It seems I have no aptitude for gratitude
I am grateful in an abstract kind of way
For all the things I have today
I am grateful when it’s cold outdoors
Feeling warmth as the fire roars
Grateful for the days and nights
Grateful for the warm sunlight
I am grateful for the food I eat
The clothes I wear, shoes on my feet
I am grateful when the music’s loud
For all the things of which I’m proud
If I am grateful why do I moan
Why does my spirit wander
Far from this well loved place, my home
Is it a disease of man
That though he has all that he can
It never seems to be enough
Sometimes it takes times to get tough
To turn the abstract into real
To appreciate, to feel release
To truly regain that inner peace

Strong Man
By Sheila Haskins

You stand strong, your back to the wall
When you stand strong, I can recall
The days of your youth, now so far away
Sometimes returning when you have a good day
You lead the way a proud resolute man
I catch my breath; you do all that you can
A teardrop glistens, takes me by surprise
Your strength is not missing; it’s there in your eyes
Some things that you do are not temperate or clever
I ask myself when were you these things, were you ever?
You do what you do right or wrong
You do what you do to be strong
................
Stay Strong

Some are smiling
Some are frowning
Some beguiling
These words that must go down
Some are filled with pathos,
Others red with rage
Some are marching armies
Striding across the page
Sometimes they have battles,
Sometimes they make war
Sometimes win, sometimes lose
And end up on the floor
Some are wild, out of control
Some are good, some are poor
Some a gateway to the door
Releasing the poet’s soul
Some are growing angel wings
Love comes shining through
Some are filled with lovely things
Others painted blue
Some you share, some pass around
Some go wrong, some go right
Many will haunt your dreams tonight
...................
These words that must go down

Reunion

I  visit you after all this time
In my hands a glass of wine
In this place where you have been
So many years passed in-between
Quietly sitting in your chair
Perfect face and perfect hair
Where is the girl in the flowery dress?
The girl whose room was such a mess
The girl who toasted me with beer
I remember how we drank till one
You used to say, life’s meant for fun
We sometimes worked, sometimes not
I know we used to laugh a lot
When did you join the sensible?
Was it your choice, did you lose freewill
If you could would you choose us?
Still I want to take your hand and cry
I want to be with you, want to try
The walls we built will not come down
I know you don’t want me around
No beer today, a simple wine
Like grapes we’ve fallen from the vine
Our time is gone, all I am to you
Is someone you once thought you knew

It’s a ******
A ****** of crows
There’s a place in the forest where nobody goes
No sun only darkness, no moon casting light
In the grove where he gave her his ring
No more shall sweet nightingales sing
Black shades in the night
Black shadows in flight
It’s a ******
A ****** of crows

It’s a ******
A ****** of crows
The roses are fragrant, the night velvet blue
She gave him her heart, an oath to be true
He gave her his darkness, stole all her dreams
A flapping of wings and no more is she seen
No-one hears her cries
With the night bird she flies
It’s a ******
A ****** of crows

It’s a ******
A ****** of crows
Black birds the demons, death in their wings
Taking his love to an unholy nest
Devouring the maiden he’d held to his breast
Cast aside, foul and bloodied his bride
Now he’s half human half crow, gone his pride
Wings outstretched no love by his side

It’s a ******
A ****** of crows

The rain is falling from the skies
It’s not that you were heaven sent; you weren’t, me neither
We have faults enough it’s true but when I’m feeling blue
I believe in the value of we two although I see sadness in your eyes
Is it wise to disguise the memories of the pain?
Or is it good to talk together, override the stormy weather
Walk headlong through the thunder, hand in hand
Until the wonder of our lives dispels the falling rain
And we say what the hell, making sunshine out of showers,
Reviving happy hours that we shared, because we cared,
Still you are here where you remain
My rainbow shining through the sun,
The storm was fierce, and now it’s done
If you weren’t heaven sent then I think that you were lent
And our lives together
..................................
Must be meant

I want to dance she said
Now’s my chance she said
Today I’ll close the blinds
No-one here to mind
There is no need she said
To answer the front door
No-body dropping by
Perhaps I’ll sew she said
Fancy things that have no uses
No apologies, no excuses
The day is mine to drink wine
To write a poem or to compose
Sit in a chair and lightly doze
Lots of lounging to be done
Lots of laughter, lots of fun
Fool around, or I could caper
Drown in chocolate, read the paper
Perhaps I’ll go to bed
Lie under the covers, watch TV
This day is mine, only for me
When all is said and done
This could be my chance
To grow my wings
That is why
I want to dance
And do lots and lots of
Other lovely things
But really I just want to dance
She said, I’m going to do it

................

Now’s my chance!