SO MANY STEPS IN SHADOW, SO MANY
PEOPLE DOWN BELOW, SOME BISTRO SAYS
HELLO AND COSY CORNERS WON'T LET YOU GO,
CO'INTREAU AND COFFEE DOWNED EASILY;
A PRIEST FROM SACRE COEUR HAS AN EMPTY
CUP AND LOOKS AT ME WHEN I ENTER - HE
INVITES ME TO JOIN HIM, TO PROBE MY SOUL -
TO SEE IF I'M REALLY WHOLE, IN NO NEED
OF SAVING OR PROTECTING FROM THE DEVIL,
I ASSURE HIM THAT I'M FINE BUT STILL
WAITING FOR A SIGN FROM GOD - HE TELLS
ME THAT IT'S WITHIN ME AS HE STANDS UP
TO LEAVE AND ASKS WHY I DON'T BELIEVE,
I SAY I DO NOW BUT DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW.

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS HEAR ME, I WILL
SUMMON YOU DISTANTLY FROM AFAR WHILE
I'M SITTING ON MY STAR AND WHILE YOUR
DRIVING IN YOUR CAR; HE WHO WINS 'PRAYERS'
AND WEARS THE MANTLE OF SERENITY, THE
BADGE OF DIVINITY AND THE CLOAK OF
RESPONSIBILITY; TURN AROUND TO FACE MECCA
AND THEN GIVE SUCCOUR TO ALLAH, THE
PROPHETS AND WHERE YOUR LIFE BEGAN - BY
GRACE OF POWER AND MIGHTY ISLAM; I
MADE A MISTAKE, PERHAPS I WAS WRONG AFTER
ALL - I DIDN'T ANSWER THE MUEZZIN'S CALL,
NO MATTER, NO NEED TO FEEL SO BEREFT -
AFTER ALL, TODAY, I STILL HAVE FOUR TIMES LEFT.

THE DOWRY WAS FOR FUTURE WIFE AND LIFE,
IT DID NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS FOR YOU AND ME,
I COULD GIVE YOU SOME ADVICE - IT WOULD BE NICE
TO KNOW WHEN THEIR THROWING SHOES AND RICE,
GOD WILL PROVIDE AND COVER IF YOU HELP YOURSELF,
DO NOT RELY ON DESTINY OR THE BEING OF ANOTHER;
YOU MUST RE-INVENT EVERY DAY AND THEN PRAY
THAT THERE'S SOMETHING POSITIVE TO SAY,
TAKE HEED OF PLEASURE AND LEISURE FOREVER,
NOT IN PASSING BUT TO BE DONE WITHOUT ASKING,
YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN KEYS, SO USE THEM,
NOT JUST TO KEEP THINGS IN PLACE BUT TO OPEN
HEARTS AND MINDS AND CLEVERNESS THAT BINDS,
BE AHEAD, BECAUSE FORTUNE HAS MANY KINDS.

It was time for a messenger from above
not with malice but surprisingly with love
there were things to do - new guidelines to set
people to reassure when they peeped over the parapet

Depression was lifted, everyone told they were gifted
reminded that they had drifted from God's plan
I am different from you therefore I do not approve
you are the same, there is no change in your mind

There are games - even then you fight, I will raise
your tolerance to a new height: you will laugh
when you lose, even embrace when you see joy in a face
that sets the tone for more serious things -

Removing hate, historical discension, time to move on -
now I'm gone, my work is complete - don't let me down

Marmalade where are you now? In
the jar on the breakfast table -
preserved for all to see but gradually
going down - until there's nothing left
of you or centre or top or bottom
only a brush tail, maybe two as
your friend was with you - when you
were put inside, I remember how you
and all of us cried, it was quite a
squeeze getting you both in but
finally it was done and the lid
firmly put in place - one after another
a sad face wedged against the glass -
only temporary as all things come to pass

EVERYTHING IS NORMAL, NOTHING IS RIGHT,
ARE SOME THINGS BEST KEPT OUT OF SIGHT?
I DON'T WANT TO KNOW YOU - I THINK IT'S
BELOW YOU, I CAN'T STOP WHAT YOU WANT TO DO;
ONLY GOD WILL DECIDE ON THE THINGS WHICH
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO HIDE - IF YOU BELIEVE?
IF NOT - YOU ARE BEYOND REBUKE, CAN
NOT BE TOUCHED AND ANSWERABLE ONLY TO
YOURSELF; HOWEVER, FATE CAN TAKE A HAND,
SCATTER GRAINS OF SAND TO FAR FLUNG
CORNERS AND HEM YOU IN LIKE ANIMALS
WAITING TO DIE - NO ESCAPE, NO MATTER HOW
HARD YOU TRY; REMEMBER, WE CARE FOR YOU -
AND WHAT YOU DARE TO DO BUT JUST WHO ARE YOU?

