It's not the length of the queue, it's the getting to the front in the end,
it's not the muddled blocks
it's the syncronicity of friends,
it's not the missed bus,
it's the one in the nick o' time,
it's not the clapperless bell,
it's the one with splendid chime.
It's not the laughter gone, or the last spilt drink,
it's the happy of the moment in the ones we sink;
it's not the toast that falls face down, it's the one that lands sunny side up,
it's not the day you lost, it's the day you won the cup.

There are things supposed to be on the list
to ease the journey through isolation's mist;

toilet roll,

milk,

bread,

and a assortment of crisps.

They are all secondary though,
just as long you are there with your dazzling smile and wonder it feels fine to lock all the doors and fasten the latches;
just us with splendid
as we batten down the hatches.

As we are us,
into collide;
two engines
ready for
the stars.

Last 25th you were all life
and your voice mirrored the bells at the start of the day;
ringing with joy
and hope,
so it's only natural you'll be missed in these hours:
no you heard
in a multitude of sound,
a million plates laid at the table and still
everyone asks
where you are;
a billion lights search for a star.
Yes, you left quite the impression,
as if anything else possible;
and we'll always remember you,
always raise you in a cheer,
especially at
this
time
of year.

On a Wednesday morn at work I was after food,
so I said to my manager, "I'm off for a break dude!"
I walked out of the employment building and thought, "I can't wait to eat,
my stomach's proper churning and my belly wants a treat."
I bounded to the shop
with the I'm starving hop.
When I got there I grabbed some peanut butter, crisps and bread
and glistened with the fact that I was soon to be fed,
I went to the woman at the counter and remarked, "Hi! Hope you're well, can I have this please?"
She replied, "Course you can!" I felt my famish ease.
She rang it all through and commented, "That will be £3.63!"
I went, "Sweet, just let me get the fee!"
But when I reached in my satchel for my wallet I did a ohhh ****, ****, ****,
I've ******* left it in work!
So I said to the woman, "Oh ****, I've not got the moolah on me (I felt a right ****),
can you just put it to one side and I'll be back in a bit?"
She riposted, "Ahh, don't worry about it, for your forgetfullness I'll cater,
just take the goods and bring the cash in later!"
I was like, "Are you sure? Wow, that's real swell,
awesome awesome, to you all of well!"
I left Sainsburys feeling the goodness in life flow,
and then I spotted this lovely crow!
It was on top of a discarded receptacle that once held a Mac D's
and the remnants of the scoff it was trying to seize,
I got my phone out and went, "Ohh, this ace bird attempting in it's gob sustenance to flick
will make a really mint pic!",
but it was a windy time and the paper holder went out of the crow's reach,
from her grasp and blew up the street.
I felt crestfallen for the winged thing, my being started to lag,
until I remembered what I had in my bag!
I tore open the bread and broke it into tiny parts and said, "Here you go mate, I know that other foodie you did miss
but have some of this!"
And then it occured to me that if someone hadn't gave me the stuff I wouldn't have been able to do that;
I felt the warm in the universe, I heard a joyful clap,
because kindness reciprocates wherever it is found,
from person to person to bird, from the top to the ground,
and when I looked back and watched the crow nibble on the bread before it flew away,
I realised this was turning into a wonderful beautiful day!
(P.S. I went back and paid the woman a hour later!)

Last summer
the fields near your house
were covered in butterflies
from the sky
to
the floor,
as the flutter of my excitment was
at your door.

Things start in different ways,
sometimes soft and faint
hardly rippling
still
but
gentle
with glorious intent.
Or, instantly sudden,
sodden in anew,
caught in the unstoppable
thrall
of quickening season,
fast and swift
with love the reason.