The fireworks break the silence and the dark
Of blackest midnight’s momentary grip
The past strangled, the new year makes its mark
It wipes its fratricidal hands and slips
Into the driver’s seat. Another trip
Into the unknown, please. You know the drill:
Yes, let’s have lots of scary turns and dips
And on the journey, we’ll count those you kill
With foot full down and hands spinning the wheel
Unless we’re thrown or you suddenly park
By some icy roadside and then you flip
Around, arm on the seat top, smile, reveal
A hideous bony face like ours, so stark
‘Here is your future,’ spoken without lips
Thur 1 Jan 2009
Wednesday 30 March 2011
849 - Not looking back or forward
A mainly cold, dark, wet, depressing year
Is dying at last. Die, you cur, die, die!
I am talking about the weather, here
What else? Well I’m an Englishman, aren’t I?
Newspaper article prints some new lie
About how next summer will be all sun
To go with all the other crap you buy
If you waste money ever buying one
Well this past year has been both shit and fun
The cherry bowl has a hint of manure
But without shit the fruit wouldn’t grow high
It’s nature’s way, the way it’s always done
So next year won’t be better. Also, fear
The reaper: twelve more months for him to try!
Wed 31 Dec 2008
Is dying at last. Die, you cur, die, die!
I am talking about the weather, here
What else? Well I’m an Englishman, aren’t I?
Newspaper article prints some new lie
About how next summer will be all sun
To go with all the other crap you buy
If you waste money ever buying one
Well this past year has been both shit and fun
The cherry bowl has a hint of manure
But without shit the fruit wouldn’t grow high
It’s nature’s way, the way it’s always done
So next year won’t be better. Also, fear
The reaper: twelve more months for him to try!
Wed 31 Dec 2008
848 - The bony-arsed rocker's lament
My arse hurts after a while in this chair
Was in it for hours yesterday making
Sweet music, but not quite so sweet to the
Neighbours from hell (they’ve got no taste), riffing
Along to rock, soul, reggae, anything
And even learning Acid Pro usage
Now I can record rough demos; cooking
On gas, my friend. Hey! Danger, high voltage!
Got calloused fingers; used each appendage
More than ever before lately, I swear
May play more later, do more composing
I sit now doing daily sonnetage
Went to Jodrell Bank, the telescope there
Endlessly pointing, probing and seeking
Tue 30 Dec 2008
Was in it for hours yesterday making
Sweet music, but not quite so sweet to the
Neighbours from hell (they’ve got no taste), riffing
Along to rock, soul, reggae, anything
And even learning Acid Pro usage
Now I can record rough demos; cooking
On gas, my friend. Hey! Danger, high voltage!
Got calloused fingers; used each appendage
More than ever before lately, I swear
May play more later, do more composing
I sit now doing daily sonnetage
Went to Jodrell Bank, the telescope there
Endlessly pointing, probing and seeking
Tue 30 Dec 2008
847 - Mid-afternoon pause for breath
I went and bought some curtains and a rug
Took down the purple ones, put up some black
The beige rug makes the spare bedroom more snug
The curtains are dark but let in a crack
Of light here and there. I think I’ll go back
And get some bigger ones, next month, maybe,
Then put these in the spare room. Next, a track
Or two of music hopefully will be
Recorded by me here in the flat, the
Bare bones of some new songs might well be dug
Here comes the seventies revival, Mac
But with a modern twist, naturally
But before I begin, I’ll grab a mug
Of coffee (I’ve already had a snack)
Mon 29 Dec 2008
Took down the purple ones, put up some black
The beige rug makes the spare bedroom more snug
The curtains are dark but let in a crack
Of light here and there. I think I’ll go back
And get some bigger ones, next month, maybe,
Then put these in the spare room. Next, a track
Or two of music hopefully will be
Recorded by me here in the flat, the
Bare bones of some new songs might well be dug
Here comes the seventies revival, Mac
But with a modern twist, naturally
But before I begin, I’ll grab a mug
Of coffee (I’ve already had a snack)
Mon 29 Dec 2008
846 - Read all about it
Israel is bombing Gaza (Palestine)
Because of Hamas’ rocket attacks
The Church attacks Government (about time)
Says it’s financially, morally lax
Meanwhile, the Tories promise to cut tax
Even more money-focused than Labour
An angry abandoned boyfriend kidnaps
A nurse, ten days in the boot of a car
Meanwhile, my stomach, leg, arm muscles are
All nicely aching from yesterday’s fine
Exercises and running over tracks
And now I have to go to Sainsbury’s for
Some milk, some fruit juice (but no beer or wine)
And that is my list of today’s main facts
Sun 28 Dec 2008
Because of Hamas’ rocket attacks
The Church attacks Government (about time)
Says it’s financially, morally lax
Meanwhile, the Tories promise to cut tax
Even more money-focused than Labour
An angry abandoned boyfriend kidnaps
A nurse, ten days in the boot of a car
Meanwhile, my stomach, leg, arm muscles are
All nicely aching from yesterday’s fine
Exercises and running over tracks
And now I have to go to Sainsbury’s for
Some milk, some fruit juice (but no beer or wine)
And that is my list of today’s main facts
Sun 28 Dec 2008
845 - White remembered hills
I got up early to go for a run
In the steep hills of Cheshire’s own Lyme Park
First off, I did my old warm-up routine
Of press-ups, knee-jerks, stretching. The car park
Was cold in my running gear, and the spark
Of my car ignition failed several times
But thank God, after several tries, it worked
And I drove down to Pott Shrigley to find
Lots of cars there. Obviously great minds
Think alike. The post-Christmas keep-fit scene
Was in full swing even at ten. A leak
Behind a bush, then I set off to climb
Those steep hills, puddles frozen, frost and sun
And woolly-hatted folk out for a walk
Sat 27 Dec 2008
In the steep hills of Cheshire’s own Lyme Park
First off, I did my old warm-up routine
Of press-ups, knee-jerks, stretching. The car park
Was cold in my running gear, and the spark
Of my car ignition failed several times
But thank God, after several tries, it worked
And I drove down to Pott Shrigley to find
Lots of cars there. Obviously great minds
Think alike. The post-Christmas keep-fit scene
Was in full swing even at ten. A leak
Behind a bush, then I set off to climb
Those steep hills, puddles frozen, frost and sun
And woolly-hatted folk out for a walk
Sat 27 Dec 2008
844 - Detoxing Boxing Day rhyming thing
I forgot toothbrush, clothes and everything
In the mad rush on Christmas Day morning
The phone alarm woke me with its beeping
And half an hour later I was driving
Firstly to Josephine’s for opening
Of presents from Santa, that all-knowing
Godlike mind reader who tailors spending
To the financial status applying
To each parent, proving there’s no such thing
As a free Christmas lunch. Contradicting
This, however, was what was happening
That afternoon, after some fun playing
With J’s new games, and then relocating
To Mum’s daughter-in-law. Thanks! Nice cooking!
Fri 26 Dec 2008
In the mad rush on Christmas Day morning
The phone alarm woke me with its beeping
And half an hour later I was driving
Firstly to Josephine’s for opening
Of presents from Santa, that all-knowing
Godlike mind reader who tailors spending
To the financial status applying
To each parent, proving there’s no such thing
As a free Christmas lunch. Contradicting
This, however, was what was happening
That afternoon, after some fun playing
With J’s new games, and then relocating
To Mum’s daughter-in-law. Thanks! Nice cooking!
Fri 26 Dec 2008
843 - Christmas wishes and dishes
My mother’s house is a place of refuge
A modest detached bungalow set in
A quiet cul-de-sac, a place to soothe
The frayed nerves; mouth opens, she puts food in
She may not be an expert at cooking
But there’s nothing quite like what mother cooks
An omelette with bacon and cheese melting
Heats me up, produces ravenous looks
We both went to Geoff’s daughter’s, where we tucked
Into some turkey breast. It wasn’t huge
My dessert appetite was not trifling
Three helpings of trifle and still not fucked
And so Merry Christmas, even to Scrooge
To Santa and, of course, to Josephine
Thur 25 Dec 2008
A modest detached bungalow set in
A quiet cul-de-sac, a place to soothe
The frayed nerves; mouth opens, she puts food in
She may not be an expert at cooking
But there’s nothing quite like what mother cooks
An omelette with bacon and cheese melting
Heats me up, produces ravenous looks
We both went to Geoff’s daughter’s, where we tucked
Into some turkey breast. It wasn’t huge
My dessert appetite was not trifling
Three helpings of trifle and still not fucked
And so Merry Christmas, even to Scrooge
To Santa and, of course, to Josephine
Thur 25 Dec 2008
842 - Gettin' busy
Getting a lot done again, it feels good
It’s like putting more money in the bank
Although I can’t pretend I ever could
Save, but for funny memories that spank
Me when I’m lazy and content to thank
The past that passed me by in just a blink
Like hazy remnants of nights when I drank
Fragments remain, the rest pissed down the sink
Now that my head is clear, now I can think
Now I can lift my feet out from the mud
The road will soon be clear, with a full tank
Topped up with coffee or hot chocolate drink
The laughs are on me, least I hoped they would
Be. I’ll have won again, erased the blank
Wed 24 Dec 2008
It’s like putting more money in the bank
Although I can’t pretend I ever could
Save, but for funny memories that spank
Me when I’m lazy and content to thank
The past that passed me by in just a blink
Like hazy remnants of nights when I drank
Fragments remain, the rest pissed down the sink
Now that my head is clear, now I can think
Now I can lift my feet out from the mud
The road will soon be clear, with a full tank
Topped up with coffee or hot chocolate drink
The laughs are on me, least I hoped they would
Be. I’ll have won again, erased the blank
Wed 24 Dec 2008
841 - Panto ranto
Up with the lark, in the dark, barking mad
When so little sleep had. Had to be done
Motored to daughter for quarter to. Dad
Does his stuff. Tough sometimes, but also fun
To Salford Quays, panto season, he’s on:
The Wizard of Oz, because, because of
The things he does. Does he, or was it one
Big trick, sick like the wicked witch? Like love?
The witch is dead, head hit by house above
Lorna Luft aloft on tufted stick, bad
To the bone. Tone and Jo moaned and booed when
She threatened Dorothy. We later drove
Down the grey asphalt road, mode of thought glad
Giving and nibbling with siblings to come
Tue 23 Dec 2008
When so little sleep had. Had to be done
Motored to daughter for quarter to. Dad
Does his stuff. Tough sometimes, but also fun
To Salford Quays, panto season, he’s on:
The Wizard of Oz, because, because of
The things he does. Does he, or was it one
Big trick, sick like the wicked witch? Like love?