Your lips were open - pursed to say something
whatever it was got lost in the excitement
whatever it was there was no remission
there had to be something that gave permission

There were good spots but you never knew which was best
you could see mountains and valleys along with the rest
pictures of sea urchins and anemones on the wall
spiders from Mars covering the ends of it all

They danced and frolicked standing on guard
to get past them you needed something hard
but it was easier to pass thro' the eye
of a needle than to enter the kingdom of heaven

God gave us pleasure to pursue at our leisure
it was always rewarding to find buried treasure

MY TIGER, THEY SAY LIKE A LIGHTHOUSE,
I'M LOUD, THEN QUIET LIKE A MOUSE,
I DON'T DESERVE SUCH POWER, SUCH RESOLVE,
BUT TO SURVIVE, KEEP UP - I MUST BE BOLD;
I AM, IF WE'D HAD A CHILD - WE WOULD
HAVE CALLED HER SAM, DARK CURLY HAIR
AND LEARNING FROM THE TEACHER,
YOUR HEART WOULD MELT IF EVER YOU
WERE TO MEET HER; BOTH, NOT JUST ME,
I'LL WRITE A FORWARD IN MY BOOK
BUT FOR ANNE, I'D NEVER KNOW HOW LONG
IT TOOK, NOT KNOW WHEN TO STOP,
NOT REALIZE HOW MUCH SHE LOVED ME,
HOW FAR, HOW GREAT SHE IS ABOVE DESTINY.

There's more if you want - an unending supply,
love, from the heart as big as the sky,
you're equipped to deal with stars and diamonds,
look too hard and you will find no reasons

My mother always wished for generous arms,
brothers and sisters queueing to take turns,
I did not wish because I already had -
my surroundings, my castle, my very own dad

There were outings, love and ice-cream,
an aura like nothing that you've ever seen;
now it's not enough - who is in denial?
perhaps after all we were only on trial

You can take over your soul if you dare,
where is it written that anything is fair?

THE STRIPES ON THE PROMENADE PAVING
CARRIED ON UP THE WALL - MADE YOU WONDER
IF ANYTHING WAS THERE AT ALL, ONLY
STREET BOYS, SENORITAS AND FAST FOOD
EATERS BEING WATCHED BY JESUS FROM
A SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN AND A NEARBY FOUNTAIN;
A BAR IN SHANTY TOWN HAD SWING DOORS
AND FACES THAT LOOKED AT YOU, ASKING-
WHY ARE YOU HERE? DID YOU COME TO STEAL
OUR BEER? GO BACK TO IPANEMA WHERE
YOU BELONG - DON'T COME HERE AND SPOIL
OUR SONG; DO YOU LIVE UNDER A LEAKING ROOF?
IF YOU DID, PERHAPS YOU WOULDN'T BE SO  ALOOF,
STAY IN NIRVANA, ON THE WHITE SAND OF COPACABANA.

My glass is half-full but I know where I'm coming from
how does time fly - it seems to when you're having fun
it's a game of two halves and I'm good in the second
I could have done better but still won I reckoned

I tried to second-guess but didn't come off best
you wish, in your dreams and all the rest
I've tried so hard but not in my back yard
how do I look - not too good in the leotard

I'm watching Peter Kay - what does that guy say?
by the time he get's to The Phoenix - they'll be closed, hey!
what you need is a make-over - so I had one
I looked like botoxed ******* when it was done

I've been compromised, unrecognized and my jewels
are oversized - I didn't ask to be circumsised

How much sport have I missed because of you
why do you wake me up when I want to sleep
you say: 'Come and eat before the food gets cold'
'You don't love me any more,' I've been told

We have to go to the in-laws, the bores
I don't want to go on any more guided tours
you asked me to love you when I was mowing the lawn
all this veggie stuff - I don't like quorn

I was only joking - don't think it's real
why do I have to struggle thro' too big a meal
how do I look - you never look at my face
your clothes are fine - I know nothing about lace

You say: 'I'm doing it wrong - move your weight'
and I  get a real bollocking if I'm too late

Phaedrus was always there: before and after
In this life and the next there was always laughter
which one was wearing the white robe, it didn't matter
when they came, the crowd would always scatter

'Ah, Phaedrus, my old friend - would you wish to be me?'
'No, master - how could I emulate you and the things you do?'
'But you are a philosopher who travels between civilizations -
I would wish to learn from your soul and inclinations.'

