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  LEAVES  ARE  TURNING  MY  DEAR,'  IT  WOULD  APPEAR
THAT  I  LOVED  YOU  IN  THE  SUMMER  TIME,  AUTUMN  TOO,
WE HUDDLED IN THE WINTER, SPRING WHEN ALL WAS NEW,
I LIKED THE SCARVES AND HATS & PLENTY OF 'THIS & THATS,'
NOW YOU'RE COVERED IN LAYERS, I CAN'T SEE YOUR  FORM,
I KNOW YOUR CURVES, YOU'RE WARM FROM WHEN YOU WERE BORN,
WHEN THE SUN COMES, YOUR GENEROUS ARMS ARE SEEN,
I LOVE TO LOOK AT YOU IN COLOURS BLUE OR GREEN,
WE ARE IN SPIRIT, KNOW EACH OTHER WELL, STILL MAGIC,
KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SAY, AMAZING GRACE, I CARE
ABOUT YOUR EVERY MOVE, BUILD SPACE, TAKE TIME OUT,
I KNOW ANSWERS - NOW I UNDERSTAND WHAT LIFE'S ABOUT;
IT'S ABOUT EVERY MOMENT - THEY MAY NOT ALL BE FINE,
BUT WHEN I SEE THE LEAVES FALLING, I KNOW YOUR MINE.

IT'S WISE TO OBSERVE NO SNOOTY RESERVE,
BUT DON'T LET YOUR LIPS NURSE A HIDDEN ITCH,
AS THO' WORDS MIGHT COME FROM SOMEONE
WHOSE DUMB, DON'T THINK EVERYTHING IS
PUNITIVE, RATHER GRASP ANY NETTLE AND
TURN IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE - TO COME
AWAY WITH A BONUS IS INCUMBENT
UPON US, JUST LIKE A CHESS GAME - THE
SLIGHTEST ADVANTAGE CAN WIN THE DAY
AND SURPRISE YOURSELF HOW LITTLE
YOU HAD TO PLAY; NO PERPLEXITY IS NEEDED,
NO FIXED EXPRESSION, RATHER SHOW SOME
OF YOUR SOUL AS THO' YOU KNOW WHERE IT'S AT,
RATHER THAN SUFFER THE ZIG-ZAG SMILE OF THE CAT!

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.



;
'

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

I PLAY SUDOKU, CARDS AND CHESS,
BUT SUDDENLY WHAT'S MORE BECOMES LESS,
THEN, THERE'S BRIDGE, MONOPOLY AND LUDO,
WHAT'S MAYBE NEXT, I HAVEN'T GOT A CLUEDO;
MIND GAMES ARE THE WORST - JUST NUEROTIC
BUT THEY'RE NASTY, UNCALLED FOR AND DESPOTIC,
I FIELD THEM ALL LIKE ***** IN THE AIR,
I MUST CATCH, TO DROP THEM I WOULDN'T DARE,
THEN THERE WAS RUNNING, STAY IN THE RACE,
I'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE IF I CAN STAND THE PACE,
THERE'S NEVER A CROSSWORD THAT PASSES ME BY,
WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN, HOW THE TIME DOES FLY,
LIFE IS A CHARADE, GUESS WHAT COMES NEXT,
I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE HEAVEN - I'LL SEND YOU A TEXT!

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.'

You have a wife and four daughters
and a colleague amongst your supporters
mindset engineered: you answer a question
with a question and indulge in light sensationalism

My wife befriends many people - a natural star
suddenly they're saying the same things that you are
ideas are pinched, put to use, there's no excuse
for queering my pitch - you stupid *****

No offence meant: I hold myself to account
who am I to hold court, judgemental nonsense
don't say anything, go sit yourself on the fence
come back to me when you have pounds, shillings and pence

Some commontators seem less than cool
it's doubtful if they could explain the offside rule

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.

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.

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.

'HEY, JOHN BOY, I HEAR THAT YOU'RE GOING TO VIETNAM,'
'THAT'S RIGHT, THEY WANT SOME OIL EXPLORATION, SO HERE I AM,'
' I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN STAND ALL THAT HEAT,'
'IT'S OKAY, I'M USED TO IT - PART OF MY BEAT.'

I REMEMBER SAIGON, SWIRLING FANS OVERHEAD,
WHEN YOU RETURNED FROM WORK, YOU FELT HALF -DEAD,
SOME OF THE GIRLS IN HANOI LOOKED LIKE A BOY,
THAT'S BECAUSE THEY WERE (ONCE) IN DODGY EMPLOY.

A BOMB WENT OFF IN A CAFE - BLEW IT TO BITS,
KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN, HAD TO BE CAREFUL TO KEEP YOUR WITS,
WHEN YOU'RE MAKING LOVE, YOU FORGET DEATH,
MORE CONCERNED THAT YOU MIGHT RUN OUT OF BREATH.