The witch is dead, head hit by house above
Lorna Luft aloft on tufted stick, bad
To the bone. Tone and Jo moaned and booed when
She threatened Dorothy. We later drove
Down the grey asphalt road, mode of thought glad
Giving and nibbling with siblings to come
Tue 23 Dec 2008
840 - Guitar love story
I'm very close right now to my guitar
A love that I've neglected thru the years
Me and my acoustic met in the far-
Off year of '82 in Brum. But tears
Of frustration were to come. It appears
That all relationships are this rocky
Except in this case the rock stopped, the cause
Given as musical difficulty
(Not differences). The chords were too tricky
So dis-chord and finger fatigue were our
Coda. Then ten years' separation. Here's
The romantic part. In '98 we
Started seeing each other. Regular
Sessions followed, especially after beers
Mon 22 Dec 2008
A love that I've neglected thru the years
Me and my acoustic met in the far-
Off year of '82 in Brum. But tears
Of frustration were to come. It appears
That all relationships are this rocky
Except in this case the rock stopped, the cause
Given as musical difficulty
(Not differences). The chords were too tricky
So dis-chord and finger fatigue were our
Coda. Then ten years' separation. Here's
The romantic part. In '98 we
Started seeing each other. Regular
Sessions followed, especially after beers
Mon 22 Dec 2008
839 - Blue and green patches
The rain held off while patches of blue fought
For space with those big bullies dressed in grey
We waited, baiting breath like we were taught
But not holding it for a sunny day
Emerging from our holes this dark Sunday
Like frightened rabbits on Watership Down
Scared of the sky god’s blessings in case they
Mess up our hair or splash our shoes with brown
I made a dash for a green patch, high ground
And cautiously explored with map I’d brought
In Heaton Park, North Manchester at play
Amazingly tall tube kids can slide down
Some ponies looked lonely but not distraught
In muddy puddles, huddled by the way
Sun 21 Dec 2008
For space with those big bullies dressed in grey
We waited, baiting breath like we were taught
But not holding it for a sunny day
Emerging from our holes this dark Sunday
Like frightened rabbits on Watership Down
Scared of the sky god’s blessings in case they
Mess up our hair or splash our shoes with brown
I made a dash for a green patch, high ground
And cautiously explored with map I’d brought
In Heaton Park, North Manchester at play
Amazingly tall tube kids can slide down
Some ponies looked lonely but not distraught
In muddy puddles, huddled by the way
Sun 21 Dec 2008
838 - Ol' square eyes is back
A lovely day for once doing nothing
It seems I haven’t done this much for years
Too tired to think, my mind is on the blink
So I just watched one and a half series
Of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Now here’s
Another DVD lying around
Must watch before my son’s present appears
(A pile of films - the bet is safe and sound)
Well I’ve watched it now. Look who’s run aground
On Film Four - it’s Bogie and Katherine!
Will they get out of Africa? Boat nears
The sea, but gets stuck in mud. Could this mound
Of brown be metaphor, I’m wondering
For any of life’s frustrating failures
Sat 20 Dec 2008
It seems I haven’t done this much for years
Too tired to think, my mind is on the blink
So I just watched one and a half series
Of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Now here’s
Another DVD lying around
Must watch before my son’s present appears
(A pile of films - the bet is safe and sound)
Well I’ve watched it now. Look who’s run aground
On Film Four - it’s Bogie and Katherine!
Will they get out of Africa? Boat nears
The sea, but gets stuck in mud. Could this mound
Of brown be metaphor, I’m wondering
For any of life’s frustrating failures
Sat 20 Dec 2008
837 - Just one sonnetto
Just one sonnetto (oh), give it to me
Delicious rhyming (ing), from Italy
Tomorrow (oh, you know) will be too late
It’s now or never (never), lust won’t wait
Sonnetto’s aren’t quite what they used to be
You used to hear the adverts on TV
Now rhyming schemes can stir up rage and hate
Here’s one more then, I like to deviate
But don’t forget to slag off rappers, see
Or most traditional forms of poetry
Oh no, they won’t do that, they’ll tolerate
As long as to them it’s no direct threat
Just one brunetto or redhead for me
And while I’m at it, I’ll have a blondie
Fri 19 Dec 2008
Delicious rhyming (ing), from Italy
Tomorrow (oh, you know) will be too late
It’s now or never (never), lust won’t wait
Sonnetto’s aren’t quite what they used to be
You used to hear the adverts on TV
Now rhyming schemes can stir up rage and hate
Here’s one more then, I like to deviate
But don’t forget to slag off rappers, see
Or most traditional forms of poetry
Oh no, they won’t do that, they’ll tolerate
As long as to them it’s no direct threat
Just one brunetto or redhead for me
And while I’m at it, I’ll have a blondie
Fri 19 Dec 2008
836 - Blood chant
The night draws to a close, lullaby sound
Of traffic rushing along Regent Road
On which I walked alone to the home ground
Where I now write, safely in comfort mode
The world turns and tomorrow’s cocks have crowed
Though no-one’s heard them yet, yet it’s still so
Just like past winters when it clearly snowed
Whether my eyes saw or feet trod, or no
The future’s fixed just like the past; both go
Where we can’t see and remain to each bound
We’re somewhere in between, and both have flowed
Through our red rivers, arteries that slow
With imperceptible speed. Round and round
It all goes, following some secret code
Thur 18 Dec 2008
Of traffic rushing along Regent Road
On which I walked alone to the home ground
Where I now write, safely in comfort mode
The world turns and tomorrow’s cocks have crowed
Though no-one’s heard them yet, yet it’s still so
Just like past winters when it clearly snowed
Whether my eyes saw or feet trod, or no
The future’s fixed just like the past; both go
Where we can’t see and remain to each bound
We’re somewhere in between, and both have flowed
Through our red rivers, arteries that slow
With imperceptible speed. Round and round
It all goes, following some secret code
Thur 18 Dec 2008
835 - Song of the dark 2
Hooray! It’s nearly time to celebrate
The passing of the darkest day of all
You don’t need to spend wildly to feel great
Or pass out through imbibing alcohol
No, why not simply sit back, meditate
On how once again we survived the fall
And now our frozen fingers push the gate
Into the garden sheltered from the squall
Expecting sunlit lawns and time to wait
Joy frozen like a statue in the hall
Surreal escapism a rising trait
As light and heat fades like a parent’s call
Clinging to children, hoping they’ll placate
These chill winds, their bright cheeks smooth as a ball
Wed 17 Dec 2008
The passing of the darkest day of all
You don’t need to spend wildly to feel great
Or pass out through imbibing alcohol
No, why not simply sit back, meditate
On how once again we survived the fall
And now our frozen fingers push the gate
Into the garden sheltered from the squall
Expecting sunlit lawns and time to wait
Joy frozen like a statue in the hall
Surreal escapism a rising trait
As light and heat fades like a parent’s call
Clinging to children, hoping they’ll placate
These chill winds, their bright cheeks smooth as a ball
Wed 17 Dec 2008
834 - Account of a day off work
The neighbours seemed to shag three times last night
Or maybe just three attacks of bedbugs
That made the mattress shake and creak; all quiet
Voicewise, though - no female moans reached my lugs
Despite these interruptions, aural tugs
From my own Land of Nod, I slept quite well
Got up at nine-twenty and had some glugs
Of juice, turned on TV, watched Jeremy Kyle
Exposing and exploiting chavs a while
I shaved, washed, dyed my hair, the sky less bright
As noon drew on; played swing, including Duke’s
And Artie Shaw’s top tunes. Can nearly tell
Where notes are on guitar with eyes shut tight
Then collected son from London uni digs
Tue 16 Dec 2008
Or maybe just three attacks of bedbugs
That made the mattress shake and creak; all quiet
Voicewise, though - no female moans reached my lugs
Despite these interruptions, aural tugs
From my own Land of Nod, I slept quite well
Got up at nine-twenty and had some glugs
Of juice, turned on TV, watched Jeremy Kyle
Exposing and exploiting chavs a while
I shaved, washed, dyed my hair, the sky less bright
As noon drew on; played swing, including Duke’s
And Artie Shaw’s top tunes. Can nearly tell
Where notes are on guitar with eyes shut tight
Then collected son from London uni digs
Tue 16 Dec 2008
833 - Snow joke
We're simply having a wonderful time
Some of us have split up with their partner
Others have lost their jobs, reason or rhyme
House prices fall like snow, ever faster
That snowman over there's a real b*st*rd
His carrot should be stuck in lower down
Where it can be seen sticking up his rear
And Santa, his gifts are wrapped in plain brown
Bags this year, and bought from 'Under a Pound'
Charity shops that pong like 'Life of Grime'
Old people can't afford to 'Light My Fire'
Let alone relight it; Take That, Boyzone
They're all back, and my shoes don't even 'Shine'
Oh yes, so much to smile about, ain't there?
Mon 15 Dec 2008
Some of us have split up with their partner
Others have lost their jobs, reason or rhyme
House prices fall like snow, ever faster
That snowman over there's a real b*st*rd
His carrot should be stuck in lower down
Where it can be seen sticking up his rear
And Santa, his gifts are wrapped in plain brown
Bags this year, and bought from 'Under a Pound'
Charity shops that pong like 'Life of Grime'
Old people can't afford to 'Light My Fire'
Let alone relight it; Take That, Boyzone
They're all back, and my shoes don't even 'Shine'
Oh yes, so much to smile about, ain't there?
Mon 15 Dec 2008
832 - Not on your Nellie
My wife from whom I’m separated is
Suggesting I see J just every two
Weeks instead of each Sunday. She can kiss
My bony butt, sugar. I’m staying true
To little J - I won’t abandon you
Not ever, my favourite five year old
Sweetheart! I certainly won’t listen to
T’s confused competitive ramblings. Would
You want to see less of your kid? I’ll hold
On to you, don’t worry. And this threat is
Because I was fifteen minutes late. Phew!
If it had been an hour…. Fathers, be bold!
Stand up to this manipulation, this
Ego-tripping, this tongue-lashing - please do!
Sun 14 Dec 2008
Suggesting I see J just every two
Weeks instead of each Sunday. She can kiss
My bony butt, sugar. I’m staying true
To little J - I won’t abandon you
Not ever, my favourite five year old
Sweetheart! I certainly won’t listen to
T’s confused competitive ramblings. Would
You want to see less of your kid? I’ll hold
On to you, don’t worry. And this threat is
Because I was fifteen minutes late. Phew!
If it had been an hour…. Fathers, be bold!
Stand up to this manipulation, this
Ego-tripping, this tongue-lashing - please do!
Sun 14 Dec 2008
831 - Rainy Saturday fun
Got up, cleaned the flat, then did ironing
While listening to Love and to Roxy
I then drove up to Oldham, collecting
My friend, then ate at Franky and Benny
Which one, you ask? The one at Salford Quay
Too late for brunch, I chose the chicken wings
The barbecue sauce was a bit spicy
She had pizza, not eating everything
We went online at my place, the dating
Website was a bit shite, but interesting
Then watched some films. Hugh Grant danced so badly
But funnily, and did you know he sings?
Then a film about the shy geek winning
The girl. Maybe this could happen to me
Sat 13 Dec 2008
While listening to Love and to Roxy
I then drove up to Oldham, collecting
My friend, then ate at Franky and Benny
Which one, you ask? The one at Salford Quay
Too late for brunch, I chose the chicken wings
The barbecue sauce was a bit spicy
She had pizza, not eating everything
We went online at my place, the dating
Website was a bit shite, but interesting
Then watched some films. Hugh Grant danced so badly
But funnily, and did you know he sings?
