IT WILL HAPPEN ANYWAY, SO THEY SAY
THAT SOME THINGS ARE UNSTOPPABLE,
BUT MORE LIKELY A COMPROMISE PROBABLE;
THE EVENTS THAT WILL BE A FIRST:
GRADUATION, PASSING YOUR DRIVING TEST,
A LOVE AFFAIR, MAYBE SKYDIVING IS BEST,
TRAVELLING HAS A RING TO IT, BIT BY BIT
YOU'LL DEVOUR THE GLOBE, AS YOU PROBE
INFORMATION - NOW YOUR PAST EDUCATION;
BUT FIRST BECOMES SECOND AND THIRD,
SOMETIMES THE WHOLE LOT SEEMS ABSURD,
WHAT DO YOU WANT? YOU CAN'T REMAIN DORMANT,
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY TIME IS BRIEF,
IT COME QUICKLY AND DISAPPEARS LIKE A THIEF.

I WROTE AN ESSAY - THEY GAVE ME A NINE,
YOU COULD USUALLY TELL WHEN IT WAS ONE OF MINE,
YOU HAD TO KEEP IT SHORT, KEEP IT SWEET,
A BEGINNING, MIDDLE AND END MADE IT NEAT,
THEN THERE WAS THE MAGIC, MAYBE SOMETHING
TRAGIC AND FINALLY A REALIZATION - THAT'S IT,
IMAGINATION IS BORN FROM MADNESS AND
MAYBE A LITTLE SADNESS - UNDERSTAND
PATHOS, THE POWER OF EXCITING TENDER EMOTIONS;
WHAT WAS SOFT BECOMES HARD, SUDDENLY
YOU HAVE THE RICHNESS, EXPERTISE OF A BARD,
NOW WHEN YOU COME TO THE END, LOVE WILL TRANSCEND,
LIKE CONTROLLED PASSION, THERE IS NO DEVIL,
GOODNESS WILL ALWAYS TRIUMPH OVER EVIL.

IT WAS AUTUMN AGAIN - A BEAUTIFUL AMBER
FALL FROM GRACE, FROM GREEN TO BROWN
WHEN SUMMER'S DEFENCES WERE DOWN,
BUT NOT FAZED, NOTHING COULD BE ERASED;
TODAY WAS RESOLUTE, DETERMINED TO
REMAIN IN PLACE, IN THE HEARTS
AND MINDS OF A GENERATION - ALL
WAS EVENLY PACED; BUT STRANGELY
NOT ENOUGH TO OPEN YOUR HEART,
TO WASH AWAY THE DUST - A NEW START;
SO YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH WHAT YOU'VE GOT,
A COMPROMISE, A PACT, MORE LIKELY THAN NOT,
TWEAK THE SIDES WHERE THE DEVIL RIDES -
FIND A PLACE WHERE NOTHING HIDES.

WHERE CAN YO'U FIND SUCH 'FEARFUL SYMMETRY?'
IT WAS TRUE THAT THE LINES CAME TOGETHEIR
BUT YOU WONDERED WHETHER THE POWER WAS
THERE OR CAME FROM A SOURCE BEYOND OUR OWN;
IF I HAD THE POWER, I'D EAT YOU UP,
CONSUME YOUR ENERGY, MAKE A MYSTERY,
PUT MY PAWS TO A GOOD CAUSE, BECAUSE
I WAS MADE TO DEVOUR MY PREY, SO THEY
SAY THAT I'M ON A ROLL, I'LL TAKE YOU WHOLE;
IT'S TIME TO SLEEP AWHILE - CLOSE MY LARGE
LUMINOUS GREEN EYES, MAKE A FEW SIGHS,
PUSH AT THE AIR AS THOUGH I'M CATCHING
AN INVISIBLE FLY, DREAM OF SUNNY GRASS
BE WARY OF MY RHYTHM WHEN I COME TO PASS.

SOMEBODY SAID THAT: ' YOU MUST TRY EVERYTHING ONCE,'
AND NOW I'VE NEVER BEEN THE SAME SINCE
I WENT UP THE MOUNTAIN SINCE
I BECAME TRAPPED IN HEAVEN, EVEN
THEN IT WAS ANOTHER FINE DAY IN PARADISE,
WHICH WAS MORE THAN HALF AS NICE
BECAUSE I WAS FREE AND WHERE I
WANTED TO BE, ALTHOUGH INITIALLY
I COULD NOT GET DOWN, I COULD
SEE THE BAYS OF CAPE TOWN -
THE VIEW THE FIRST EXPLORERS SAW,
THE BEAUTY WAS SO GREAT THAT YOU WANTED MORE;
THEN IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO LEAVE THIS PLACE
OF 'NEVER-NEVER' BUT THE MEMORY WOULD STAY WITH ME FOREVER.

I  WAS  WITH  YOU  WHEN  YOU  WERE  SMALL,
I'M  STILL SITTING  ON THE  BED  NOW YOU'RE TALL,
I  KNOW  ALL  YOUR  THOUGHTS, EVEN HOW  YOU  FEELED,
BUT  THERE  WAS  NOTHING  I  COULD  DO - MY LIPS ARE SEALED,
I  WISH  I  COULD  WALK  AND  TAKE  A  STROLL,
BUT  TO  LOOK  PRETTY  AND  SIT  HERE  IS  MY  ROLE,
I  COULD  GIVE  YOU  ADVICE, TELL  YOU  WHAT  TO  WEAR,
BUT YOU WOULDN'T TAKE IT EASY FROM A TEDDY BEAR,
IT WOULD BE CLEVER TO PUT MY THOUGHTS INTO YOUR MIND,
YOUR CHOICE OF ACTION WOULD NOT BE FAR BEHIND;
HOW YOU GREW, TRAVELLED THE WORLD SO FAR AWAY,
WHEN YOU RETURNED, I STILL HAD NOTHING TO SAY,
I'LL ALWAYS WATCH OVER YOU AS LONG AS YOU NEED ME,
WHEN YOU'RE FINALLY GONE - I'LL MISS YOU TERRIBLY.

THE COLOURS WERE GRAINY BROWN AS YOU WENT DOWN,
THERE WERE DARK MARKS ON THE BACK LIKE A HALFWAY FROWN,
THE HILLS UNDULATED WITH BEACONS FOR ALL TO SEE,
A REMINDER AND KEYNOTE SHOWING WHERE YOU WANTED TO BE;
PERHAPS THERE HAD BEEN NO RAIN FOR A LONG TIME,
BUT WHEN IT CAME, WAS LIKE A LONG LOST FRIEND OF MINE,
IN TORRENTS, WAITING FOR SO EVER IT COULD NEVER HAVE BEEN
LIKE THIS BUT WHOSE TO SAY WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MISS;
YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S ENOUGH TO SATISFY YOUR THIRST,
AND WHEN DO YOU LAUGH - MAYBE ONLY WHEN IT HURTS,
ONLY WHEN IT'S NOT OVER, YOU RETURN TO THE BEGINNING,
IT'S ONLY REALLY GOOD, HELD IN LIMBO, WHEN YOU'RE NOT WINNING;
YOU WERE TOLD TO GO FOR IT - ACHIEVE A ZENITH BY ALL MEANS,
BUT WHEN YOU WERE DRY, YOU REALIZED IT WAS A FIGMENT OF YOUR DREAMS.

