There was joy, there was sorrow
there was darkness, there was light.
And then you came to be among us
on a cold and winter’s night.

The little miracle, we had hoped for
a gift to a father, of a son.
For this Grandad, a little playmate
And time together, full of fun.

For your Mother, what she hoped for
and it seemed would never come.
A little bundle of hope and joy
her very precious baby son.

With your smile you make us happy
if you’re sad we feel it too.
And our lives are so much better
when we spend our time with you.

You and me, we play together
football, cars, Spider-Man too.
In a world of fun and fantasy
that’s created by me and you.

When you grow to be older
and I can no longer be.
Hold me tight in your heart
and just remember me.

Alone I entered the room.
Something wasn’t right.
The patio door was open.
There he was, hiding in the corner.
That was the last straw.
He’d been bothering me
and my family all week.
We were all afraid of him.

As I cautiously approached him
he went for me. Trying to evade
him I fell and cut my head
on the edge of the radiator.

Finally I managed to get the better
of him, striking him hard with
my right hand. Then I angrily
launched into him.
Didn’t know I had it in me.
After a few moments
It was all over.
he was gone. I had killed him!

I managed to get him off the floor
and carried him outside,
dumping him behind the trees
at the bottom of the garden.

I was pleased to be rid of him
before the family came back home.
Later I stood looking down the garden
through the kitchen window
to where he was. I felt a bit guilty
but was somehow relieved.
I had always hated Wasps!
At least that’s one less to bother us.

Now they don’t want me, now they don’t care
might just as well go back to bed up those wooden stairs.
They took it all away from me, everything I knew
now it’s all gone and there’s nothing I can do.
I wondered if it would happen, ever happen to me
and now that it has, the future’s hard to see.
There has to be a reason why it’s me this time
don’t think I want to know, just want to save my mind.

Maybe there’s a better way, a better way to be
maybe it’s out there waiting, waiting there for me.
Got to try to find it, got to take the time
see if I can find a way, to make the future mine.

Life is very different now, with no place to go
some days I’m fine, others times I’m low.
My thoughts remind me of what I left behind
on a sad and lonely day which often comes to mind.
But I must take a look at what’s before me now
to see if I can try to start again somehow.
Maybe follow a dream, is something I should do
and find somewhere else to be where I can see it through.

Maybe there’s a better way, a better way to be
maybe it’s out there waiting, waiting there for me,
Got to try to find it, got to take the time
see if I can find a way, to make the future mine.

The doctor had said she looked tired today
the tests had shown it wouldn't go away
her looks might go, her living could too
how would she cope, what could she do
she was late arriving for the photo shoot
in her tight blue jeans and high heel boots
the make up artist did her thing
and soon she was ready for anything.

She looked so good as the flash gun fired
with her make up on she no longer looked tired
the photographer told her what to do
with her long blonde hair and eyes of blue
she knew how to ****** the camera lens
each exposure was her latest friend
it was clear to see she photographed well
even though she just felt like hell.

She knew how to grace a magazine cover
knowing how to look, more than any other
often she would be the centrefold
in a magazine, that was never under sold
she still always had that look in her eye
even when she wanted to just sit down and cry
Something had to give, something had to change
it was clear to see things couldn't stay the same.

But that was then and this is now
there's always a way to survive somehow
gone are the looks that brought her fame
but she earns her living, just the same
now she works as a photographer herself
taking pictures for the magazine shelves
and she knows what to tell the girls to do
with their long blonde hair and eyes of blue.

It's been a very reasonable day, just a light shower or two
walking along these country lanes, round each corner, a different view.
But it's getting late now and darkness will soon be here
there's a haunting sound from the wood nearby, I hope it's nothing to fear.
I know I should be thinking of making my way back
and I really did think I was on the right track.
And yet, wherever I seem to look and wherever I seem to roam
I just can't seem to find my way back home.

I've climbed to some higher ground now, such a wonderful view
I can smell the freshness in the air and in the distance, see my home now too.
But it's getting cooler and there's a strange stillness up here
I can almost feel the cold silence, which I hope is nothing to fear.
Now darkness has fallen but in the moonlight I can see
a path that I think looks familiar to me.
It leads to a narrow stream I can cross on a stepping stone
so I can try to find my way back home.