Then a film about the shy geek winning
The girl. Maybe this could happen to me
Sat 13 Dec 2008
830 - Windy wanderings
The pubs were full of Christmas revellers
While winds blew hard and rain lashed down outside
The Brunswick, Waldorf, Grey Horse and Circus
The Rain Bar, Briton’s Protection, we tried
And managed two pints, then went for a fried
In some empty takeaway joint with Coke
Recorded some pub sounds, then a piece I’d
Written the other night, bit of a joke
About those office do’s, with the drunk bloke
With roaming hands and overly loud slurs
A year’s worth of resentments he can’t hide
Goes home so pissed, he’s liable to choke
And so the grand finale of this year’s
Finally here, a foaming beery tide
Fri 12 Dec 2008
While winds blew hard and rain lashed down outside
The Brunswick, Waldorf, Grey Horse and Circus
The Rain Bar, Briton’s Protection, we tried
And managed two pints, then went for a fried
In some empty takeaway joint with Coke
Recorded some pub sounds, then a piece I’d
Written the other night, bit of a joke
About those office do’s, with the drunk bloke
With roaming hands and overly loud slurs
A year’s worth of resentments he can’t hide
Goes home so pissed, he’s liable to choke
And so the grand finale of this year’s
Finally here, a foaming beery tide
Fri 12 Dec 2008
829 - Punctured football
What a boring football season so far
Derby are struggling in the Championship
Both Birmingham and Wolves yet again spar
For promotion up to the Premiership
With Louis at uni, match-going’s slipped
And in any case it’s been bloody cold
So maybe it’s for the best, a health tip
It would be good though to have and to hold
A football-loving woman who was sold
On shivering next to me for two long hours
On Saturdays or midweek evenings, drips
Of rain down her neck not a cause to scold
Here’s hoping that Martin O’Neill’s Villa
Can sneak in the top four and rock the ship
Thur 11 Dec 2008
Derby are struggling in the Championship
Both Birmingham and Wolves yet again spar
For promotion up to the Premiership
With Louis at uni, match-going’s slipped
And in any case it’s been bloody cold
So maybe it’s for the best, a health tip
It would be good though to have and to hold
A football-loving woman who was sold
On shivering next to me for two long hours
On Saturdays or midweek evenings, drips
Of rain down her neck not a cause to scold
Here’s hoping that Martin O’Neill’s Villa
Can sneak in the top four and rock the ship
Thur 11 Dec 2008
827 - Travelogue
I’ve been to London, Birmingham and Leeds
I’ve been to Cardiff, Swansea, Llandudno
I’ve been to Glasgow, Perth, but not Dumfries
I’ve been to Dublin, Buncrana, Sligo
I’ve been to Paris, Rouen, not Bordeaux
I’ve been to Brussels but not Bruges or Ghent
I’ve been to Barcelona, not Vigo
I’ve been to Rome, to Milan never went
Of all the places that I’ve not been sent
I’d like to fly down to Los Angeles
And then drive up the coast road to Frisco
I’d like to nip to Nepal and Tashkent
Then row to Rio and Buenos Aires
And end up in Lapland’s crisp Christmas snow
Tue 9 Dec 2008
I’ve been to Cardiff, Swansea, Llandudno
I’ve been to Glasgow, Perth, but not Dumfries
I’ve been to Dublin, Buncrana, Sligo
I’ve been to Paris, Rouen, not Bordeaux
I’ve been to Brussels but not Bruges or Ghent
I’ve been to Barcelona, not Vigo
I’ve been to Rome, to Milan never went
Of all the places that I’ve not been sent
I’d like to fly down to Los Angeles
And then drive up the coast road to Frisco
I’d like to nip to Nepal and Tashkent
Then row to Rio and Buenos Aires
And end up in Lapland’s crisp Christmas snow
Tue 9 Dec 2008
826 - Loss of focus
My mind has gone from where it's s'posed to be
Getting somewhere with writing or music
To wanting a partner to be with me
Even though this doesn't display logic
To afford her I need a lodger, quick
And how will someone else in the flat feel
If I bring a girl round? They might not stick
Around for long, which would be a poor deal
For my financial recovery; well
Things are shaping up quite interestingly
Ten years since I had a lodger. The kick
Of having a new girlfriend has appeal
I can't deny. But first, find her! Easy
I'm hoping that the Net will do that trick
Mon 8 Dec 2008
Getting somewhere with writing or music
To wanting a partner to be with me
Even though this doesn't display logic
To afford her I need a lodger, quick
And how will someone else in the flat feel
If I bring a girl round? They might not stick
Around for long, which would be a poor deal
For my financial recovery; well
Things are shaping up quite interestingly
Ten years since I had a lodger. The kick
Of having a new girlfriend has appeal
I can't deny. But first, find her! Easy
I'm hoping that the Net will do that trick
Mon 8 Dec 2008
825 - Time to leave the playground
Beautiful blue sky, winter blue sky blues
Noticing red ears, noses and faces
Frosty ground fosters slips, slides, the odd bruise
Boots, gloves for those you love in cold places
Smoky breath, tokens of death in phases
From warmth to chill, as from health to illness
Children laugh, old men cough and wipe noses
Low key minders, reminders of stillness
Playground sounds, parental unwillingness
Mid-afternoon, soon hidden in the hues
Of purple, the bright bauble’s last traces
Stay down now as night covers trees and grass
With numbing blanket. Thank it, don’t refuse
For someone’s needed to push up daisies
Sun 7 Dec 2008
Noticing red ears, noses and faces
Frosty ground fosters slips, slides, the odd bruise
Boots, gloves for those you love in cold places
Smoky breath, tokens of death in phases
From warmth to chill, as from health to illness
Children laugh, old men cough and wipe noses
Low key minders, reminders of stillness
Playground sounds, parental unwillingness
Mid-afternoon, soon hidden in the hues
Of purple, the bright bauble’s last traces
Stay down now as night covers trees and grass
With numbing blanket. Thank it, don’t refuse
For someone’s needed to push up daisies
Sun 7 Dec 2008
824 - Saturday shopping spree
A lovely sunny winter’s day shopping
In Macclesfield and then in Manchester
First stop was Aldi, using their parking
Facilities and buying our drinks there
Next stop the charity shops, which was where
I hoped to find cheap clothes, but instead they
Were packed with eighties records; grabbed our share
Ate a snack or two, then drove all the way
To town and braved Primark on Saturday
Okay, maybe I did too much spending
But two coats, eight tops, three trousers later
I felt better equipped than yesterday
Not only that, but it was fun spending
Some time with a good friend, so thanks to her
Sat 6 Dec 2008
In Macclesfield and then in Manchester
First stop was Aldi, using their parking
Facilities and buying our drinks there
Next stop the charity shops, which was where
I hoped to find cheap clothes, but instead they
Were packed with eighties records; grabbed our share
Ate a snack or two, then drove all the way
To town and braved Primark on Saturday
Okay, maybe I did too much spending
But two coats, eight tops, three trousers later
I felt better equipped than yesterday
Not only that, but it was fun spending
Some time with a good friend, so thanks to her
Sat 6 Dec 2008
823 - Office computer glitch
Computers won’t work. We’re all helpless, like
Dystopian post-nuclear bad movie shit
I’m not complaining, mind. I’ll take a hike
Up to the shops, find some cheap clothes that fit
My thin body, even thinner budget
Today, Oxfam, Manchester, tomorrow
Oxfam, Macclesfield, wonderful shop that
I recommend to all. Meanwhile, clouds flow
Like dark grey flying blankets, keeping low
All spirits and desires. Just try to strike
A match. The wind puffs it out. Cigarette
Remains unlit, while extremities glow
With cold. I could be running round the park
But I’m too scared to run, so here I sit
Fri 5 Dec 2008
Dystopian post-nuclear bad movie shit
I’m not complaining, mind. I’ll take a hike
Up to the shops, find some cheap clothes that fit
My thin body, even thinner budget
Today, Oxfam, Manchester, tomorrow
Oxfam, Macclesfield, wonderful shop that
I recommend to all. Meanwhile, clouds flow
Like dark grey flying blankets, keeping low
All spirits and desires. Just try to strike
A match. The wind puffs it out. Cigarette
Remains unlit, while extremities glow
With cold. I could be running round the park
But I’m too scared to run, so here I sit
Fri 5 Dec 2008
822 - Is it just me, or is everything shit....No, it's just me
Just five hours’ sleep, a miserable cold
Wet day, and to cap it all, my speakers
Won’t work. That’s it. The universe could fold -
I couldn’t be more depressed. Universe
Schmuniverse. Schwarzeknickers. Nosepickers
All’s static, but appears fluid. Fluid
Appears, then disappoints. Friendly fuckers
Fire at will. Kill King Bill. Little girl hid
Under mattress like worthless savings. Did
You buy shares? Ho ho. Merry Christmas! Told
You. Spend spend spend before the end. Dear sirs -
Fuck off, the lot of you. Careful, you’ll skid
Under that bus. Pussy eye. I must hold
On. Maybe tomorrow will come. Per verse
Thur 4 Dec 2008
Wet day, and to cap it all, my speakers
Won’t work. That’s it. The universe could fold -
I couldn’t be more depressed. Universe
Schmuniverse. Schwarzeknickers. Nosepickers
All’s static, but appears fluid. Fluid
Appears, then disappoints. Friendly fuckers
Fire at will. Kill King Bill. Little girl hid
Under mattress like worthless savings. Did
You buy shares? Ho ho. Merry Christmas! Told
You. Spend spend spend before the end. Dear sirs -
Fuck off, the lot of you. Careful, you’ll skid
Under that bus. Pussy eye. I must hold
On. Maybe tomorrow will come. Per verse
Thur 4 Dec 2008
821 - Winter memoryland
My ears ache from the cold, and I love it
It’s like the winters of old, of boyhood
It’s fun being outside, a little bit
Nostalgic; takes me back to when I would
Slip newspapers in letterboxes; good
Winters with decent helpings of crisp snow
Earning enough to buy records that should
Be worth something now, and enough to go
To gigs by the Jam, the Banshees; you know
The sort of groups I liked. They had a hit
Or two in the late 70s. All good
Guitar-based stuff. Made us want to pogo
I remember when the fans all used to spit
On the singers. Punk rock was not yet dead.
Wed 3 Dec 2008
It’s like the winters of old, of boyhood
It’s fun being outside, a little bit
Nostalgic; takes me back to when I would
Slip newspapers in letterboxes; good
Winters with decent helpings of crisp snow
Earning enough to buy records that should
Be worth something now, and enough to go
To gigs by the Jam, the Banshees; you know
The sort of groups I liked. They had a hit
Or two in the late 70s. All good
Guitar-based stuff. Made us want to pogo
I remember when the fans all used to spit
On the singers. Punk rock was not yet dead.
Wed 3 Dec 2008
Monday 28 March 2011
820 - Walking away from the fairy lights
Snowfall. God thinks it’s already Christmas
In truth, I wish Christmas would come and go
But I’ll be sad to see the old year pass
Another year melting just like the snow
Tread carefully on your dreamy way; so
Easy to slip. God knows I’ve ended flat
A couple of times, but it seems as though
I brush off the slush and then that is that.
Snowflakes or hailstones on umbrella. Rat
Tat tat. I’m sheltered, all is well. I cast
My flaky sight into night. Chill wind blows
Till hands and nose grow numb. Suppose when sat
Back home in the flat, with a harmless glass
Of milk, I’ll chill out, then hug the pillow
Tue 2 Dec 2008
In truth, I wish Christmas would come and go
But I’ll be sad to see the old year pass
Another year melting just like the snow
Tread carefully on your dreamy way; so
Easy to slip. God knows I’ve ended flat
A couple of times, but it seems as though
I brush off the slush and then that is that.