JOHN BOY NEVER CAME BACK, SAD TIME, MAYBE A
DESTINY, KILLED ON A MOTORBIKE LIKE LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

I  WILL  BE  WITH  YOU  ALWAYS - YOU  MUST  BELIEVE,
YOU  HAVE  NO  CHOICE  AS  I  LISTEN  TO  YOU  GRIEVE,
THE  ROSE  PETALS  HAVE  BEEN  WASHED UPON  THE  GROUND,
YOU  WILL  NOT  HEAR  ME  MAKE  ANY  FURTHER  SOUND;
THIS  IS  NOT  MAUDLIN - A PREOCCUPATION WITH  DEATH,
THE  PRAYERS  HAVE  BEEN  READ, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SAID,
YOU HAVE GIVEN ME GREAT LOVE, ALL I EVER WANTED;
WHEN YOU FEEL  SOMETHING BRUSH AGAINST YOU - IT WILL BE ME,
JUST RAISE A HAND AND SQUEEZE THE ZEPHYR BREEZE GENTLY,
I WILL DANCE AROUND YOU AND SLOWLY RUFFLE YOUR HAIR,
YOU CAN'T SEE ME BECAUSE I SHALL NO LONGER BE THERE;
WHEN YOUR LIPS BECOME DRY, YOU WILL KNOW THAT I HAVE GONE AWAY,
DO NOT WORRY, LAUGH A LITTLE, BECAUSE I WILL RETURN ANOTHER DAY.

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.

They say that if you're not doping you're no-hoping
but without it I can say that I'm more than coping
maybe sometimes I might take a Polska beer
be careful - even that might make you feel queer

I tried hash but then started running short of cash
when you suddenly need something you make a mad dash
there's always speed, coke and amphetamine
but if you don't surface, you'll know what I mean

You just can't beat a decent *******
to give you good head and instant elation
I took all these aids and put them in the bin
be sensible and don't even try to begin

If I want ecstasy - then I'll just make love
it's the best feeling from heaven above

I can make two paces forward, one to the side,
must win the day if you're to be my bride,
you gave me a garter on the edge of my lance,
I salute you whilst you watch my horse prance.

The castle alongside me was my refuge,
prizes of victory and esteem were huge,
my adversary glared at me with nasty hate,
I'd surveyed the scene, arrived in the lists late.

Bois - Gilbert looked familiar, reminded me of Justin G,
my pen is my sword, there was an air of finality,
we galloped towards each other, words in hand,
only room for one of us in my fair lady's land.

I will celebrate my victory with a flowing cup,
when I made contact with his body - he didn't get up.

My companion has no clothes to speak of -
no odours, no form, only shape from being
born from flat ground - transparent in the round;
an open guide that pulls you from the inside
to a new plane not seen before - straight
thro' any solid door; where is this place
I've been escorted to? Encouraged and
gently led a long way above my head
seems familiar a a long time ago - the pace
of life here is very slow, timeless
airless, a pale hue - my Fair Isle pullover
must be a clue; seem smaller now
everyone taller just as ghostly friends dance
It appears that I've been given a second chance

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 LIGHT WAS RIGHT - A DUSTY YELLOW,
DARK BELOW, NOT TOO HIGH AND NOT TOO
LOW, WINE UNTOUCHED AND PICTURES ASKEW,
KEEP YOUR SHOES ON WHATEVER YOU DO,
SHADOWS MOVING AND SOULS PROVING THAT
MAGIC STILL EXISTS BEFORE AND AFTER LOVERS
KISSED, HEARTS BEATING AND MOMENTS FLEETING
TO THE RHYTHM OF THE CLOCK AND HANDS
THAT MOCK, FEEL THEIR WAY WITH  DEFT
SKILL - NOTHING ELSE MOVES, NEVER, UNTIL
PASSION FLOWS AND ROSE UP LIKE SUNBEAMS
FINDING POLISHED SURFACES EVER EXTENDING,
ARCHED BACKS LIKE WILLOWS ABENDING,
WITH WAIT AND GO - TOMORROW NEVER COMES.

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.

Thanks to ayurvedic treatment my hair has grown long,
as I'm so successful, the products can't be wrong,
when I make love, my hair is as long as the bed,
just as wide - my suitors are attentive and easily led.

They said that they could imagine my hair spread
out on a pillow which vanshed below my good head,
we don't need a blanket - we just cover our skin,
musn't forget to remove my clips before we begin.

It has actually become an aid for great pleasure,
maybe even more lustrous, the next time I measure,
I can twine and  bind just about anything nearby,
there was so much magic - I didn't even have to try.

When I finally cut which may be my partner's decision,
someone else can go to bed with a beautiful extension!