'I learn from the Son of God always - your spirit guides
and nothing hides, even the very core of existence rides
on what you have to say and even what you don't say
beacause you are always with me to this very day.'

'Ah Phaedrus, we shall always meet - see the holes in my feet
and hands, remember them, in deserts and distant lands.'

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.

ONE IS TO PICK UP THE OPEN PAPERS ON THE FLOOR,
SHOWING EVENTS WHICH HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE,
TWO IS TO LISTEN AND POINT OUT HERE AND THERE,
THE THINGS I MISSED WHEN I COULD ONLY STAND AND STARE,
THREE IS FOR COMPANY AND JUST TO MAKE ME LAUGH,
I CAN NOT STOP, YOUR FACE, ONE VOICE, MY PATH,
FOUR IS SPECIAL, UNRELENTING WITH RARE TALENT,
HOW I MISSED YOU GONE WHEN YOU FINALLY WENT,
FIVE IS QUIRKY JUST LIKE ME BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE
SPACE AND SOMEHOW WE BOTH WRIGGLE INTO IT TOGETHER,
SIX IS THE MECHANIC WHO USUALLY GETS THINGS DONE,
ONE OF THOSE PERENNIALS YOU CAN REALLY DEPEND ON,
SEVEN IS TO LOVE AND GUIDE ME ON MY WAY,
GIVE ME MAGIC JUST LIKE HONEY SO THEY SAY.

SOMEBODY ONCE SAID, 'DON'T THINK EVERYTHING IS PUNITIVE,'
I DIDN'T LIKE THE BEGINNING, NEITHER THE END,
AND THE PIECE IN THE MIDDLE IS NOT WHAT FATE SHOULD SEND,
TIME TO GROW UP - NO LONGER BE THE SPOILT CHILD,
YEARS ARE ROLLING ON - STOP TRYING TO BE SO WILD;
NOW I KNOW THERE'S NOT MUCH LEFT BEFORE THE FAT LADY
SINGS - THE SECRET OF THIS LIFE IS TO ENJOY THE BORING THINGS,
THE OTHERS ARE A BONUS WHICH ARE GIVEN, LEFT FOR US,
LIKE ROSE PETALS SCATTERED ON THE BED SO IT'S  BEEN SAID
THAT GOOD FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE - MORE THAN TIME CAN SAVE;
HOW LUCKY WE ARE - FREEDOM AT THE SNAP OF THE FINGERS,
LACED WITH SANDALWOOD WHEN THE SCENT OF GOOD AFTER-SHAVE LINGERS,
HOW LUCKY WE'VE COME THIS FAR, LOOK AT THE FOOD IN FRONT OF YOU,
THINK OF AN UP-GRADE - GIVE YOUR ATTITUDE AN OVERVIEW.

A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE,
BE AHEAD OF THE GAME - WHAT A PAIN,
DON'T PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE,
NOT ANOTHER ****** HORSE - DEAD OF COURSE,

THERE'S NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FOOL,
THAT'S ME BUT I WON'T LIE DOWN EASILY,
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND,
WHO DREAMED THAT UP - I'M STILL WAITING.

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD (GOOD),
ESPECIALLY IF IT'S EUROPEAN 22 CARAT,
ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK,
THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T FIND THE *******.

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET,
AS IT'S EASTER - I'M GOING TO EAT THE LOT.

THE HALL WAS PACKED WITH EVERYONE DOING THEIR DUTY,
PEOPLE FIDGETING, WIPING GRIT FROM THEIR EYES,
CHILDREN RESTLESS, LATECOMERS FINDING A SEAT,
THE PRIEST DRONED ON, A COUGH WAS INDISCREET;
A STRANGER DRESSED IN WHITE WALKED THE AISLE,
LIKE A PRISONER MOVING ALONG THE GREEN MILE,
HE APPROACHED THE ROSTRUM AND TURNED AROUND,
ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO SOUND,
THE MINISTER CONTINUED AS THO' PART OF A PLAY,
HE SAID THAT WE MUST LEAD OUR LIVES RESPONSIBLY,
LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR, DO AS YOU WOULD DO UNTO OTHERS,
THE MAN IN WHITE HAD THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS ON HIS SHOULDERS,
WE KNEW THEN THAT WE MUST DO WHAT THE SERMON HAD TOLD US.

