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.

MONK ADJUSTED MY TIE - I ASKED HIM WHY
EVERYTHING HAD TO BE STRAIGHT - HE SAID,
'WAIT, I'LL TELL YOU WHY THAT THE STARS
ARE ORDERED IN THE SKY AND BIRDS
NEED TWO WINGS WHEN THEY FLY, TO
PLACES ARRANGED BY GOD BEFOREHAND,
NORTH AND SOUTH BEFORE THEY LAND,
THOSE PICTURES ON THE WALL SHOULD NOT
MOVE AT ALL AND WHEN I MAKE LOVE,
SOMEONE'S WATCHING ME FROM ABOVE,
NOTHING IS RANDOM SO COME ON AND
BE A REGULAR GUY - THE TEARS DROP
EVENLY WHEN I CRY FOR THIS IS A MUST -
NEARLY EVERYTHING OUT THERE I NEED TO ADJUST.'

Hey! How are you? Better since the last time I spoke?
Of course you are - I'm watching from afar
let's think of some nice things for you to do -
get in the bath, put a hot sponge over your eyes

I'm fine, still full of nonsense and dope (not drugs)
I'd like to see you smile, radiate, give you hope
spoil yourself, do things you like, have some ice cream
and chocolate, indulge, maybe get on your bike

Have a tequila to make you feel good for a while,
(not too many) maybe a smoke - only one, don't spoil the fun,
push aside some things for the moment: money, ***,
partners, job, family, health - give yourself a treat.

I'll write once more, you know me, words just pour
if you ever need me, send a message, open my door

YOU'RE NOT REAL, I'M NOT REAL - WHO HAS
THE MOST APPEAL? ANNE SAYS: 'LOOK AT
THAT, SEE WHAT THEY DO,' BUT THEY'RE
ACTING IT OUT ALTHOUGH SUDDENLY THAT'S
THE WAY IT REALLY IS, AFTER ALL YOU'RE
IN THE SCREEN, NOT SEPARATED, ONLY MEAN;
I'M WATCHING MY LOVER WHO STEPPED OUT
OF THE BOX, HE'S HANDSOME, WELL BUILT
AND STACKED WITH MONEY UP TO THE HILT,
I'M NOT DISAPPOINTED, WE HAVE A GREAT TIME,
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT HE COULD REALLY BE MINE,
NO ONE WILL EVER LEAVE ANYONE, PROMISES
FOR TODAY BUT THEN I REALIZE IT'S ONLY A PLAY.

IT'S 7.5% SO IT SAYS, OKAY, MAKES THE DAY PASS AWAY,
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO DIE?
SIT ON THE VERANDAH, DRINK IN HAND LOOKING AT THE SKY,
OR TRY TO MAKE LOVE, AN ****** WITH ONE LAST SIGH;
NEVILLE SHUTE WROTE, 'ON THE BEACH,' NUCLEAR WASTELAND IN OZ,
THE NEWSPAPERS FLUTTERED DOWN THE STREET, SO HE SAID,
MAYBE THE LAST HEADLINE READ: 'ISIS DEFEATED IN SYRIA,'
AN OLD ADAGE: 'IF WE CAN'T HAVE IT - NOBODY ELSE WILL,'
GOD AND ALLAH'S PLANS BOTH DEFEATED - IT WAS ALL THROWN AWAY,
IF SOMEONE ELSE COMES UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN - GET IT RIGHT,
WE DON'T ALL WANT TO GO THROUGH THE SAME CRAP AGAIN;
THEY CAN'T TAKE AWAY THE MEMORY OF THE GOOD TIMES,
YOURS AND MINE; THE GOLDEN SUN IS SETTING HERE,
WE' LL ALL BE BACK REFRESHED, TO HAVE MORE POLSKI BEER.

