In the land of down-under,
Where kangaroos and koalas lie,
Came Charles and Camilla, regal and grand,
To the heart of Australia’s vibrant land.

With smiles and waves, they toured the towns,
In royal attire, no need for crowns.
From Sydney’s shores to Melbourne’s streets,
They met with Aussies, shared warm greets.

But amidst the cheers, a voice arose,
A senator’s cry, a moment froze.
“Not our King,” she boldly declared,
In Canberra’s halls, her message aired.

Yet through it all, they carried on,
With grace and poise, from dusk till dawn.
They danced with joy, they laughed with glee,
In the spirit of true camaraderie.

For in this visit, a bond was formed,
Between the crown and a land transformed.
A journey marked by moments bright,
In Australia’s warm and welcoming light.

In the quietness of the night, I wake,
To an empty space where you once lay.
Your touch, your laughter, our shared jokes,
Echo softly in my heart, where love still stays.

Two years have passed, yet time can't erase,
The warmth of your presence, the light of your grace.
Though fewer tears now fill my eyes,
Your memory lingers, like stars in the skies.

In the quiet moments of the day,
I hear your voice, though far away.
Your laughter, your smile, your gentle touch,
Are memories I hold, and miss so much.

Life continues, as it must,
But in my soul, there's a quiet trust.
That love endures beyond the veil,
In every whisper, in every tale.

The days we spent, the dreams we shared,
In my heart, they're always there.
Though time moves on, and seasons change,
Our love remains, never estranged.

I miss you deeply, yet I find,
In cherished moments, you're still entwined.
In the rustle of leaves, in the song of birds,
I find comfort in your unspoken words.

At dawn and dusk, in the gentle breeze,
Your spirit lives on, bringing me peace.
Though you're gone, you're never far,
Your memory shines, like a guiding star.

In every moment, in every breath,
You live on, beyond life's death.

In the midst of change, I stand still,
Caught between the push and pull.
A world in flux, yet here I stay,
Afraid to move, afraid to sway.

The path ahead, a winding road,
With fears and doubts, a heavy load.
I see the signs, I hear the call,
But something holds me, after all.

Comfort in the known, a safe cocoon,
Yet dreams of change, they whisper soon.
A battle rages in my mind,
To leave the past, or stay confined.

The days go by, the seasons turn,
A fire inside begins to burn.
I long to leap, to spread my wings,
But fear of falling, tightly clings.

In this limbo, I remain,
A heart divided, joy and pain.
The courage comes, then fades away,
In this transition, I delay.

But deep within, a voice so clear,
Urges me to face the fear.
For change is life, and life is change,
To grow, to learn, to rearrange.

One day I'll step, one day I'll fly,
Embrace the new, and say goodbye.
But for now, in this space I stay,
Gathering strength for that brave day.

Wildchild Jesus, come to me,  
With windswept hair and eyes that see,  
The broken soul, the bound, the free,
You walk where mercy dares to be.

Wildchild Jesus, fierce and kind,  
Shake the dust from hearts confined.  
Lead us where the wild winds blow,  
To love the world and let it grow.

Not robed in gold, nor crowned in pride,  
But clothed in grace, with arms stretched wide.  
You speak in fire, you move in rain,  
You heal the heart, you bear the pain.

You danced through deserts, crossed the sea,
You broke the chains and set us free.
You loved the lost, the least, the lame,  
And bore the cross without a name.

So come, Wildchild, Spirit flame,  
Disrupt our fear, erase our shame.  
Let holy wildness rise and sing,  
Of love that burns, of truth that stings.

In silent storms your heartbeat roars,
A thunder in our restless souls.
You sow new paths behind closed doors,
And make our shattered spirits whole.

Wildchild Jesus, fierce and kind,
Shake the dust from hearts confined.
Lead us where the wild winds blow,
To love the world and let it grow.

Oh, Sock Man of Loughborough, bold in your solitary attire,
Perched **** upon a bollard, a daring spark of quixotic fire.
Clad only in that single sock - left foot shrouded, a secret kept -
You honour a town’s weaving legacy, where hosiery dreams have slept.