EVERYTHING HAS TO BE LOOKED AT, SQUEEZED AND PRODDED,
NO POINT IN BUYING IF IT LOOKS MISERABLE - SO MUCH TIME
IS SPENT - IT'S IMPORTANT IF YOU CAN SAVE A CENT,
SO MUCH FUSS -IT JUST HAS TO BE, 'FIT FOR PURPOSE,' DOESN'T IT?
THE COLOUR IS WRONG, THE FIT TOO LONG, WE BOUGHT IT FOR A SONG;
DON'T MENTION BIRTHDAY CARDS - SOMEONE'S READING EVERY WORD,
THE 'BROWSE' IS ON - IF YOU ASK A QUESTION, IT WON'T BE HEARD,
THIS IS TOO HARD, THIS IS TOO SOFT, THE CONTAINER IS DENTED,
WHEN WE'RE IN COSMETICS -THE DEODORANTS ARE TOO STRONGLY SCENTED,
THIS MUST BE OLD STOCK BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOOK AT ANOTHER WOK,
WE RETURN SOMETHING BECAUSE IT'S FADED - NOW I'M FEELING JADED,
FORGOT THE POINTS, FORGOT THE CARD - DON'T FORGET THE NEXT ONE'S FREE;
WE'RE IN THE LINE, IN THE QUEUE - HOW MUCH LONGER MUST WE WAIT,
I CAN'T HELP IT IF I'M PAST MY SELL - BY - DATE!

I CAN SEE THINGS WHICH YOU COULD NEVER SEE,
IT MUST BE A GIFT TO UNRAVEL A MYSTERY,
I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING, REPORT BACK TO MYSELF,
IF I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER, THERE'S A BOOK ON THE SHELF;
I HAVE SECRET MEETINGS WITH MY ALTER - EGO -
CHASTISED, REBUKED, ADMONISHED, THE LAST TIME I LOOKED
AT A CATALOGUE OF MISTAKES, SOME REAL, SOME FAKES,
I HAVE EXPERIENCE, LEAN BACK WITH HANDS BEHIND MY HEAD,
ASK YOURSELF:  WHAT HAVE I DONE, AM I GOOD IN BED?
NOW, SPIES HAVE NO TIME FOR ANYTHING, DO AS THEY'RE TOLD,
NO KNICK-KNACKS - I KNEW ONE WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD,
BY THE TIME HE RETURNED - HIS HOUSE HAD BEEN SOLD;
I'LL GIVE YOU INFORMATION, TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR,
WHEN YOU REALLY NEED ME - I'LL ALWAYS BE NEAR.

WE WERE HEADING TOWARDS BEIJING AS I SIPPED MY DRINK,
I KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG FASTER THAN YOU THINK,
A YOUNG IRANIAN WAS STANDING UP BRANDISHING A KNIFE,
WHEN THAT HAPPENS - YOU IMMEDIATELY FEAR FOR YOUR LIFE;
ALSO AN OLDER MIDDLE EASTERN MAN WAS UP IN THE FRONT OF THE PLANE,
WE WERE CIMBING - I WONDERED IF I'D SEE MY FRIENDS AGAIN,
THE AIR SEEMED THIN BUT NO MASKS DROPPED FROM THE CEILING,
PEOPLE STRUGGLING FOR BREATH - EVEN THE MIDDLE EASTERN MAN WAS KNEELING,
THR PLANE SEEMED TO TURN AND STARTED TO DROP IN HEIGHT,
SO LOW OVER THE MAINLAND - YOU COULD SEE LIGHT,
THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER TURN AND WE BEGAN TO CLIMB,
SUDDENLY THE CO-PILOT APPEARED, SHOUTING: 'THERE'S
BEEN A CRIME,'
INTO HIS MOBILE PHONE BUT WOULD ANYONE HEAR HIM
SO FAR AWAY?
THOSE WHO COULD STILL BREATHE BEGAN TO PRAY.

I MET LEONARDO - 'SO, TERRY, YOU'RE NEARLY A WRITER,
I WAS AN INVENTOR, SCULPTER, ARTIST, MICHAELANGELO FIGHTER,
I THINK HE WON BUT HE DIDN'T PAINT THE LAST SUPPER
AND THE MONA LISA - I LEFT SOMETHING UNDERNEATH.'
'I BOW TO YOUR BRILLIANCE LEO, WERE YOU REALLY THE HEAD
OF THE MASONS AND THE ILLUMINATI? DID YOU HAVE BOYS IN YOUR BED?'
'NONE OF YOUR **** BUSINESS - YOU JUST STICK TO YOUR
HOMESPUN PHILOSOPHY AND TRY NOT TO BE SUCH A BORE,
YOU WANT SOME ADVICE? I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU WHETHER YOU
LIKE IT OR NOT: YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT THE THINGS YOU CAN'T DO,
YOU CAN'T ESCAPE THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD YOU POOR SOD,
YOU CAN'T EVEN WRITE, DON'T WORRY - I'LL GIVE YOU THE NOD,
I'M WATCHING, BEARD AN' ALL, I KNOW THAT YOU'LL MISS ME,
JUST REMEMBER THAT YOU WERE IN THE COMPANY OF LEONARDO DA VINCI.'

THERE ARE THINGS TO DO - LIKE GOING TO CAIRO,
SEEING THE STATUE OF JESUS IN RIO,
HE SAID TO ME: 'WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?
YOU HAD TO COME BEFORE YOU BECAME A CENTURION.'
THEN THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE TO SEE - OR MAYBE NOT,
IT'S EASY TO PRETEND ABOUT THOSE CONVENIENTLY FORGOT,
YOU CAN NOT FORGET - SOME THINGS STAY WITH YOU FOREVER,
IF YOU SAID THAT I WILL DENY YOU THREE TIMES - I WOULD SAY NEVER;
THEN I SAID THAT I WOULD PRAY FOR MY SOUL TO BE WHOLE,
THERE HAD TO BE COMPLETION - PART OF THE DEAL,
NO ONE WOULD KNOW JUST HOW I MIGHT FEEL,
MY OLD LIFE WOULD NEVER GO AWAY, SO THEY SAY
THAT IF YOU LIVE TO ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD - YOU GET A FREE PARDON - STRANGELY FORGIVEN FOR EVERYTHING YOU
HAD DONE.

SOME PEOPLE MAY SAY: ' I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS
TO ME,' BUT IRONICALLY - YOU MAY HAVE NO CHOICE,
I'VE JUST READ A MIND - BLOWING TREATISE -
THERE MAY BE NO ESCAPE - OUR BRAINS COULD BE
DOWNLOADED ON TO THE INTERNET AND WE WILL
CRUISE AROUND CYBERSPACE FOR ETERNITY - NEWS TO ME!!
MAYBE EVEN TRANSPOSED INTO NEW BODIES - WHEW!
HUMANS DUMPED? POST - HUMANS TRAVELLING -
WHAT IS THIS THAT SEEMS TO BE UNRAVELLING?
WHAT HAVE WE DONE? WHAT'S BEEN UNLEASHED?
I DON'T KNOW BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE A 'DUMPED' HUMAN,
SO MAYBE I'LL JOIN THE POST - NOT EVEN A GHOST,
'STAR WARS THE FORCE,' LOOKS TAME - IT'S NO LONGER A GAME,
IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WE'VE ARRIVED BEFORE WE EVEN CAME.