IT HAD TO COME OUT BUT WHAT WAS IT ALL ABOUT?
THERE WERE THOUGHTS OF INNER BEING AND WHAT
IT WAS LIKE SEEING WHEN EVERY ONE ELSE WAS BLIND,
IRREVERENT, SCATHING, ACID AND TOTALLY UNKIND;
BUT THE WORDS ARE UNSTOPPABLE, FLOWING LIKE
CONFETTI, RELENTLESS RHETORIC NO MATTER HOW PETTY,
THE CHARACTERS COME TO LIFE LIKE CARDBOARD
CUT-OUTS INTO ACTION WHICH THEY CAN'T CONTROL,
TO RESIST 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.

HOW WE LAUGHED AT THE PHOTOGRAPH -
HAIR LONGER THEN, CAN WE GO BACK AGAIN?
IT WAS A SUNNY DAY WITH THE SMELL
OF NEW CUT HAY - COULD BE ANY MAY

BUT IT WASN'T - TIME WAS PINPOINTED
AND FATED EXACTLY NEITHER FORWARD OR BACK,
JUST ON THE MERIDIAN AND WON'T COME AGAIN

ALWAYS A GOOD MOOD NEVER CAUGHT THE SAME
HIDDEN FROM VIEW NOT SHOWING SOLUTIONS,
ONLY SMILES, SNAPPY CLOTHES AND GOOD INTENTIONS

I CLIMB IN YOUR PICTURE AND WALK TOWARDS
YOU - A LIST OF THINGS ON MY LIPS BUT
SOMEONE SAYS NO! AND TIME STANDS STILL,
HOW WE DIDN'T SEE JUST HOW LUCKY WE COULD BE!

JOHN ANDREW WAS DYING OF CANCER,
IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO GO,
AND EVENTUALLY HE PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY,
BUT IT WASN'T OVER - AS YOU'LL READ DRAMATICALLY;
'THE OTHER SIDE' WAS THERE AFTER ALL,
HE HAD A CHOICE - TO STAY IN A STRANGE PLACE,
OR RETURN WITH A NEW BODY TO THE HUMAN RACE,
WOULD YOU KNOCK ON THE DOOR - READ ON TO FIND MORE;
HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF FAMILY OR FRIENDS,
IN THE NEW LIFE, LEFT TO HIS OWN ENDS,
HE HAD TO WATCH OUT FOR THE EVIL CHRISTINE,
A LOOSE CANON ***** INCREDIBLY MEAN,
THE OUTCOME WAS REALLY BEYOND WILDEST DREAMS.
DON'T DISCOUNT A LIFE WHERE NOTHING'S AS IT SEEMS.

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.

THERE'S A ROAD THAT WINDS DOWN TO THE BAY,
WITH WOODEN HOUSES AND BALCONIES THAT SWAY,
THEY MOVE IN THE WIND AND SPEAK OF THE PAST,
TELL ABOUT SHADOWS AND WHO WAS THERE LAST,
PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED BUT THE VIEW IS THE SAME,
THE SAME SHIPLAP, THE SAME BEDROOMS, SAME PAIN
AS WHEN I WAS THERE RUNNING FINGERS
THROUGH YOUR HAIR, WAITING AT THE LAMPPOST
AND LEANING ON THE CAR, WATCHING THE BOATS
UNDER A STAR WHICH HAD ALWAYS BEEN THERE
SINCE GOD PLACED IT IN THE SKY, MADE
SUNSETS AND WATER AND VIEWS THAT MADE YOU SIGH;
SLANTING SIDEWALK, STEPS THAT TALK WHEN
YOU ASK THEM - THEY SAY, THERE'S A NEW  DOCK ON THE BAY.

