Grey clouds gathering
The day becoming colder
This is our Summer
British Summertime over?
Here's wishing that Summer stays

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.

I walk the river down one side and travel back the other.
I watch the people walk their dogs and children with their mother.
I see the beauty along the course, birds nesting in the trees,
swans swimming with their young,
the fast running water of the weir,
the blueness of the sky,
the yellowness of the sun.
I see the colours of the earth, surrounding us in nearby fields,
where farmers have ploughed the soil the colour is earthly brown.
The field next to it is a blaze of green,
what the brown field will yield is yet to be seen.
Flowers starting to open their colourful heads, Daffodils, Primroses, Tulips , Bluebells  Snowdrops, Crocuses and Hyacinths, in various shades, of Yellow, Red, Blue and White, it really is a beautiful sight.
The warmth of Spring starting to generate various shades of Red, Blue, White, Yellow and Green
The Palatte of Spring is a riot of colour and truly wonderful to see

The Mouse with the House on the River Louse and Miss Molly the Dolly who lived next door.
Called a meeting one day of all their friends, The Horse and Master who lived round the bend,  Frog who lived on a log in the middle of a bog and The Bee,The Elf with one ear and the Fly with one eye.
It was a Council meeting they did cry, to discuss, with a little fuss, how to maintain  the countryside far and wide.
It was decreed they would meet in the  grounds of Miss Molly's house at half past three, the house next door to the Mouse who had a House on the River Louse.
It was a council meeting they declared, to discuss a problem that had come to light.
A problem they did fear if nothing was done, would grow and grow and their children would not be able to play out in the woods all through the day and into the night.
The problem they had identified was plastic cups dropped to the side, plastic wrappers left on the floor and plastic bags caught up and swept away down river where the children did play.
Fish in the pond had begun to die, when they breathed through their gills and inhaled plastic ties.
Everywhere they began to look was covered in plastic far and wide, it was beginning to disfigure the countryside.
The Humans were trying to do their bit but it was taking time and this did not fit.
They must come up with a plan and start today if the countryside as they know it, we're to be saved.
The Horse and Master spoke up first, "We can serve drinks in glass cups for anyone with a thirst, we can put up posters and implore they purchase their drink at the countrystore".
"The money we take can be used to buy a machine to wash the cups for the next ones to sup".
The Mouse with a House on the River Louse and Miss Molly liked the idea and made a note to have a word with the owner of the countrystore and if necessary to beg and implore that they start with immediate effect.
The Frog who lived on a log in the middle of the bog and The Bee did confer and the Frog and Bee did then rise. "We would like to say" said the Frog and Bee "we would like to make some signs to put around and advise people to be plastic wise and not to litter it on the ground"
"The signs would be painted on paper of course and the Master and the Horse could help" "The signs would say"
"People who come by this way today, please be aware that we don't want your plastic left behind!"
"Please be friendly and take your plastic home, don't leave it on the ground for the Fish or our children to swallow and die, you wouldn't like it and nor do I"
"Please take your plastic home with you and we will welcome you again, our Human friend"
Again the Mouse with a House on the River Louse and Miss Molly the Dolly liked the idea and agreed that posters were in much need. They asked the Frog who lived on a log in the middle of the bog and The Bee to make a start and to ask the Horse and Master to also take part.
Finally the Elf with one Ear and The Fly with one eye wanting to do their bit, they looked at each other and did say, "We would like to make brightly coloured bins that can be seen from far and wide, encouraging people to dispose of their plastic in a bin, on the side they would say "littering the countryside is a sin"
The Fly with one eye said "the coloured bins would assist humans and their children to identify the bins from afar and when they dropped their litter inside a loud noise would play indicating to children and those who struggled to hear, like the Elf with only one ear, that they had found the bin and their litter went within and not on the ground"
The Mouse with a House on the River Louse and Miss Molly the Dolly agreed and said "we have all been very inventive and were all agreed on the following  main action points to start right away.
The list was made to save the day and it looked like this:
Action1 bring in glass cups
Action 2 Implore the countrystore to supply drinks to the passerby
Action 3 make posters of paper and paint put them up on tree trunks, fences and gates
Action 4 Make wooden bins painted bright for people to fill with all their might
The Mouse with a House on the River Louse and Miss Molly went off to the store, to request and implore they stocked glasses for the folk who liked a drink this would encourage them to stop and think.
The Frog who lived on a log in the middle of the bog and The Bee together with their friend the Horse and Master who lived around the River bend set about making posters with paper and paint
The Fly with one eye and the Elf with one ear together made wooden bins covered in bright paints, which had a voice within when fed with litter did say 'thank you very much, have a nice day'