I OWE YOU AFTER ALL THAT'S BEEN SAID,
LIKE A LIBRARY BOOK - IT'S TAKEN AS READ,
NOW IN RETURN YOU HAVE TO PLEDGE YOUR SOUL,
REPLENISH, SET ALIGHT IN ORDER TO BE WHOLE;
SOME DEBTS CAN NEVER BE REPAID ALBEIT MAYBE
IF IT'S TAKEN IN KIND - YOU WONDER WHAT THAT IS?
I''LL TELL YOU: ONE DAY THE DEVIL ARRIVED AFTER
SOMEONE SAID - ' I'LL SELL MY SOUL FOR TUPPENCE,'
IT WAS AN EASY EXCHANGE - WITHIN YOUR RANGE,
DON'T THINK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE JUST BECAUSE IT'S STRANGE,
WHAT DID HE DO WITH YOUR PRIZE POSSESSION, PRAY?
YOU WERE CAST LIKE A FISH TO WHAT YOU FEARED MOST;
HOWEVER, HE TOO WAS DISCHARGED LIKE UNNECESSARY,
NO LONGER NEEDED, MY PET - NOW I'M IN YOUR DEBT.

THE SHADOW ON MY TEA CUP WAS STILL THE SAME,
YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE HAD NOT CHANGED SINCE YOU CAME,
THE AFTERNOON SUN BISECTED THE CURTAINS,
FILTERED BREEZE HUNG AND THE TIME HAD MADE NO GAINS;
BUT MY MIND IS STILL THINKING HOW NICE IT WAS,
YOUR SMILE, YOUR MYSTIQUE AND I LOVED YOU BECAUSE,
THE GARDEN DOORS DID NOT MOVE TO HALT THE VIEW,
A RED BUTTERFLY HUNG AS THOUGH BORN ANEW,
I WONDERED IF I COULD REACH OUT, TOUCH YOUR HAND,
BUT ALL MY LIMBS WERE MOTIONLESS LIKE QUICKSAND,
HOLDIG ME, SCOLDING ME FOR DISTURBING THE STILL,
WOULD THIS EVER END OR JUST CONTINUE TILL,
THERE WAS NO EMOTION, TEARS OR CONSTANT PAIN,
THE SECOND-HAND ON THE CLOCK STARTED MOVING AGAIN.

THERE WAS A PARTY FOR THE RICH -
YOU REMEMBER LEWIS AND NICOLE - F1 HYPERBOLE,
THE RACE WAS OVER - ONLY ONE WINNER,
YOU WERE LUCKY IF YOU WERE INVITED TO DINNER;
YOU WERE LUCKY IF YOUR FERRARI WAS PARKED
IN THE DRIVE, LUCKY TO LIVE AT NUMBER FIVE HUNDRED;
BERNIE TRIED THE POOL, WATER AND QUICK GAME,
SO OLD - HE'LL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN,
JENSON BECAME JASON WHO WAS NOT AMUSED,
WORRIED, LIKE SOMEONE THAT HE MIGHT BE EXCUSED,
ALONSO WAS ONLY' SO SO' AND *****
JUSY WANTED TO GO, VETTEL COULD ONLY SAY; ' VOT THE HELL,' AND GLOCK WASN'T FEELING WELL,
YOU WERE LUCKY IF ANYONE ANSWERED THE BELL.

DO YOU HAVE A ****** PROBLEM? NO,
CERTAINLY NOT - HOW LONG SINCE YOU MADE LOVE?
NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, OKAY BUT LISTEN -
IF YOU DO IT REGULARLY, OTHER THINGS FALL INTO PLACE,
NO MATTER IF YOU'RE EIGHTEEN OR NINETY,
YOU WON'T LOSE FACE - IT'S PART OF OUR SYSTEM,
MINDSET ADJUSTED - NO RAPPORT AND YOU'RE BUSTED,
DON'T THINK THAT YOU DON'T NEED IT - THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS
TO THE RULE - MAYBE YOU'RE ONE OF THEM,
WE MOVE INTO SPIRITUAL LANES WHICH SOMETIMES
CAN TAKE AWAY THE PAINS, EVERYONE GAINS;
SHE TOLD ME TO IMAGINE THE BEACH, A DRINK IN HAND,
A ZEPHYR BREEZE HELPING ME RELAX, TOES IN THE SAND,
WE ALL NEED SOMEONE - ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IS AN ISLAND.

THERE IS ONLY ONE NEW YEAR ALTHOUGH OTHERS MAY DISAGREE,
TIME WAITS FOR NO MAN, ONE CALENDER, NO MYSTREY,
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MAGIC IF YOU WISH, YOUR WAY, YOUR CULTURE,
ONLY GOD INVENTED THE SUN, MOON AND THE STARS TO BE SURE
THAT EVERY THING WAS IN ORDER, SPACED OUT AS IT WERE;
'THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER MY DEAR,' SOMEBODY ONCE SAID,
'THE EARTH IS TILTING ON IT'S AXIS,' BUT NOT TAKEN AS READ,
THERE IS RESOLUTION - EVERYTHING IS CLEAR ABOUT EACH NEW YEAR,
NO ONE CAN CHANGE IT ALTHOUGH YOU MAY WISH TO PUT YOUR CLOCK BACK OR FORWARD, IF YOUR RESTLESS - FEELING BORED;
HOW CAN YOU HAVE NO SEASONS - THERE MUST BE REASONS
IF YOU'RE NEAR THE EQUATOR - IT'S PART OF GOD'S LAW;
WHEN DECEMBER IS GONE, WE SHOULD DO WELL TO REMEMBER,
A GREATER POWER THAN US WILL CONTROL TIME FOREVER.

WILL IT BE THE SAME? WILL I STILL BE THE ONE
THAT GET'S THE BLAME? WILL I SHOOT MYSELF IN THE FOOT
AGAIN AND 'THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER?'
IF YOU COULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN - WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
ACCIDENTS COULD BE PREVENTED, FAILED MARRIAGES NOT INVENTED,
NO NICOTINE AND LITTLE ALCOHOL WOULD JUST BE ROUTINE,
NOW WATCH YOUR DIET - THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TRY IT, DON'T FORGET
THE EXERCISE, LIMIT YOUR WEIGHT - IT'S YOUR BODY THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HATE; FORGET ABOUT OBSESSION - THERE'S NO REASON FOR DEPRESSION AND IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY - HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU'VE GOT BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING ELSE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT; THE HARDEST THING
OF ALL IS HAVING TO WITHSTAND SOME OF THE HUMAN RACE,
I DON'T LIKE YOUR PERSONA OR YOUR FACE,
BUT JUST THINK CAREFULLY - IS THIS RIGHT, BEFORE YOU PACK YOUR SUITCASE.

I REMEMBER BEDFORD, THE RIVER AND ALL,
ROWING AWAY WITH OVERHANGS WAS MAGICAL,
PATCHES OF SHADE, DAPPLED, COVERING THE BLADE,
DUCKS WERE FEARFUL, THOUGHT THERE WAS A RAID;
THEN THERE WAS KEMPSTON, A MILESTONE FOR SURE,
NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN, OCCURRS, HAPPENS TO US ALL,
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IF YOU RE-WROTE THE SCRIPT?
NOTHING, THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS UNDER A CRYSTAL BLUE SKY;
MAYBE MY MUM AND DAD TRAIPSED OVER A BRIDGE,
IT'S A BLUR - CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER IT HAPPENED OR NOT,
LET'S SAY IT DID - THE SMALL BOY RUNNING FROM BEHIND,
STAY AWAY FROM THE EDGE - THEY WERE THE WORRYING KIND;
NOW MAYBE THRO' THE BLUR AS THOUGH THE RED SEA HAD PARTED,
WE COULD ALL END UP EXACTLY WHERE WE STARTED.