DEAR FRIEND, HERE'S SOMETHING I PROMISED
I WOULD SEND - A CAVEAT FROM THE WORLD'S
END; THE WEATHER IS HOT, JUNGLE STEAMING -
OF COOLER CLIMES I MIGHT BE DREAMING,
MAYBE NOT - JUST IN BETWEEN COULD BE
LESS EXTREME, GRASPING AT A MOVING SHADOW
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAINBOW SO OUT
OF REACH - I'LL SETTLE FOR THIS CORAL BEACH,
WHITE POWDER BETWEEN THE TOES, WATCHING
SHIMMERING BLUE EBBS AND FLOWS;
FISHERS OF MEN OUT IN THE DAWN, DARK
BLUE SWIRLS, PURPLE MORN TO FORGET
WHAT'S GONE BEFORE; BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER
WHATEVER YOU DO - BY THE WAY - 'HOW ARE YOU?'

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.

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!'

I REGRET NOT LOVING YOU WHEN YOU WANTED ME TO,
TIME IS PRECIOUS WHATEVER YOU MAY DO,
WE SHOULD HAVE GONE TRAVELLING AT EVERY CHANCE,
IT WAS A PITY SOMETIMES THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO DANCE.

I REGRET GOING AWAY WHEN I SHOLD HAVE STAYED,
THE SILLY THINGS YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE AFRAID,
YOU SHOULD HAVE KEPT GOING, BEEN A MAN,
NOT LIKE THE COMIC BOOK FIGURE OF DESPERATE DAN.

SO MANY TIMES THINGS HAVE GONE YOUR WAY,
BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT, SO THEY SAY
THAT HOW MANY CHANCES DO YOU NEED BEFORE YOU BLEED,
HOW MANY MISTAKES DO YOU MAKE BEFORE YOU HEED.

THE TIME HAS GONE - I MUST NOW LOOK CAREFULLY AHEAD,
AFTER ALL, I'M **** LUCKY TO STILL BE IN YOUR BED.

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.

THE CHINESE WERE RICH, ORDERED OYSTERS,
CLAMS AND YAMS, STEAK, BREAD AND BEER,
IT DIDN'T REALLY MATTER WHAT WAS DEAR,
OUT OF HOURS WAS A REFUGE FOM SHOWERS,
IT WAS NO PROBLEM WITH SPECIAL POWERS;
' WE' LL BUILD A HIGH - RISE LAH, SO FAR,
SO GOOD, A WINNER, IF ONLY WE COULD ......... ,'
'HAVE ANOTHER BEER, THEN WE'RE OUTA HERE,'
'DID YOU SEE THAT GUY ON THE COURSE?
HE MUST HAVE HAD FIFTY CLUBS IN THE BAG LAH,
YOU WOULDN'T THINK HE COULD PUSH THE TROLLEY THAT FAR,'
' HA, HA!  I'LL FIND YOU A NEW BAG FOR YOUR WOODS,
NO, NOT TIGER, FOOL, HE SHOULD STICK TO POOL,'
' YEAH, LIKE YOUR BEER - NO LONGER COOL LAH!'

I LIFTED HER UP TO LOOK INSIDE - THERE
WERE PHOTOS OF WHEN HER MOTHER WAS A BRIDE,
UNCLES, AUNTS AND DISTANT COUSINS, ALL
IN ROWS, ALL WITH DUST, NOT CLEANED SINCE
LAST HOLIDAY WHEN OTHERS CAME TO LOOK -
SO MANY MORE TAKEN OUT OF THE BOOK;
IMPRISIONED - MAYBE THEY CAME OUT TO PLAY
AT NIGHT, ALWAYS LOOKED THE SAME, IMPOSSIBLE
TO AGE AND NEVER BOTHERED BY THE RAIN, WHEN
DAYLIGHT CAME THEY WERE ALL BACK AGAIN;
WE WILL BE BEHIND THE GLASS WHEN ALL
THINGS COME TO PASS, SOME EVEN NOW BUT
CAN NOT PLAY UNTIL SPIRIT HAS DEPARTED;
WHEN I PUT HER DOWN SHE WAS BROKEN- HEARTED.

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.