Having waited in the darkness, I can now see in the light dawn brings
I sense all of the beauty of nature around me and I listen as a blackbird sings.
But with the dawn a storm has gathered and above me dark clouds are near
and as the thunder cracks and lightning flashes, I hope there is nothing to fear.
Now I'm feeling lost, tired, wet and cold
and like someone who has suddenly grown old.
And I don't want to be here in this place any longer on my own
I just want to find my way back home.

There's a shaft of light from an open curtain and it's so bright in my eyes
and the noise from a radio alarm clock catches me by surprise.
As I wake up the duvet feels warm and comforting against my skin
and there is someone beside me, still sleeping, so I don't say anything.
I look around me and I know I am home
I'm not really somewhere lost and alone.
And of course I realise things are not really as bad as they seem
for I was lost, but only somewhere in a dream.

I remember as a young man dreaming of falling in love
my dreams were for a special girl made in heaven above
the kind of girl you come by only once in a while
then she walked into my life with her precious smile.

I remember when I first saw her in the middle of the room
next to the dance hall, where we’d dance our love tune
and when we became friends how it was never enough
as I had already fallen in love.

I remember how she smiled when she danced a certain way
and when we became a couple, one September day
I had at last got something in my life so right
I could hold her in my arms, not just in my dreams at night.

I remember when we were married, how it rained and rained all day
but we did not let it spoil our very special day,
I looked back down the aisle, as she came to me dressed in white
and was greeted by her smile, shining through her veil so bright.

I remember how much I loved her, so glad that she was mine,
I remember I gave a promise to love her for all time.
I remember and I will, for no one could love her more
and I’ll hold her in this heart of mine for now and evermore.

An old man sits on a churchyard bench
with his memories of times long ago.
When he was the Vicar of the church
and the people he’d come to know.

He recalls when he married a couple
on an almost perfect summer’s day.
And how with joy in their young faces
they knelt there before him to pray.

He remembers when he christened twins
who cried the whole ceremony through.
Their mother tried to keep them quiet
but there was nothing she could do.

The church would be full at Christmas
with people standing near the door.
He wondered why they all came
but then didn’t come any more.

And he still remembers the burial
of a young man who died in a car.
Taking his dangerous love of speed
so tragically a little bit too far.

Near where he sits there’s a young boy
kneeling by his Grandmother’s grave.
It’s nearly dark, under a cold wintry sky,
and he’s not really feeling very brave.

The young boy stands with the old man
saying “Grandpa it’s time for us to go ”.
They walk off hand in hand together
on a path now sprinkled with snow.

They look up above to the skies
with their young and innocent eyes.
Little children not really knowing
where their young lives are going.
Some are born of kings and queens
others just of people with dreams.
Some are born into families so poor
others destined for riches and more.

Adolescence will arrive out of the blue
their bodies will change, they will too!
Many will become technology slaves
and adopt some rather strange ways.
Boys will see girls in a different light
and dream of them deep into the night.
Boys will wear clothing with a hood
girls will say they're misunderstood.

They'll be arrogant, just wanting fun
a bit like us when we were young.
Some may learn from what they see
in the ways of people like you and me.
But they all deserve a chance in life
even just to be a good husband or wife.
To find happiness in whatever they do
and to know success and humility too.

I missed my wife today
while she had to be away.
Realised how lonely I’d be
if she wasn’t here with me.

Without her love and smile
life wouldn’t be worthwhile
I missed my wife today.

I missed my children today
seeing them happily at play.
Sunny days and ice creams
bedtime stories before dreams.

They’ve grown and moved on
now my little ones are gone.
I missed my children today.

I missed my father today
working Monday to Friday.
Taking us out on Saturday.
preaching in church on Sunday.

Taken from us far too young
long before his life was done.
I missed my father today.

I missed my mother today
busily getting through the day.
Dinner cooking, smelling good
afternoon read when she could.

Never a moan, often a smile
looking after us all the while.
I missed my mother today.

   I missed them all today.

