Had a secret hiding place, at the bottom of a Glen
He would always say he found Zen in the bottom of the Glen.
Zen was a buddha made of stone
Who sat peacefully and all alone.

I would hold out my hand
Five fingers all covered in soft white sand
Wash you in bright blue seas
Kiss you with golden sun
Add a sprinkle of cafe and bars for fun

I would caress your cheeks with a light wind or two
I would care for your spirit by offering adventurous activities to do

I would sing  beautiful music to your ears
Make the island safe and happy to chase away your fears
I would add some wildlife a rugged coastline too, maybe even a petting zoo.

I would most of all build a home off the beaten track, so we can get lost, no way of finding our way back.

We walk hand-in-hand
Across the beautiful soft sand
The silence is comforting, our love is deafening
We don't say a word, there's nothing to be heard
We walk hand-in-hand
Across the beautiful soft sand

Start of the holiday
Off to find some sun
On our way to zante the Greek island of fun

Leaving Bristol airport
Weaving across the English Channel
Over France and Germany flying
At 35000ft
Looking out the window at all that is below

The Dolomites mountains sprawling in front and below
Their peaks capped in glorious snow
Sun swathed villages sit nestling at their feet
Huge lakes of water glistening like gold
How I wonder what life is like 35000ft below

What do the villagers do for jobs?
How do they get by?
Do they drive cattle or cars?
Or do they ride a pony or horse?
Do they work the land, toil with their hands?
Do they drive to the supermarket buy everything they need?
Or do they grow their vegetables starting from seed?
Do their children go to school or do they run in packs, learning the skills of life, learning how to track.

Is their life a simple one, unfamiliar to you and I?
Do they see planes and wish that they could fly?
Do they dream of being doctors, nurses, politicians and the like.
Do they dream of traveling by car, plane, road or bike?

Do they dream of travelling to places far and wide, experiencing adventures new?
Or are they happy nestling at the feet of the Dolomites simply enjoying life - as you and I should do.

Young love, holding hands
Swimming in the surf, walking on the sands

Young love, sweetly kiss
Life is a blast, full of promise

Young love, dancing at night
In each others arms, holding each other tight

Young love , declaring their future
Baring their souls, whispering to each other

Young love , full of romance
Living life, taking every chance

Young love, open and true
Standing in front of each other, vowing "I do"

Young love, starting out with a plan
To be together forever and build their own large clan

Young love, becomes mature
Still walking on sands talking of the future

We're leaving memphis today
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay
Blues and Soul music on repeat
A walk up the famous Beale Street
Sun studios is a must of course, where legends got their first break
Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lewis and Elvis too
Gracelands you have to do!
Elvis's cars, golf buggies, bikes and planes
He loved his toys the collection is insane
From Memphis Tennessee by Amtrak cutting across the South, along the mississippi to Louisiana
Destination New Orleans
What will we see, what will we do?
Where will we go to eat at night?
Will there be Jazz bands in the streets, dancers and drummers at your feet.
What is that makes NOLA unique?

When you walk amongst the flower and trees,
Do you take note of the insects and bees?
Making their homes in the branches and leaves.
Some no bigger than a speck of dirt.
Bees hovering amongst the roses, cowslip, and milkwort.
Pollinating the buds of new flowers, preparing for Spring to arrive.
The treasure they desire is nectar; to be drunk by the Queen of their beehive.

Show your admiration for nature at work.

Beetles, crickets, flies of all kinds, can be found.
Amongst the stem and leaves closer to the ground.
The crickets emit a shrill chirp, the flies hum as they quickly flap their wings.

Listen closely as nature sings.

Popping up their heads from their hole in the ground.
Wild rabbits, take a look around you, hundreds abound.
Squirrels running up their trees.
Escaping predators, storing their tea.

Watch closely as nature plays.

Down by the canal amongst the reeds, dragonflies of a beautiful bright blue.
Flap their wings very quickly, look closely, do you see one close-by?
Be quick they will be gone in the blink of an eye.

Wonder at the swiftness of nature.

Gnats and midges in their hordes,
Creating havoc and discord.
Swatting a huge band of them with your hand; wondering what is their place?
As they make a nuisance of themselves, getting in your face.

Wonder at the swiftness of nature.

Ducks swans, geese sharing the river, swimming atop; Fishes swimming below.
Birds make nests for the young in the safest bushes beneath the largest willow.

Admire the protective side of nature.

When you walk...with an open mind.
You will be delighted at the many forms of nature you find.

My dearest friend, I thought I'd put paper to pen
and write you a friendly letter
I started to think what i could write to you about and decided ......
.....
I'd write to tell you about the good times we had, about our hopes and dreams sometimes happy, sometimes sad
I'd write to tell you about our thoughts and visions about lifes goals and expectations
I'd write to tell you about being young and bold, growing up and growing old
I'd write to tell you about the happy memories we've made, the families we've grown, the friends we've made
I'd write to tell you about the loves we've had and the loves we've lost
I'd write to tell you about the mistakes we've made and those yet to come........
................................................