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,

THERE WAS NO TIME TO WAIT TODAY,
YOU HAD TO CATCH THE NEXT LIFE OR STAY FOREVER,
THERE WAS A WINDOW WHICH WOULD OPEN FOR YOU,
TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO USE GOOD ENDEAVOUR,
AND WHEN YOU GOT THERE IT WOULD START AGAIN,
A NEVER ENDING CIRCLE, A DRIVERLESS TRAIN;
I WALK BACK THRO' CARRIAGES TO FIND THE DRIVER
BUT THERE IS NONE - ONLY GOD IS IN CONTROL,
ONLY GOD WILL TELL YOU WHEN ITS TIME TO GET OFF,
YOUR STOP, YOUR DESTINY IS NEVER ENOUGH
TO SLOW THE TIME, WHETHER YOURS OR MINE;
THE ASTEROID IS COMING, YOU HAD SO MANY YEARS,
TOO LATE FOR TRAINS, TOO LATE FOR TEARS,
I'LL CATCH THE NEXT LIFE TO ALLAY MY FEARS.

LAUGH AT THE MAGIC - YOUR ATTITUDE IS TRAGIC,
IF YOU DON'T OFFER YOUR SOUL - YOU'LL NEVER BE WHOLE,
DAPPLED YELLOW, MAUVE, BLUE, GREY = GREEN, GHOSTS
WHERE THEY SHOULDN''T HAVE BEEN, ELVES
SPRITES, FORTUNES THAT COME AND GO - DO YOU
KNOW IF YOUR ABOVE OR BELOW THIS WORLD -
OR ON A LEDGE, NEITHER HERE NOR THERE -
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THAT YOU REALLY CARE?
THEY WERE WATCHING WHEN WE MADE LOVE,
THEY DANCED IN THE MOONLIGHT WITH MUSIC FROM
ABOVE, DOWN TO THE RIVER THEY WENT, DIPPED
AND SKIPPED ALL THE WAY BACK TO SEE
IF WE WERE STILL THERE, SPIRITS OFF LIMITS,
MERGED INTO ONE, WHEN WE LOOKED UP THEY WERE GONE.

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 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.

DO  YOU  HAVE  A  GOOD  JOB,  HOUSE  AND  A  CAR,
MONEY  IN  THE ­ BANK  AND  TRAVEL  FROM  AFAR,
GENTLE,  KIND,  COMPASSIONATE,  C­ARING,  AFFECTIONATE,
UNDERSTANDING,  READY  FOR  A  FAMILY  AND ­ CONSIDERATE?
LOYAL,  PATIENT,  TOLERANT,  GIVE  ME  SOME  SECURI­TY,
LOVING,  REMEMBER  MY  BIRTDAY  AND  ANNIVERSARY??
STRONG,  T­OUGH,  FIT,  NON - SMOKER  AND  NOT  TOO  ROUGH?
IF  SO,  THAT'S  FINE BUT  FOUR  OUT  OF  TWENTY  FIVE  ISN'T  ENOUGH,
THE  FIRST  FOUR­  ARE  GOOD  BUT  THE  REST  ARE  MINE;
LET'S  TRY  HOBBIES - DO  YOU  LIKE  ANIMALS,  DOGS
AND  CATS,  CINEMA,  PICNICS,  CLOT­HES  AND  SILLY  HATS,
SPORT,  WALKING,  TALKING,  LAUGHING  IN  ­THE  RAIN
BEING  READY,  BEING  THERE  WHEN  I'M  IN  PAIN?
THINK­  ON  THESE  THINGS  BECAUSE  I  WONT  ASK  YOU  AGAIN.