Close To Me

When I awake from my dreams
on each new day morn
I turn and find you near to me
your body soft and warm.
I take you in my loving arms
and hold you close to me
for I can only face the day
knowing your love for me.

As I go about my days
life’s pressures all around
my thoughts drift back to you
and the love that we have found
I think of when you’re close to me
and all those things you do
till I just want the time to come
when I’m back home with you.

When the day is over
and I’m lying there with you
I take you in my arms again
feeling love for you
our hearts entwined as one
two lovers in the night
and I will hold you close to me
until the morning light.

When I woke up this morning and I saw you lying there
with the sunlight through the curtains shining in your hair.
I looked at you lovingly, while you lay asleep
then leaned over to kiss you, gently on your cheek.
And I do believe it's true to say,
I think I have kissed an Angel today.

We sat together at the breakfast table, with talk of the day ahead
as always you had something to say, to help me clear my head.
The phone rang, one of the children, needing you again
you patiently talked and listened to her, taking away her pain.
And I do believe it's true to say,
I think I have spoken to an Angel today.

When I came home in the evening, at the end of a busy day
you were there at the door to meet me, in your usual way.
I’d never seen you more beautiful, in the clothes you wear
I held you close to kiss you, while my hand ran through your hair.
And I do believe it's true to say,
I think I have seen an Angel today.

Now as I lay beside you, as you sleep, in the dark of the night
I think how you always bring to my life, so much love and light.
Without your love I would be, like a candle without a flame
for the close ones, who share our love, it would be the same.
And I do believe it's true to say,
I think I have loved an Angel today.

You were always the faithful one
with a saviour in your heart
you had seen the light of the Lord
from the very start
even in your darkest days
and the autumn of your life
you never lost faith in the Lord
Lady of the light.

Now you have left this life
and in us a memory
but we all think of you
and how you used to be
you had been the special one
when you lived your life
with a special kind of love
Lady of the light.

And when I look back on life
I often think of you
looking out of your window
the way you used to do
watching children go off to school
in the morning light
smiling to the world outside
Lady of the light.

Now you are there in Heaven
and back again once more
with those who you had loved
who had to go before
always forever the faithful one
when you lived your life
for you had seen the light of the Lord
Lady of the light.

As Alice arrives at the Hospital door
a couple smile and say hello.
The girl who is heavy with child
asks which way they should go.


Alice leans over to reach him
to kiss him for one last goodbye.
A silent tear rolls down her face
as with sadness she begins to cry.


They’d been together a very long time
thinking they had more years to come.
But illness came and frailty ensued
now their life together is done.


After some time by his bed, she left
and on hearing a noise she smiled.  
Coming from a nearby maternity suite
it was the cry of a new born child.


She sees the same couple as before
next morning when collecting his things.
And smiles, as she sees their baby boy
as one life ends, and a new one begins.

The poet still writes, the singer still sings
of love, romance and passionate things.
Yet intimate strangers you are today
standing close but seeming far away.
No longer lovers, just husband and wife
but it’s not too late to change your life.  


Togetherness can be a lonely place
if it’s just memories you embrace.
Just you two, the kids have grown
flown the nest for loves of their own.
Seems you’ve forgotten how to be
two hearts living in harmony.


But you can still be lovers too
it might just take a smile from you.
Some soft music, the lights down low
doesn’t matter how far you want to go.
Loving is not reserved for the young
it doesn’t have to be a song unsung.

Hearing footsteps on the staircase
a young boy is silent in his room,
only moonlight from the window
brightens the darkness and gloom.
His heart beats fast, fear increases
as an angry father opens the door,
staggering drunkenly towards him
to inflict violent cruelty once more.

He packs a bag with some clothes
leaving home in the quiet of night,
stepping out into the cold darkness
hoping he won’t be missed till light.
It’s not so much the pain and bruises
more that he just can’t understand,
how one man can change so much
with a glass of alcohol in his hand.

After months of living on the streets
a stranger came and sat by his side,
knowing his name and who he was
he told him he no longer should hide.
Telling him he knew from someone
all that happened would now cease
his father had gone, never to return
so home was now a place of peace.

