness,
As around the roundabout he ambles and strolls,
Looking at the children in their innocent poses,
We crouches by a boy alone in the shadows,
A boy who is happy to sit down and doodle,
He tells this stalker “let me play with your poodle”,
The menace moves in.

Undress,
Remove the bracelet,
The necklace that frames your smiling face,
Release the ribbon from your hair,
Take away the earrings,
And the make-up that hides your flair.

Make your way to my room,
And destroy the agony and gloom,
Touch my hand and stroke my arm,
Hold you close and banish any harm.

Undress,
Remove the worries,
The terrors that chain your throbbing heart,
Release the passion in your core,
Take away the pretence,
And then I'll take you to the floor.

(Saturday's child works hard for a living.)

Ride the bus down a busy street,
Glancing at the passing folk,
The hidden personalities I'll never meet,
Rushing and running,
Heading on their way,
Their rushing from their homeland,
To greet the troubles of the day,
Saturday can be a peace,
It can be a hell.
It's a day on Earth,
That's it worth.

I watched from the mountain top,
My hair was moved by the breeze and my heart stopped,
I turned to see an Eagle taking flight,
Golden and vigorous as if bathed in sunlight,
Two metres of softest feather covered its precious wings,
I listened to its haunting call that in my ear did ring,
It glided like a kite but with sublime elegance,
It knew it was beautiful – it had that arrogance,
It strutted in the air like a man on a high,
That night I dreamt I was up there learning how to fly.

I dwell in the Arctic Ocean,
And cope with cold, ice and snow,
I'm a large predator,
And create fear wherever i go,
I'm Ursus Maritimus - the Maritime Bear,
I hunt for fish beneath the ice,
I know they are there,
I'm gorgeous and cuddly,
But you best beware,
If i ever catch you,
You'll be fixed by my steely glare.

I bet you didn't know that i have to molt,
I shed my shell as i grow,
This is when I'm most vulnerable,
I have to slip, slide and hide beneath the coral bed.

When i sense an attack i stop my gentle stroll,
I curl and uncurl my abdomen,
I swim backwards,
Keeping one beady, devilish eye upon the threatening team.

I have blue blood, a fact i bet you didn't know,
But still you drag me from my home,
And i feel the heat of the boiling water,
I crack, crumble and croak - on to some ***** plate I'm thrown.

Summer has arrived and I’m glistening,
Bathing in the radiant rays,
The gentle things I hear when I’m listening,
Enjoying the special, bright blue days,
The spots on my back look polished and shiny,
Like the car parked on your drive,
And my red-winged case to you looks tiny,
I’m in a dream and content to be alive.

A dead corpse of a zebra,
The lions move away,
They feast seventh in line like Libra,
Circling and swooping and keeping a watchful eye.

Round and round,
Down and down.

Their wings slicing through the air,
Eyes focused on the meal,
They rip and tear until none is there,
Blood falling from their beaks as their black feathers quake.

Been flying but need to come down,
Hand me the rope,
Hand me the needle,
Chase the dragon and mainline,
I’m doing fine.

Colours,
Such colours,
Overwhelming red mist of bliss,
A green calm,
And people,
So many people,
Knives and guns,
After me,
I need to be free…

…

…

…jump.

You took my heart and placed it in yours,
Like a locket kept it safe,
Felt the warmth of your love radiate around me,
Little dewdrops from heaven do fall,
A rose bud opens with glee.

I pass through the gates of heaven,
And bow my weary head,
And pray he’ll forgive the muddy path I trod,
On the day I met with God.