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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!'

THE CURTAINS WERE SHORT BUT WE DIDN'T WANT TO ABORT,
RATHER, WE WOULD CONTINUE WITH OUR LIFE, THE WIFE
SAID: 'SOME THINGS IN LIFE ARE SHORT AND MUST BE ENJOYED,'
NO NEED TO BE ANNOYED AND TRAPPED IN A CONTINUAL VOID;
WHEN YOU WASH YOUR LIFE IT WILL DROP TO THE RIGHT LENGTH,
A NEW VISION, EVERYTHING YOU NEVER KNEW, WHAT YOU COULD DO,
THEN IT WOULD COME AGAIN, NOT A CREASE, A NEW LEASE,
NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE YEARS, CHEERS!
I SEE THE FOLDS, ONE AND A HALF TIMES, IT RHYMES
WITH CARING, STARING AND GLARING, A NEW BEARING,
THERE'S NEW HOPE - WE WOULDN'T WANT ANY DOPE, WOULD WE?
TTHE SONG'S NEARLY SUNG - IT'S GOOD EVERYTHING'S WELL HUNG,
NO NEED TO TRIM, AHEM, CONSIDER THE TIES THAT BIND,
I'M NOT GETTING UP THERE - NEXT TIME WE'RE HAVING BLINDS.

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!

You came from The Cape of Good Hope
the land of proteas, frangipani and antelope
I was there but not in the seventeenth century
rather, I waited for you to arrive from history

Your dark violet blue flowers looked my way
as though they had something special to say
they said that you will deny me three times
whe you arrive in these wonderful climes

But there I was amongst beautiful flowers
amazing in the place where Shaw said:
that, 'They have no scent and the birds have
no song,' even great men err - he was wrong

I t was a time of transition, bright light
not only dark magical blooms but pure white

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?'

ALL  WILL  BE  REVEALED,  IF  NOT - THEN
THERE  IS  NOTHING;  GIVE  ME  THE  TUNNEL
WITH  WHITE  LIGHT  AT  THE  END,  LIFT
MY  SPIRIT  WHICH  LOVE  WILL  TRANSCEND,  
LET  ME  SEE THE  DUST  ON  THE  LIGHTS,
NOW  THAT  I'VE  RISEN  TO  NEW  HEIGHTS,
BY  ASTRAL  PROJECTION,  MY  RESURRECTION  
IS  COMPLETE - FROM  UP  HERE  EVERYTHING
LOOKS  SO  NEAT, SPREAD  OUT  ALL IN  ROWS,
I'M  FLOATING  ALL THE  TIME BUT  NO  ONE  KNOWS
WHERE  WE  MIGHT  FINALLY  REST  IN THE  END,
I  COULD  TELL  YOU  BUT  PERHAPS  I'LL  JUST  PRETEND
THAT  I'M  STILL  IN  MY  BODY  LYING  PROSTRATE,
BUT  TO  TRAVEL  AGAIN  I  JUST  CAN'T  WAIT.

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.

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,

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.

I read the personal ads in the Indian magazine,
people looking for partners like a king and a queen,
the men are always handsome, ladies with gsoh,
how attractive they all were was just a rumour.

I replied to one which I thought might be fun,
we both agreed to meet to see what could be done:
She said, 'Your white, not brown.'
I said, 'That you must look lovely with your hair down.'

She asked: 'Do you speak Hindi, Tamil or Punjabi?'
I said, 'No, but you're speaking English - that's all I need to know,'
She asked, 'Do you own a house, have a good job and a car?'
I said, 'Yes,' to all but there was no bar.

We went for a ride in the country: We said, 'Yours or mine.'
We knew that it was best if we tried them one at a time.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

PHAEDRUS WHERE ARE YOU NOW? WITH GREY LOCKS
AND LUCID MINDSET WHICH THE CRADLE ROCKS,
WE KNOW YOU, LISTEN TO YOUR TREATISE DREAM,
WHICH CAN NOT BE MET BY NOTHING AS IT SEEM;
PLATO MADE YOU CRAWL WITH TRUMPETS BLAZI NG,
LEFT YOU SPEECHLESS, STARING, ONLY GAZING
AT WHAT WAS NOT THERE, GONE LIKE A LOST SONG,
NOUGHT WAS THE SAME SINCE YOU CAME ALONG,
AN AGEING INCUBUS WITH LITTLE TO ACHIEVE,
YOU WOULD HAVE US ALL JUST WANTING TO BELIEVE,
THE SOPHISTS WERE ALWAYS RIGHT BUT YOU WERE WRONG,
ABOUT THINKING, ABOUT LIVING, ABOUT ANYTHING;
THE CLASS LEFT FOR THE DAY HAPPY AT DEPRESSION,
THERE WAS NOTHING BETTER THAN LISTENING TO YOUR LESSON.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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 WANT YOU - I'M HERE AS ALWAYS,
LET'S THINK OF YOUR DAY TODAY - THEY SAY
THAT A WALK IN THE SUN IS GOOD, CAST
OTHER THINGS ASIDE - I KNOW YOU CRIED.