Snowflakes or hailstones on umbrella. Rat
Tat tat. I’m sheltered, all is well. I cast
My flaky sight into night. Chill wind blows
Till hands and nose grow numb. Suppose when sat
Back home in the flat, with a harmless glass
Of milk, I’ll chill out, then hug the pillow
Tue 2 Dec 2008
819 - December 1st, 4pm
The sky all shades of blue with purple streaks
Warm swathes of tangerine towards the coast
The dark blue behind all too quickly creeps
The brightness ahead dims like distant hopes
Look into this darkness - numberless ghosts
All scurry through black tunnels, wait in lines
Their dead white eyes betray no sign they host
Within each machine, all-controlling minds
And so we drive ourselves on, disinclined
To stop until all homes are at last reached
Comforted by the fire, shoelaces loosed
Thinking we're free as long as home's light shines
Safe in bed, visualising sunlit peaks
Giving our cold engines a timely boost
Mon 1 Dec 2008
Warm swathes of tangerine towards the coast
The dark blue behind all too quickly creeps
The brightness ahead dims like distant hopes
Look into this darkness - numberless ghosts
All scurry through black tunnels, wait in lines
Their dead white eyes betray no sign they host
Within each machine, all-controlling minds
And so we drive ourselves on, disinclined
To stop until all homes are at last reached
Comforted by the fire, shoelaces loosed
Thinking we're free as long as home's light shines
Safe in bed, visualising sunlit peaks
Giving our cold engines a timely boost
Mon 1 Dec 2008
818 - Thinking of drinking again
It seems like I can still taste last night’s beer
(Despite brushing my teeth, a lasagne
And one or two coffees) and this last year
Has also left a funny taste: a new
Experience or two’s always fun, yeah?
Well I dunno, there’s always ups and downs
Economy’s been mainly down and the
Flat remains unsold. Interest rate and pound’s
Come down to earth like me. Was lost, now found
Like some high-flying TV character
In a plane crash, being a survivor
But now I’m sussed, yeah, sorted, mate, well sound
Like some shamelessly clichéd northerner
Being so hard but crying in my beer
Sun 30 Nov 2008
(Despite brushing my teeth, a lasagne
And one or two coffees) and this last year
Has also left a funny taste: a new
Experience or two’s always fun, yeah?
Well I dunno, there’s always ups and downs
Economy’s been mainly down and the
Flat remains unsold. Interest rate and pound’s
Come down to earth like me. Was lost, now found
Like some high-flying TV character
In a plane crash, being a survivor
But now I’m sussed, yeah, sorted, mate, well sound
Like some shamelessly clichéd northerner
Being so hard but crying in my beer
Sun 30 Nov 2008
817 - Quick cathartic sonnet before Never Mind The Buzzcocks
I know we all feel sorry for ourselves
But life’s too short, so sod it, let’s just smile
Besides, some people are as small as elves
And others’ arses are covered with piles
And other people still, they live in Wales
Their houses flooded, and there be dragons
My main problem is I mess with my nails
I’ll never ever be cool as The Fonz
Never mind, who gives a toss, play some songs
Drink a beer or two and enjoy yourselves
I’m not sure about wine, I think it’s vile
It makes your face go red, and then the huns
Will never fancy you! Even Elvis
Stayed at heartbreak hotel. I’ve stayed a while
Sat 29 Nov 2008
But life’s too short, so sod it, let’s just smile
Besides, some people are as small as elves
And others’ arses are covered with piles
And other people still, they live in Wales
Their houses flooded, and there be dragons
My main problem is I mess with my nails
I’ll never ever be cool as The Fonz
Never mind, who gives a toss, play some songs
Drink a beer or two and enjoy yourselves
I’m not sure about wine, I think it’s vile
It makes your face go red, and then the huns
Will never fancy you! Even Elvis
Stayed at heartbreak hotel. I’ve stayed a while
Sat 29 Nov 2008
816 - Can I go home now?
Incredible tiredness pervades my bones
I sit at my desk, unable to work
Two nights of staying up late caused these moans
And so as Friday wears on, I just shirk
My emailing friend has gone out; no smirks
At our funny exchanges to enjoy
Just clockwatching and drinking tea; no perk
Such as a bite of chocolate to employ
My chocolate's all at home - you stupid boy!
Tonight, though, I'll be hearing screams and groans
No, not the neighbours this time (those damn Turks)
But at the cinema. Please don't annoy
Me, long-legged louts kicking my chair, or phones
Switched on all through the show (drives me beserk!)
Fri 28 Nov 2008
I sit at my desk, unable to work
Two nights of staying up late caused these moans
And so as Friday wears on, I just shirk
My emailing friend has gone out; no smirks
At our funny exchanges to enjoy
Just clockwatching and drinking tea; no perk
Such as a bite of chocolate to employ
My chocolate's all at home - you stupid boy!
Tonight, though, I'll be hearing screams and groans
No, not the neighbours this time (those damn Turks)
But at the cinema. Please don't annoy
Me, long-legged louts kicking my chair, or phones
Switched on all through the show (drives me beserk!)
Fri 28 Nov 2008
815 - Blue yodel
The old cow hasn’t given me the job
Well I’m not surprised, so I’m not upset
If she was homeless she’d not get two bob
Off me, the heartless bitch, with her own set
Of fawning two-faced bleating sheep, their wet
Brown noses stinking as they whinge quietly
Behind her pied backside, where her tail swats
The buzzing flies that irritate, like me
The truth-tellers, not managed easily
Management is a dirty word, they’re slobs
Who take the pay and moo orders, then get
Plenty of cud to chew, real noisily
Plenty of methane gas from out her gob
The hard workers are the ones she forgets
Thur 27 Nov 2008
Well I’m not surprised, so I’m not upset
If she was homeless she’d not get two bob
Off me, the heartless bitch, with her own set
Of fawning two-faced bleating sheep, their wet
Brown noses stinking as they whinge quietly
Behind her pied backside, where her tail swats
The buzzing flies that irritate, like me
The truth-tellers, not managed easily
Management is a dirty word, they’re slobs
Who take the pay and moo orders, then get
Plenty of cud to chew, real noisily
Plenty of methane gas from out her gob
The hard workers are the ones she forgets
Thur 27 Nov 2008
814 - Nuts and Bolton
Day off today to do lots today, hey
But all I did was write all about food
Wanted to go for a run today, hey
But I just wrote - not in a running mood
But a haircut was something I’d include
There must be time for that - no way José
I watched Jeremy Kyle, wrote about food
And that was it, off to the BBC
To see what they would say. It’s not easy
Getting scripts accepted by their guys, hey
I got all the tips down, then crossed the road
Got in my car, drove to Bolton city
For a friends’ poetry night tonight, hey
And all I did was read all about food
Wed 26 Nov 2008
But all I did was write all about food
Wanted to go for a run today, hey
But I just wrote - not in a running mood
But a haircut was something I’d include
There must be time for that - no way José
I watched Jeremy Kyle, wrote about food
And that was it, off to the BBC
To see what they would say. It’s not easy
Getting scripts accepted by their guys, hey
I got all the tips down, then crossed the road
Got in my car, drove to Bolton city
For a friends’ poetry night tonight, hey
And all I did was read all about food
Wed 26 Nov 2008
813 - Scottish angels
I finished reading Shadow of the Wind
On the train home from Glasgow in the dark
The sun shone all day. First, we tried to find
Queen Street station, on George Square. Hearing talk
From my colleague about the angels: ‘Look!’
I saw four buxom goddesses of love
Made of stone, holding up buildings. We walk
Away from love, from those girls up above
In the cold morning air, senses removed
Showing the boobs that no hearts beat behind
Got places to go, people to see, work
(In this case, tax talk.) Northward the train drove
Through green fields, orange hills, blue skies, a kind
Vision of Scotland, beautiful and stark
Tue 25 Nov 2008
On the train home from Glasgow in the dark
The sun shone all day. First, we tried to find
Queen Street station, on George Square. Hearing talk
From my colleague about the angels: ‘Look!’
I saw four buxom goddesses of love
Made of stone, holding up buildings. We walk
Away from love, from those girls up above
In the cold morning air, senses removed
Showing the boobs that no hearts beat behind
Got places to go, people to see, work
(In this case, tax talk.) Northward the train drove
Through green fields, orange hills, blue skies, a kind
Vision of Scotland, beautiful and stark
Tue 25 Nov 2008
812 - Sketches from the east coast mainline
The train took us north through pretty Yorkshire
Hills green and rolling, yellow towns nestling
Historic Durham Cathedral, higher
And therefore nearer to God, its choir sings
Plenty of eye candy, pretty young things
Sharing the ride, some jumping off before
Saying goodbye with eyes, pulling, dragging
Their cases elsewhere, gone forevermore
Alternate rain, hail, sun, cloud and much more
In windy Newcastle, but they don’t tire
Schoolkids leap and shout, homeward journeying
Back up to Edinburgh, then change for
Glasgow Central, eighth floor, Thistle. Try a
Japanese sushi. Now TV watching
Mon 24 Nov 2008
Hills green and rolling, yellow towns nestling
Historic Durham Cathedral, higher
And therefore nearer to God, its choir sings
Plenty of eye candy, pretty young things
Sharing the ride, some jumping off before
Saying goodbye with eyes, pulling, dragging
Their cases elsewhere, gone forevermore
Alternate rain, hail, sun, cloud and much more
In windy Newcastle, but they don’t tire
Schoolkids leap and shout, homeward journeying
Back up to Edinburgh, then change for
Glasgow Central, eighth floor, Thistle. Try a
Japanese sushi. Now TV watching
Mon 24 Nov 2008
811 - Cold calculation
A wet and potentially stressful day
As all days are, although thankfully I
Am too slow to perceive just how much they
Should stress me, so I just conceive the lie
That it will be fine later, and I fly
In the face of the late November wind
Which slows me further. I know I must try
And do what the grass does in the storm, bend
And sway and even sing, and in the end
The wasteland will be green and kids will play
They won’t be scared of monster’s evil eye
Or calculating adders to offend
No matter what, we all go our own way
(Today was fine, despite that old grey sky)
Sun 23 Nov 2008
As all days are, although thankfully I
Am too slow to perceive just how much they
Should stress me, so I just conceive the lie
That it will be fine later, and I fly
In the face of the late November wind
Which slows me further. I know I must try
And do what the grass does in the storm, bend
And sway and even sing, and in the end
The wasteland will be green and kids will play
They won’t be scared of monster’s evil eye
Or calculating adders to offend
No matter what, we all go our own way
(Today was fine, despite that old grey sky)
Sun 23 Nov 2008
810 - Blues in A flat (take 2)
I’m here all alone in this flat, the cold
Keeps rushing in when I put rubbish out
Into the balcony bin, and I sold
My soul to the tobacco king about
This time last night, smoked some shivering out-
Side the small theatre. Now there’s three smokes left
But not much else. Feel too cold to check out
The show at the Lowry tonight. What’s left
To do, since there is no-one here? A swift
Departure once more leaves no-one to hold
But my true love. I’ll get some records out
And play my pink guitar, and still have left
Enough energy to suffer the cold
Tomorrow, when I’ll be out and about
Sat 22 Nov 2008
Keeps rushing in when I put rubbish out
Into the balcony bin, and I sold
My soul to the tobacco king about
This time last night, smoked some shivering out-
Side the small theatre. Now there’s three smokes left
But not much else. Feel too cold to check out
The show at the Lowry tonight. What’s left
To do, since there is no-one here? A swift
Departure once more leaves no-one to hold
But my true love. I’ll get some records out
And play my pink guitar, and still have left
Enough energy to suffer the cold
Tomorrow, when I’ll be out and about
Sat 22 Nov 2008
809 - Haunted alleyways
The ghostly apparition that is love
That mirage in the desert's swimming heat
That famous free lunch, when push comes to shove
That fantasy, product of self-deceit
Is still there in the distance, down the street
But hides in alleyways and then jumps out
Scaring you half to death with yellow teeth
Sees what's in your pocket and pulls it out
Sees what's in your trousers and pulls it out
Then runs off just as quickly to her love
Some simple man that you'd find hard to beat
But he wouldn't think twice, so when the shout
Comes from the shadows, better quickly move
Along, or at least ask for a receipt
Fri 21 Nov 2008
That mirage in the desert's swimming heat
That famous free lunch, when push comes to shove
That fantasy, product of self-deceit
Is still there in the distance, down the street
But hides in alleyways and then jumps out
Scaring you half to death with yellow teeth
Sees what's in your pocket and pulls it out
Sees what's in your trousers and pulls it out
Then runs off just as quickly to her love
Some simple man that you'd find hard to beat
But he wouldn't think twice, so when the shout
Comes from the shadows, better quickly move
Along, or at least ask for a receipt
Fri 21 Nov 2008
808 - Chickening out
To bed last night at a reasonable hour
But still a good few pints and a curry
Nestling in my bloated stomach. Devour
At this rate and, my friend, obesity
Will catch you, or, at least, the pregnancy
Look when you stand sideways by a mirror
And pull your shirt up, as I did in the
Hotel bathroom last night (this was BEFORE
The huge curry at Kushi’s…) We waged war
On Scottish chickens this week with such power
That now it’s over, they will cluck ‘Hooray!’
