POWER CUT CHRISTMAS

The Christmas Tree
is standing there
without a bauble
looking bare
We cannot have the
Pretty lights
With power cuts
T’would not be right
So why not give
Our trimmings gay
From Christmas past
To cheer the day
Fluorescent paint would
Make them bright
To light our tree
throughout the night
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ODD ODE 1975

This is the tale of Tricia who tried a five minute walk in only two
So up the hill she bravely pottered on heels on which she always tottered
Arriving at the bus stop worn, cried ‘oh heck me bus is gorn!’
And standing with expression dour began the wait of half an hour
Four buses passed but what a day, for they all went the other way
At last a green one came in view, ‘A forty-niner, that’ll do’
So on she leapt and paid her fare and took a seat beside the stair

When getting off her niece she spied ‘It’s Heather, oy, come ‘ere’ she cried
‘I haven’t seen you for so long, do tell me how you’re getting on’
and so they talked as minutes passed until she said ‘Must go’ at last
On reaching home so very late the explanation had to wait
‘Ere, where’ve you been?’ her mother said ‘Tea’s in the oven, hard as lead!’

As Tricia opened the oven door she looked aghast at what she saw
For staring her right in the eye there sat a crozzled shepherd’s pie
‘Ooh wot a sight, it does look nasty, I think I’ll make myself a pasty’
And out came taties, onion, meat, to make herself a tasty treat

But making pies with ruffpuff pastry, you really shouldn’t be too hasty
And so it was much later on that she declared ‘I think it’s done’
But though her cooking was complete it tired her so she couldn’t eat it
The moral is, to miss the fuss, make sure that you don’t miss the bus
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WALKING TOGETHER

Wood pigeons call at crack of dawn, to take our walk in early morn
We see the bunnies as they play and deer, before they leap away

We tread the paths we know and love as birds dart through the trees above
Sheep are grazing and pheasants call and we, together, share it all

From the pier we watch as the bore pushes the waves upon the shore
Faster it comes, bringing along fish for heron to feed upon

We walk together hand in hand through our special enchanted land
The sun is warm and sky is blue and it’s so good to be with you

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EXAM BLOCK

Thoughts
Words
Sentences

Trapped, in the recesses of my mind
Like a dream, half remembered

Taunting me
Haunting me
Despair
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PERSPECTIVE

Hands in earth, growing, creating
Soil in fingernails, comforting

Lysimachia punctata, alchemilla mollis
Lovely Latin titles linger on my lips

I know them,
Remember them

They grow
I flower
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WALK IN THE WIND

Chill fingers caress gnarled arms
Showers of petal tears cascade
Through cold night

Crowning glory tousled
Nose nipped

Burgeoning breath of Spring
Or
Tardy tantalizer?
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SUNWING ALCUDIA

Thanks for your poem,
it made our day
Now it’s our turn to have a say
We really do not want to go
But since we must, then you should know

We think your team
beats all the rest
You’ve made our holiday the best
Attention, care and friendship too,
What more could we have
asked of you

On many days we’ve had such fun
Playing beach games in the sun
And when it’s grey,
no need to hide
You’ve found us lots to do inside

The mystery trip it was a pleasure
Our Golden Years guide
is a treasure
He made us laugh, he was a Wow
He didn’t give a “Buger” how

Our hostess every day at four
Gives us coffee, tea and more
Quizzes, bingo, line dancing too
Is there anything this gal can’t do?

A thank you too, the Airtours pair
No matter what,
you’re always there
Solving problems with a smile
Being cheerful all the while

So Happy Christmas and
New Year too
From all of us to all of you
Thank you for a lovely time
From the Golden Years gang, 99
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I still don´t know if they ever received it!

WORKING LUNCH
BBC TV March 2001


I’m going on hols
so I should be glad
But I’ll tell you why I’m feeling sad
While I’m away I’ll miss my fix
Of bulls and bears and other tricks
The cutting edge of Adrian Chiles
So down to earth
he needs no wiles
For stocks and shares
and so much more
There’s none to beat
our Adam Shaw
I’ll miss WL because, for me
It’s the best there is on my tv.
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MULLERLIGHT
Aug 2001

I’m a chocoholic slimmer
and I’m jumping with delight
‘Cos I’ve found a treat
that I CAN have –
it’s chocolate Mullerlight
it’s chocolatey and yummy
– 98% fat free
there isn’t any other,
Mullerlight’s the one for me.
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WHY?
9/11 2001

How could He let it happen, how could He just look on?
Now part of New York’s flattened and many loved ones gone
The church attempts to comfort all those who pray and cry
But many are bewildered and ask the Father “Why?”

Remember when God made us, He also set us free
Take away that freedom and we’re puppets, you and me
For God is truth itself and a promise He can’t break
He can’t keep “stepping in” even though His heart must ache

God mourns His sons and daughters who suffered on that day
The pain He must be feeling – just God alone can say
He shares your grief and sorrow, please don’t add to His pain
Turn to Him now and let Him bring comfort once again
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Just a drive, but what beautiful countryside England has.

THOUGHTS ON A
MOTORWAY 2004

Green fields dissected
by dry stone walls
Embankments with purple aglow
Reservoirs brimming
with latest rainfall
This is the country I know

Rowan trees heavy
with berries red
Trees shine with myriad green
Sights of the countryside
fill my head
The loveliest land I’ve seen
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I was going in for an examination really!