I CAN BUILD YOU A DREAM BUT YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT',
I'LL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU DON'T REQUIRE - MAYBE A SPIRE,
YOUR REQUESTS BECOME THE OBJECT OF MY DESIRE,
IF YOU'RE HAPPY, THEN MY FANTASY IS FOR HIRE;
WATER FEATURES ARE MANDATORY, TRANQUIL, PLEASING,
WE CAN EVEN TRY SOME QUANTITATIVE EASING - RIGHT?
AND GIVE YOU SOME NOOKS AND CRANNIES WITH WHAT'S LEFT;
NOW PLANTING SOFTENS THE BLOWS, BRINGS DOWN HIGHS AND LOWS,
WHY YOU NEEDED A PURPLE AGAPANTHUS - GOD ONLY KNOWS,
A SOUTH - FACING VIEW IS THE LEAST WE CAN DO,
WITH A JACUZZI IN BEDROOM TWO, COLOURS WILL BE
MAUVE, PINK AND AUBERGINE - ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU A MIGRAINE;
I CAN ONY HOPE THAT YOU LIKE THIS WONDERFUL *******,
BECAUSE ALL OF THE MATERIALS WERE A NATURAL SELECTION!

The Brits are good at queueing
the Yanks are good at sueing
Italians are good at wooing
and I don't know what I'm doing  

If no one tells me while I'm waiting
time waits for no man only destiny
the French are good at rugby
enthusiastic, they might even hug me

The Australians are good at everything
didn't they used to be English - sickening
the Indians are very good at curry
but now we can get it in Surrey

Terrorists are no good to man nor beast
now just tell me what you like least.

WHAT DO YOU GET IF YOU CROSS A ******
WITH AN ESKIMO? ANSWER: YOU GET A MASSIVE
VASSAL WITH A PASSIVE TASSEL AND A FRIGID
****** WITH WITH A RIGID DIGIT. COLD COMFORT.

DO YOU LIKE IT IN CIDER? THERE WAS A BIG
BLACK HAIRY SPIDER WHICH CHASED JUSTIN G.,
DON'T YOU SEE THAT'S SO COOL - SO APRIL FOOL!
OF THE NILE A JEWEL, NOW I'LL DROOL AT YOUR POOL.

I MUST BE EMOTIONALLY OFF COURSE, OF COURSE
IT'S NICE TO EXPAND YOUR HORIZON, PUT EYES ON
DIFFERENT THINGS, DIG INTO WHAT'S BENEATH, YOU
MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT'S ABOVE YOU UNTIL
SOMEBODY SAYS THAT THEY LOVE YOU.

LET'S HAVE SOME NO SADNESS, LOTS OF GLADNESS
EVEN THO' THERE MAY BE **** IN MY MADNESS.

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 strolled out on the lawn and looked at the view
didn't I see Fleming, Steinbeck and Miller too
illustrious company in the fading light
and further, J. P. Donleavy was out of sight

They were commercial, deep, with ****** soliliquy
and down below, J.P. described a strange anomaly
let's write together, fight together like a ghost
when it's done, I'll tell you what I like most

I like Pirsig, Phaedrus with a bit of Zen thrown in
although have to be fresh without being maudlin
now sadness, pathos is a whole new ball game
every time that we write, it was never the same

Sadness for me was alone and different for you
we all agreed to differ as the sky turned indigo blue

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.

We met for three days and then she had to
return to the Far East - what I liked least
then she wrote and said that she loved me
the scene was set for our love story

We wrote hiundreds of letters, personal
uninhibited, sent and licked before the ink was dry
We meant every word, made love in the air
wonderful when someone says that they really care

She came to me and gave up everything
her heart and radiant smile were mine
to love and cherish, endear, for all time
now I think of her every time I write a line

Many years later it's like acting out a play
we are the stars in the sky till this very day

THE AMERICANS SPELL GREY WITH AN 'A,'
THEY LACK SUBTLETY SO THEY SAY,
THAT ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK,
AND IF YOU ASK A DOG - 'DOES IT HURT?                
HE'LL REPLY -                                        
'ONLY WHEN I BARK!'
SOMEONE BOUGHT ME SOME KEY RINGS,
SHOWING A MAP OF PENANG AND AUSTRALIA,
A MALAYSIAN DOLLAR - THEN I HEARD THE DOG HOLLER,
THEN I HEARD THAT YOU COULD SPELL CENTRE TWO WAYS,
MAYBE YOU COULD MAKE A CHOICE ON DIFFERENT DAYS,
I SUPPOSE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A THANKSGIVING FOR ALL
THAT, WE HAVE AN I-POD, I-PHONE AND A SAT-NAV,
LIFE'S A TURKEY, A BARKING DOG AND A BEACH,
WHEN I GO FOR THE DYE - IT'S OUT OF REACH!

