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Geof Spavins Apr 18
A whole decade, look at you,
Bright as the morning, skies so blue.
Double digits, what a feat,
A heart so kind, a soul so sweet.

The world is yours, it’s big and wide,
With dreams to chase and stars to guide.
You’re ten today, so take a bow,
The world’s your stage—your time is now.

Laughter rings where you go,
A spark of joy, a gentle glow.
The years ahead are full of light,
With love around you, shining bright.

So, here’s to you, our shining star,
Loved for who you truly are.
Happy birthday, hooray, hooray!
The world’s a brighter place today.
In place of a card I wrote this for my Granddaughter, I printed and framed it for her too
Geof Spavins Apr 17
I can feel you looking at me*  
Through the faded colours of time,  
A specter of my past self  
Captured in creases, suspended in grain.  

Sepia sighs curl at the edges,  
Laughter trapped in silvered ink,  
Eyes full of boundless longing,  
Unaware that years would shrink.  

I run my finger along the years,  
A fragile thread, a fleeting ghost,
Did I once dream beyond this frame,  
Or did the moment hold me most?  

Yet here we stand, reflections blurred,  
The self I was, the self I bear,  
A silent nod across the years,  
A whispered thought: *
I’m still in there.
Geof Spavins Apr 17
I am feeling fragile today,  
Approaching two years since my wife died.  
The air is heavy with memories,  
Soft echoes of laughter carried by the tide.  

Yet through the sorrow, through the ache,  
I lean into the Lord, my guide.  
He shelters me like a mighty fortress,  
His love a flame that never dies.  

When grief’s weight presses on my chest,  
And tears fall silent in the night,  
He whispers softly through the darkness,  
Turning shadows into light.  

I was broken, I was weary,  
Yet He held me, He restored me.  
With each step, though trembling, though torn,  
He walks beside me, strong and steady.  

His arms unseen, yet deeply felt,  
A refuge when my strength is small.  
In Him, my sorrow finds surrender,  
In Him, my heart stands tall.  

I move forward, though brittle, though worn,  
Yet never truly alone I roam.  
For in His grace, His boundless love,  
I find my strength - I find my home.
Geof Spavins Apr 17
Silent sentinels, they stand so tall,
Guardians of secrets, behind each wall.
Crafted with care, forged in steel,
A silent promise, a hidden seal.

They whisper softly, "Stay away,"
To those who wander, to those who stray.
Not for the thief, with cunning and guile,
But for the honest, with a trusting smile.

For locks are not to keep the wicked at bay,
Their clever hands find another way.
But to shield the truth from the pure of heart,
To keep them safe, to keep them apart.

A barrier strong, a silent plea,
"Do not enter, let it be."
For in the depths, where shadows play,
The honest soul must stay away.

So they stand, in the dark and light,
Silent sentinels, through day and night.
Not for the thief, with eyes so keen,
But for the honest, unseen, serene.
Geof Spavins Apr 16
In the heart of our church, a gathering so dear,
Seniors came together, spreading Easter cheer.
Tracey and Caris, with voices pure and sweet,
Sang songs of joy, making the day complete.

Caris at the piano, her fingers danced with grace,
Filling the room with melodies, a warm embrace.
Curry’s staff with smiles, served lunch with care,
Their kindness and service, beyond compare.

Phil's quiz on Easter, a challenge for the mind,
Three rounds of questions, answers to find.
Laughter and learning, a joyous blend,
In the spirit of Easter, hearts to mend.

No cost to attend, just love freely shared,
A community united, showing they cared.
Easter blessings abound, in every smile and song,
A lunch to remember, where all hearts belong.
Geof Spavins Apr 14
Boots opens its doors, a quiet sanctuary of care,
The hum of morning settles, soft as whispers in the air.
A clock ticks steady, and so do I, for a check once a year,
To hear what’s changed - or hasn’t - in the rhythms of my ear.

The audiologist greets with a steady grin,
Tools in hand, ready to begin.
A soundwave symphony, a careful refrain,
And he reveals: my hearing’s barely changed again.