Th­en I decided i wouldn't write at all, for to know what's around the corner is to miss out on living life.
My dearest friend at the end of the day, all i have to say; is you only have one life, live your life to the fullest, take chances, make memories and connections, don't look back, lifes too short for regrets, but most of all dear friend..... Be Happy

The ancient village settles below
The mountains they surround
And high up on the hilltop they are guarded by a cross with Jesus Christ tied by hands and feet bound

We climbed to the very top
Rock after rock we did not stop

First La croix, to admire the view
The village below, pale walls, shutters of blue

Next we walked and climbed,carefully taking our time
A Fort sits on the top, crafted by the Saxons
Men of strong build and hair of flaxen
450 metres above ground, so quiet not a sound
The remains a joy to see, just my loved one and me

The village is of Moorish beginnings
Has ancient street names, restaurants and bars
You can drive through with your car
But take the hike to the top and you will be winning
The view the reward, on a clear day you can see to the Alps
Your heart will thank you with little palps
Your body will thank you feeling sprightly
Your mind will thank you feeling rightly

A day of energy and fun, a day spent in the warming sun

A day to remember another day when winter is here, a day to remember and to bring you much cheer

I introduced myself to you a short while back
I’m the man with fangs for teeth, who lies in a coffin by day and roams the earth by night

I’ve seen some sights in my 500 years, most of them not pretty
The strangest of them occurred this evening, whilst roaming in the City

I was looking for some sweet blood to save me from dying
Sweet, warm blood, just my type, a sign of a human being ready and ripe

Ripe for the picking, for my tea, a nip of the neck to set me free
First a nip, then I ****, until the blood is drained, the human runs out of luck but me well I’m Mr Lucky

Well I guess my luck is wearing thin, or I found someone of my match
A blonde beauty oh how I much desired, threw herself right at me and I almost fell in the fire

We were sat lounging in a bar in the Cavern, it is of course our local Tavern
Her eyes found me across the room, I lost all my senses and started to swoon

She batted her eyelids and lashes and called me by my name
I tried to speak but couldn’t fathom a reply, all I could do was open my mouth and sigh

She wiggled her finger at me beckoning me to her side
I blushed and went over to see what she wanted, I had no idea I was so vain, and at this moment in time feeling a little insane.

She told me she loved me and wanted to wed, then for me to take her home and share with her, my bed
I was flattered, and loving thoughts rampaged through my head

I got down on one knee, like the gent that I am, and asked her to wed me tonight
She said that she would and showed great delight, then kissed me on my lips

A little nip she gave before her lips left mine, it didn’t matter, it tasted divine, like a good full bodied red wine

We married in haste, eager to get home to bed, all impure thoughts running through my head

When we got to my room it became suddenly clear, it wasn’t my bed she wanted to share
She had designs on my blood within, she was going to **** me dry, make me pay for all my sins

It was suddenly clear that she wasn’t very nice, the words from her mouth dripped full of lies, the blood that ran through her veins as cold as ice

I would not suffer or give in, I needed 500 more years to carry on with my sins
I hatched a plan to save my skin, I needed to be quick, my skin is thin

Thin skin and a pale face, blood red eyes and fangs for teeth
My thoughts turned to hate, and I started to seethe


In the Kitchen I opened a bottle of full bodied red, called her to share it with me by the open fire
I declared my love for her and told her she was my heart’s desire

She was bewitched and flattered, mesmerised by with my words
I looked her in the eyes and bent forward for a kiss,
I missed and fell forward, stumbling and pushing the little minx,
She let out a cry and tried to steady herself on the kitchen sink

Alas, it was not to be, suddenly she fell into the fire, my love, my only desire
Turned to black and faded away, maybe she’ll reform and come back another day
This time with love and warmth in her eyes, then we could give it a go, see if it is possible for Two Vampire to own a soul.

For now, I am free to continue to roam, in the City I call home.

I remember you in the mornings, when I drink my first cup of tea
I remember you when I call home and you are not there to say “hi, is that smee?”
I remember you when I’m driving with the radio on, and the DJ plays that annoying song
I remember you when we have a day out at the beach; chucking ball with each other, always just out of my reach
I remember you when I call at Mums expecting to see you there, sitting in your chair; ready for a natter, politics religion or anything else for that matter
I remember you when I pick the kids up in the car, how late at night you would pick me up no matter how far
I remember you on our anniversary and how you looked that day, pride in your eyes as you gave me away
I remember you when the England Cricket Team had their day; you would have been frustrated but elated with the way they played
I remember the wonderful Dad you were and how your arms around me showed you cared.
I remember you every day Dad and always wish you were here.