I  HAD  A  TUSSLE  WITH  A  GREEN  LIPPED  MUSCLE,
AND  THEN  OME­GA  THREE  BECAME  A  MYSTERY,
I  TRAVELLED  OVER  THE  SEVEN  SE­AS,
ATE  ROYAL  JELLY  WITH  HELP  FROM  THE  BEES,
YOU  COULDN'T­  HELP  THINKING  CHONDROITIN  WAS  JUST
A  TRY - ON  AND  GARLIC  WAS  NOTHING  TO  RELY  ON,
GLUCOSAMINE  WAS  NE­VER  THE  SAME AS
SOMETHING  THAT  TOOK  AWAY  THE  PAIN;
ST.  JOHN'S  WORT  MAD­E  ME  WANT  TO  ABORT
EVERYTHING  THAT  TOOK  AWAY  THE  ACHES,
­HOW  MANY,  HOW  MANY  WERE  REALLY  FAKES?
AND  NOW  IT'S  KIMCH­I,  SUITS  ME,  SUITS  YOU,
DON'T  TAKE  ANY  ******  WHATEVER  Y­OU  DO.

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.

The cascade was warm like Italian marble,
cleansing of spirit, wet, green and beautiful,
my outstretched hands were as though in prayer,
curtain opened showing coloured birds in the air.

Images flashed before me, a kaleidoscope,
they gave me warmth, they gave me hope,
I could stay here forever with closed eyes,
away from adversity, darkness, your goodbyes.

I did not need anything, alcohol nor nicotine,
now I knew everything, heaven, where I'd been,
I'd been asleep but now awoken by you,
I could not move - there was nothing I could do.

I was grateful, enlightened, happy to be,
enveloped by a wonderful liquid mystery.

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'M STOPPED AGAIN BECAUSE I'M BLACK,
THEY EVEN HIT ME ON THE BACK,
I WAS TOLD THAT I RESISTED ARREST,
THEN DRAGGED ME AWAY WEARING MY VEST.

THEY STOPPED ME BECAUSE I'M BROWN,
LAUGHED BEFORE THEY STRUCK ME DOWN,
DRUGS WERE FOUND ON ME - NOT MINE,
I WAS LOCKED INTO A CELL - SIX BY NINE.

THEY LET ME GO BECAUSE I'M WHITE,
WITH THE OTHERS - THEY DON'T GIVE A *****,
I WAS ASKED NOT TO SAY ANYTHING,
OTHERWISE, THEY'D ARREST ME FOR LOITERING.

WHEN WILL THESE RACISTS EVER LEARN?
MAYBE ONE DAY, IT WILL BE THEIR TURN.

I'M FROM AYUTHIA IN THAILAND, MADE OF TEAK,
I HAVE SO MANY STORIES IF I COULD SPEAK,
I'VE SEEN YOU LAUGH AND HEARD YOU CRY
AND EVEN WATCHED YOU WAVE GOODBYE;
STANDING HERE ON THE TV, THERE'S NO
BETTER VIEW IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT MAYBE
I SHOUD WRITE A BOOK - DON'T FROWN NOW,
I KNOW THAT LOOK, KNOW YOUR MOODS, KNOW
WHEN ANGER EXUDES FROM HIDDEN PORES AND
PETULANCE SHOWS ITSELF FROM UNKNOWN STORES;
THERE HAVE BEEN THE GOOD TIMES BUT MY MOOD
IS FIXED, NO WAY OF SAYING - EMOTIONS MIXED,
JUST REMEBER THAT I'M HERE FOR YOU, BROUGHT
WITH LOVE - A GUIDING LIGHT FROM HEAVEN ABOVE.

It had to come out but what was it all about?
there were thoughts of inner being and what
It was like seeing when everyone else was blind,
irreverent, scathing, acid and totally unkind;

But the words are unstoppable, flowing like
confetti, relentlees rhetoric no matter how petty,
the characters come to life like cardboard
cut-outs into action which they can't control

To rsist is useless as they take over your soul;
the critics said that the words touched on
the spiritual core of life, peeled away layers
just like a surgeon's knife; so amaze yourself

And add another literary masterpiece to your shelf,
because if you don't have words to spill - someone else will.

JO AND I ARE GOING BACK HOME NOW, IT'S DONE,
WE'VE HAD EVERYTHING FROM PHUKET TO HUMDRUM,
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HEARTS, YOUR CALL,
I GAVE SOME, FOLLOWED AND TRIED TO READ YOU ALL;
I HAD CRITICAL ACCLAIM, PERHAPS STRUCK A CHORD,
I DON'T MIND THE ADMONISHMENT - MAYBE YOU WERE BORED,
BUT IF I MADE YOU LAUGH, EVEN MADE YOU CRY,
IT WAS WORTH EVERY MOMENT THAT I COULD TRY
TO BRIGHTEN THE DAY OR FOR THAT MATTER - THE NIGHT,
WITH THE 'REVOLUTIONIST' HOLDING COURT, GIVING US A FRIGHT,
'TITANIA' WAS 'ILL MET BY MOONLIGHT' IN AN EERIE GLOW,
I SAID TO LIGHTEN UP, ILLUMINATE, NOT LOOK LIKE INDIGO;
MAYBE SOME THINGS WERE WRONG BUT NOT IN THE MAIN,
I WILL RETURN TO ' RIGHT ' AND SEE YOU ALL AGAIN.