We laugh at my quirks, left more than right,
"A bit in the middle keeps you in the fight!"
“Well,” I grin, “I’m balanced, I suppose,”
In a world of echoes, quirks, and prose.

This place, this test, reminds me anew
To listen well to the life breaking through.
Barely changed but steady still, my ears hold the tune,
In this room at Boots, under the morning moon.
I had my annual hearing check - hearing has not improved - or got worse. Some new way of fitting filters to my hearing aids - all good!
Geof Spavins Apr 13
Rose, oh Rose, the queen of class,  
She’s dressed in silk, selling wine and grass.  
“Organic kale, it’s simply divine!”  
She twirls her trolley, a shopping shrine.  

Sain strolls by, with a cheeky grin,  
“Rose, dear, not everyone’s posh within!  
My aisles have deals that make hearts sing,
From the Basics line to the finest bling!”  

Tes rushes in with a clatter and cheer,  
“Stop squabbling, mates, I’m here for the steer!  
Clubcard's flashing like disco lights,  
I serve the masses with snacks for their nights!”  

Rose scoffs, “Tes, you’re much too loud.  
Your aisle décor? A tad less proud.”  
Sain adds, “And what’s with the bargain craze?  
Do shoppers dance through your maze?”  

Tes winks, “They sure do! I’m fun and bold,  
My shelves are stacked, my produce gold!  
Rose is posh, and Sain’s okay,  
But Tes  rocks - it’s hip all day!”  

And so they bicker, a trio delight,  
Rose rolls her eyes, Sain laughs outright.  
Tes bustles on with his Clubcard dream,  
While shoppers weave through their retail scheme.  

They’re rivals, it’s true, but in their zest,  
Rose, Sain, and Tes are retail’s best.  
For amidst the banter, one thing is clear—  
Every shop has a place we hold dear.
In the bustling heart of Marketstead—a vibrant town where every corner pulsed with the rhythm of daily commerce—three remarkable figures emerged as the keepers of distinct retail realms.

Rose, the epitome of refined elegance, curated a stall that was nothing short of a boutique of dreams. Draped in silks and surrounded by the finest organic indulgences, she was a connoisseur of quality. Each day, as morning light spilled over polished displays, Rose unfurled a banner proclaiming, “Taste the heritage of artisan excellence,” a promise that whispered of meticulous care and timeless craft.

Sain strolled in with a balanced blend of charm and practicality. His stall was a celebration of value and variety, where every offering was more than just an item—it was a carefully negotiated deal between quality and affordability. With a mischievous grin, he would remark, “Here, every bargain sings a song of smart choices!” His space was a bridge between tradition and modern sensibility, echoing with laughter and the shared joy of everyday wins.

Tes burst onto the scene as the spirited modern maestro, electrifying the streets with a dazzling display of digital flair and vibrant energy. His stall, lit by the playful glow of Clubcard miracles and modern promotions, became the talk of the town. Bold and unrestrained, Tes declared, “Innovation and access are the rhythm of our times!” His approach was a testament to the dynamism of the new age—where every shelf and every deal was imbued with a pulse of excitement.

One radiant morning, an unusual challenge arose. Whispers of an emerging marketplace—a mysterious rival promising both extravagance and economy—stirred the air. With the shoppers’ curiosity piqued, the three titans found themselves in a moment of rare convergence. Their usual banter, filled with teasing jests and competitive spark, gave way to a deeper resolve. Amidst murmurs of shared admiration for each other’s craft, they set aside their rivalries for a singular purpose: to remind the community of the irreplaceable magic that diversity brings.

That day, Marketstead transformed. Rose’s gentle sophistication paired with Sain’s pragmatic charm and Tes’s sparkling audacity to create a festival of choice. The stalls became stages where culinary wonders, unbeatable deals, and digital innovations danced in harmony. Shoppers wandered through a living tapestry where quality met value, and tradition embraced modernity. In this grand celebration, the differences that once divided them fused into a powerful mosaic—a tribute to the idea that every shop, every style of service, held a cherished place in the hearts of its patrons.
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