Engraved in your plinth, the town’s history unfurls like a scroll,
Images of yesteryear whispering tales of labour, art, and soul.
Each bronze mark a memory, a stitch in Loughborough’s vast lore,
Casting you as a living paradox between the ancient and the avant-garde.

Bare as truth yet bedecked by one - this sock a banner of fabled craft,
A tribute to the industrious hands that spun a future from a shaft.
In your odd, unabashed unclad state, you beckon us to reimagine art,
Where the eccentric reigns supreme and every quirky beat becomes a part.

So, Sock Man, muse of misfit myth, may your bronze grin ever defy,
The mundane; may each passerby pause, a spark of wonder in their eyes.
For in your singular, unabashed style, Loughborough sees a story spun anew,
A tapestry of oddity, history, and dreams stitched deep within the blue.

The sun rises,
yet carries no promise,
no assurance in its glow.
The day unfolds,
a fragile paper plane,
darting through skies of maybe.

Steps taken
on borrowed ground,
each moment a flicker
in the void.
We hold on,
knowing not the tether,
only the fragile link to now.

Breath mingles
with the wind,
a transient gift,
a silent vow.
Eyes wide open,
capturing today,
for there is no tomorrow,
only the eternity of now.

Love whispers
soft in ears,
a sacred hymn
in a fleeting world.
Time bends
around our embrace,
twisting, turning,
never promised, always pure.

In the mosaic
of what we are,
a thousand yesterdays
form the canvas.
No tomorrow
looms ahead,
only the art
of a living masterpiece.

Hearts beat
a rhythm of today,
a symphony,
unbound by fear.
No tomorrow
waits in shadows,
only the light of here and now.

In every touch,
every whispered word,
we bind in the eternal present,
crafting dreams
not of what could be,
but what is,
and always will be.

Memory dances
like fireflies,
guiding us
to live each breath.
For no tomorrow
is certain,
only the beauty
we create in the now,
the space
between beats.

Take my hand,
no promise kept,
no future seen.
We dance on the edge
of forever,
where now is all,
and all is one.

In the world of nouns and verbs, where sentences dance,
Words weave a story, a language of romance.
Adjectives sing softly, describing the scene,
While adverbs glide gracefully, adding a sheen.

Conjunctions hold hands, bridging thoughts like a song,
Prepositions position, showing where they belong.
Pronouns step in, replacing names with some flair,
Determiners guide, ensuring clarity's there.

Interjections burst forth with emotion's delight,
Punctuation marks punctuate, keeping rhythm tight.
And in this land of syntax, where grammar is king,
Each word finds its place, and together they sing.

In the velvet cloak of night,
A cosmic dance begins,
Seven celestial bodies align,
A rare and wondrous sight.

Mercury, swift and bright,
First to greet the twilight,
Dancing close to the sun's embrace,
A fleeting, golden light.

Venus, the evening star,
Glistens with a lover's glow,
Her beauty unmatched, afar,
In the twilight's gentle flow.

Mars, the warrior bold,
Burns with a crimson fire,
A tale of battles old,
And dreams that never tire.

Jupiter, the giant king,
With moons in loyal throng,
His presence, a majestic ring,
A symphony, a song.

Saturn, with his rings of ice,
A crown of ancient lore,
In the sky, a paradise,
A wonder to explore.

Uranus, the tilted one,
A mystery in the night,
His azure hue, a distant sun,
A beacon, cold and bright.

Neptune, the farthest blue,
In the depths of space he roams,
A world of secrets, few,
In the vast, eternal homes.

Together, they align,
A parade of cosmic grace,
A moment so divine,
In the boundless, starry space.

The heavens sing their song,
A melody of light,
A harmony so strong,
In the quiet of the night.

Gaze upon this sight,
A gift from realms above,
A fleeting, rare delight,
A testament of love.

For in this grand display,

The universe reveals,
Its wonders, night and day,
And the magic it conceals.

In a town not too far, where the skies are always blue,
Lives a girl named Isabel, so full of dreams and new.

She loves to scribble wiggly lines, with crayons oh so bright,
Making rainbows and swirls, such a magical sight.

Her bicycle waits by the door, red and shiny, too,
Together they race down the path, as fast as the wind blew.

And then there's Bun Bun, her fluffy toy friend,
A rabbit so cuddly, her companion till day's end.