I LOVE THE SHARPSHOOTER - SHE PUTS EVERYTHING RIGHT,
IT'S SO GOOD SOMETIMES - SHE GIVES ME A FRIGHT,
FROM EXPERIENCE, IT SEEMS MUCH BETTER THAN MINE,
KEEPS YOU ON TRACK, STRANGELY KEEPS YOU IN LINE;
I TOOK ALL THIS ENLIGHTENMENT, HEAVEN - SENT,
AND THEN KNEW, DOWN THE ROCKY PATHS WHERE I WENT
WRONG SOMETIMES, WHERE I LEFT MY OLD MINDSET,
AND REALISED THAT WHAT YOU PUT IN IS WHAT YOU GET;
I WAS THE LAST CHILD - SHARPSHOOTER WAS THE FIRST,
I WAS SPOILED, MAYBE NO. 1 CAN BE BETTER VERSED,
CAN HAVE A SERENITY WHICH IS HARD TO MATCH,
DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT, YES - THERE IS NO CATCH,
NOTHING HIDDEN, AS PLAIN AND BEAUTIFUL FOR ALL TO SEE,
I CONCEDE WITH MANY THINGS THAT SHE IS BETTER THAN ME!

I saw the planets on the wall -
a horse, an elephant and a snake magical
they had numbers which were important
one to five, two to nine, five to eight heaven sent

My birth date, car and house number put down
added, reduced, disected by a master of renown
I was told that there were bad and good dates
the best times for which everyone waits

I was given hope - told not to be concerned
there was more to come after things you'd learned
after God working in his mysterious ways
there was good fortune ahead in future days

I had my share, plenty, now it's your turn
your best interests at heart are our true concern

I  UNDERSTAND  NOTHING  AND  NOR  DO  YOU,
YOU  DO  NOT  KNOW  WHERE  YOU  CAME  FROM,
WHO  MADE  GOD  AND  EVEN  IF  THERE  IS  ONE,
YOU  DO  NOT  KNOW  WHAT  HAPPENS  AFTER  DEATH,
AND  NEVER  WILL  UNTIL  YOUR  LAST  BREATH,
EVEN  THEN  YOU  MAY  NEVER  KNOW,  WHY
THE  STARS  ARE  IN  THE  SKY - NO  MATTER
HOW  HARD  YOU  TRY;  I  DO  KNOW  THAT  I  AM
FALLIBLE - A  PRODUCT  OF  IMPERFECTION,
HOWEVER,  IT  MAY  BE  USEFUL  IF  MY  MEMORY
FAILS  TO  REMEMBER  YOU - MY  HEARING  AID
IS  TURNED  OFF  BUT  THE  CARD  MAY  BE  STORED  
FOREVER - I'M  HUMAN  AFTER  ALL,  COMPASSION
IS  WITHIN  MY  SOUL - NOT  KNOWING  MAKES  ME  WHOLE.

I CAN UNDERSTAND COLOUR, KNOW YOUR SHAPE,
LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL GIVES ME HOPE,
IT'S BEST TO PUT THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE,
AFTER ALL, A BRIGHT SMILE CAN ONLY BE REFLECTIVE;
CAN YOU PAINT A WASH, EVEN DO A PICTURE?
I ARRIVED AT A MASTERPIECE AVOIDING STICTURE,
HOW WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE MONA LISA TUCKED
UNDER YOUR ARM FOR TEN YEARS, NO MORE FEARS
WHEN YOU REALISED THAT YOU WERE A GENIUS AFTER ALL,
NOW YOU KNEW YOUR OWN WORTH RIGHT FROM BIRTH,
SHOW ME SOMETHING WHICH CAN NOT BE SEEN,
IN ORANGE AND BLUE AND SHADES OF GREEN,
SHOW ME YOUR POWER AND THEN GIVE IT TO ME,
I'LL MANAGE THE BRUSH STROKES OF LIFE PERFECTLY.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE FLOATING IN THE SKY,
SO FAR ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN YOU COULD FLY,
THE COLOURS WERE GREENY BLUE WITH A LIGHT HUE,
YOU COULD NOT LAND, THERE WAS NOTHING YOU COULD DO.