HEALTHY YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD NOT READ,
ONLY SEARCH FOR INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED,
SOMEONE ASKED ME: 'WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS FROM?'
I REPLIED: 'YOU TALKING, ASKING ME IS ONE,'
IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER IF WHAT I SAY IS WRONG;
TIME IS SHORT, YOU READ MY WORK WHEN I'M GONE,
YOU WONDER WHAT'S MEANT WHEN THE PASSAGE COMES ALONG,
MAYBE ONLY I KNEW THE QUESTION WILL HANG IN THE AIR,
YOU'LL WRITE YOUR OWN WORK AND THEN YOU'LL CARE;
IT WILL BE LIKE MAKING LOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME,
YOU STARTED OFF WITH SUCH SPEED AND ENTHUSIASM,
YOU REALIZED WHAT THEY'D TOLD YOU WAS A TRUISM,
WHEN IT'S OVER, YOU MAY THINK IT'S AN ANTI -******,
IF YOU DID IT RIGHT - YOUR BAPTISM FOR NOTHING LACKS.

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.

THEY  GAVE  ME  A  PEN  AND  SOME  PAPER,
AND  SAID  DON'T  THINK  ABOUT  BEING  AM  ESCAPER,
PRIVILLEGES  ARE  LIMITED,  PERKS  ARE  FEW,
'KEEP  YOUR  NOSE  CLEAN,'  WHATEVER  YOU  DO,
I  MISS  ALCOHOL,  PLEASURES  OF  THE  FLESH,
BUT  NO  ONE  WILL  ASK  ME - ' DO  YOU  HAVE  A  LAST  WISH;
THE  DAYS  ARE  CROSSED OFF  WITH  LINES  ON  THE  WALL,
ON  REFLECTION - I  SHOULDN'T  BE  HERE  AT  ALL,
ONE  OF  THE  GUYS  IS  GOING  TO  THE  'CHAIR,'
WHERE  IS  IT  WRITTEN  THAT  ANYTHING  IS  FAIR,
YOU  CAN  MAKE  AN  APPEAL - LODGE  A  REQUEST,
BUT  IT'S  DOUBTFUL, BROTHER, IF  THE  LAW  KNOWS  BEST,
I'LL  BIDE  MY  TIME,  WAIT  FOR  THE  COMING  PAROLE,
NO  POINT  IN  ENDING UP 'BACK  IN  THE  HOLE.'

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 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!

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.

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.

YOU WONDERED WHAT HEAVEN WAS LIKE - DID IT REALLY EXIST?
MY OLD FRIENDS ARE HERE - NOT OLD - THE SAME AS THEY
ALWAYS WERE - SORT OF TATTY AND DATED AS THOUGH THEY
HAD WAITED JUST FOR ME - JUST THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO BE;
DROPPED INTO NIRVANA ON A BEACH WITH A PALM TREE
AND A TABLE, PERMANENTLY PLACED AND INTERFACED AS THOUGH
A PHOTOGRAPH HAD BEEN SNAPPED AND OUR TIME HAD BEEN OVERLAPPED;
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? HAVE YOU BEEN INVITED? LET ME
SEE YOUR INVITATION - I DO NOT RECALL YOU WERE GOOD
ENOUGH -
MADE OF THE RIGHT STUFF - PROVE TO ME JUST HOW TOUGH IT WAS OUT THERE,
SO THAT YOU DESERVE TO SIT AT THIS TABLE AND CHAIR-
COMPLETE WITH PALM TREE AT SOMEWHERE THEY CALL LANGKAWI; '
NEVER MIND - WE ARE GENEROUS, ACCOMMODATING, YOU CAN NOT SEVER
THE TIES THAT BIND - BECAUSE COMPASSION AND LOVE ARE NOT FAR BEHIND.

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.