They all came together the very next day when Council met again and were very pleased with all that had be done, to keep the countryside spotless and still fun.
They agreed to take a week and then to resume again and discuss if the action points had been a success.
A few days later the friends decided to going swimming in the River Louse where the Mouse had a House and Miss Molly the Dolly lived next door.
The Mouse was pleased to see that all the children were swimming freely, they were not  tangled and tied by the river side with plastic ties.
It seems the glass cups, posters and bins had got the message across:

LITTERING THE COUNTRYSIDE IS A
SIN PUT YOUR ******* IN A BIN

Was stone-deaf
He Owned a restaurant and was also Head Chef.
He always said, too many cooks spoil the broth.
The broth was mucky, never clear.
Best drunk with a pint of beer.

Darkness
Mysterious, Sinful
Evoking, Freeing, Wicked
The darkness moves you towards the light
Flowing, Framing, Brightening
Illuminous, Ethereal
Light

Darkness cloaks the evening
Like a welcome friend
Bringing the bright daytime
To its natural end

Time to rejuvenate and repair
Energy, bones, skin and hair
Time to slumber a deep sleep
Time to recall memories held deep

Memories of the day gone past
New memories created, what a blast
Memories of the days of childhood
Happy memories that still stood

Sometimes the night is invaded, by dreams we don't know
Taking us to places hidden deep within our soul

What's the meaning of these dreams, that keep us awake
But in the morning we don't remember, for heaven sake

Night with all its mysteries
Is a welcome part of the day
Remember always that night comes before day

So I embrace the darkness, soak up the beauty of the night
Don't let it capture you with fright

Don't let night-time get in the way
Embrace it, use it to rejuvenate, anticipate, the start of another beautiful day

A woman full of love comes home.
On the large dining room table, she places her bag, a book and her house keys.
She adds the warmth of the sun, the sound of the sea, the wind whistling through the trees and the voice of her dad saying “Hi, it’s smee!”
She takes off her shoe and empties sand and seaweed, stubbed toes, marmite sandwiches and a surf board.
From her jacket pockets she adds a child’s dummy, a pocket hanky a Frog and Toad.
On the table she places a wine glass, very gently and a bottle of fine red.  A pizza of Jamaican **** chicken to keep her well-fed.
The table is large and there is room for more. She scoops a child’s drum from the floor and places it on top too.
The scrapping sound of a child’s chair.  Also gets placed on top with such love and care.
Looking around for more items to include she adds memories of her family young and old.  Stories which have yet to be written or indeed told.
An image of a young girl playing roly poly down the hill.  A Queens Jubilee commemorative five-pound bill.
The table bears the weight well, it stands tall and upright. The woman she will sleep well tonight.
Thank you, table, for always being there. For the load you carry, your unwavering support. Throughout the years you have witnessed much joy and tears.

Hi D Raven here again
Remember me, I’m the Vampire people would love to slain.
But 500 years I’ve now had and 500 more I’m destined for.
I’m going to tell you a short tale but be warned it will make your face pale.
So before you turn the page, let me first check your worldly age?
You must of course be twenty one to be included in the fun.
Come children gather closely now, while I stand up and take a bow.
Let the story begin.......


One day whilst at home, cutting chicken off the bone.
In an effort to impress, a lady emporess.
It was getting rather late but after all this was considered a date.
The lady hearing of my good looks, made a phone call and the night was booked.