And try to procreate, even the score
Oh esteemed poultry of auld Edinburgh
We humbly wave the white flag. We’re sorry!
Thur 20 Nov 2008
But still a good few pints and a curry
Nestling in my bloated stomach. Devour
At this rate and, my friend, obesity
Will catch you, or, at least, the pregnancy
Look when you stand sideways by a mirror
And pull your shirt up, as I did in the
Hotel bathroom last night (this was BEFORE
The huge curry at Kushi’s…) We waged war
On Scottish chickens this week with such power
That now it’s over, they will cluck ‘Hooray!’
And try to procreate, even the score
Oh esteemed poultry of auld Edinburgh
We humbly wave the white flag. We’re sorry!
Thur 20 Nov 2008
807 - Scots wha-hay
Tonight I’m writing BEFORE going out
I think that’s the more sensible way round
Last night Princes Street, tonight Grassmarket
Left out the hotel door, near castle mound
I will need to withdraw some Scottish pounds
Or I’ll be unable to buy my meal
I told the group where we would be around
Let’s hope they join us: it could be a squeal
However, last night took its toll on Neil
Too many ciders dispatched down the spout
But John, the hardened drinker, seems quite sound
Took some pics this morning from Calton Hill
A spot I first posed on, well, round about
’86. A cannon points at the town
Wed 19 Nov 2008
I think that’s the more sensible way round
Last night Princes Street, tonight Grassmarket
Left out the hotel door, near castle mound
I will need to withdraw some Scottish pounds
Or I’ll be unable to buy my meal
I told the group where we would be around
Let’s hope they join us: it could be a squeal
However, last night took its toll on Neil
Too many ciders dispatched down the spout
But John, the hardened drinker, seems quite sound
Took some pics this morning from Calton Hill
A spot I first posed on, well, round about
’86. A cannon points at the town
Wed 19 Nov 2008
806 - Semi-thoughts of a drunk sassenach
Hello everybody in Edinburgh
I’d just like to say that your town’s okay
Although I was disappointed by the
Lack of lighting of Scott Monument: say,
The walk down Princes Street ended in a
Fruitful stay in a bar where the barmaid
Displayed her tits quite nicely, hip hooray
At the Queen’s Arms, all very well displayed
And then another pub, where much was said
About football, including Manchester
United’s prospects. Well, do you think they
Will finish above Liverpool? They’ve stayed
Above them for years, and so I’ll bet ya
That the Red Devils will beat the Reds, yay!
Tue 18 Nov 2008
I’d just like to say that your town’s okay
Although I was disappointed by the
Lack of lighting of Scott Monument: say,
The walk down Princes Street ended in a
Fruitful stay in a bar where the barmaid
Displayed her tits quite nicely, hip hooray
At the Queen’s Arms, all very well displayed
And then another pub, where much was said
About football, including Manchester
United’s prospects. Well, do you think they
Will finish above Liverpool? They’ve stayed
Above them for years, and so I’ll bet ya
That the Red Devils will beat the Reds, yay!
Tue 18 Nov 2008
805 - Edinburgh Choo-Choo
It’s been a busy month for travelling
I went to Paris earlier, you know
I’ve just got back from York, recovering
From that while also preparing to go
To Edinburgh: up there tomorrow
And then, the following week, Newcastle
And on from there to sink pints in Glasgow
Then back home at long last, perchance to chill
I love to travel but my wallet’s ill
Paris was leisure but the rest’s working
Nonetheless, pleasure can still smoothly flow
From pumps in pubs on work trips, so let’s fill
The glasses and drink to more journeying
(And promotion prospects, though they’re quite low :(
Mon 17 Nov 2008
I went to Paris earlier, you know
I’ve just got back from York, recovering
From that while also preparing to go
To Edinburgh: up there tomorrow
And then, the following week, Newcastle
And on from there to sink pints in Glasgow
Then back home at long last, perchance to chill
I love to travel but my wallet’s ill
Paris was leisure but the rest’s working
Nonetheless, pleasure can still smoothly flow
From pumps in pubs on work trips, so let’s fill
The glasses and drink to more journeying
(And promotion prospects, though they’re quite low :(
Mon 17 Nov 2008
804 - The end is nigh, I hope
I think the time to tell her has now come
In fact it came and went some time ago
But when we don’t talk at all, how d’you drum
Up courage to say what we should both know
We’ve already said goodbye but with no
Words. They are the hardest because they fall
Like seeds on barren soil; they never flow
Except like dirty toilet water. Call
Her, tell her tonight, there’s no need to crawl
There’d be no room beneath her when her tum
Slides over undergrowth; sidewinder, show
True colours, twist and turn, I’ve seen it all
The forked poisonous tongue, rattle and hum
What’s left to argue about? Here I go…
Sun 16 Nov 2008
In fact it came and went some time ago
But when we don’t talk at all, how d’you drum
Up courage to say what we should both know
We’ve already said goodbye but with no
Words. They are the hardest because they fall
Like seeds on barren soil; they never flow
Except like dirty toilet water. Call
Her, tell her tonight, there’s no need to crawl
There’d be no room beneath her when her tum
Slides over undergrowth; sidewinder, show
True colours, twist and turn, I’ve seen it all
The forked poisonous tongue, rattle and hum
What’s left to argue about? Here I go…
Sun 16 Nov 2008
803 - Chillin' in ma crib
Not feeling too good, Saturday morning
Headache, but not after a long session
Just some sort of bug, sickening, dizzying
Tense nervous headache? Here’s your medicine
And meanwhile I have got the ironing done
While watching videos on TMF
They’ve played the charts, now the oldies are on
Oh no, not Boyzone again - what a laugh!
Take That, Girls Aloud, my old friends Westlife
And now the Sugababes are back singing
Last night we stayed up till round half past one
Children in Need was on, and photographs
From York were uploaded for your viewing
Forgot to put them on Facebook. Hang on…
Sat 15 Nov 2008
Headache, but not after a long session
Just some sort of bug, sickening, dizzying
Tense nervous headache? Here’s your medicine
And meanwhile I have got the ironing done
While watching videos on TMF
They’ve played the charts, now the oldies are on
Oh no, not Boyzone again - what a laugh!
Take That, Girls Aloud, my old friends Westlife
And now the Sugababes are back singing
Last night we stayed up till round half past one
Children in Need was on, and photographs
From York were uploaded for your viewing
Forgot to put them on Facebook. Hang on…
Sat 15 Nov 2008
802 - In bed at twilight
Just two hours’ sleep for meeting day two
After an all night drink and chat session
In pub, restaurant and hotel bar, with new
Gossip and old work worries all touched on
I couldn’t sleep on the train so upon
Returning home I flopped onto the bed
Barely the energy to undress from
Work clothes. Lay there, feeling pulse in my head
Throbbing as though I was running ahead
Of the pack up some hillside I used to
Race up some years ago (I never won)
Two hours I lay as darkness slowly spread
But not to my eyes as I thought of you
Counting minutes till solitude is gone
Fri 14 Nov 2008
After an all night drink and chat session
In pub, restaurant and hotel bar, with new
Gossip and old work worries all touched on
I couldn’t sleep on the train so upon
Returning home I flopped onto the bed
Barely the energy to undress from
Work clothes. Lay there, feeling pulse in my head
Throbbing as though I was running ahead
Of the pack up some hillside I used to
Race up some years ago (I never won)
Two hours I lay as darkness slowly spread
But not to my eyes as I thought of you
Counting minutes till solitude is gone
Fri 14 Nov 2008
801 - Old York, Old York
This is a swell hotel room here in York
Honey, although you ain’t in here with me
Aw shucks, I’ll tell you ’bout it when we talk
Which we’ll be doin’ Friday, Saturday
But back to what’s bin happenin’ today
As you’ll recall, there’s bin a big meetin’
’Bout work n’ stuff, an’ so far, gotta say
It’s gone okay, if a tad worryin’
For lil ol’ me. Did the organisin’
An’ chairin,’ an’ by rights, hon, I could chalk
It up as a success, well hopefully
Proof of leadership skills… but will it bring
Recognition from managers? My work
May be fine, hon, but have they eyes to see?
Thur 13 Nov 2008
Honey, although you ain’t in here with me
Aw shucks, I’ll tell you ’bout it when we talk
Which we’ll be doin’ Friday, Saturday
But back to what’s bin happenin’ today
As you’ll recall, there’s bin a big meetin’
’Bout work n’ stuff, an’ so far, gotta say
It’s gone okay, if a tad worryin’
For lil ol’ me. Did the organisin’
An’ chairin,’ an’ by rights, hon, I could chalk
It up as a success, well hopefully
Proof of leadership skills… but will it bring
Recognition from managers? My work
May be fine, hon, but have they eyes to see?