I KNOW THAT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO;
ANNE TALKS SO MUCH THAT I NEARLY MISSED THE GULF WAR,
YOU SEE, WE HAVE TO DEAL - I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL,
HOW DO I KNOW? I'VE BEEN THERE, I'VE FELT LOW.

I'LL WRITE A WORD NOW AND THEN - IF I
HEARD YOU CRY - PICK UP 'COMFORT,' YOU'LL KNOW
I'M THERE - YOU'LL SAY: 'WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I SAY: 'THINK OF GREEN AND RED - NO MORE BLUE.

THINK OF ORANGE AND PINK - HOW NICE YOU LOOK,
YOU'LL WONDER WHY JUST HOW LONG IT TOOK.'

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

Now you're ready to go and knock 'em dead
ever since you read 'War and Peace'
you ran up a hill shooting wild geese
depression lifted - such a happy release

You sat bolt upright in the middle of the night
couldn't wait to get out there, that's alright
do what you want to do, nothing held back
I've given you purpose - now you'll have the knack

of sussing things out, see what life's about
from now on you will have no more doubt
I see you jumped on a horse - ruffled
someone's hair as a matter of course you did, you beaut

I'm watching to see how you'll get on
the golden dust you leave will be long gone

A LADY BOOK CRITIC WENT TO INTERVIEW
A LEADING JAPANESE AUTHOR - SHE WAS EXCITED
AT MEETING THE GREAT MAN AND PREPARED
MANY QUESTIONS WHICH SHE WISHED TO ASK HIM.

THE MAJOR INQUIRY WAS: 'WHERE DO YOU GET
YOUR IDEAS FROM? WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK?'
HE REPLIED: 'MY DEAR,' HE SAID, GIVING HER A
WITHERING LOOK, 'I JUST PLUCK MY IDEAS FROM
THE SKY AND IN MY EXPERIENCE NEVER WONDER WHY.'

SHE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND REFUSED TO READ
ANY OF HIS WORK FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

PERHAPS CRITICS SHOULD HAVE MORE INSIGHT -
A LEADING TV REVIEWER WAS FULL OF FILM NOIR
AND FANCY WORD WHICH ONLY SERVED TO MAKE HIM  SOUND ABSURD.

TEQUILA SLIPPED DOWN EASILY, A MYSTERY
WHO THE NEW MAN WAS BECAUSE HE CARRIED
AN AURA WITH HIM WHICH EVEN HEMMINGWAY
MIGHT HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN; THIS HEAT WAS
EVEN TOO MUCH FOR CAMPESINOS BUT NO
BEAD OF SWEAT APPEARED ON HIS FACE,
AS HE FIXED HIS GAZE ON ME MYSTICALLY,
HE SAID THAT, 'YOU WON'T SEE ME AGAIN
BUT WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE IN THE DUST,
YOU'LL CARRY ME WITH YOU AND I WILL
GUIDE WHAT YOU DO,' AMAZINGLY, I BELIEVED
HIM, FINISHED MY DRINK AND DON'T CARE WHAT
YOU THINK, IT WAS TRUE - NEW ENERGY
GRIPPED ME AND NOW WHERE I WANTED TO BE.

I COULDN'T GO OUTSIDE IN CASE I GOT ZIKA,
BUT THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO GET WEAKER,
I MET RONALDO, AT A FIFA PARTY AS YOU GO,
AND MESSI AND NEYMAR WHO HAD NOWHERE .. .. ,
THEY SAY THAT INDONESIA IS TO BE ATTACKED BY TERRORISTS,
BUT WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF TORNADOES AND EXTREMISTS,
NAOMI SOCKED SOMEONE ELSE ON A BA PLANE,
AFTER DIVORCE, CHARLTON WON'T BE THE SAME AGAIN,
ENGLAND'S VOTING TO STAY WITH EUROPE OR NOT,
MOST DON'T GIVE A S.... , THEY'LL SAY THEY FORGOT,
TRUMP CONTINUES TO BORE US AND DEPLORE MOST,
DON'T LET MONEY BUY OR ENTERTAIN HIS ILLITERATE BOAST;
WE'LL GET ON WITH OUR LIVES, DON'T NEED THOSE GUYS,
THEY SHOULD REMEMBER THAT SOME THINGS ARE NOT GOVERNED BY THEIR SIZE.