So here I am all alone, cutting chicken off the bone, when the lights begin to trigger and I hear a womanly voice snigger.
The woman’s voice then says all light and airy, "welcome to your bad fairy".
Thinking I had been set up and someone was playing a trick, again the lights began to flick.
I slowly crept about the room, searching for a weapon, I found a broom.
I waited for the lights to settle just then I heard the whistling of a kettle.
Distracted, I turned around then, I heard another sound, this time it came from the room above, from the Cote where I kept my Pet Dove.

I headed up the stairs steep, to where my Dove I did keep.
I found feathers on the ground, my Dove was nowhere to be found.
My heart was beating out of my chest, until I found my Dove I could not rest.

I ran a few ideas through my mind, trying to forge a plan to find, my Dove.

        MY DOVE, MY DOVE, MY PET  
MY  LOVE
       WHERE FOR ART THOU?
       YOU NO LONGER PERCH UPON YOUR BOUGH

I ran from room to room, searching high and low but still could not find the Dove that was on my mind.

Returning back to the Kitchen, I found the surfaces all covered in Lichen.
Someone had covered all the surfaces in bright green.
It was a mess like no other I had seen.

Then I heard a womanly giggle and ran towards the sound.
My feet began to slip and slide, I fell to the floor and slid right into the kitchen door.

The woman giggled once again and I wiggled on my belly towards the sound coming from the room with the tele.
What do you think I found?

       MY DOVE, MY DOVE, MY PET,
MY LOVE

Sitting on the remote control, turning channels nice and slow.
Hopping from foot to foot, laughing as he does, free from restraints of the Cote above.

What about the green slime, I hear you ask?

Well the Dove had tried a simple task of making some Jelly to eat before the tele.  
It ended up on the floor then I slipped and head butted the door.

I called the Lady Emporess and apologised to her but I had to break our date.
It simply was not within our fate to have this late night date.

Now I am running late for another date, I have a Kitchen to clean, a meal to make and an evening in front of the tele just me my Pet Dove, my best mate.

Well that's all folks for now, I bid you goodnight and take my bow.

Draven – D-Raven is my name
I’m well known of course, I have found fame, I am written of in novels and poetry, everyone knows my name.

Over time I have had many different names Vlad and Dracula the most popular by far.
My face is pale white and from time to time I have gotten in fights, my face shows the scars.

I long to roam on my own but from time to time I gather in a brood, we drink and smoke, jump out on folk and generally get up to no good.

D-Raven, I am also d-riven, see what I did?
I am driven to culture the blood from any Human R.I.P’d.

The Human body must be warm, of course, cold blood just won’t do!
Be careful stay out of my way, the next victim could be you!

I nip the neck with my Fangs, that’s teeth to you, they are particularly long and sharp and pierce right through the skin, to the large artery within, which the blood flows.
Watching the victim go pallid and weak, gives me a very warm glow.

By day I sit high up in the sky in trees and buildings, legs slung over the ledge.
Looking for the next victim, whom to make my pledge.

Watching the Humans down below playing and toiling, making their own pledge, trading their souls for a few pennies more.
To buy food, clothes, shoes, maybe purchase a car.

They do not know I exist amongst them, and I like to keep it that way.
They won’t even know before they die, I never look them in the eye.
From the back I approach, hand around their throat.
It’s only afterwards that I stand back, look at them, take them in and gloat.


Sometimes I see beauty, staring back at me, and I take the time to admire; but mostly I see ugliness and I’m glad they have expired.
If I ever thought that perfection existed, I would quickly exit out of this business.
Alas Humans strive for perfection, but it is not a winning aim, so for now there is no end to my killing game.

I continue to roam this earth, day and night, every now and then I reveal myself, in a prank to cause fright (it’s how I entertain myself).
People see and immediately flee, screaming and running away from me, I chuckle and laugh at the fuss I have caused, it lightens the load that I carry, makes me feel.