Thur 13 Nov 2008
800 - Relaxation by guitar
The cares of the day were partly smoothed down
By listening to him play on his guitar
The Australian master was in town
A man who can play music from afar
From centuries back and new out this year
Might get his CD cheap from Amazon
Already I’m playing Cavatina
Not myself, of course, sure you understand
But merely on a hits compilation
While I write this and attempt to wind down
After a hectic day, a can of beer
By my side, by way of consolation
For no longer having my love around
And a conference tomorrow to chair
Wed 12 Nov 2008
By listening to him play on his guitar
The Australian master was in town
A man who can play music from afar
From centuries back and new out this year
Might get his CD cheap from Amazon
Already I’m playing Cavatina
Not myself, of course, sure you understand
But merely on a hits compilation
While I write this and attempt to wind down
After a hectic day, a can of beer
By my side, by way of consolation
For no longer having my love around
And a conference tomorrow to chair
Wed 12 Nov 2008
799 - 11/11, 11am
At eleven this morning, ninety years
Have passed since the end of that awful war
Only three survivors now, shedding tears
For fallen comrades, old memories still raw
The new National Memorial, not too far
From my home town of Lichfield, is the scene
Of sombre ceremony; with such poor
Weather, that beam of light will not be seen
To shine through the crack in the wall that means
To make the wreaths glow at this time of year
To shine gold rays of glory on the poor
Long-gone heroes of '14 to '18
Eleven has passed now; the sun appears
Briefly. Heavy cloud returns as before
Tue 11 Nov 2008
Have passed since the end of that awful war
Only three survivors now, shedding tears
For fallen comrades, old memories still raw
The new National Memorial, not too far
From my home town of Lichfield, is the scene
Of sombre ceremony; with such poor
Weather, that beam of light will not be seen
To shine through the crack in the wall that means
To make the wreaths glow at this time of year
To shine gold rays of glory on the poor
Long-gone heroes of '14 to '18
Eleven has passed now; the sun appears
Briefly. Heavy cloud returns as before
Tue 11 Nov 2008
798 - The many moods of the digital Romeo
Sibelius plays in the CD drive while
I chat with my love, instant messaging
The brass crescendoes in typical style
The big bass drum is booming and rolling
As quips and loving thoughts keep on crossing
Immediately from my place up to hers
Like a drug to which we keep returning
The last movement of Karelia infers
Not wrongly that things aren’t so bad, the firs
And snow of Finland for mile after mile
Replaced now by the ghetto that’s singing
With Donny Hathaway’s voice ’bout the curse
Of economic shortage. But they’d smile
If they had a taste of our sweet loving
Mon 10 Nov 2008
I chat with my love, instant messaging
The brass crescendoes in typical style
The big bass drum is booming and rolling
As quips and loving thoughts keep on crossing
Immediately from my place up to hers
Like a drug to which we keep returning
The last movement of Karelia infers
Not wrongly that things aren’t so bad, the firs
And snow of Finland for mile after mile
Replaced now by the ghetto that’s singing
With Donny Hathaway’s voice ’bout the curse
Of economic shortage. But they’d smile
If they had a taste of our sweet loving
Mon 10 Nov 2008
797 - Worlds in collision
You flick my switch with electric fingers
The current flows, I tense, stiffen and burn
I turn and float on white water rivers
Torrents no dam can hold back as they churn
All speech lost, ice-cold frost cracked, eyes roll, yearn
The whites of my bare soul both uncovered
The clear light of some other world that spurns
This temporary me, like a drunkard
Racing towards eternity so hard
I leave my microscopic universe
You are the wormhole and I am the worm
You are the gatekeeper, and the password
Is three-dimensional as this world blurs
These immense seconds, then senses return
Sun 9 Nov 2008
The current flows, I tense, stiffen and burn
I turn and float on white water rivers
Torrents no dam can hold back as they churn
All speech lost, ice-cold frost cracked, eyes roll, yearn
The whites of my bare soul both uncovered
The clear light of some other world that spurns
This temporary me, like a drunkard
Racing towards eternity so hard
I leave my microscopic universe
You are the wormhole and I am the worm
You are the gatekeeper, and the password
Is three-dimensional as this world blurs
These immense seconds, then senses return
Sun 9 Nov 2008
796 - Sleepless night
The night turns oh so quickly into day
And still we cannot rest, well not for long
A quick chat, then we turn another way
And once again the feelings return, strong
Turning, returning, feeling we belong
Belonging, feeling strong for so long; dawn
Coming and going like a summer song
The early daylight comfortably worn
By your pale skin, my darker skin, both torn
From hot imprisoning bedclothes that weigh
Restricting free movement of hands along
Your sides. And now we both know as your yawn
Disturbs the precious silence, we must say
Good night, good day, some sleep now won’t be wrong
Sat 8 Nov 2008
And still we cannot rest, well not for long
A quick chat, then we turn another way
And once again the feelings return, strong
Turning, returning, feeling we belong
Belonging, feeling strong for so long; dawn
Coming and going like a summer song
The early daylight comfortably worn
By your pale skin, my darker skin, both torn
From hot imprisoning bedclothes that weigh
Restricting free movement of hands along
Your sides. And now we both know as your yawn
Disturbs the precious silence, we must say
Good night, good day, some sleep now won’t be wrong
Sat 8 Nov 2008
795 - Advice on dying
Advice on dying, yes, that’s what I want
No, I’m not jetting off to Switzerland
Assisted suicide is not my point
But how to go gentle to Neverland
Where night is white, when my time is at hand
I want to see that white light (not tonight!)
Mirages, smoke, fireflies, flickering flame, and
Pure colours white, orange, black, then clear light
Forever, as I dissolve from your sight
‘I’ returns to concepts the living hunt
While eighty winds, fire, water and the land
Move as one in life’s separatenesses, quite
Unable to unsee their fragile bond
Dreaming of life preserved in grains of sand
Fri 7 Nov 2008
No, I’m not jetting off to Switzerland
Assisted suicide is not my point
But how to go gentle to Neverland
Where night is white, when my time is at hand
I want to see that white light (not tonight!)
Mirages, smoke, fireflies, flickering flame, and
Pure colours white, orange, black, then clear light
Forever, as I dissolve from your sight
‘I’ returns to concepts the living hunt
While eighty winds, fire, water and the land
Move as one in life’s separatenesses, quite
Unable to unsee their fragile bond
Dreaming of life preserved in grains of sand
Fri 7 Nov 2008
794 - We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you
Public transport, like public school, can be
A slight misnomer, and for a roamer
Highly dramatic, traumatic maybe
Let the train cause the strain, make you phone the
Person waiting: “Sorry, I’m late home, a
Railwaymen’s strike. Looks like a taxi which
Will tax me.” Strikes me that you’re a goner
If public transport fails the poor man. Rich
And you’ll get there, no scare… but you’ll still twitch
In your first-class plane seat. The meeting’s three
And take-off’s delayed till two. Bemoan your
Fate to be late: this thick fog’s got you stitched
Uptight as night draws in, gate twenty-three
This airport scare’s taught me to stay home more
Thur 6 Nov 2008
A slight misnomer, and for a roamer
Highly dramatic, traumatic maybe
Let the train cause the strain, make you phone the
Person waiting: “Sorry, I’m late home, a
Railwaymen’s strike. Looks like a taxi which
Will tax me.” Strikes me that you’re a goner
If public transport fails the poor man. Rich
And you’ll get there, no scare… but you’ll still twitch
In your first-class plane seat. The meeting’s three
And take-off’s delayed till two. Bemoan your
Fate to be late: this thick fog’s got you stitched
Uptight as night draws in, gate twenty-three
This airport scare’s taught me to stay home more
Thur 6 Nov 2008
793 - The Parisiad (part 2)
Deuxième jour à Paris. Visited
The Place des Vosges dans le Marais encore
The Jewish Quarter, rue des Rosiers, hid
Just off the rue de Rivoli, and more
Delights: the rue de Sévigné… alors
Montmartre, then lunch, then Beaubourg, then the long
Walk up Rivoli, Louvre, Tuileries, pour
Promener le Champs Elysées; a strong
Espresso (and rest) chez Café George Cinq
Then on to the Arc, unusually crowded
With police and army. Bir Hakeim Métro
And it’s a short, bothersome walk that brings
One to la Tour Eiffel, decorated
In blue, with sparkling light show every hour
Wed 5 Nov 2008
The Place des Vosges dans le Marais encore
The Jewish Quarter, rue des Rosiers, hid
Just off the rue de Rivoli, and more
Delights: the rue de Sévigné… alors
Montmartre, then lunch, then Beaubourg, then the long
Walk up Rivoli, Louvre, Tuileries, pour
Promener le Champs Elysées; a strong
Espresso (and rest) chez Café George Cinq
Then on to the Arc, unusually crowded
With police and army. Bir Hakeim Métro
And it’s a short, bothersome walk that brings
One to la Tour Eiffel, decorated
In blue, with sparkling light show every hour
Wed 5 Nov 2008
792 - The Parisiad (part 1)
Due to last night's public transport trauma
And not getting to her flat until two
A.M. thanks to plane / train / taxi drama
We lay in, and my daughter skipped class too
A cloudless sky of pure Parisian blue
When finally we rose penetrated
The courtyard. Briefly observing the view
From her front door of Notre Dame, we did:
Bastille, République, Canal, Stalingrad
La Villette (Cité de la Musique); a
Serge Gainsbourg expo. Down rue Menin to
Parc Butte-Chaumont (Montmartre clearly sighted)
Belleville, Ménilmontant, Richard Lenoir
Back 'home,' then out to see Barack break through
Tue 4 Nov 2008
And not getting to her flat until two
A.M. thanks to plane / train / taxi drama
We lay in, and my daughter skipped class too
A cloudless sky of pure Parisian blue
When finally we rose penetrated
The courtyard. Briefly observing the view
From her front door of Notre Dame, we did:
Bastille, République, Canal, Stalingrad
La Villette (Cité de la Musique); a
Serge Gainsbourg expo. Down rue Menin to
Parc Butte-Chaumont (Montmartre clearly sighted)
Belleville, Ménilmontant, Richard Lenoir
Back 'home,' then out to see Barack break through
Tue 4 Nov 2008
791 - Paris on the cheap
I’m off to Paris with just one small bag
To see my daughter in her little flat
Sur la rue de Rivoli - oh, c’est mag-
nifique! John Lennon Airport, Easyjet
To Charles de Gaulle Airport, from where I’ll get
The RER Line B to Châtelet
My daughter will hopefully be all set
To meet me at the Métro entranceway
And then we’ll walk the lit-up streets as they
Lead us through French fantasy-land, agog
An evening café au lait, café nat-
ure (c’est café noir), ma fille? Ah, au lait?
D’accord. As-tu dix euros? The not large
Fund I brought is spent! Sorry about that!
Mon 3 Nov 2008
To see my daughter in her little flat
Sur la rue de Rivoli - oh, c’est mag-
nifique! John Lennon Airport, Easyjet
To Charles de Gaulle Airport, from where I’ll get
The RER Line B to Châtelet
My daughter will hopefully be all set
To meet me at the Métro entranceway
And then we’ll walk the lit-up streets as they
Lead us through French fantasy-land, agog
An evening café au lait, café nat-
ure (c’est café noir), ma fille? Ah, au lait?
D’accord. As-tu dix euros? The not large
Fund I brought is spent! Sorry about that!