REMEMBER HOW THAT YOU DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE,
NOTHING TO TOUCH YOU AND NO ONE TO SHAKE,
YOU COULD SEE JANE WATERING THE GARDEN FLOWERS,
IT WAS EASY TO GUIDE WHEN YOU HAD SPECIAL POWERS.

A WHISPER IN THE EAR PRODUCED A YELLOW BREEZE,
MADE THEM BELIEVE AND GET DOWN ON THEIR KNEES,
I BLEW A FLUFFY CLOUD AND GAVE THEM ALL RAIN,
IT PASSED QUICKLY AND THEN THE SUN CAME AGAIN.

I REMEMBERED IT ALL WHEN I WAS A BOY,
NOW THERE'S NO MORE TIME LEFT TO FLY AND ENJOY.

HE WAS BACK, LIKE PHAEDRUS BUT NOT
OF THIS EARTH, RATHER TO HAVE SOME FUN
FOR WHAT IT WAS WORTH; I TOLD HIM TO
BEHAVE PROPERLY AND LEAVE THE TALKING
TO ME - EVEN THEN HIS POWER WAS GREATER
THAN IT APPEARED TO BE; AN EMPTY GLASS
BECAME FULL, SOMEONE'S WALLET SUDDENLY
HAD EXTRA NOTES AND A NEARBY DOG TURNED
IN CIRCLES WHEN IT REALIZED THAT NO TAIL
WAS VISIBLE; THE PUNTERS WERE ASTONISHED
WHEN A HORSE IN A TV RACE WHICH WAS
CLEARLY LOSING, SUDDENLY STRAIGHTENED IT'S
KNEES AND LEAPT FORWARD PAST THE OTHERS
TO WIN - PLEASE EXPLAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN!

I've just seen a house worth a million pounds
but not every thing is as rosy as it sounds
I have no sour grapes or jealousy - only
wistful thoughts it seems to me - that,  

My sad longing is only for what I
already have: a small space, a friendly
face that doesn't carp and amusement
over things that will not work, I don't need

a deck as an extra perk, the crunch
of gravel that sounds like the beach
is there anyone who wants to teach
me a new style? Perhaps, when I've made

my pile; I'll wear my best cothes on a
Sunday afternoon - if you want to impress,
give me the moon.

IT''S  AN  ILLUSION:  MISSED  DISTRIBUTION,
BUT  THE  EMOTON  IS  REAL  THE  WAY  I  FEEL,
RUE  BREY  IS  THE  SAME:  LADIES  MAKING  GAIN,
THERE'S  A  PYRAMID  NOW - MR. PEI  WONDERS
HOW  THE  LOCALS  THINK - THEY  DON'T  LIKE  IT,
TAKEN  IT 'DOWN'  BIT  BY  BIT. OH, WELL,
THE  LOUVRE  WAS  DIFFICULT  TO  IMPROVE;
SACRE' COUR  WAS  A  BLUR  IN  THE  RAIN,
BUT  GOOD  TO  BE  BACK  IN  MOMARTRE'  AGAIN,
THE  STUDIO  ETOILE  ROOM  HAD  A  LARGE  BED,
WITH  A  DIP  IN  THE  MIDDLE,  A  VIEW OF
THE  ARC  DE  TR'IOMPHE  FROM  A  BALCONY,
WHICH  WE  LOOKED  AT  EVENTUALLY,  THE  NAME
OF  THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER  REMAINS  A  MYSTERY.

COME WITH ME, BROTHERS - I AM
LOOKING FOR FUTURE LOVERS : NOT
TOO SHORT AND NOT TOO TALL - I'VE
CONVENIENTLY FORGOTTEN MY ADOBE WALL;
MAKE MY BED AND WARM THE SHEETS,
I'LL SEE YOU WHERE THE ROAD MEETS
THE HORIZON AND LET ME SET EYES ON
THOSE DOUBTFUL BUMS - TAKE YOUR THIEVING
HANDS OFF MY DRUMS AND MAKE WAY FOR MY
VANS - YOU'RE ONE OF MY GREATEST FANS;
NOW RUN MY BATH AND DON'T DARE LAUGH
JUST BECAUSE YOU SEE TWINS ON MY PATH,
I'M GOING HOME WHERE THINGS ARE CARRIED AHEAD,
NO FAMINE NOW - I HAVE PLENTY OF BREAD.