I always remember **

Went through a spate
Of staying up particularly late
She said, she found peace at night
Peace was a girl with curly hair
Who lived in a shoe box under the stairs

Up with the larks
People rushing in the dark
Quickly, quickly from A to B
Where are they going?  
what will they see?
People watching, eyes alert
Do people notice if others are hurt?
Are they too busy to ever see the
hidden secrets of you and me?

Clouds you stealthily pass us by.
To where i wonder and know not why.
You quietly move with little noise but lots of grace.
Moving at ease throughout the vast space.
Sometimes you are grey and heavy with rain.
Then you release the water and flood our drains.
Sometimes you are light, fluffy and white.
Combined with an early morning sun and you are quite the sight.
Your form creates patterns in the bright blue sky.
Visible on earth to the human eye.
It is quite breathtaking and makes me smile.
Light, fluffy and white clouds, please hang around for a while.

In the midst of the night
When silence surrounds
A terrible tragedy was waiting to be found

Tom, a small child, sat up in his bed
Pulling the duvet up over his head
He silently shook
Scared to speak out
Not knowing what the rumbling noise outside was about

Tom slowly rose from his bed
He went to find his parents room
They would know what to do

When Tom reached the room he sought
The number of Parents it contained, was nought
Quietly Tom tiptoed down the stairs
Careful not to bump into any chairs

Still, any adults he couldn’t find
Home Alone the movie, sprang to mind
He searched for the switch on the wall
From which a glowing light would fall

Tom shed some light upon the floor
And lit the path to the back door
Bravely he turned the handle
And quietly walking in his sandals
Took a sneaky peek outside
He couldn’t believe what he saw
His eyes stretched very wide

The biggest tree Tom had ever seen, in his very short life, had fallen down!
And all the adults Tom had sought plus others, were standing in a circle looking at the tree
They were trying to devise a plan, they could all agree

“How did it happen?” Tom heard someone say
“I know,” said Tom who was very bright
“Maybe I can shed some light”
“I heard a man on the news say, climate change is happening not tomorrow but today”
Tom continued “very soon the Planet as we know it, will be changed, from excessive heat and excessive rain”
“But today where we live in the Forest, men are cutting down the trees”
“to allow progress and build roads for cars, we are taking away the Earth’s lungs to breathe”
The adults listened to what Tom had to say and all agreed with the young lad.
But what to do about it, if they did nothing, then very soon
There would be no green areas for the children to play, and this made the group very sad.

The group decided to raise a petition and present it to the Top
Cutting down healthy trees must now stop
For every tree we cut down, new ground for seedlings must be found
As a Town, we could do more
No more plastic bags, something we should explore
Recycling our waste, we must unite
Let’s start thinking about our carbon footprint tonight
Make a change to our electricity and our gas, someone explained
We could purchase energy that is made 100% from wind sun and rain.

Tom couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing
Here in his back garden, a council meeting was taking place
Agendas were being made

It was only a small step in Toms world but all the same
If this was happening over and over in other Towns around the world, there would be bigger rewards to gain
And not just in Toms world either but all around the Globe
Fishes would live longer no plastic bags to get caught in their gills or small plastic pellets to ingest
This would be one change they could immediately put to the test.
They would have a plastic bag amnesty; people could return their old plastic bags and get a town embossed shopping bag made from 100% cotton thread
The adults were elated with the changes they were to make
They were hoping to see the changes make a difference where they lived
It was only a little effort but it showed such promise to give

Tom was excited and tired
Retreated back to bed
He could rest now, his Town was in safe hands
His Mum and Dad plus others stayed outside to make their plans

Sometimes it takes a small person to pick up a big fight

My heart beats to a rhythm of its own
Fast and steady it beats to its own time
Every time I look into your eyes
You give me light and air to breathe, my oxygen tank, that keeps me safe and free
You take me places my soul does seek
To the end of the universe in just one beat
Hold tight, look up don't let go let's see how far this journey will go
We'll take a boat trip to foreign shores, walk barefooted along silver sands
Together holding hand in hand
We'll set up camp and start to explore each others bodies
Take our time, reaching deep, let our hands, mouths and minds roam free
Take one step at a time until we are together for eternity one of a kind in body, heart and mind.

I've been on this earth such a very long time, 500 years have gone.
I've seen many Kings and Queens come and go, it's been so very long.

I have a disposition to culture human blood, lovely thick and warm.
One bite of an elegant ladies neck will stand me in good stead.
One litre of a royals blue blood will give me life, rise me from the dead.

By day I live in a wooden box, I like to call my bed.
It's lined with silk and fits me well from side to side and length as well.
I like my room to be cold not hot, I'm not too keen on fire.
One touch of that hot flame and my bed becomes a wooden pyre.

I lie in bed dreaming of what's to come, of the night ahead.
Who will I party with tonight, will they serve a pigs head upon an apple bed.