It was time to do some re - structuring
In - house changes were necessary to bring
about better performance, modernization
otherwise we'd be left behind with no motion

He spent his time leaning on a *****
doing nothing, not good enough we're afraid
then a quiz programme with as much charisma
as a wet fish - now we wouldn't want to be churlish

However, contract has expired, you're fired
from your duties - we're moving on to new things
anything must be better than what dullness brings
we may not use your services again -going

'Well gentlemen, that's another one gone
who shall we get rid of next so long.'

I have everything - what do you have?
a loving wife, possessions - how about obsessions?
wishing for a younger woman, unlimited ***
conversational recognition to give you ignition

Put them aside - you had so many opportunities
they're gone - now grow up where you belong
you have dark moods, impatient, wished you were elsewhere
It's not the amswer - the answer is right before you

Transparent as the air that blows and caresses
your shoulders - only you have to take it under your wing
before the time is gone - even then you will be
holding hands walking together with your old smiles

You could start again - but it's best the way it was
there are no reasons - great love is simply because

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

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thou didst not *******
I came of my own accord
now you tell me that you're bored
how can I improve on my sweet Lord

Thou art a ruffian - unskilled in the
art of *******, no tantric ***
more like Titanic with a hex
I always know what's coming next

Who wrote my script and said that:
I wouldst love you no matter what?
maybe it was you more likely than not
I must be thankful, pretend with what I've got

Now thou art coming again - never mind my pain
why is it that my loss has to be your gain?

A BURNING SPIRIT WHOOSHED FROM WITHIN ME,
THE THINGS I WANTED TO DO MYSTERIOUSLY,
SAME AS YOU DO WE LAUGHED ACROSS ALL,
THINGS HAD CHANGED - A DIFFERENT HAT IN THE HALL;
I TOOK THIS HAT AND WENT OUT INTO THE RAIN,
EVERYTHING WAS POSSIBLE - THE PAST WOULD NOT COME AGAIN,
I KICKED A BALL AND I SCORED A GOAL,
A SMILE THEY SAY WAS GOOD FOR THE SOUL,
I SAID 'HELLO' TO EVERYONE I MET,
THE JELLY WAS SET, I DIDN'T NOTICE I WAS WET,
MY MIND WAS CLEAR, AMAZING AFTER MANY A YEAR,
YOU SAY YOU CAN'T BUT YOU CAN ENGAGE ANOTHER GEAR;
MAYBE I REALIZED THAT SOME THINGS HAD BEEN WRONG,
WHEN I WENT HOME, MY WIFE SAID: 'WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?'

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.

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

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

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.

IT HAPPENED WITH AN ARGUMENT,
A SUDDEN SCORE AT ANY SPORT,
THEN THE WEATHER'S TURNING NASTY,
NOT GOOD IF YOU'RE THE WORRYING SORT,
MY SKIN WAS CLEAR - NOT A SPOT IN SIGHT,
THEN A SUDDEN RASH GAVE ME A FRIGHT,
THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO STOP
A FIGHT, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD
DO TO STOP THE BALL GOING OVER THE LINE,
SUDDENLY YOU'RE NO LONGER A FRIEND OF MINE,
NOW IT'S STORMY WHEN ONCE IT WAS FINE,
THERE WAS NO WARNING, NOT EVEN A SIGN;
I REMEMBER THE RUSH, DUST ON THE HORIZON,
I KNEW THAT GOD WAS ALL I COULD RELY ON.

NOT ALL POETRY SHOULD BE ABOUT DEPRESSION,
LOVE, WIND AND TEA-CUPS - I PREFER TO BE
THE DONALD TRUMP OF THE POETRY WORLD:
SEEMINGLY ILLITERATE, OBSCENELY DISSOLUTE,
UNINFORMED, SOCIOPATHICAL AND FALSELY MAGICAL;
SOMEONE SAID THAT, 'WE HAVE A DUTY TO
IMPART KNOWLEDGE,' I DID NOT ENTIRELY AGREE,
NOT ALL OF US ARE SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND THOSE
WHO ARE NOT MAY PASS ON THEIR OWN MISTAKES;
A TEACHER MISSPELT THE WORD '*******,'
AND NOW HALF THE TOWN IS WRITING THE WORD
BOLLUCKS INCORRECTLY; THOSE WHO CAN, DO AND
THOSE WHO CAN NOT, JOIN THE RADIO -LIKE CERTAIN
PRESENTERS, IT RINGS, WHO SEEM TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS.

From the calm to the rough, the going was tough
you wondered if you were made of the right stuff
there was a foot on the porthole so it stayed
the sea pulsed by, the colour of frothy jade

'Don't you drop ash on the sail,' the captain said
it will shred in the wind and we'll all be dead'
no sooner that we were out, we had returned
extinguished the *** before the sail burned

My world had been fourteen feet, I'm now discrete:
about how bad things can be to everyone I meet
about the images that came before me
my lone battle with the tempestuos sea

It was nothing but to me everything
amazing the peace calm water could bring

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

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.

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.