Have I said I’m handsome of face, at least so I am told, I am also charming, witty and very bold.
I married once, a lady, I met the same day we wed, our marriage did not get old.
She told a tale of lies to get me in her bed, then my one love, my only desire fell head first into a fire.
I’ll never make that mistake again, single I will stay, no one else to think about, I like it that way.

People assume that I can’t be happy but all I can do is laugh and sigh, then calmly reply “500 years and I want more, I love this business of blood and gore.

Pen and Paper will ensure I exist for all eternity, written into stories and poems that rhyme, my name will change, of course, from time to time.
Essentially it is true, that I am through and through a Vampire, who exists to consume the living, think of it as my way of giving, back to society, maybe you should consider me hired, taking the blood of the less desired.

I long for someone to hold my hand, tell me stories of love and desire, if I found someone who could love me for who I am, I would happily retire.
I would take a home down in the depths below the ground, where the Devil stokes the fire.

For now, though, D-Raven is my name, Vampiring is my game (and I’m quite good at it)

Two lanes traffic, moving oh so slow
Close to home now, not much further to go
 
Sun still shining bright
Casting it's warmth and beautiful light
 
Springsteen playing on the radio, boom, boom, boom, boom
Matey in the next lane, wanting extra room
 
Sun still shining bright
Casting it's warmth and beautiful light
 
All around the sky is a beautiful bright blue with occasional wisps of pale white
It lifts your heart and mind, makes everything feel right
 
Sun still shining bright
Casting it's warmth and beautiful light
 
As I drive, in the distance as far as I can see
Is the beautiful hue of glorious verdant green trees
 
Sun still shining bright
Casting it's warmth and beautiful light
 
Dip down the hill to the bridge that crosses the canal
Nearly home now, the rest of the journey is a bit more banal
 
Sun still shining bright
Casting it's warmth and beautiful light
 
Home now, walk in the door
Hubby hands a glass of wine
Sat in the garden, relaxing, recline
Who could ask for anything more
 
Sun still shining bright
Casting it's warmth and beautiful light
 
 
7pm and the Sun has finally gone for another day
Let's hope tomorrow it can come back out to play

Autumnal colours vibrant and strong.
Framing the Landscape, broad and long.
Trees of different type and colour.
Various combinations to discover.
Leaves of Red, Orange, Yellow, Brown and Green.
Combining to create a wonderfully, warming scene.
Deciduous trees, shedding their leaves.
Decorating the floor, treasures left for children to explore.
The days darken, the heat lessens, the wind and rain set in.
This can only mean one thing,  Winter is keen to begin.

In New England, a sight; like no other
Created by Natures very own Mother
A sight so dazzling, brightening the Autumnal skies
Creating a pleasurable scene, delighting our eyes
Leaves of many varieties, of strong and vibrant colours
Turning from Green to Yellow, Orange, Red and Brown
Before they slip form the branches and
F
A
L
L
Laying a coat of many colours down
For us to walk, jump, and run through, upon the ground

Its Fathers Day and everyone is celebrating
Fathers receiving pressies from their kin
Fathers being taken to lunch, menus that have them salivating
Fathers cards lovingly written and given

This year it has hit me hard noone to buy a present or card
The cards have been in stores for a few weeks
They call me to them and I start to seek
Then I remember my Dads no longer here
Noone to wish Happy Fathers day cheer

My Dad, was fun, loving and kind
My Dad was intelligent of mind
My Dad was sporting, table tennis, football and cricket  
My Dad was this girls winning ticket
My Dad loved classics, music and books
My Dad had film star good looks
My Dad was my best friend and I loved him to the very end

So instead of a card or a pressie, this year
I will lift a glass of alcohol cheer
Raise my glass and thank the universe for my Dad
He was the best a girl ever had

Dads are a special gift to cherish all year
So raise your glasses and ring out the cheers
Happy Fathers Day to all Dads including those no longer here.

The sound of the sea, a thunderous roar, as it crashes and breaks upon the shore.

The wave has travelled from afar, tossing and turning, gathering speed.
Unaware it will be the cause of a feeding frenzy.