AS I APPROACHED THE DOOR, A FROG CROAKED AT ME,
THE NOVELTY THAT PEOPLE HAVE IS A REAL MYSTERY,
I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD PICK IT UP - PUT IT IN MY BAG,
MUST HAVE BEEN ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT YOU BUY FROM A MAG,
MY WIFE TOLD PEOPLE THAT TERRY WAS GOING TO NICK A FROG,
BUT IT WASN'T ON MY MIND WHILE I WAS WORKING LIKE A DOG,
THEY HEARD ME COMING - THERE WAS A MUFFLED CROAK FROM
A STRANGE BLOKE LIKE RIP VAN WINKLE WHO FINALLY WOKE;
MY BAG WAS FULL OF SUNFLOWERS, POTS LIKE SNAILS,
WINDMILLS, GARDEN LIGHTS AND MEERKATS WITH EXTENDED TAILS,
PLASTIC SIGNS TOLD ME TO KEEP OFF THE GRASS, CLOSE THE GATE,
IF YOU WANT ME TO COME TO THE DOOR - YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT,
WHEN I GOT THE FROG BACK HOME, I PLACED IT BY THE DOOR,
IT JUMPED DOWN THE PATH AND CROAKED, 'I BELONG AT NUMBER FORTY FOUR!'

TAKE ME AWAY TO WHERE THE WEATHER'S WARM,
WHERE YOUR SPIRIT CAN FLY AND BE QUIETLY RE - BORN,
YOU HERE THE MUSIC, REMEMBER THE TIME, FLOODING
BACK LIKE THE SCENT OF EUCALYPTUS TREES AND GOOD WINE;
I HAD A LETTER FROM A FRIEND LIVING IN THE ANTIPODES,
HE SAID THAT HE WAS BUSY PREPARING HIS SUMMER WARDROBE,
I IMAGINED WHITE SHORTS WITH THE INEVITABLE GARISH TOP,
WHILE I WAS SHIVERING IN THE MOTHERLAND MORE LIKELY THAN NOT;
I HAD MY REVENGE - I SENT HIM A LETTER FROM AFRICA
SAYING THAT I'D SELECTED A LIGHT BLUE SUMMER SAFARI SUIT
IN POLYESTER - ALL I NEEDED WAS A PANAMA HAT AND A WHIP,
IT WAS WONDERFUL WITH THE ENSEMBLE COMPLETE WITH A STIFF UPPER LIP;
NOW WERE TRAVELLING FIRST CLASS - THE FORMER THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY,
THEY ASK ME IF I'M STILL THE SAME - IT'S NOT POSSIBLE SO THEY SAY.

IF THERE'S NOT MUCH TIME LEFT, IT MUST BE A SHORT STORY,
JUST ENOUGH TO INCLUDE LOVE, HEARTBREAK, GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY,
THE LOVE OF PEOPLE, HEARTBREAK IN BETWEEN - YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN,
NOW GEOGRAPHY DESCRIBES THE DUST DOWN THE ROAD, HISTORY - WHERE YOU'VE BEEN;
IN THE BEGINNING, GOD MADE ME AND YOU ( NOT YOU AND I ),
THE WEATHER WAS FAIR AND THE STARS WERE IN THE SKY,
THERE WERE NO SERPENTS, NO PROBLEMS WITH FORBIDDEN FRUIT,
EVERYTHING IN PLACE, BODIES WITHOUT BLEMISH, FACES KINDA CUTE,
THERE HAD TO BE AN OCCUPATION - MAYBE LAND TO BE PLOUGHED,
FOOD TO BE GROWN, HARVEST GATHERED AND IDLENESS NOT ALLOWED;
PROCREATION FROM DAY ONE AND AMAZINGLY NO BROTHERS ARGUING,
HOWEVER,NO PLASTIC PEOPLE - MINDS OF THEIR OWN, BARGAINING,
LOVING, LAUGHING, CRYING WITH PLEASURE IT WOULD SEEM,
IT WAS A SHAME THAT IT JUST TRANSPIRED TO BE A BEAUTIFUL DREAM.

IT WAS A PITY TO SPOIL A SUNNY DAY,
TAKE THE SUN OUT OF THE SKY SO THEY SAY,
THAT YOU CAN NOT QUELL A SPIRIT EASILY,
OR BELIEVE THAT YOUR LIFE DOESN'T RUN BEAUTIFULLY;
YOUR SOUL MAY BE LIFTED, WARMTH ON YOUR BACK,
THE RETURN OF SUMMER, NOTHING YOU MAY LACK,
DON'T LOOK HEAVENWARDS TO IMPROVE YOUR STATION,
IT'S RIGHT HERE WAITING TO GIVE YOU INSPIRATION,
LOVE IN THE WINTER, LOVE IN THE FALL,
SPRING LEAVES YOU CAREFREE - NO DISSENT AT ALL,
YOU MAY SEE NO LINING, NO SIGN OF REPRIEVE,
REMEMBER THE HOLIDAY YOU DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE,
I'VE TAKEN THE WARM, BLOWN DOWN THE STORM,
THERE'S NO MORE SPACE FOR CLOUDS TO FORM.

THIS LIFE OF OURS - ALL IN OUR IVORY TOWERS,
IS ANYONE LISTENING TO OUR PRAYERS?
LET''S SAY, YES - THEY ARE; SO YOU SAY - SO WHY
IS NOTHING HAPPENING? IT IS HAPPENING -
IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY - THAT'S WHY WE PRAY;
I'M ONE DAY OLDER TODAY - STILL KEEPING ON,
PERHAPS WE SHOULD ASK SOMEONE ELSE,
THE SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEMS - THE COUNCILLOR;
SHE ASKED ME: 'WHY DO YOU LOOK DOWN AND NOT
MEET ME EYE-TO-EYE,' I SAID THAT I WOULD TRY,
'ARE YOU HAPPY AT WORK?'
'NO, I AM NOT - PEOPLE IRK ME AND ANNOY ME,'
'ARE YOU IN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP?'
'NO, I AM NOT - NOTHING IS GOING RIGHT,'
'IS YOUR FAMILY OK,'
'NO, THEY ARE NOT - SEEMS TO BE A NEW PROBLEM EVERY DAY;'
'STOP - WHERE IS YOUR MINDSET, WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS,
LOOK WITHIN YOURSELF AND RIISE ABOVE THESE THINGS,
TELL YOURSELF YOU'RE HAPPY, GIVE YOURSELF LOVE,
WHETHER IT BE TRUE OR NOT IT'S ALL YOU'VE GOT
TO GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND TELL YOUR INNER SOUL;
WE'VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE - YOU'RE YOUR OWN STAR,
THERE'S NO ONE LIKE YOU, NO ONE CAN TOUCH YOU,
YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT WHAT GOD'S GIVEN YOU - YOU NEVER KNEW - DON'T KEEP TELLING YOURSELF THAT THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO - WRONG!! SO WRONG.
YOU TELL ME THAT 'I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE - I DO!
WHAT RIGHT HAVE I TO TELL YOU ANYTHING IF IT'S NOT TRUE?
GO ON, PROVE ME RIGHT - GET YOURSELF YOUR OWN LIFE.