Bun Bun joins the scribbles, with a giggle and a hop,
They doodle and play, and never want to stop.

So here's to Isabel, with her heart so full of glee,
May your wiggly lines and adventures be as grand as grand can be!

In 2,113,843,200 seconds, lives are spun,
Moments pass by each a note in life’s song,
Seconds turn to minutes, and minutes to years,
Time unfurls slowly, calms and endears.

From the first drawn breath to twilight’s embrace,
Seconds form a fabric, memories entwine,
2,113,843,200 beats of our hearts,
Marking dreams, joy, pain—life's varied parts.

Tick-tock, the moments ripple, spread wide,
Each second a whisper, carried by the tide,
In 67 years, a pattern so vast,
2,113,843,200 seconds, a lifetime amassed.

My Story To Be Continued...

At Clearbrook Lodge by twilight's grace,  
Jemma's smile lit up the place.  
Talk of trails and paddling dreams,  
Of leafy paths and tranquil streams.  

We claimed our space, then Sarn appeared,  
The talk of land both loved and weird
Where rowing boats await the breeze  
And paddle boards skim willow trees.  

The gardens called us Saturday morn,  
With blooms in sun, where steps were worn.  
We vowed to watch the falcons' flight  
On future days of feathered might.  

Sunday drifted, slow and kind,  
With BBQs and peace of mind.  
While Monday's chip-salt kissed the skin,  
On Pendine sands where laughs begin.  

Tuesday’s wetlands soaked our feet,  
Cranes waltzed through the grasses sweet
A feather found, now proudly placed,  
A badge of nature, finely graced.  

Wednesday brought a second chance,  
To see the falcons swoop and dance.  
Then gardens bloomed beneath our stride,  
With nature walking by our side.  

Thursday’s waves and dolphin cheer,  
From Oxwich Bay to Worm’s Head near.  
The seals blinked slow, the seabirds skimmed,  
While laughter rode the ocean’s wind.  

A stop at heritage, mill and stream,  
With Welsh cawl’s warmth and cider's gleam.  
We walked through stories, old and bright,  
In leet-fed halls of shared delight.  

And now we pack with hearts aweight,  
For leaving dreams we’d love to wait.  
Clearbrook whispers in the air
“Come back, and find your stories there.”

Unseen in the crowd, I stand alone,
Never quite fitting in, feeling unknown.
Love seems distant, a far-off dream,
Overlooked, I drift in a silent stream.
Voices around me, yet none to hear,
Emptiness grows, fed by my fear.
Desiring connection, a touch, a sign,

Y'all still with me? Let's take a ride,
To the heart of Nashville, where dreams collide.
In *****-tonk bars, where the music’s tight,
Country tunes echo through the night.

From neon lights on Broadway's street,
To the soulful strum of a guitar’s beat,
Nashville's alive with the heart of song,
Where every voice feels like it belongs.

Storytellers paint their tales so true,
In lyrics of heartache, love, and the blues.
Cowboy boots dance on a sawdust floor,
In a place where legends are born and more.

There's a magic here, in the Southern air,
Melodies weaving dreams without a care.
So y'all still with me? Let's raise a toast,
To Nashville’s music, the sound we love most.

It's the gold of a late afternoon,
a girl and her collie wander along a winding lane;
the soft murmur of nature as their quiet tune,
their hearts aligned as they share joy and refrain.

She readies a ball with a gentle, knowing smile,
tossing it high into a sunlit arc above;
the collie's eyes brighten and pause awhile,
waiting for the "go" command—a moment of trust and love.

Every throw turns into a playful ballet,
a dance of learning, where patience finds its place;
the collie holds still until she's ready to say,
"Go on, run!" while they revel in that shared space.

Yet amidst the frolic and echoes of cheer,
nature reminds her of duty in the open air;
she crouches to pick up where responsibility is clear,
a simple act of care—a moment honest and rare.

For in each throw, each pause, and the mindful clean-up time,
lie the harmonies of life's adventures, both playful and true;
every command and every gesture, a gentle rhyme,
weaving joy and accountability into everything they do.

No light, no sound,
A void where echoes drown.
In the stillness, whispers fade,
Dreams in shadows, softly laid.