Sat on the beach, enjoying the sun, children playing, having fun.
Above all other noise, a loud squawking can be heard, this, the sound of the Seagull bird.

High in numbers, flying high in the sky, they hover, occasionally they swoop and dive, excited for the crest of the wave, with each rise.

Within the foam, a treasure is found, small fishes are the feast of kings for this scavenging bird.

I sit on the beach enjoying the sun, and all around a feeding frenzy has begun.
The gulls feast on their fishes and children feast on ice cream, both meals considered fit for kings and queens.

Freedom
Comes in many disguises
For some it's hard to find
It often leaves before one realises
And sometimes it is left behind

Freedom
Has different meanings to some
To me it is very clear
To some it is the Freedom to explore and roam
To me Freedom of speech is dear

Freedom
Should be everyone's right
Though it often is denied
Everyone should be free to live without fear or fright
Freedom is a precious commodity which should be everyone's pride

Freedom
Can be brutally taken
Governments are often the cause
It leaves the mind devastated and clearly shaken
Governments should rethink their  clauses and rewrite the laws

To ensure that everyone has the Freedom they had at birth
The Freedom they were born with upon this earth

Saying No is a right
You shouldn't have to put up a fight
Your eight years old you have the right to run in the sun, play in the park, ride on a bike, climb a tree, fall and scrape your knee, drink coca cola, eat pizza, play games with your friends, learn to swim, collect shells on the beach, reach for the stars they shouldn't be out of reach.

At eight years old you should not know ****
At eight years old you should not be murdered
You should still be loved and cherished and running carefree
A child not a political pawn, what has humanity spawned.

India is getting the blame for it was there that little Asifa, lost her flame.

The reasons for this happening is not entirely clear.
But let's not pretend that bad
things don't happen here

We have a duty to our young ones, to watch them very close.
Protect them the best we can, and if we see bad things happening help them to make a stand.

Oh no I hear you cry
Is it contagious just walk on by
I can't imagine how it must be
To have to eat my food Gluten Free

It must be horrid, it can't taste nice
Do you live by just eating rice
I think i'll give it a miss if you don't mind
I like my bread as you see not made with Xantham as its Gluten Free

So keep your GF and I'll raise you some wheat
Here have some wholemeal bread it's my treat
How about some pasta with sauce let's put you to the test, I'll just add some spice or lemon zest
I bet its not real, she won't be able to tell
It surely won't harm her if I make hers the same as mine

Oh dear why are you in such pain, I felt sure you wouldn't notice when I put you to the test
I'm very sorry my lovely I'm sure it will soon pass by
Next time we'll eat GF when you next come by

In the meantime let's raise a glass of cheer I bought your favourite glass of beer

Is back..
It gives you a smile a mile wide to see Gypsy John is back

Gypsy John with cart, horse and dog by his side
People call from far and wide to deliver parcels of food for Gypsy John and his crew.

Gypsy John sets up camp in the middle of the road, on what's called a roundabout.

Gypsy John is getting old and sits around a camp fire to warm his cold bones and cook his food.

Gypsy John does not like favours and takes his food begrudgingly, instead he will work all day for his pay, locals find him work indoors.

When one cold winter came, locals crowd funded to buy him a new cart, his horse was retired as very old, £12000 was raised to keep Gypsy John and his animals well.

Gypsy John comes with the change of season as summer turns to fall.
Gypsy John is a reminder and reason to us all to keep going work hard and live long.

Long live Gypsy John.

Secreted behind these four walls
Palace under siege
Is it death or freedom for me?

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

Happy New Year to you all.
May your dreams and wishes come true, for each and everyone of you.

May your family roll in a wealth of happiness.
May you shine your light and let love in.
May you flourish in all you strive to do.
May 2019 be good to you.

Say goodbye to 2018.
It was mostly good and not too mean.
It was one of the better, recent one, that has been.

So raise your glasses and with me give cheers and thanks for another, coming, year.

Happy 2019