IT WAS SUMMER - I CAN'T REMEBER WHICH DAY,
BUT THE EVENING WENT ON, MAYBE WEDNESDAY,
BALMY NIGHT, A BALLOON DRIFTED OVER AND HUNG,
AS THOUGH A SONG WAS FROZEN, NEVER TO BE SUNG;
KODOM SCURRIED AROUND, MOVING FREELY WITHOUT A SOUND,
LIKE A BREATH OF AIR, TRANSIENT, A THEATRE IN THE ROUND,
I THOUGHT OF LANZERAC BUT I DIDN'T NEED IT ANY MORE,
IT WAS GONE, STRANGELY BETTER LIKE OPENING A NEW DOOR;
SOME HINDI MUSIC TOOK YOU AWAY - JAGIT AND CHITRA
HAD SO MUCH TO SAY, FILLING ALL OF AN ENGLISH SUMMER'S DAY,
THEN THERE WAS FOOD - AN EXTRAVAGANZA FROM THE EAST,
IT GAVE YOU BON HOMIE, A SURPRISE YOU EXPECTED LEAST,
THAT WAS THE KEY, NO NEED TO ASK A CLEVER 'WHY'?
AS LAUGHTER TICKLED THE EDGES OF A FADING SKY.

THE  CHILDREN MADE ME IN AN ICY LANDSCAPE,
WITH HAT AND SCARF, GLOVES AND BUTTONS, LEFT TO GAPE,
I WANTED TO JOIN THEM - BECOME A HUMAN BEING,
ONLY THEN, WITH SOME PROPER COTHES,MY LIFE WOULD HAVE MEANING,
I COULD RUN THRO' ****-FROSTED BUSHES WITH GAY ABANDON,
RACE ON A SLEDGE, THROW SNOWBALLS, PLAY AT RANDOM;
PERHAPS MAKE LOVE LIKE THEY DO BEFORE I MELTED AWAY
BECAUSE I WILL NEVER COME AGAIN SO THEY SAY
THAT WINTER MAKES PEOPLE CUDDLE CLOSER TOGETHER,
SEEKING WARMTH AND CLOSENESS DURING SNOWY WEATHER,
MEANWHILE, I PEER THROUGH RIME- LADEN SPIDER'S WEBS,
PALE SUN ILLUMINATES ICY BOUGHS, STEAMING, TIME EBBS
BUT STANDS STILL SO THAT YOU CAN NOT HEAR A SNOWFLAKE FALL
ONLY SEE YOUR DESTINY AND WHITE MAJESTIC TREES STANDING TALL.

THERE WAS OTHER WORK TO DO - FOR ME AND YOU,
PEOPLE TO HELP, RESCUE FROM MAKING RASH DECISIONS,
TO LIFT THEM UP WHEN THEY'D FALLEN DOWN, TO MAKE SURE
THAT EVERYTHING WAS TICKING OVER NICELY AND IN PLACE;
YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN ANGELS - DO YOU BELIEVE IN LIFE?
YOU'RE HERE - NOT AN ACCIDENT - YOU'RE FOR ALL TIME,
YOU'RE SACROSANCT, BESPOKE - BUILT TO WITHSTAND ANYTHING;
TIME FOR THE WEEKLY MEETING AGAIN - 'WHAT HAVE WE
GOT TODAY? NORTH KOREA, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN AND SYRIA,
WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN - I COULD DESTROY THEM ALL
AND MAKE THEM BURN - BUT THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER,
I CREATED THEM AND THEY WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO ME,
THEY CAN NOT CHEAT BY DYING - ONLY SUCCEED BY TRYING
TO BE AS THEY WERE INTENDED - REAL MEN - GO TELL THEM.'

WHAT'S YOUR IDEA OF UTOPIAN BLISS?
A PASSIONATE EMBRACE TOPPED WITH A KISS,
OR SIPPING A BRANDY AND SMOKING A CIGAR,
ON A WARM SUMMER'S EVENING UNDER A STAR,
AS MUCH AS WE MIGHT LIKE THESE EARTHLY PURSUITS,
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE NO LONGER HAVE ROUTES
TO EMBARK ON PLANES EXCEPT IN SPIRITUAL LANES?
SOME MAY SIT AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD
BUT WHAT EMPLOYMENT WOULD SUCH AN INDIVIDUAL HAVE?
PERHAPS THERE'S THE BUSINESS OF HELPING OTHERS DOWN HERE
BECAUSE CERTAINLY CAN'T BE MUCH FLOATING UP THERE,
EXCEPT COMING BACK TO A NEW STATION AFTER REINCARNATION,
IT WON'T BE VERY LONG BEFORE WE ALL FINALLY KNOW
WHAT EVERTONE'S BEEN HUNTING FOR - HIGH AND BELOW.

THEY PAID ME A VISIT ONE SUNNY DAY,
IT WAS TIME FOR A WARNING SO THEY SAY,
THE CAR WAS OLD BUT UPHOLSTERY SMELLED NEW,
CLOTHES AND HATS OLD - FASHIONED, MANNER TOO;
THEY SAID IT WAS BEST IF I KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT,
PREFERABLE, ADVISABLE THAT I DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT,
SUPPOSING THAT I JUST IGNORED THEIR THREATS,
ON MY SURVIVAL, YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE ANY BETS,
WHO WERE THESE MYSTERIOUS GHOSTLY FIGURES?
FIGMENTS OF IMAGINATION, PARANORMAL BROTHERS?
IT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE MYSTIQUE WAS NECESSARY,
MORE LIKE, THAT COULD NOT BE CARRIED OUT IT SEEMRD TO ME,
HOWEVER, I MIGHT BE WRONG BECAUSE THEY CAME ALONG,
AND JUST AS I SEEMED TO TOUCH THEM - THEY WERE GONE.

I HAVE BEEN RADICALISED, I'M NOT SURPRISED
THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, IT'S NOT YOUR LAND
THAT'S BEEN INVADED AND WHERE ******* PERVADED,
IN FACT, IF YOUR RELATIVES DIED - YOU MIGHT BE PERSUADED;
DOES YOUR BIBLE TEACH, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE,
A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH? ' WHO IS TO SAY THR TRUTH?
MOST OF US DIE WHEN WE TRY, OTHERWISE WE'VE FAILED,
WHAT WAS I WORTH BEFORE WHEN SIGNIFICANCE HAD PALED;
LIFE IS NOTHING TO ME AS I UNDERSTAND DEATH,
YOU WILL NOT CHANGE MY MIND BEFORE MY LAST BREATH;
IT WAS TIME TO ARM AND VISIT THE NEW LOCATION,
ONE FINAL HEAVENWARDS LOOK WAS MY INVOCATION,
I SAID GOODBYE TO THE BOYS, THEY HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING,
IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PERCEIVE WHERE I WAS REALLY GOING.

IT WAS TRUE WHEN I MET YOU, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO,
TO STOP FALLING IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU,
IT WAS TRUE THAT YOU COULD BE HAPPY WITH SUNSHINE,
BUT MOST WOULD BE ENVIOUS OF A FRIEND LIKE MINE,
TO PICK ME UP WHEN I'M FEELING DOWN, ALWAYS
THERE TO REMOVE A FROWN - SUCH COMFORT IS RARE TO OWN;
NOW, THAT SUNSHINE WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE SOUL,
ONLY A FREE SPIRIT COULD MESMERISE AND EAT YOU WHOLE;
SOME THINGS CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER, AND WHETHER
THEY BE GOOD OR BAD - IT'S THE ONLY LIFE YOU'VE EVER HAD,
YOU MAY WISH TO CHANGE WHAT'S GONE BEFORE - WHAT FOR?
IT WAS YOUR DESTINY TO MAKE MISTAKES AND WHATEVER
IT TAKES TO GET BACK ON TRACK - THERE'S NO TURNING BACK,
I'M HAPPY NOW AND THERE SEEMS LITTLE THAT I LACK.