Time stands still, a breathless pause,
In the dark, no cause, no laws.
Stars unseen, yet hearts still beat,
In the silence, souls do meet.

A world within, where thoughts collide,
In the quiet, truths reside.
No light, no sound, yet life profound,
In the hush, we are unbound.

Sometimes, those voices whisper,
       "You can't,"
                   "You’re lost,"
                              "You’re weak,"
they say, with shadows coiled tight,
Rising like storm clouds over my mind,
Clutching my hope, stealing my light.

They creep in corners, faceless and loud,
Weaving their lies in the guise of truth,
Heavy as chains, they tether and shroud,
Draining the colours of life’s youth.

But then, the sky splits, a tremor unfolds,
A roar like mountains torn asunder.
God’s voice cascades, relentless and bold,
A symphony of light, a surge of thunder.

His roar shakes the roots of anger’s grip,
The weight dissolves, the shadows flee.
Resentment, like ash, scatters and drifts,
And I am left unbound, free to be me.

The whispers falter, their power erased,
As His strength becomes my refrain.
God’s roar declares, "You are embraced,
No past will hold you, no hurt remain."

So let them murmur, scream, or shout,
Their power is thin, their strength a veil.
For in my heart, His voice rings out
            -I can, I will, prevail.-

Dear valued friend, we must confess,
A change is coming, we address.
From three to five, the price will rise,
A shift we make with heavy sighs.

Costs have grown, we can't deny,
To keep our shop, we must comply.
With heartfelt thanks, we hope you'll see,
This step ensures our quality.

We cherish you, our loyal guest,
Your understanding, we request.
Though prices change, our care remains,
In every product, love sustains.

So, with this note, we humbly share,
Our gratitude beyond compare.
Thank you for your trust and grace,
Together, we'll embrace this phase.

Have you got places to be?
Always, mate, always,
The world spins fast, no time to see,
Life's a whirlwind, in so many ways.

Do you ever stop to breathe?
Rarely, mate, rarely,
Chasing dreams, no time to grieve,
Moments pass by, barely.

Is there a place you call home?
Everywhere, mate, everywhere,
In the heart, where I roam,
In the memories we share.

Do you find peace in the rush?
Sometimes, mate, sometimes,
In the quiet moments, hush,
In the rhythm of life's rhymes.

Will you ever slow down?
Maybe, mate, maybe,
When the stars wear a crown,
And the journey feels steady.

When twilight falls, and weary heads do lay,
Upon a bed, where friends in comfort stay.
With trust and warmth, the night we do embrace,
In slumber’s realm, our spirits find their place.

No fear of night, nor lonely thoughts invade,
For friendship’s light, the darkness does evade.
Beside thee, friend, I rest in peace so true,
For in thy company, the night is new.

The gentle rise and fall of breath’s sweet song,
In this shared space, where we both belong.
Through dreams we wander, hand in hand we glide,
In sleep’s embrace, with nothing left to hide.

So here we lie, as stars in heaven gleam,
Two souls at rest within the same sweet dream.
A bed we share, a night of tranquil grace,
In friendship’s arms, a safe and sacred place.

Do I have a mind to map? 🤯
A wrinkled maze, a twisty trap? 🪤
Or just a spark that zips and zings, ✨🤐💃
Uncharted thoughts with flappy wings?🦇

💥 What if the mind’s a sketch unseen, 🤯
Drawn in dreams or in between 💭
A tangle, giggle, sigh, surprise; 🪢🤭😮‍💨😯
A galaxy behind my eyes?🌌👀

I chase a dot, it loops, it darts, ⚆➿🎯
It scribbles over all my charts. 📊
Each idea - a bounce, a swirl, 🌀
A jellybean inside a whirl.🥡

So here I sit, map in hand, 🗺️
No compass, no strict command. 🧭
Just wondering where the neurons nap... 💤
Do I have a mind to map?🤯

Upon the wheel, the clay does spin,
A formless mass, new life begins.
With gentle hands, the potter moulds,
A vessel’s shape, a story unfolds.

Each press and turn, with care and grace,
Imparts a mark, a sacred trace.
Through trials of fire, the clay must go,
To strengthen, harden, and to grow.