The rising sun glows in his room
and he glances over to the door,
everything there still reminds him
of the things that happened before.
Carrying a bag with some clothes
he leaves in the morning light,
his mother reads the note he left
as she wakes from a restless night.

Little girl, trying to sleep in your bed
don’t listen to the sound of the bombs nearby
just close your eyes and try not to cry
and let your brother sing you a lullaby.

And don’t listen to the noise of the guns
as the bullets flash by your door, don’t cry
just think of the peace found in sleep
while your brother sings you a lullaby.

Little girl, as you sleep in your bed
when you dream, try not to dream of the day
when soldiers came with their guns
and took your father away.

And when you wake up to a new day
looking for the sun, through the dust and smoke
try to find some hope in that terrible place
as you and your brother strive to cope.

Little girl, war is the world of grown ups
and there is nothing you can do
even if you tell them of your fear and sorrow
no one will listen to you.

But when the war is over and done
and you no longer hear an exploding shell
maybe your young life will be a better place
more like Heaven and less like Hell.

Quiet meal, just the two of us
is something we still like to share.
It’s always easier to be ourselves
when no one else is there.

Slow dance, is still our favourite dance
you and I together, me holding you near.
While you listen as I softly whisper
words of love in your ear.

Gentle passion, that’s how we want it
when you share your love with me.
Still romantic and always tender.
That’s how we like it to be.

Night falls and you share my pillow
feels good holding you close like I do
Dawn breaks and then you kiss me
and I know all I need is you.

He remembers their first time, in the evening chill
near to the cornfield behind the house on the hill.
Where the old folks live who are lost behind its door
and don’t know where, or who they are any more.

He visits her most days, she often doesn’t know who he is
at the house on the hill, where she now needs to live.
Sometimes she looks at him with a certain look in her eye
and he knows that look and he tries hard not to cry.

He wonders if somewhere behind those troubled eyes
the woman he loved so much somehow still survives.
And just occasionally in a moment of lucid thought
she remembers the times when her life was less fraught.

The time they were young lovers, passionate and free
and so happy to be married in the spring of fifty three.
The children they raised and all their cute little ways
and the sound of Sinatra singing, on the airwaves.

He sits in his chair gazing through the window each night
up to the house on the hill, until the last moment of light.
Wondering if she looks down at the place she called home
and if she really knows he still lives there, all alone.

Children playing in the evening sun
running around, just having fun.
Dogs chasing ***** happy to play
rolling in the grass late in the day.
A couple sitting on the ground
trying not to make a sound.
Where so much happened, long ago
on the field where wild flowers grow.

This was a place long before
where men shed blood in a war.
A place of such horror and pain
where men fought and men were slain.
Living in trenches with blood stained pools
with weapons of war, their only tools.
It’s hard to imagine, long ago
on the field where wild flowers grow.

Fledgling birds are trying to fly
into the bright evening sky.
Someone there is trying to pray
children think it’s a place for play.
But you can still clearly see
where the trenches used to be.
Life is so different, than long ago
on the field where wild flowers grow.

An old man stands on his own
he seems content to be alone.
With tears rolling down his face
haunted by memories of this place.
He was here when he was young
cold and scared carrying his gun.
When life was harsh, long ago
on the field where wild flowers grow.

Even though it rises every day
somewhere, someplace in time.
On a day in the life of Jacob
the sun doesn’t often shine.

A shopping centre is bright and loud
and Jacob is sitting on the ground.
With his head buried in his hands
sensory overload of sight and sound.

People notice as he begins to shout
his Mother scared he’ll run away.  
Some think he’s badly behaved
but for him it’s just an Autism day.    

Later he escapes to his room
stressed and needing time alone.  
A meltdown at dinner hasn’t helped
but he’s calmer now, on his own.

Playing at length on his old guitar  
takes his mind to another place.      
Where the demons in his head        
for a while are not in his face.    
                  
Eventually he takes to his bed
and will rise, as soon as it’s light.
Probably won’t have much to eat
appetite dulled by a restless night.

People around him struggle to help
he tries to cope in his own way.
On a day in the life of Jacob
it’s always an Autism day.

But he deserves a chance in life
and we must strive to find a way.
For children like him, with future fears
to be able to seize the day.