Mon 3 Nov 2008
790 - A touching thought
Touching is such a rare, beautiful thing
Feeling and comforting another soul
That’s flesh and blood, three-dimensional being
The nearest thing to climbing out the hole
The nearest to tunnelling like some mole
Under the fence of life’s tough prison camp
Emerging from a half life to a whole
Discovering fire, then inventing the lamp
Exploring other galaxies can’t trump
This here and now, this boundary crossing
Like a goldfish leaping high from its bowl
Shaking its tail to rid itself of damp
And wriggling happily past kitchen sink
With smiling face and new, more distant goal
Sun 2 Nov 2008
Feeling and comforting another soul
That’s flesh and blood, three-dimensional being
The nearest thing to climbing out the hole
The nearest to tunnelling like some mole
Under the fence of life’s tough prison camp
Emerging from a half life to a whole
Discovering fire, then inventing the lamp
Exploring other galaxies can’t trump
This here and now, this boundary crossing
Like a goldfish leaping high from its bowl
Shaking its tail to rid itself of damp
And wriggling happily past kitchen sink
With smiling face and new, more distant goal
Sun 2 Nov 2008
789 - Saturday mail
I love Saturday mornings just like this
I’m catching up on emails, blogs and net-
Based tasks that years ago did not exist
Remember reading papers, writing let-
Ters with a PEN? Back then, with fingers wet
With ink, we’d think: Oh no, I’ve no stamps left
And the Post Office is so hard to get
To before it closes at lunchtime. Sift
Through old photos, not in a box, but aft-
Er you have accessed the website, a list
Of virtual albums on display. Forget
To save them when there’s a house fire? Bereft
No more, they’re safe somewhere out there. A kiss
To my online sweetheart. We’ve still not met
Sat 1 Nov 2008
I’m catching up on emails, blogs and net-
Based tasks that years ago did not exist
Remember reading papers, writing let-
Ters with a PEN? Back then, with fingers wet
With ink, we’d think: Oh no, I’ve no stamps left
And the Post Office is so hard to get
To before it closes at lunchtime. Sift
Through old photos, not in a box, but aft-
Er you have accessed the website, a list
Of virtual albums on display. Forget
To save them when there’s a house fire? Bereft
No more, they’re safe somewhere out there. A kiss
To my online sweetheart. We’ve still not met
Sat 1 Nov 2008
788 - Halloween fireworks
It’s scary, Mary. It’s H-Halloween!
W-What the devil’s going on round here?
There’s fireworks p-p-popping, have you seen?
And after Guy’s been burnt, the close of year
Is h-h-hurrying with glittery cheer
To wipe away our fear of dark and cold
To buy some nice things, drink an extra beer
And best of all, find someone there to hold
Someone to keep warm, there on your shoulder
Holding them tight as flames flicker, s-scream
Of rockets in a flowery stratosphere
I hope all the w-witches’ hats weren’t sold
And at the party, those g-ghosts aren’t mean
Have a ‘wicked’ time, ’til I next see ya…
Fri 31 Oct 2008
W-What the devil’s going on round here?
There’s fireworks p-p-popping, have you seen?
And after Guy’s been burnt, the close of year
Is h-h-hurrying with glittery cheer
To wipe away our fear of dark and cold
To buy some nice things, drink an extra beer
And best of all, find someone there to hold
Someone to keep warm, there on your shoulder
Holding them tight as flames flicker, s-scream
Of rockets in a flowery stratosphere
I hope all the w-witches’ hats weren’t sold
And at the party, those g-ghosts aren’t mean
Have a ‘wicked’ time, ’til I next see ya…
Fri 31 Oct 2008
787 - News night
I’m sitting watching the news and I’ve seen
The BBC row about Ross and Brand
African troubles in Congo again
The economy’s hard to understand
The presidential race that will soon end
Obama’s still leading, but can he stay
Or, like Lewis Hamilton on a bend
Will he lose the top spot on the last day?
A Scottish by-election on the way
The Scottish Labour Party a has-been?
The news is ending, so what viewing’s planned?
It’s Question Time, this time from USA
It’s Ranvir Singh, hurray, the local queen
Of North West News, waving her little hand
Thur 30 Oct 2008
The BBC row about Ross and Brand
African troubles in Congo again
The economy’s hard to understand
The presidential race that will soon end
Obama’s still leading, but can he stay
Or, like Lewis Hamilton on a bend
Will he lose the top spot on the last day?
A Scottish by-election on the way
The Scottish Labour Party a has-been?
The news is ending, so what viewing’s planned?
It’s Question Time, this time from USA
It’s Ranvir Singh, hurray, the local queen
Of North West News, waving her little hand
Thur 30 Oct 2008
786 - Not decision time again
Now should I watch ‘Crash’ or Match of the Day?
The film or the football, or some of both?
But watching both will surely take away
The complete enjoyment of either, so
The only way I know that I can go
Is whichever way the cold November
Wind blows and froze the rain into the snow
As time went on. Nearly time. Remember
The show’s on soon, both shows; though dissimilar
They both have their appeal. Should I obey
My greed or my uncommon sense? They know
Two different truths that are both right somewhere
But not in the same place, I have to say
Should one or both give way? Don’t know, don’t know
Wed 29 Oct 2008
The film or the football, or some of both?
But watching both will surely take away
The complete enjoyment of either, so
The only way I know that I can go
Is whichever way the cold November
Wind blows and froze the rain into the snow
As time went on. Nearly time. Remember
The show’s on soon, both shows; though dissimilar
They both have their appeal. Should I obey
My greed or my uncommon sense? They know
Two different truths that are both right somewhere
But not in the same place, I have to say
Should one or both give way? Don’t know, don’t know
Wed 29 Oct 2008
785 - Lunch munch
It's nearly lunchtime, my stomach tells me
It's been rumbling and grumbling for an hour
At least it's not rumbling like Saturday
After that curry, when I had wind power
To rival those peculiar white towers
On hilltops and coastlines, with spinning arms
Directing the birds safely through the showers
Back to their love nests, safely out of harm
White windmills making bread to make my barms
It is lunchtime now, so my watch tells me
Two barmcakes await, made from wholewheat flour
With Vegemite filling that does no harm
I've started eating, so my mouth tells me
And in no time, the barmcakes are no more
Tue 28 Oct 2008
It's been rumbling and grumbling for an hour
At least it's not rumbling like Saturday
After that curry, when I had wind power
To rival those peculiar white towers
On hilltops and coastlines, with spinning arms
Directing the birds safely through the showers
Back to their love nests, safely out of harm
White windmills making bread to make my barms
It is lunchtime now, so my watch tells me
Two barmcakes await, made from wholewheat flour
With Vegemite filling that does no harm
I've started eating, so my mouth tells me
And in no time, the barmcakes are no more
Tue 28 Oct 2008
784 - Peter the Puppet's Poem
I wish I was a bird and I could fly
Well maybe not, because I don’t like worms
Besides, that ginger cat that lurks nearby
Would seem a lion; those are my concerns
I wish I was a fish, swimming oceans
Well maybe not, because my memories
Would be so few, I’d never ever learn
Your name. You’re looking fin tonight...Louise?
I wish I was an alien, who sees
His girl each weekend in her galaxy
Or sometimes in his; you could just take turns
Well maybe not, because of space fuel fees
The bird, the fish, the alien and I
Say good night, sweet dreams, till daytime returns
Mon 27 Oct 2008
Well maybe not, because I don’t like worms
Besides, that ginger cat that lurks nearby
Would seem a lion; those are my concerns
I wish I was a fish, swimming oceans
Well maybe not, because my memories
Would be so few, I’d never ever learn
Your name. You’re looking fin tonight...Louise?
I wish I was an alien, who sees
His girl each weekend in her galaxy
Or sometimes in his; you could just take turns
Well maybe not, because of space fuel fees
The bird, the fish, the alien and I
Say good night, sweet dreams, till daytime returns
Mon 27 Oct 2008
783 - Song of the dark
The dark time’s here, the clock’s gone back again
And I can’t concentrate on anything
It could be bodily and mental strain
From being a little short of sleeping
It’s fun sometimes to go without, watching
The hours go by with all four of our eyes
The days and nights are ours, intermingling
The dark and the light, day and night. Like spies
We see more than we should, and find goodbyes
Take longer than they did, and yet remain
On each other’s brain once separating
They say snow’s on the way; hope it’s not lies
Even though the ice cold can cause us pain
It would be a beautiful new setting
Sun 26 Oct 2008
And I can’t concentrate on anything
It could be bodily and mental strain
From being a little short of sleeping
It’s fun sometimes to go without, watching
The hours go by with all four of our eyes
The days and nights are ours, intermingling
The dark and the light, day and night. Like spies
We see more than we should, and find goodbyes
Take longer than they did, and yet remain
On each other’s brain once separating
They say snow’s on the way; hope it’s not lies
Even though the ice cold can cause us pain
It would be a beautiful new setting
Sun 26 Oct 2008
782 - Warming up
Here we are now inside, out of the cold
The food’s eaten, and we’re just about done
It’s nearly time to cuddle and to hold
It’s nearly time to have ourselves some fun
We’re feeling like we’ve got lucky and won
That back massage is going down so well
Stroking my hair and chest, tickling my tum
It’s all good, like being under a spell
Like finding that perfectly shaped white shell
Or finding a real bargain that’s not sold
It doesn’t matter if there is no sun
The rain and wind and cold can go to hell
It’s better than imagination told
It’s something our memory can grasp upon
Sat 25 Oct 2008
The food’s eaten, and we’re just about done
It’s nearly time to cuddle and to hold
It’s nearly time to have ourselves some fun
We’re feeling like we’ve got lucky and won
That back massage is going down so well
Stroking my hair and chest, tickling my tum
It’s all good, like being under a spell
Like finding that perfectly shaped white shell
Or finding a real bargain that’s not sold
It doesn’t matter if there is no sun
The rain and wind and cold can go to hell
It’s better than imagination told
It’s something our memory can grasp upon
Sat 25 Oct 2008
781 - The sky, the sky
Oh why oh why is the sky quite so high
And why, when I'm inside, why is it blue
Why are the clouds so sad, why do they cry
When I walk into town to meet with you
If it rains on me once more, I may sue
If Travis didn't do so previously
I don't want to be a hoodie, thank you
So then, why does it always rain on me
Umbrellas, they are all far too flimsy
You're liable to poke one in the eye
People still hold them up in tunnels, too
Climate change ain’t the point of this whimsy
It never rains but it pours when I'm nigh
So that’s why rain's the symbol of us two
Fri 24 Oct 2008
And why, when I'm inside, why is it blue
Why are the clouds so sad, why do they cry
When I walk into town to meet with you
If it rains on me once more, I may sue
If Travis didn't do so previously
I don't want to be a hoodie, thank you
So then, why does it always rain on me
Umbrellas, they are all far too flimsy
You're liable to poke one in the eye
People still hold them up in tunnels, too
Climate change ain’t the point of this whimsy
It never rains but it pours when I'm nigh
So that’s why rain's the symbol of us two
Fri 24 Oct 2008
Sunday 27 March 2011
780 - The record breakers
Tonight will see an audacious attempt
To break the Guinness World Record for 'most
Professional comedians in one show,' meant
To raise money for charity. The hosts
Will introduce each one of us, each loosed
On the poor audience for just three minutes
Some friends are doing it too. We can't boast
Of professional status, though, so it's
A bit of a misnomer. Hope mine fits
Into that slot, and they don't show contempt
For my attempt to be funny. I used
To do stand-up, but fell down. But my wit's
Still sharp as a peeled banana, intent
On using it to stab the Holy Ghost
Thur 23 Oct 2008
To break the Guinness World Record for 'most
Professional comedians in one show,' meant
To raise money for charity. The hosts
Will introduce each one of us, each loosed
On the poor audience for just three minutes
Some friends are doing it too. We can't boast
Of professional status, though, so it's
A bit of a misnomer. Hope mine fits
Into that slot, and they don't show contempt
For my attempt to be funny. I used
To do stand-up, but fell down. But my wit's
Still sharp as a peeled banana, intent
On using it to stab the Holy Ghost
Thur 23 Oct 2008
779 - Love yet again
My head’s buzzing with possibilities
This girl is something else, and she is great
My head is buzzing, she’s my latest squeeze
She’s on the same wavelength, and though it’s late
It doesn’t matter. Maybe this is fate
I’ve had a few drinks, we’ve had some laughs, though
Comedians came and went, tried to deflate
Our enjoyment of the night. Even so
We didn’t care, we went elsewhere. Let’s go
Wherever fancy takes us, the trapeze
Of love, above the realms of fear and hate
Everyone else is down there far below
Wondering if we’ll fall. But it is these
Days we’ll remember. Over to you, fate
Wed 22 Oct 2008
This girl is something else, and she is great
My head is buzzing, she’s my latest squeeze
She’s on the same wavelength, and though it’s late
It doesn’t matter. Maybe this is fate
I’ve had a few drinks, we’ve had some laughs, though
Comedians came and went, tried to deflate
Our enjoyment of the night. Even so
We didn’t care, we went elsewhere. Let’s go
Wherever fancy takes us, the trapeze
Of love, above the realms of fear and hate
Everyone else is down there far below
Wondering if we’ll fall. But it is these
Days we’ll remember. Over to you, fate
Wed 22 Oct 2008
778 - Desktop
What's on my desk today? I hear you ask
A keyboard, of course, and a computer
A yellow post-it note with some new task
A scribbled list beside on white paper
Two biros, both bitten (I'm a chewer)
My grey 2008 diary
An old telephone (it's a cream colour)
My big brown mug for water or green tea
A grey metal in-tray in which I see
Two medals, old glories in which I bask
From cross-country races from yesteryear
A mousemat with a pic from holiday
And on my face? A smile that is a mask...