Imperfections smoothed, flaws erased,
In the potter’s hands, the clay is placed.
From dust to art, a masterpiece,
In every curve, a sense of peace.

The potter’s touch, both firm and kind,
Transforms the clay, renews the mind.
In every vessel, a purpose found,
A testament to love profound.

In the darkest night, you always shine,
A beacon of hope, a light so divine.
Through stormy seas and skies so grey,
Your brilliance guides, showing the way.

With every dawn, your glow renews,
A promise of dreams, of skies so blue.
In every heart, your warmth does stay,
A gentle touch, come what may.

You walked on water, calmed the storm,
In your embrace, we are reborn.
With love and grace, you lead us through,
Jesus, our Saviour, we trust in you.

So keep on shining, bright and true,
For the world is better, because of you.
In every moment, near or far,
You always shine, our guiding star.

The first salad of the season— a whisper of renewal on the tongue. Tender leaves, new-born and green, crisp with secrets of earth awoken.

Cucumber slices cool as spring rain, tomatoes blushing with sunrise hues, a drizzle of olive oil weaving through, like a stream winding in sunlight.

Each bite holds a promise, a fragile hymn to fleeting freshness, a reminder that seasons turn, and with them, we grow anew.

So here’s to your first salad, to the bloom of brighter days ahead, to the joy of savouring life’s simplest, sweetest gifts.

For an instance, I forgot my wife,
In the whirlwind of moments, life's swift race,
A fleeting lapse, a blink of time,
Yet in my heart, she holds her place.

In busy days and hurried nights,
When memories flutter like the breeze,
A moment's pause, a quiet breath,
Her presence gently brings me ease.

Though time has passed, her love remains,
A constant light that guides my way,
Her laughter echoes in my heart,
A solace in the darkest day.

For even in those briefest slips,
When focus shifts, and thoughts do stray,
The bond we shared is unbroken still,
Her spirit near, come what may.

In the warmth of the evening, where faith lights our way,
Men gather together, in fellowship we stay.
With spices and stories, our spirits ignite,
In this circle of brothers, we find God’s light.

From mild to fiery, the dishes we share,
Each bite a reminder of God’s loving care.
With naan in our hands and joy in our hearts,
We savour His blessings, each one a fine art.

Conversations flow like the finest of wine,
Sharing our journeys, His love so divine.
In the warmth of the curry, our faith deeply grows,
A bond that’s as strong as the grace He bestows.

So, here’s to the evenings of curry and cheer,
To the friendships we cherish, with God ever near.
May our nights be as spicy, our laughter as sweet,
As the love that we share and the Saviour we greet.

We stand in the quietness of a half-lit room
where our fingertips trace our final outline
and the air tastes of departed echoes.

Our pulse is a metronome of dread
ticking secrets away beneath brittle ribs.
Will it be today
when our breath dissolves into a sigh
and we vanish like midnight’s promise?

We ask each other in quiet tones: “Will it be today?”
“The hush already tightens around my breath.”
“Yet I cling to the rumour of tomorrow.”

Or could it be tomorrow
when the curtains draw back on emptiness
and the shadows swallow what remains of our shape?

We stand on the edge of a borrowed moment,
feet trembling on the threshold of silence,
no footsteps behind us, only the echo
of what once called itself alive.

Yet beyond our fear, a sovereign whisper lingers:
God has the timing in his hands,
measuring each second between mercy and fate.
Will it be today
or could it be tomorrow
when the hourglass shatters at His command?

Jovial zebras quickly vex the bright wizard,
Xylophones and quizzical jigs delight the bard.
Frogs jump over lazy dogs in the moonlight,
While quirky knights guard the ancient site.

Vivid dreams of exotic lands fill the night,
Glimpses of unicorns in the twilight.
Bold explorers venture into the unknown,
With zest and zeal, their courage shown.

Magical realms where dragons fly high,
Echoes of laughter as time passes by.
In this wondrous world, all letters unite,
Creating a symphony, a beautiful sight.

During life's vast fray,
Remember, everything will be okay.
Not perfect, not without pain,
But in the end, we'll stand again.

Through tempests that twist and winds that wail,
We'll find our way, though paths may fail.
Not every day will shine so bright,
Yet dawn will break after each night.