NOW, WE DON'T WANT TO BE GLOOMY HERE,
DO WE MY DEAR BUT 'BOWIE' SAID : ' TREAT
EVERY YEAR AS THOUGH IT MAY BE YOUR LAST,'
THAT WOULD SUIT ANNE - SHE'D BE TRAVELLING FAST;
I'M MORE PEDESTRIAN, WHAT'S BEST FOR MAN?
SOME LADY ISN'T EVEN FIXING HER TV,
SHE SAID T HAT IT'S A START TOWARDS PRIORITY,
THE CHILDREN MAY BE LUCKY - WHAT ARE WE
GOING TO GET? THERE MAY BE NONE, OTHERS
IN THE NET MAY WISH THEY DIDN'T INHERIT,
HOW COULD THEY LIVE LIKE THIS?  WE SELL
AND THEN FORGET WE USED TO RING THE BELL;
SOMETHING WRONG - THAT LADY MAY FIX HER TV AFTER ALL,
SHOULD BE LIKE 'NESBO' IN THAILAND HAVING A BALL.

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 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.

THERE WERE FADED PRINTS ON THE WALLS NOT QUITE STRAIGHT,
THEY ALL WENT AWAY AS THOUGH THEY COULDN'T WAIT,
A DOOR SWUNG IN THE BREEZE AND OLD BOARDS CREAKED,
FLIES BUZZED IN THE KITCHEN AND AN OLD TAP STILL LEAKED;
YOU COULD SIT ON A CHAIR AND GAZE AT THE VIEW,
THERE WERE VOICES BUT NONE OF THEM BELONGED TO YOU,
THEY BELONGED TO WHO YOU WANTED THEM TO BELONG TO,
THEY GAVE THE RIGHT ANSWERS AND GOOD REASONS TOO,
DISTANT LAUGHTER RHYMED WITH THE CLINK OF GLASSES,
BECOMING SOFTER, AS ONLY TIME AND MEMORY PASSES;
A DOG BARKED AS THE SUN WENT DOWN AND DOWN AND DOWN,
IT WAS TIME THEN AND TIME NOW TO RETURN TO TOWN,
HE SHOULDN'T HAVE COME - LEFT ALL THE GHOSTS ALONE BUT -
COULDN'T RESIST A SMILE WHEN HE KICKED THE SCREEN DOOR SHUT.

IT'S  A  MYSTERY  WHY  THE  STARS  STAY  
IN  THE  SKY - IT'S  NOT  CLEAR  WHY
THEY  SHOULD  STATION  THEMSELVES  SO  HIGH,
PERHAPS  ONE  DAY  THEY  MAY  WAVE  GOODBYE;
NOW  WE  ONLY  HAVE  A  MOON  LEFT  AND  SOME
PLANETS  WITH  A  NAKED  FIRMAMENT,  WHICH
LET'S  YOU  CRY - EVEN  VENUS  GIVES  A  SIGH;
I  KNOW  THE  ANSWERS  NOW,  EVERYTHING
FELL  INTO  PLACE - IN  THE  BEGINNING,
THERE  WAS  NO  SPACE,  ONLY  A  PACKAGE
WHICH  HAD  TO  BE  ASSEMBLED  WITH
INSTRUCTIONS  ON  THE  BOX - WARNINGS
ABOUT  THIS  AND  THAT  LIKE  AN  EMPTY  SKY,
AND  WITH  THE  MAKER - YOU  MUST  COMPLY.

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.

MODERN DAY SOCIETY FOSTERS NEW BREEDS,
WHICH SEEMS TO BE CONVENIENT TO YOUR NEEDS,
RESPECTING OTHER PEOPLE'S BELIEFS IS ALL VERY WELL,
TRUE OR FALSE IDEOLOGY - EVEN YOU CAN NOT TELL;
YOU LACK EXPERIENCE OF LIFE - AND, OF COURSE, DEATH,
YOU WILL NEVER KNOW ANYTHING UNTIL YOUR LAST BREATH,
EVEN THEN, YOU WOULD WISH US TO GO TO NOTHING,
CAN'T YOU GIVE YOURSELF A MORSEL OR AT LEAST SOMETHING?
SUCH A FATALIST - YOU WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE,
IRONICALLY YOU WON'T BE - UNTIL YOU DROP LIKE A STONE,
I COULD ASK YOU ABOUT ACCIDENTS AND DISASTERS,
BUT I WON'T - YOU'RE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT  MISFORTUNE INFERS,
YOU BRING THE WORDS UPON YOURSELF - A COP - OUT IS DERISORY,
IN MY OPINION, YOUR EXISTENCE IS NOT RANDOM - THAT'S AN IMPOSSIBILITY.