YOU SEE PEOPLE HOLDING BOXES WITH THEIR MEDALS INSIDE,
FOR SEVICES TO HUMANITY THEY'RE RECEIVED WITH PRIDE,
MOST OF US ARE ONLOOKERS TO SUCH A SPECIAL DAY,
BUT NOTHING IS BEYOND ALL INDIVIDUALS SO THEY SAY:
THAT IT WAS UNEXPECTED WHEN THE COMMUNIQUE' CAME,
SUMMONING ONE'S PRESENCE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE QUEEN,
I WONDERED WHAT SHE'D ASK ME - NOW I HAD TO BE SEEN
TO BE SOMEONE SPECIAL, SOMEONE TO REVERE, ASK ADVICE,
HOISTED INTO A LOFTY POSITION, STRANGELY MAY NOT BE NICE;
'MR. ANDREW, I'VE READ YOUR WORK - I DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL YOU SAY
BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT WE MUST HONOUR A WRITER OF THE DAY,
I'D LIKE TO HEAR MORE, PLEASE EXPLAIN, JOIN ME FOR LUNCH ON FRIDAY;'
I'M HELD TO ACCOUNT, NO PLACE TO HIDE, DOWN ON MY KNEES,
THE SWORD BRUSHED MY SHOULDERS, NO MORE CIVIL LIBERTIES.

SHE WAS SMALL WITH A LARGE RED BOW IN HER HAIR,
IN A HURRY AND NO TIME TO STAND AND STARE,
I ASKED HER IF I COULD COME WITH HER NEXT TIME,
SHE SAID THAT SHE MUST ASK THE QUEEN - HERS NOT MINE;
WHEN WE WENT, WE WERE JUST IN TIME FOR A TEA PARTY,
MY FRIENDS WERE ALREADY THERE AND THE *** WAS EMPTY,
THERE WAS A MAD ONE, TWO KNAVES AND A SLEEPY ONE,
THE QUEEN SAID, 'BE QUIET,' BEFORE ANYTHING HAD BEGUN,
SLEEPY WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION - 'OFF WITH HIS BED,'
SHE SAID AND BEGAN TO SCATTER PETALS IN SHADES OF RED,
'WHO IS THIS? SHE LOOKED AT ME DISTASTEFULLY,'
'IT'S JOHN, YOUR MAJESTY,' ALICE SAID WISTFULLY,
'YOU SHALL BE HAPPY IN MY COURT,' THE QUEEN SAID,
'OTHERWISE, I WILL TELL THEM: OFF WITH HIS HEAD!'

WHEN YOU DREAM - YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE, DISAPPEAR
THRO' LOCKED DOORS, MAKE A PILGRIM'S PROGRESS MORE OR LESS;
I FOUND YOU AMONGST YELLOW FLOWERS AND GREEN LEAVES,
THERE WAS NO DOUBT, ONLY FEAR WHICH A FOOL PERCEIVES;
AN IVORY TOWER, THE OCCASIONAL SHOWER COOLED THE AIR,
THE INFINITY POOL, A DISTANT PATH, MADE YOU WONDER WHERE
DESTINY WOULD TAKE US WITH NO HINDRANCE AND NO FUSS;
IT LED YOU TO WHAT HAD GONE BEFORE - MY MOTHER LEANT
AGAINST A DOOR, IT WAS DONE - SHE SAID THAT SHE KNEW WE'D COME,
EMBRACED AND SHOWED ME THINGS I'D MISSED, A BIRTHDAY
CAKE WAS ON THE LIST, A CATALOGUE OF TIME WHICH
WAS NO LONGER MINE, GONE FOREVER, OUT OF LINE
THE FIGURES DRIFTED AWAY - I CAN SEE THEM ALL ANOTHER DAY,
WE COLLECTED SOME HAPPY MEMORIES ON THE WAY.

IT WAS TIME, AS THO' DE'JA VU OCCURRED IT WAS ABSURD
THAT I NEEDED TO KEEP HOPING AND ENDED UP MOPING;
THEN I STRUCK GOLD - HAD TO GET USED TO DOING AS I WAS TOLD,
HAD TO GO HERE AND HAD TO GO THERE, MY WASHING
SUDDENLY TOOK ON A NW SHAPE WHEN I WASN'T LOOKING,
MY SNACK MEALS SUDDENLY BECAME AN OUTRAGEOUS POTPOURRI,
ASKED TO BE POLITE AND REMINDED OF CLEANING CONSTANTLY;
THE 'REMOTE' BECAME REMOTE AND MY COLOUR CHOICE HAD NO VOTE,
THINGS WENT MISSING AND COULD NO LONGER FIND MY FAVOURITE COAT,#
I FELT SUBMERGED AND WONDERED IF I COULD STAY AFLOAT;
MY HEALTH DETERIORATED FOR THE BETTER, VITAMINS WITH EVERY LETTER,
FRIENDS SAID THAT I LOOKED HAPPY AND DISTANT SINCE I MET HER;
THE DATE COULD NOT TELL YOU WHAT UNKNOWN FUSION MIGHT BRING,
BUT WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT IT ALL - I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING!

MaC WAS IN YEMEN, SYRIA, IRAQ, LIBYA AND AFGHANISTAN,
WHAT A MESS - IT MUST BE SORTED AS QUICK AS HE CAN,
HE HAD A MEETING WITH A MILITANT LEADER - 'WHO ARE YOU?'
'MY NAME IS MaCINTYRE - I REPRESENT GOD,
YOU CAN CALL ME A HERETIC, BLASPHEMER IF YOU WISH
BUT IN TWENTY FOUR HOURS THERE WILL BE NOTHING FROM YOUR SATELLITE DISH - THE CREATOR IS TIRED OF YOUR INSUBORDINATION,
YOU'VE HAD EVERY CHANCE BUT MESSED UP SINCE YOUR CREATION;
YOU WILL BE REDUCED TO ROBOTS - ONLY MEASURED CONTROL,
FREE - WILL IS FINISHED - WE HAVE POSSESSION OF YOUR SOUL,
THE SAME MISTAKES WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, EVERYTHING
WILL BE TAKEN FROM YOU - THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR YOU TO DO;
IF WE EVER GIVE YOU FREE - WILL AGAIN, EVERY TIME YOU DISSENT,
YOU WILL BE 'CLICKED' - NOTHING OF THE OLD MINDSET WILL REMAIN.

WHERE DO YOU BEGIN - YOU BEGIN BY NEVER DOING THINGS AGAIN,
EASIER SAID THAN DONE BUT WHY SHOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS PAIN,
WHY NOT KEEP A LEVEL WHICH IS MANAGABLE AND ACCEPTABLE,
INSTEAD OF STUPID, IRRATIONAL, THOUGHTLESS AND REGRETTABLE;
FUELLED BY ALCOHOL, FOOLED INTO AN OWN-GOAL IS POOR,
AND TURNS YOU INTO A CRASHING BORE, NO ONE WANTS MORE;
I AM HERE WHEN SO MANY OTHERS ARE NO LONGER,
I CAN ONLY LEARN TO IMPROVE AND BECOME STRONGER,
LEARN FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BETTER THAN ME -
ACCEPT THE ERROR OF MY WAYS ALBEIT RELUCTANTLY,
THE ANGELS ( NOT DEVILS! ) INSIDE OF ME GUIDE MY WAYS,
IF I'M LUCKY, THAT WILL CONTINUE FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS,
THEY TELL ME THAT THEY GIVE ME CHANCE AFTER CHANCE,
WHILE THEY WATCH ME STRUGGLE FROM A DISTANCE.