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 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

EVERYTHING  IS  TAKEN  CARE  OF  YOU  SEE,
THE  UNKNOWN  SPIRIT  LOOKS  AFTER  DESTINY,
WHERE  AM  I  GOING,  WHAT'S  TO  BE  DONE  NOW?
THERE  ARE  ONLY  SOME  THINGS THAT  GOD  WILL ALLOW;
PART  OF  ME  WANTS YOU BACK BUT  YOU  CAN  NOT  COME,
THE  THOUGHT  OF  NOT  HOLDING  YOU  LEAVES  ME  NUMB,
WOULD  YOU  LIKE  TO  STAY  IN  THE  PHOTOGRAPH?
DOES  IT  HURT  JUST  SO  MUCH - ONLY  WHEN  I  LAUGH;
I'VE  WRITTEN  IT  DOWN,  NOTHING  WILL  GO  AWAY,
I  REMEMBER  THE  WORDS,  WARMTH,  LOVE,  EVERYDAY,
I  CAN  NOT  GRIEVE,  ONLY  PERCEIVE,  UNDERSTAND,
IT  WAS  YOUR  TIME,  GOD  DID  NOT  WANT  TO  MAKE  IT  MINE,
HE  MADE  US,  HE  SHAPED  US,  LIKE  YELLOW  GOLD,
FOR  ONCE  IN  MY  LIFE,  I  FINALLY  DO  AS  I'M  TOLD.

O' Casey had been told where the meeting was
senior members of the IRA would attend
he didn't know and thought that MI6 would be there
duped into assassination was a dangerous masterstroke
others knew that he was dissatisfied with the hierarchy
so if it transpired, he would be a likely target
If the real resaon was found, they would never forget
the old mainland action would be re-ignited
and the Brits cleverness found to be short-sighted
the peace process was a sham, arms locked away
Adams and McGuinness in suits, smug faces
while they postulated and mixed in high places
'You realize what were doing?' The ***** said
'Rather, let them carry on with their empty head.'

I DREAMED OF BISCUITS WHILE LYING IN BED,
SOMETHING YOU CAN'T DO WHEN YOU'RE FINALLY DEAD,
I DREAMED THAT MAYBE I WOULDN'T WAKE UP,
BUT FIRST I HAD TO DEAL WITH AN OVERFLOWING CUP,
PERHAPS I'LL STAY HERE - NEITHER AWAKE OR DECEASED,
OF LONGING FOR EVERYTHING MY APPETITE HAS INCREASED,
YOU CAN'T TOUCH ME OR CHANGE MY MIND,
TO STAY IN THIS LIMBO I AM RESIGNED
TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT I'VE BEEN GIVEN,
I'M NOW IN MY OWN KIND OF HEAVEN, WHERE
I CAN CONJURE UP EVERY NEED BY
FLICKING THRO' FILES AND SELECTING MY FAVOURITE
SMILES; SOMEONE'S SHAKING MY SHOULDERS BUT
TO NO AVAIL- WHATEVER I WANT, I WILL NOT FAIL.

There is no driver - go anywhere for a fiver
Pod - cars troll Milton Keynes by no means
seen piloted in four years time - where's mine?
Then they come together in the land of never - never

The sat-nav tells us where we're going
ready to alight when it's finally slowing
what will they think of next? Send a text
with your suggestion - normality's in regression

No one is to blame when there's an accident
nothing is seen to describe an incident
however, at least no one can go on strike
and I won't be reduced to travel by bike

The atmosphere is electric, technology hectic
it was bad enough when we decided to go metric!

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.

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.

Were you given a star at school for good work?
a smiley face, very good or well done was a perk
I took all of these smiley faces into my soul
guaranteed for life to sustain my future role

Remember how art caught you out - I made a mess
and yet disaster was suddenly made good - more or less
now, woodwork led me to a great cutting edge
being allowed to take home my work was a privilege

metalwork taught me that flux was softer than butter
the words that arose within me - if only I could utter
mathematics made me figure things out - nothing I would lack
but when the master saw my red socks - he said: 'Get to the back.'

Then there was English - the best language to swear in,
such great enlightenment and depth will never come again

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.

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.

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.'

I'VE HEARD OF SHANGRILA - THEY SAY
THE HOTEL IS  NOT TOO FAR - JUST STROLL
IN, ORDER YOUR MEAL AND THEN I'LL
TELL YOU ABOUT THE DEAL : FIFTEEN
THOUSAND POUNDS FOR TEN PEOPLE,
SOUNDS A BIT STEEP AND I'LL ASSURE
YOU IT'S NOT AN ERROR - FROM SHARKS
FIN SOUP TO ABALONE, MUST BE BETTER
THAN HOME-ALONE OR IS IT? GROSS
OPULENCE FOR MOST OF US - ANY TRAVEL
PROBLEMS - WE'LL BUY THE BUS - A MERE
SNIP FOR MR. ABROMOVITCH - WE WOULDN'T
WANT TO QUEER HIS PITCH, PERHAPS IT'S
TIME TO PAUSE AWHILE, JUST TO SEE MY SICKLY SMILE.

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.