HOSPITAL BUM
May 07

I have to go in hospital
It’s not a lot of fun
To have an operation
Performed upon my bum
So there will be no emails
For a little while
Till I can sit in comfort
And send them with a smile
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LITTLE DONKEY
2007

Little donkey, trudging daily on the dusty road
Working hard, you suffer so much with your heavy load

We’ll make your burden light, Let us help. We will help
And make your future bright. Let us help. We will help

Little donkey, sad and hurting, left alone to die
All you seek is loving kindness. We can hear you cry

We’ll give you love each day, Let us care. We will care
Chase all your fears away, Let us care. We will care

In the Bible, famous donkey, chosen by the One
Left His mark upon your back to honour what you’d done

We won’t forget your past, Let us save. We will save
We’ll bring you joy to last, Let us save. We will save

El Refugio del Burrito now has rescued you
You will have a lovely life with all your dreams come true

Join in the happy song, Happy day. Every day
Good home where you belong, Happy day. Every day

We are glad that we could help – it isn’t hard to do
Hope that others come along to save some more like you
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ANCHOR GREEN
School song
October 2007

Such noble history
And loyal humble pride
Where do all these things meet
Within the oceans wide?

At Anchor Green,
at Anchor Green
Where we aspire to grow and lead
At Anchor Green, at Anchor Green
The compass points to all we need
For our respect, integrity, compassion, excellence
Where all our hopes
And all our dreams
Fulfil at Anchor Green

We show compassion and respect
To everyone we know
And strive to do our very best
As we excel and grow

At Anchor Green, at Anchor Green
The compass points to all we need
For our respect, integrity, compassion, excellence
Where all our hopes
And all our dreams
Fulfil at Anchor Green

These values stay when we set sail
To serve the world outside
With love, respect and courage
We shall be our Nation’s pride

At Anchor Green, at Anchor Green
The compass points to all we need
For our respect, integrity, compassion, excellence
Where all our hopes
And all our dreams
Fulfil at Anchor Green
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TRIBUTE TO
SKIPTON LIBRARY
2008

Good books and music, movies too
And so much more for me to do

The internet – an hour a day
To send my emails far away

Advice on where or what or who
If I am not sure what to do

Find mags and papers there to read
And all the reference you could need

But best of all the lovely staff
All ready with a smile and laugh

A friendly face if I’ve been down
Whenever I’ve come into town

A listening ear and time to spare
Each time that I’ve had news to share

A summer joy for all to share
A vase of sweet peas waiting there

This poem simply cannot say
How much you always “make my day”

But I hope it shows in some small part
The deep affection in my heart

Thank you!
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These are some poems I wrote for my friend Brian Warwick regarding the way that the old and young can help each other.

2009

THE OLD AND THE YOUNG

GRANDPARENTS TALKING
We may wear weird clothing and love tea and biscuits, but what could we say also of you?
With weirder clobber and peculiar hairdos and junk food – come on now, it´s true!
The things that we say now may be a bit funny, when we think of our youth long ago
We just want to help you and to feel that we´re useful to share all the things that we know

GRANDCHILDREN TALKING:
You´re really old fogies, but smell nice, so that´s good, with your grey hair and granny skirts new
You´re easy to persuade when we want something special and you´re useful to have around too
When we´re stuck with homework, you are there to help us, you don´t nag us like mum and dad might
We know that you love us, that you´ll put up with us, even when we all look quite a sight!

FOR BOTH
To the grandmas and granddads I say don´t forget what it felt like to be just sixteen
To teenagers please just imagine how life will be when you are an “ancient has-been”

Let´s remember that we can all learn from each other – we each have our part in the play
There are so many things we can share with each other to make our lives better each day

Let the young give their strength, their technical know-how, their fearless approach to this life
Let the old give their time, and their knowledge and wisdom, to cope with the troubles and strife

For the young move so fast, and the old move so slow, but together as one they may find
By combining their talents and pooling resources, a better life for all mankind

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CREDIT CRISIS

2009

The credit crisis hits us all

no matter if we´re great or small

But rich or poor what you should do

in all things, to yourself be true

Though times are hard you must be fair

Do what is right and pay your share

What cost if you find in the end

you saved some cash, but lost a friend

An even greater price will be

if you lose your integrity

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A POEM FOR ALL OUR SOLDIERS
I wrote this one for my friend Ruth,
for her daughter Susan to send to her husband Jason
who is serving in Afghanistan

LOVE AND PRAYERS

My dearest one I want to say

While you are there so far away

My love and prayers are there with you

In every single thing you do

They´re with you when you wake each day

To walk with you along the way

And in the heat of battle too

My love and prayers are there with you

My love surrounds you in the fight

And holds you gently through the night

And every day I say my prayer

God keeps you always in His care

My darling one I miss you so

But soon you will be home I know

You´ll come triumphant through the door

And we´ll be one just as before

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I wrote this one for my friend´s son

NO PRESENTS PLEASE
.
Your presence at our wedding will really make our day
But there is something special that we would like to say
“No Presents” please we´re asking if you would be so kind
For when we fly we´d hate to have to leave them all behind
The cash would help us build our place when we´re in pastures new
And then our home in Spain will always bring us thoughts of you
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A PERFECT LIFE?

Today we´re obsessed with a perfect life
Use monkey glands or go under the knife
A nip and tuck here or a lift and jab there
Will make us look younger without any care
But life should be what you feel from within
Contentment and joy are what you should win
More years in your life may just bring you more fears
Do the best now – add more life to your years

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I just rediscovered this little "poetic exchange" that I had online one day .....
Facebook Chat

OOOOOO
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In Spain for Winter, my observations:

A CYCLIST'S THOUGHTS?
I find it such a laugh that I can be seen
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March 2016
WELCOME GUESTS