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.

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.

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.

WOULD  YOU  LIKE  TO  READ  MY  SECOND  NOVEL?
OF  COURSE - WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  THE  FIRST  ONE?
IT'S  GATHERING  DUST - ONE  DAY  I  MUST
PURSUE  ANOTHER  PUBLISHER  BUT  MEANWHILE
I'LL  LIVE  IN  THE  SUN,  AND  TRY  TO
GET  SO  MUCH  WRITING  DONE;  A  LONELY  
JOB - LOCKED  AWAY  FOR  SO  LONG,  OFTEN
THE  WORDS  ARE  WRONG - SO  RE - WRITE,
UNTIL  THE  TEXT  HAS  THE  RIGHT  BITE;
THEN - A  WALK  BY  THE  SEA,  THINKING
HOW  THINGS  COULD  BE - IN  THE  STORY
AND  FOR  REAL,  SOMETIMES  IT'S  THE  SAME  DEAL,
NO  MATTER,  LOVE  ON  PAPER'S  NOT  THE  SAME,
BUT  IF  IT'S  NOT  RIGHT - YOU  CAN  DO  IT  AGAIN!

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.

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.

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!'

I'VE BEEN WARM FOR SO LONG, LOOK FORWARD TO THE COOL,
THEY SAY THAT, 'YOU MAY GET WHAT YOU WISH FOR - BE CAREFUL,'
I REMEMBER SPRING WHEN CHERRY BLOSSOM BEGAN TO SING,
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS NO MATTER WHAT GOD MAY BRING;
WE MAKE LOVE IN FEBRUARY WHEN FROST IS ON THE GROUND,
I'M BORN BEFORE CHRISTMAS WHEN NOVEMBER COMES AROUND,
IF YOU FEEL GOOD TO BE ALIVE WHEN IT'S TEMPERATE,
IT'S MAGICAL AND YOUR LIFE CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT;
YOU RECALL THEM IN YOUR LIFE - MOMENTS SO THEY SAY
THAT WON'T ALWAYS COME AGAIN, THEY'RE PHOTOGRAPHED
LIKE ICE CREAM ON YOUR NOSE WHEN WE BOTH LAUGHED,
LOOKING DOWN FROM THE BALLOON HOLDING A GLASS,
SOMETHING FROZEN - YOU DIDN'T WANT THE TIME TO PASS.

YOU'RE  WIDER  NOW,  SHORTER,  BUT  THE  STORY'S
THE  SAME - YOU  WONDER  IF  THERE'S  ANY  GAIN
FROM  CLEARER  VISION  OR  IS  IT  STILL  INDECISION?
THERE  WAS  A  PLASMA  ON  THE  WALL  PLUS
ONE  IN  THE  HALL  WITH  NO  PROBLEM  AT  ALL,
I'M  GLAD  YOU'RE  SHARPER,  STANDING  OUT  FROM
THE  CROWD - WE  CAN  SEE  THAT  YOU'RE  WELL  ENDOWED,
IN  FACT,  ONE  DAY  THEY'LL  BE  NO  SCREEN  
AT  ALL - NEARLY  EVERYONE  WILL  BE  ON  CALL,
EXTRAS  STANDING  BY  READY  TO  JOIN  THE  'SKY';
I  DON'T  MIND - SOME  OF  US  MAY  BE  AN  
IMPROVEMENT,  ARROGANT,  IMPUDENT  AND  PETULANT,
NOBODY  REALLY  UNDERSTANDING  WHAT'S  MEANT
BY  A  FLAT  RATE - THAT'S  ALL YOU'LL GET  WHILE  YOU  WAIT.



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