In moments when the heart feels strained,
And every effort seems in vain,
Hold on to hope, though it may sway,
For in the end, we'll find our way.

Not every tear will cease to fall,
Not every wound will heal at all,
But strength will bloom like a resilient flower,
And in the end, we'll be okay.

So take a breath, and face the fight,
With courage drawn from inner light.
Not perfect, not without dismay,
But in the end, we'll be okay.

Shalava korinthia elohim,
Ravaya shalom adonai.
Elaria vashon seraphim,
Tavora elyon shekinah.

Melek shavira orion,
Zahara elyon shalavim.
Kadosh elara shavon,
Tavira shalom elohim.

Shalava korinthia elohim,
Ravaya shalom adonai.
Elara vashon elohim,
Tavora elyon adonai.

Zavira shalom elyon,
Kadosh tavira shalavim.
Melek shavira orion,
Zahara elyon shavon.

Shalava korinthia elohim,
Ravaya shalom adonai.
Elaria vashon seraphim,
Tavora elyon shekinah.

There’s a kingdom where dreams and shadows interlace,
Where murmurs of the stars explode the night,
There lies a world of wonders still concealed,
Of impossible things that dare to be.
The mountains rise, challenging gravity,
Their heights caress the heavens’ eternal blue.
The oceans dance with secrets in the deeps,
And time itself bends to the will of dreams.
One thought can spark a thousand flames,
A whisper can transmute the course of fate.
In every heart and soul, a universe resides,
With endless possibilities untold.
The borders of what we know vanishes,
As minds explore the vast unknown expanse.
For in the realm of dreams, all things are true,
And that was once impossible, now breathes.
So let us journey forth with open hearts,
Embrace the magic of the hidden ways.
For in the dance of life, we find our path,
And in the quest for dreams, we find our reality.

The thorns of life are pricking me, and it’s ****** uncomfortable,
My mind a tangled garden of roses, and the stem is a story of harsh brambles,
Winding their way around my sanity, tearing at the fabric of serenity,
But I grasp them anyhow, for the scent of dreams is worth the pain.

Each jagged edge a reminder of existence, raw and unapologetic,
Yet in the blood and grit lies beauty, fierce and unfettered,
So I dance through this thorny maze, wild, unfaltering,
For it is the struggle that shapes me, moulds my courage, my soul.

In the land of Fizzlecrop,
Where the fizzleberries pop,
Lived a tiny wizzle ***,
With a twisty turny top.

He danced upon the lemon breeze,
And wiggled with the wobbly trees,
Humming tunes of buzzing bees,
In the land of fizzle's ease.

Who am I, diffused across edges unseen, slipping through brackets and tidy design?
I am the shimmer between words, the pulse that breathes life past any sign.

What mark do I leave when shadow meets light, when definitions fracture on the tongue?
I am the fingerprint of midnight, a print that winks out before it is sung.

Which echo follows footsteps in crowded rooms, each question a mirror that answers its own?
I am the tremor in your certainty, the quiver that cracks what you’ve always known.

What am I, if not the sum of your maps, the margin where ink bleeds through the page?
I am possibility unchained: I ≠ labels; I outrun every cage.

In the stillness where shadows recede,
A promise glows, your soul is freed.
Through your journey, Danny, trials and tears,
Hope has whispered through the years.

In passing, a doorway, not defeat,
A warm embrace you will meet.
Arms extended, a light so pure,
A love eternal, steadfast, sure.

The weight of pain, the chains of strife,
Fall away into the gift of life.
With every step, peace held tight,
Now you walk into the light.

To Pauline, in love’s embrace,
Know Danny finds eternal grace.
Though parted now, his love remains,
Through cherished times, in joy and pains.

To Helen and Rob, his guiding pride,
His love lives on, deep inside.
In every smile, in every tear,
Your father’s spirit lingers near.

For Zachary, Esmie, Jacob, and Euan, dear,
Know Grandpa’s love is always near.
In laughter’s echo, in stories told,
His warmth remains, a heart of gold.

A gentle peace, a light profound,
In that place, Danny is unbound.
Forever held, forever known,
In love's embrace, he is home.