YOUR WONDERFUL LIFE WAS 'ONE MOMENT IN TIME,'
TURBULENT, DIFFICULT BUT BETTER THAN MINE,
THERE WERE DRUGS, BEATINGS AND TROUBLED RELATIONSHIPS,
LIFE'S GONE BUT NO DEVIL ON YOUR SHOULDER SITS;
YOU GAVE PLEASURE TO MILLIONS WITH YOUR MELODY,
AND TOLD US THAT: 'I WANT TO DANCE WITH SOMEBODY,'
YOU DID, BUT NOT THE BEST FOR YOUR PRECIOUS BREATH,HOW IRONIC THAT YOU SAID: 'HE ROMANCES ME TO DEATH,
YOU SAID THAT, 'I HAVE NOTHING,' BUT YOU HAD EVERYTHING,
WE KNEW THAT WHEN WE SAW YOU AND HEARD YOU SING;
SO WHEN YOU'RE STANDING IN THAT HEAVENLY QUEUE,
YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THAT, 'WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU,'
THE ENDING OF YOUR LIFE WAS REGRETTABLE,
BUT THEN YOU GAVE US: 'THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL.'

I HEARD THAT MANY PEOPLE DON'T FINISH THE BOOK,
THAT INCLUDES 'FIFTY SHADES' AND OTHERS TOO -
STANGELY, MANY DON'T GET PAST THE PAGE NO, 272,
I LOOKED AT MY PAGE, NOT TOO BAD - WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
IT'S IMPORTANT, EVEN THO' PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT THE BOOK,
FOR FUTURE - PUBLISHING CONTRACTS ARE THERE WHEREVER
YOU LOOK;
SOMEBODY SAID THAT MINE SOUNDED GOOD FOR A FILM-
HANG ON GUYS, LET'S GET THE THING IN PRINT BEFORE WE TRY,
YOU WONDER, IF SOMETHING WAS REAL, IS IT BETTER?
I'M ASKED: 'DID THAT REALLY HAPPEN, ARE YOU SURE?'
WHAT DOES IT MATTER, WHO COULD WANT FOR MORE?
BUT THEN I WAS THERE, I HELD THE HEROINE
IN MY ARMS = DID YOU LOVE HER, NO, A VICTIM
OF CHARMS, THE SAME AS I TELL YOU ABOUT WAVING PALMS.

YOU'RE IN A ROOM SITTING IN A CHAIR DARKLY,
I REMEMBERED TERRY WAITE WHO WAS LOCKED IN A FRIDGE,
A SIX FOOT MAN IN SUCH A SMALL SPACE, LOST FACE
BY SUCH AN OUTRAGE, BUT THEN I TURNED OVER THE PAGE;
TODAY HE IS FINE BUT THE MEMORY CAN NEVER BE ERASED,
THE SPIRIT OF THE MAN, NO MATTER WHAT, COULD NOT BE FAZED,
I CAN NOT LOOK AT PHOTOS, ONLY WHAT'S STORED IN MEMORY
PROVIDES SOME RESPITE AND A CRACK ABOVE PROVIDES SOME LIGHT;
I THINK OF GREEN FIELDS, WIND BLOWING THE FLOWERS,
THERE'S NO KNOCK ON THE DOOR FOR HOURS AND HOURS,
THEN THEY COME TO ASK ME MORE QUESTIONS AND YET
I CAN NOT TELL THEM, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND MY MINDSET,
I'M FINALLY LED OUTSIDE AND BUNDLED INTO A WAITING LORRY,
WHEN THEY PUSH ME OVER THE BORDER, I NO LONGER HAVE TO WORRY.

MY  WIFE  SAYS  THAT  I  LOOK  LIKE  A  MEERKAT,
LIGHT COLOURED MOUSTACHE, GLASSES AND QUIZZICAL LOOK,
TO GET TO THIS STAGE - YOU WOULDN'T KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK,
I'M ALWAYS 'COMPARING THE MARKET.COM', LOOKING FOR DEALS,
TO SAVE MONEY, TO SAVE ANYTHING, ALWAYS APPEALS,
NOW INSURANCE IS ALWAYS A PAIN BUT EVERYONE
IS LOOKING FOR FINANCIAL GAIN, AGAIN AND AGAIN,
IF IT'S NOT MY CAR, IT'S THE HOUSE OR SOMETHING ELSE,
THE BOILER, HOME CONTENTS, ANYTHING THAT MAKES CENTS,
BUT I'VE GIVEN UP - EVEN THO' THESE ANIMALS MAY HAVE GOOD INTENTS,
I'VE TAKEN ALL THIS SAVED MONEY, HAVING A BALL,
IF SOMETHING BREAKS DOWN - I KNOW WHO TO CALL,
I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR BOW-TIE, THE IMAGE RANKLES,
JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, PLY YOUR TRADE ELSEWHERE - 'SIMPLES!'

THE S-SHAPED EYEBROWS SAID HELLOW AS YOU GO,
HANDS CLASPED WITH A SMILE FROM THE OLD SO-AND-SO,
THE MAN FROM THE 'CUCKOO'S NEST' WAS FINE AFTER ALL,
NO LOBOTOMY, NO CHIEF ANY MORE LEANING AGAINST THE WALL;
'SO, WHAT DO YOU DO TEL BOY?' HE ASKED ME OUT OF THE BLUE,
'I DO A BIT OF PART-TIME WORK AND DUCK AND DIVE LIKE YOU,'
HIS MOUTHED CREASED INTO THE FAMOUS GRIN AND SAID:
'YOU ALL THINK I'M A MILLIONAIRE AND HAVE A FAT-ASSED LIFE,
BUT I OWE TAX, HAVE PERSONAL PROBLEMS WHICH GIVE ME STRIFE,'
HE PAUSED, TO DELIVER ONE OF HIS FAMOUS LINES: 'DON'T WASTE A HARD-ON!'
I MUTTERED AND WHINED WHICH PROMPTED HIS RESPONSE:
'WHEN ARE GOING TO GET THAT BUG OUT OF YOUR ***!'
MY TURN TO GRIN, A FAVOURITE LINE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT-
DEAREST JACK - I MEANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I LIKED HIM - BUT I FORGOT,