WRITE YOUR OWN RESUME' - THEN I'LL SIGN IT,
MY MENTOR SAID TO ME, ALBEIT FLIPPANTLY,
SO I DID: PHD IN PHILOSOPHY, A FIRST
IN ENGLISH LIKE ALDUOS HUXLEY AND
PROFESSOR OF ORIENTAL STUDIES AT LONDON
UNIVERSITY; A NUMBER OF NOVELS, POETRY
AND WHITE PAPERS COMPLETED A BUSY LIFE,
NO TIME TO TAKE A WIFE, RATHER ARMED
WITH A KNIFE TO PUT INTO PEOPLE'S BACKS,
A REPUTATION MADE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTACKS,
KNOWLEDGE WAS PASSED ON, STUDENTS CAME
AND WENT, ANYWAY WHY SHOULD A PROFESSOR
NEED TO BE HEAVEN-SENT? THE LIFE WAS MINE,
NOT GOOD ENOUGH - MY MENTOR REFUSED TO SIGN.

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!

A DIFFERENT LIFE ON THE TAPE, NOT MINE
BUT SOMEONE ELSE THIS TIME; THE HOUSE
SMELLED DIFFERENT: LEATHER, TENDED FOLIAGE
AND FRAGRANT AIR IF YOU TURNED OVER A PAGE,
MY SHOES CLIP-CLOPPED ON THE FLOOR AND
AN IMAGE STOOD FRAMED WITHIN A DOOR,
CLOTHES WERE GOOD AND A VOICE BECKONED ME
FORWARD FOR DINNER, FOR COMFORT, FOR MANY
THINGS AND ALL THE WARMTH THAT A SMILE BRINGS,
HOW HAD I MISSED THIS BEFORE WHEN IT WAS
ONLY HIDDEN BEHIND A DOOR, NO MATTER -
I HAVE MY OWN SMILE, OWN PLANTS, OWN SEAT -
IN FACT I'M THE NICEST GUY YOU COULD WISH
TO MEET; BACK IN THE BOX I SEE ANOTHER TAPE.

I HOPE THAT YOU ARE WELL - YOU'RE SO POPULAR,
I ENVY TOUR PERSONA AND INFRASTRUCTURE,
DID YOU ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY AT THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS?
IT COULD NOT BE DIFFICULT WITH YOUR BEDROOM- BROWN EYES:
NO ONE EVER REFUSED IF YOU ASKED THEM TO DANCE,
DESTINY WAS MADE AND IT WASN'T BY ANY CHANCE,
I TOUCHED YOUR LEG ONCE AND YOU SAID I WAS GAY,
I DON'T NEED THAT THANK YOU - I CAN BUY ON E- BAY,
HOWEVER, YOU ARE A VERY GOOD FRIEND MON AMI,
ALBEIT VAIN, CONCEITED, HANDSOME AND DEAR TO ME,
I REMEMBER THAT YOU RODE ONCE ON THE ROOF OF A CAR,
LIFTED YOUR HAT TO SOMEONE AS THOUGH A STAR,
ALL OF THE TEN-PINS SCATTERED WHEN YOU BOWLED A BALL,
I WONDERED IF YOU WOULD EVER MISS ANYTHING AT ALL.

All I have to do is touch your
A, B, C, D or G spot more likely than not,
like simulation, a fake dive, fifty shades,
it seems to be too easy to gain accolades.

Credit where credit is due, I love you too,
I don't like engineered repetition,
lack of imagination, cashing in on a ride,
don't be incredulous at the unstoppable tide.

All's fair they say in love and poetry,
but there should be limits it seems to me
that we're lacking a little mystery,
where's your raw talent - lost so easily.

We don't all want to get too impressed,
because even you out there may not know what's best.

Did you love me the way I wanted it to be
was I stroked and caressed diligently
or were you too tired to do things properly
It was just an excuse it seemed to me

I want you to hold me and lift my head back
then I can gasp with pleasure in the sack;
remember the passion and love long ago
you held me, we lingered above and below

There was the adrenalin rush, expectation
we couldn't wait to kiss, the magic and elation
now I have to remind you - am I a bore?
I just want the way it used to be before

Tell me you love me as tho' you really mean it
I want all of those good times back bit by bit.

God gave out parts to play - so they say
that there has to be a lover, a villian and a mother
someone moaning, groaning and lost out to another
It was time, the curtain rose - never to fall again

Scene one saw someone taking a bite out of a fruit
the beginning and the end because evil was the root
Instruction was given to go forth and multiply
when it was realized unstoppable God gave a sigh

Scene two began with someone waving a fly swatter
relating stories and tales of when empires began to totter
God thought about bringing the curtain down quickly
he considered all of his work - what of the outcome finally?

The last act returned to the way everything was before
except that there was no tree with apples any more