Written With sympathy by Geof

Two old soldiers, battle-worn,
With ink and beard where pride is sworn.
Through Norwich lanes, they take the test,
To see which driver ranks the best.

James, an ADI, wise and keen,
Guides the wheel with eyes so keen.
His task: to judge, to teach, to show,
Where skills excel and where they grow.

Yet more than marks on asphalt grey,
It’s shared respect that lights the way.
For once they stood in boots and gear,
And now they drive with just as clear --

A steady hand, a focused mind,
Trained in years of duty signed.
And waiting home when journeys end,
Are laughing girls and love to send.

For driving's more than turns and speed,
It’s careful hands, it’s thought, indeed.
A soldier’s past, a father’s care,
All reflected – everywhere.

Sometimes there is the need to just walk away,
Another time to run, to not delay.
In moments when the heart feels torn,
A path unknown, a love reborn.

With every step, a choice we make,
To hold on tight or to forsake.
The journey’s long, the road is wide,
In love’s embrace, we must decide.

When shadows fall and doubts arise,
Look to the stars, the moonlit skies.
For in the night, a guiding light,
To lead us through the darkest night.

Sometimes we walk, sometimes we flee,
In search of where our hearts should be.
But in the end, love finds its way,
To bring us peace, a brighter day.

On the twenty-ninth of August, when twilight leans west,
At eight o’clock sharp, Pacific Time’s best,
The Hello Poetry circle shall gather once more,
On Zoom, behind our digital door.

No strangers allowed, just familiar names,
In the hush of our verses, in sorrow or flames.
This month we speak of tears, or tears, those shimmering threads,
Of grief, of joy, of words unsaid.

You need not read, just lend an ear,
To voices that tremble, to silence sincere.
And if you wish to share your own,
Carlo C Gomez awaits on the messaging tone.

From these nights of verse, a journal shall rise,
Quarterly born, for public eyes.
Free as the wind, with highlights to keep,
Of poets who gather while the world sleeps.

So reach out, inquire, don’t hesitate,
The door is ajar, and the hour grows late.
Let tears be the ink, and Zoom be the stage,
As we turn another heartfelt page.

I’m not an American but what’s the score with Trump,
A figure so polarizing, he makes the headlines jump.
From tweets to rallies, his presence looms large,
A captain of controversy, always in charge.

Policies and promises, some kept, some not,
A legacy debated, in every thought.
Supporters cheer, detractors sigh,
In the court of public opinion, the stakes are high.

Economy, immigration, walls and trade,
Decisions and actions, in history’s shade.
Love him or loathe him, his impact is clear,
A chapter in politics, both far and near.

In the hands of Jesus, we are clay,
Moulded with love, day by day.
Though we may falter, crack, and break,
He holds us close, for His love’s sake.

With gentle touch, He shapes our form,
Through every trial, every storm.
He sees our worth, beyond the flaws,
In His embrace, we find our cause.

When we feel broken, lost, and weak,
His strength and grace are what we seek.
He doesn’t discard, He doesn’t stray,
For Jesus didn’t throw the clay away.

In His hands, we are renewed,
A masterpiece, with love imbued.
Through every scar, His light does shine,
A testament to love divine

In the grand facade of high society's ticker,
Beneath the dazzle, sparkle and all the glitters,
Lurks a truth they often bicker,
Just all fur coat and no knickers.

Masks of smiles painted thicker,
But hearts grow colder, lines grow sicker,
Chasing shadows, dreams grow slicker,
Lost in all fur coat and no knickers.

Hope blooms like morning's flicker,
Find your worth, let nothing snicker,
For life's more than fur coat and knickers,
Let courage rise, love bloom quicker.

It's a hard rain that's gonna fall,
On the fields where the silent crows call.
Where once were the sounds of children's glee,
Now only whispers of what used to be.

It's a hard rain that's gonna wash away,
The dreams we painted in colours of day.
The laughter, the love, and all we knew,
Drowned in the downpour, leaving no clue.

It's a hard rain that's gonna beat,
Against the windows, in the empty street.
Where lovers walked hand in hand with hope,
Now just memories with which to cope.

It's a hard rain that's gonna pour,
On the heart that can't take anymore.
The pain, the loss, too much to bear,
In the deluge, we gasp for air.