I'm not too keen on garlic, it makes me run away.
But I'm happy feasting on calves liver or maybe a lambs leg, a delicious beef steak, all of course must be served rare no other way will do.
Rare with lots of blood oozing on the plate.
Makes me very happy, makes me shiver and shake.

For cake perhaps Red Velvet with Blood Orange sauce, served with coffee in a cup and a dish of petit fours.

Most of all I hope some warm thick blood will be on offer.
I must get my fix before I head back to the safety of my wooden coffer.

If I'm lucky tonight will be carefree no one chasing after me.
Stakes and Crosses in their hand determined to banish me from their land.
For everyone knows to **** a Vampire a stake through the heart will do.
To be honest that would **** anyone, even the human called you.

So to finish my story I bid you farewell and hope our paths do not cross.
For that will surely mean that I nip your neck and then you will be no more.
Just another notch on my bedpost where I keep the score.

My sweet friend
Hold my hand
Let me take you to a better land
A land where everyone is unique
A land where petals pave the street
A land where everyone is happy and free
A land where you would want to be
Oh, sweet friend, I can take you there, just take my hand and follow me there.

My sweet friend
Hold my hand
Together we can stroll to far away lands
Lands where love conquers all
Lands where we can revive our souls
Lands that are serene and so divine
Lands that were created before the start of time
Oh, sweet friend, I can take you there, just take my hand and follow me there.

My sweet friend
Hold my hand
We can make a life in another land
A land where we can love each other
A land where we are true to each other
A land like no one else will see
A land unique to you and me
Oh, sweet friend, I can take you there, just take my hand and follow me there.

My Sweet Friend
Place your hand upon my heart, we can be together until death do us part

The heart whispers,
Silently it speaks
Its rhythm and beat solely mine; unique

Crafted from experiences over time.
Of love, respect and friendship
Of giving and sharing
Of tenderness and caring
I hold my heart tenderly, it’s mine alone, to give.

Strengthened with ties.
Binding me to you;
no matter how far you travel, or where life takes you.
My heart is throbbing almost bursting with love;
I will hand you my heart,  cautiously, to hold with kitten glove.

The heart whispers.
In bed for the first time, tenderly we hit our peak.
“I love you” the heart silently squeaks.

The heart whispers,
Silently it speaks
Its rhythm and beat no longer solely mine;
we now lay in bed as one; mind, body, and soul entwined.
I feel the change; my heart is yours and yours is mine.

No longer scared to listen to my heart;
I tell you “I love you”, confidently as I should have from the start.
“I love you too” my heart and mind hear, my heart bursting with pride,
knowing I will always have you by my side.
Taking care of my heart as you promised; til death do we part.
Loving each other is easy, once you get past the start.

My mind is nimble
After ten kilometres
Body not so quick

Is it a bird flapping it's wings, soaring high in the sky?
Is it a flower unfurling it's petals at the start of a new day?
Is it a Swan swimming gracefully on the River?
Is it a child playing on the swings?
Is it any of these things?
Or is it the freedom to be able to walk in the park, til the sunsets and it becomes dark?
Seeing with your own eyes the beauty that surrounds, anything from a rosebud to ant mound.
Being able to paint a picture with acrylics or with words without fright or fear.
Being able to drink a beer, raise a glass , clink and shout cheers.
Sunbathing in a bikini on a beach, should not be considered to be out of reach.
Political debate and points of view it's  OK if their different, its more interesting you see if you don't always agree with me.
Wearing lipstick and face paints thats an old tradition I'm happy to uphold, some like it subtle others very bold.
Whips and Chains, I can refrain their not necessarily for me but hey what's stopping you, if this is what sets you free.
Listen to music, it's your choice, country, pop, hip hop, rhythm, jazz or blues, there's a genre for everyone; find something that you like keep playing it on repeat, get the body swaying, dancing on your feet.
Laughter is a freedom no one should lose, so many good comedians around, find one you like and laugh, laugh, laugh, turn that frown upside down.
Travel to countries far and wide, see the sunset rise on foreign shores, dip your toes in the ocean, climb a mountain or two, visit Trevi Fountain, the hills of Peru.
Donate your time to a worthy cause
, attend a demonstration to change unworthy laws.
Dress in clothes of your choice, pierce your ears and ink your skin, don't look on it as being a sin.
Read Shakespeare, Dickens, De Maurier, Kipling, Wilde, Lear, Bukowski, Chekhov, Harris, Hanff, Dostoevsky, newspapers of your choice, let's all rejoice in the spoken word no matter how insignificant or absurd.
Write prose and poetry about what you see, share it online with the poetry community free for all to see.
Cherish your loved ones and nurture their love, watch them grow to acheive their dreams, setting them free to live as they choose, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

But most of all own your choices.
Be proud and make heard your voices.