I  MET  HIM  WHEN  HE  WAS ONLY  EIGHTEEN MONTHS  OLD,
WITH  DARK  HAIR AND  EYES  THAT  LOOKED  SO  BOLD,
STAYING AT  HIS  GRANDPARENT'S HOUSE  FOR  AWHILE,
NOBODY KNEW THAT  HE  WOULD  BE  SO  TACTILE;
HE  GAVE  ME  HIS  TOYS AND  MYSTERIOUS  LOOK,
HE'D  TURN  OUT  GREAT NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TOOK;
MANY YEARS LATER WE SETTLED IN THE CONCERT HALL,
WE DIDN'T REALIZE THE EVENING WOULD BE SO MAGICAL,
HE STRODE ON TO THE STAGE WITH BLACK SPRINGY HAIR,
BOWED TO THE AUDIENCE AND SAT DOWN AT THE PIANO;
HE STARTED WITH RACHMANINOV CONCERT IN C MINOR,
AND THEN CONTINUED WITH CHOP'IN NOCTURNE OPUS 15,
GOD, IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL, IT MADE YOU CRY - THE MELODY WOULD HANG,
I REMEMBERED THE SMALL BOY I MET CALLED YANG YANG.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO LIVE IN A FOREST - NO ONE ALONGSIDE,
OR ABOVE OR BELOW, NOW THE SPACES ARE WIDE,
NOW I HEAR NO TAPPING, ONLY THE WIND IN THE TREES,
TO ACHIEVE PEACE IS ONE OF LIFE'S MYSTERIES;
BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE ARE MINE - NO DISPUTE,
IT'S WONDERFUL TO GO DOWN A DIFFERENT ROUTE,
NO MORE SILLY REMARKS, NO BLOCKED DRAINS,
NO STUPID ARGUMENTS EVERY TIME IT RAINS;
'DON'T YOU GET LONELY LIVING OUT THERE,' SOMEONE SAID,
'NO, WE DON'T,' WAS THE USUAL REPLY FOLLOWED BY A SIGH,
EVERYTHING WAS FINE, WE COULDN'T WISH FOR MORE,
DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A NEIGHBOUR BEING A BORE,
DON'T HAVE TO THROW THE BALL BACK OVER THE FENCE,
IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE LACK COMMON SENSE.

THE RHETORIC IS FALLACIOUS, DOESN'T RING TRUE,
BUT SEEMS GENUINE WITH STRANGE REASONING TOO,
DECEPTIVELY PLAUSIBLE, THE EYEBROWS ARE RAISED,
NO MATTER WHAT YOU MIGHT SAY, HE'S NEVER FAZED;
WHEN PHAEDRUS CAME ALONG, HE SCURRIED AWAY,
HE KNEW THAT HE WOULD BE 'SHOT DOWN' ON THAT DAY,
HE STOOD BEFORE THE GREAT SCHOLARS - SOCRATES,
ARISTOTLE AND PLATO WHO TOLD HIM TO GET DOWN ON HIS KNEES,
WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THIS MAN? EDUCATE ANEW,
OR LET HIM CARRY ON - WHAT WOULD BE YOUR VIEW?
BUT WHAT IS THIS - HE ROSE FROM THE BARREN GROUND,
HE LEFT HIS ACCUSERS MUTTERING, WITHOUT A SOUND,
NOTHING HAD CHANGED, EVEN WHEN DAY TURNED INTO NIGHT,
WHATEVER THEY SAID, HE KNEW THAT HE WAS RIGHT.

THEY SAY THAT WE'RE DREAMERS, MAYBE SCHEMERS,
COULD BE A HIDDEN AGENDA BUT I'LL LOVE YOU TENDER,
I'M DIVIDED INTO ONE OF A GROUP DRINKING WINE,
WHILE WE DISCUSS WHICH IS THE BEST STAR SIGN;
GEMINI IS TWO-FACED, TAURUS JUST A RAGING BULL,
SCORPIO HAS A STING IN THE TAIL AND FALLIBLE,
PISCES TURNED HIS BACK ON ME MYSTERIOUSLY,
WHILE ARIES GRINNED ALONG SO WONDERFULLY,
CAPRICORN COULDN'T MAKE HIS MIND UP SO WENT AWAY,
CANCER WAS TERMINAL AND ONLY SPOKE ABOUT THE WEATHER,
LEO HAD RED HAIR AND LOOKED AS THO' SHE DIDN'T CARE
ABOUT AQUARIUS TICKLING HER BEHIND, JUST DIDN'T MIND
WHEN LIBRA STARTED TO TREAD ON HER TOES AND
KNEW THAT WHEN IT CAME TO VIRGO - ANYTHING GOES

TWO DIFFERENT WORDS - THE DIFFERENCE IS ABSURD,
I''VE FORGOTTEN 'IN' AND NOW THERE'S A THIRD,
WE KNOW WHAT'S BEST AND ALSO WHAT'S EQUAL,
BUT MAYBE INEQUALITY BECOMES A DOUBTFUL SEQUEL;
ALL THIS RHETORIC IS BORING - I HEAR YOU SNORING,
AMAZING ALL THE NONSENSE YOU READ WHEN PORING
OVER SOMEONE'S TREATISE BUT WHOSE TO SAY 'BOO,'
IT''S WRITTEN LIKE ROTE AND NO ONE CAN CHANGE A THING;
NE ' ER MIND, YOU TAKE WHAT YOU CAN FROM THE ERUDITE MAN,
SUDDENLY I FEEL SORRY FOR THE MIND OF AN ARTISAN,
EVERYONE IS MISSING SO MUCH - THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT
'QUALITY' MEANS, NOT SURE OF INEQUALITY, IT'S A PITY
THAT 'EQUALITY' IS NOT THERE, LET THEM STAND AND STARE;
YOU'LL KNOW THAT THEY'LL JUST SAY - 'I REALLY DON'T CARE.'

SOMEONE SAID 'THAT: 'I DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU EAT,'
YOU'RE THE NICEST PERSON THAT I COULD WISH TO MEET,
NOW I HEAR PEOPLE ARGUING ABOUT SHOWER GEL,
ASHTRAYS, NOT ANSWERING THE PHONE AS WELL;
PATHETIC REALLY, EVEN THOUGH I LOVE YOU DEARLY,
WE SEEM TO GO THRO' ALL THIS NONSENSE YEARLY,
WHY DON'T WE EACH GET A ROOM ON OUR OWN,
THEN THERE WOULD BE NO MORE NEED TO MOAN,
NO MORE WORRIES ABOUT DRINKING AND SMOKING,
LIPSTICK ON YOUR TEETH - I WAS ONLY JOKING,
CLOTHES ALL OVER THE PLACE, A MASK UPON YOUR FACE,
IMPATIENCE WHEN WE CAN'T EVEN FIX A NECKLACE;
TO THINK THAT HALF OF US WILL NOT LAST TOGETHER,
TRIVIA BECOMES IMPORTANT - BEYOND ENDEAVOUR.

I  HAVE  NEPHEWS  AND  NIECES  WHOM  I  LOVE
TO  PIECES  -  ONE  PART  FOR  THE  SMILE,
ANOTHER  FOR  THEIR  STYLE,  MEANWHILE
THEY'LL  GO  THE  EXTRA  MILE  FOR  ME;
YOU  WISH  YOU  WERE  LIKE  THEM,  UNINHIBITED,
NO  WORRIES,  ACHIEVEMENTS  WHICH  ONLY  TIME  HURRIES;
WERE  YOU  POPULAR  AT  SCHOOL?  WERE  YOU  ONE
OF  THE  BOYS?  OR  GIRLS?  WERE  YOU  GOOD  LOOKING?
NOT  TOO  SKINNY,  NOT  TOO  FAT?  LANDED  NICELY
ON  THE  PE  MAT,  GOOD  AT  SPORTS,  WILLING  TO  SHARE
YOUR  LIQUORICE  ALL - SORTS?  AND  GOB  STOPPERS,
WARM  BREAD, FROZEN  ORANGE  ICE  WHICH  WAS  SO  NICE;
NOW  THE  COLOURED  PENCILS  OF  LIFE  ARE  LIKE  A  RAINBOW,
ONE  DAY  THEY'LL  BE  LIKE  ME, PRAISING  THEIR  OWN  FAMILY.