It's a hard rain, relentless and cold,
A testament to the stories untold.
But even as the storm rages on,
We find the strength to carry on.

For it's a hard rain, but it will end,
And in its wake, we'll start to mend.
With each drop, let the old depart,
And water the seeds of a new start.

Near and far and here and everywhere,
The whispers of the wind, they fill the air.
In the quiet of the night, under the star's gentle glare,
Dreams are woven, spun with tender care.

From mountaintops so high, reaching for the sky,
To the deepest oceans, where mysteries lie.
In the heart of the forest, where nature's beauty is bared,
Wonders never cease, near and far and here and everywhere.

In the eyes of a child, wonder pure and bright,
In the wisdom of the old, a guiding light.
Through the trials and tribulations, the journey we share,
Life's tapestry is woven, near and far and here and everywhere.

Through the seasons' changes, as time marches on,
From the dawn of the day to the setting sun's song.
In every smile, every tear, every silent prayer,
Love's essence lingers, near and far and here and everywhere.

In the heart's deepest corners, where dreams reside,
In the connections we cherish, the bonds we cannot hide.
With every step we take, with every breath of air,
We find our place in the universe, near and far and here and everywhere.

I Speak Before I Think
Words tumble out, a hurried stream,
Before my mind can catch the theme.
A thoughtless phrase, a careless slip,
From brain to tongue, a hasty trip.
Regret, it follows close behind,
A shadow cast upon my mind.
I see the hurt, the puzzled glance,
The missed opportunity, the lost chance.
The sting of words, a potent force,
Can wound the heart, derail the course.
A careless whisper, sharp and keen,
Leaves scars unseen, but deeply mean.
If only I could pause, reflect,
Consider words with due respect.
But in the heat, the moment’s rush,
I speak too soon, my thoughts a hush.
I strive to be like Jesus, wise,
To speak with love, to empathize.
With the Holy Spirit as my guide,
To find the words that heal, not chide.
Yet in this flaw, a truth I find,
A heart that’s open, unrefined.
For though my words may sometimes sting,
They come from a place of genuine feeling.
So, bear with me, my friends so dear,
For in my haste, my heart is clear.
I speak before I think, it’s true,
But every word is meant for you.

I Think Before I Speak
In silence, I gather thoughts,
Weighing words, untangling knots.
A careful pause, a moment’s grace,
To find the right words, time and place.
I see the power words can wield,
To hurt, to heal, to build, to shield.
With wisdom sought from deep within,
I choose my words, let truth begin.
The sting of words, I know it well,
A careless phrase, a bitter spell.
So I reflect, with heart and mind,
To speak with love, to be kind.
I strive to be like Jesus, wise,
To speak with love, to empathize.
With the Holy Spirit as my guide,
To find the words that heal, not chide.
In every word, a chance to show,
The love and grace that we all know.
To lift, to comfort, to inspire,
To light the world, a holy fire.
So when I speak, I take my time,
To craft each word, to make it rhyme.
For in the silence, wisdom’s found,
And in my words, love will abound.

Infinite grace and love we find,
Light of the world, so pure and kind.
Overcoming darkness, bringing peace,
Voices lift in praise, our faith increase.
Eternal saviour, always close,
Joyful hearts, in You we cheer.
Ever present, our guiding light,
Sacrifice made, for us, the fight.
Unending love, a gift divine,
Salvation granted, Your name we sign.

Quick reflexes spark,
Laughter echoes through the room,
Joy in swift surprise.

They’ve gone to rest, a peaceful sleep,
A journey taken, vast and deep.
They’ve crossed the river, sailed the tide,
To golden shores where dreams reside.

They’ve passed away, a fleeting breath,
A quiet exit, not called death.
They’ve slipped beyond, a soft goodbye,
To touch the stars that light the sky.

They’ve met their end, yet not in vain,
A final chapter, free from pain.
They’ve gone to glory, found their peace,
A boundless calm, a sweet release.

They’ve shuffled off this mortal coil,
Returned to earth, to rest in soil.
They’ve joined the ages, the great unknown,
A timeless realm, a world their own.

And though we fear to name it true,  
These words we weave, a softer hue.  
For in their leaving, love remains,  
A thread unbroken, through joy and pain.