And in the bin? All hope for my career
Tue 21 Oct 2008
A keyboard, of course, and a computer
A yellow post-it note with some new task
A scribbled list beside on white paper
Two biros, both bitten (I'm a chewer)
My grey 2008 diary
An old telephone (it's a cream colour)
My big brown mug for water or green tea
A grey metal in-tray in which I see
Two medals, old glories in which I bask
From cross-country races from yesteryear
A mousemat with a pic from holiday
And on my face? A smile that is a mask...
And in the bin? All hope for my career
Tue 21 Oct 2008
777 - Sonnet of three sevens
Three sevens, three flags blowing in the wind
Three spires of Lichfield, ladies of the vale
Three funnels of an ocean liner, lined
Around the top with black, three smoky trails
Three meerkats balanced on haunches and tails
Three leaning towers after an earthquake
Three tottering battlements deep in Wales
After the locals died for freedom’s sake
Three gibbets awaiting their next neck break
Three axes raised, hoping three necks to find
Three upturned golf clubs in a bag in Hale
After a round, waiting while thirst is slaked
Three horses or three greyhounds wait behind
Three gates for gunfire; which one will prevail?
Mon 20 Oct 2008
Three spires of Lichfield, ladies of the vale
Three funnels of an ocean liner, lined
Around the top with black, three smoky trails
Three meerkats balanced on haunches and tails
Three leaning towers after an earthquake
Three tottering battlements deep in Wales
After the locals died for freedom’s sake
Three gibbets awaiting their next neck break
Three axes raised, hoping three necks to find
Three upturned golf clubs in a bag in Hale
After a round, waiting while thirst is slaked
Three horses or three greyhounds wait behind
Three gates for gunfire; which one will prevail?
Mon 20 Oct 2008
776 - Shutting up shop
A busy weekend dribbles to a close
No energy, don’t feel like doing much
Yesterday, wrote three poems, none verbose
On this occasion; they were more a sketch
Of general annoyance. When you catch
That feeling rising, it can make writing
A lot easier. Better? There’s the catch:
It’s not just emotion needs capturing
So they are just drafts for now. Finishing
My sitcom (first draft) ended, for now, those
Painful writing sessions with the blank page
At least now I can start the polishing
But not right now. Right now, well, I propose
Precisely nothing. Turn on TV. Watch.
Sun 19 Oct 2008
No energy, don’t feel like doing much
Yesterday, wrote three poems, none verbose
On this occasion; they were more a sketch
Of general annoyance. When you catch
That feeling rising, it can make writing
A lot easier. Better? There’s the catch:
It’s not just emotion needs capturing
So they are just drafts for now. Finishing
My sitcom (first draft) ended, for now, those
Painful writing sessions with the blank page
At least now I can start the polishing
But not right now. Right now, well, I propose
Precisely nothing. Turn on TV. Watch.
Sun 19 Oct 2008
775 - Song of the earth and the sea
Listening to Mahler’s ‘Lieder’ while I write
Well, not much time today to hang around
Besides, it’s always fun to combine sight
And even insight, with a clashing sound
That struggles against them, like when waves pound
Against the steadfast rocks, splashing, seeming
To be smashed to fragments of foam; but ground
Is only today what water’s giving
Tomorrow rock will crumble at the sting
Of vicious tongue-lashing, of dark sea’s spite
Venting its endless spleen in bay and sound
No harbour will be safe, so keep sailing
On wavy hills so hungry as they bite
All rotten hulls to bits. All sea-bed bound
Sat 18 Oct 2008
Well, not much time today to hang around
Besides, it’s always fun to combine sight
And even insight, with a clashing sound
That struggles against them, like when waves pound
Against the steadfast rocks, splashing, seeming
To be smashed to fragments of foam; but ground
Is only today what water’s giving
Tomorrow rock will crumble at the sting
Of vicious tongue-lashing, of dark sea’s spite
Venting its endless spleen in bay and sound
No harbour will be safe, so keep sailing
On wavy hills so hungry as they bite
All rotten hulls to bits. All sea-bed bound
Sat 18 Oct 2008
774 - Splitting our sides, literally
You've gotta laugh. It comes from pain and hurt
And puzzlement and mystification
Things that don't seem right; the need to alert
Others to some suppressed recognition
That soon our residential location
Will be warm, circular, visited by
Dante, Virgil (not supermarionation)
And shared with ne'er-do-wells, all in mid-fry
Their arses stuck out of the mud, their cry
A universal one, the film X-cert
But sold-out, 'cause suffering is elation,
Even erection, both for you and I
So bring it on, and wallow in the dirt
It's a divine comedy sensation
Fri 17 Oct 2008
And puzzlement and mystification
Things that don't seem right; the need to alert
Others to some suppressed recognition
That soon our residential location
Will be warm, circular, visited by
Dante, Virgil (not supermarionation)
And shared with ne'er-do-wells, all in mid-fry
Their arses stuck out of the mud, their cry
A universal one, the film X-cert
But sold-out, 'cause suffering is elation,
Even erection, both for you and I
So bring it on, and wallow in the dirt
It's a divine comedy sensation
Fri 17 Oct 2008
773 - Just one of many fools
The hypocrisy and intolerance
Of some people often seems quite endless
Those awful bankers and politicians
Are very selfish people, while the rest
Of us nice folks aren’t on that same old quest
For money, power or recognition
We’re all quite happy being badly dressed
And pretending that we are having fun
And when we’ve slagged them all off, find someone
Else we can hate, resent, scapegoat. Yes, man’s
An odd creature. Fault finder, now confess
Your own ego trip, and your fear of one
Unlike yourself. Continue with your plans
But don’t look in the mirror at your face
Thur 16 Oct 2008
Of some people often seems quite endless
Those awful bankers and politicians
Are very selfish people, while the rest
Of us nice folks aren’t on that same old quest
For money, power or recognition
We’re all quite happy being badly dressed
And pretending that we are having fun
And when we’ve slagged them all off, find someone
Else we can hate, resent, scapegoat. Yes, man’s
An odd creature. Fault finder, now confess
Your own ego trip, and your fear of one
Unlike yourself. Continue with your plans
But don’t look in the mirror at your face
Thur 16 Oct 2008
772 - Things I did today
Been sorting one or two things out today
Like where to run on grass that's not too far
Both Heaton Park and Sale Water Park may
Fit the bill so my joints don't wear or jar
New poetry night in Sale tonight, by car
Was just staring at Multimap to see
How to get there and where to park. The star
Achievement though? Booked a plane to Paree
To see daughter in rue de Rivoli
In her small but posh pad, where I will stay
Two full days. So here's hoping that her floor
Isn't too hard, there's room to bend my knee
And, of course, the weather is nice and gay
As it should be in 'gay Paree' (Ha ha!)
Wed 15 Oct 2008
Like where to run on grass that's not too far
Both Heaton Park and Sale Water Park may
Fit the bill so my joints don't wear or jar
New poetry night in Sale tonight, by car
Was just staring at Multimap to see
How to get there and where to park. The star
Achievement though? Booked a plane to Paree
To see daughter in rue de Rivoli
In her small but posh pad, where I will stay
Two full days. So here's hoping that her floor
Isn't too hard, there's room to bend my knee
And, of course, the weather is nice and gay
As it should be in 'gay Paree' (Ha ha!)
Wed 15 Oct 2008
771 - Re-run
Last night's run would be impossible now
With the rain drizzling steadily like this
The hills too wet and slippery to allow
Trainers to grip; mud patches an abyss
Sucking the feet in as far as the knees
But last night's mild conditions helped restore
The running bug, alone in nature's bliss
A spiritual treat like the one just before
Ludwig composed his Sixth Symphony score
Climbing the rugged hillside with head bowed
The red twilight behind, the full moon's disc
Pulling me on, to hidden cattle choir
Call and response floating over the brow
My senses absorbed ancient memories
Tue 14 Oct 2008
With the rain drizzling steadily like this
The hills too wet and slippery to allow
Trainers to grip; mud patches an abyss
Sucking the feet in as far as the knees
But last night's mild conditions helped restore
The running bug, alone in nature's bliss
A spiritual treat like the one just before
Ludwig composed his Sixth Symphony score
Climbing the rugged hillside with head bowed
The red twilight behind, the full moon's disc
Pulling me on, to hidden cattle choir
Call and response floating over the brow
My senses absorbed ancient memories
Tue 14 Oct 2008
770 - Alone in the hills at nightfall
I was up for it, went for it, did it
Well, after yesterday’s disappointment
I needed to lift body and spirit
And so I left work early and I went
Home quickly, changed, popped in the car, then spent
Too long driving in early rush hour queues
But by 5.15 drove around the bends
Of Poynton and Pott Shrigley; couldn’t lose
Any more time. No warm up. Running shoes
Already on, into Lyme Park, up wet
Stone tracks, through mud and over tussock, bent
On finishing a two-hour run. Such views
From hilltops: cityscape, orange sky-lit;
Deer in the moonlight. Darkness by descent.
Mon 13 Oct 2008
Well, after yesterday’s disappointment
I needed to lift body and spirit
And so I left work early and I went
Home quickly, changed, popped in the car, then spent
Too long driving in early rush hour queues
But by 5.15 drove around the bends
Of Poynton and Pott Shrigley; couldn’t lose
Any more time. No warm up. Running shoes
Already on, into Lyme Park, up wet
Stone tracks, through mud and over tussock, bent
On finishing a two-hour run. Such views
From hilltops: cityscape, orange sky-lit;
Deer in the moonlight. Darkness by descent.
Mon 13 Oct 2008
769 - The drugs do work, I hope
Oh please let me survive this drug-taking
Of AZD3480, that should,
If all goes well, assist in diffusing
The spread and concentration in the blood
Of aripiprazole, which is as good
A medication for schizophrenia
As they currently have. And now I would
Like to make it quite clear that I am clear
Of schizophrenia, and that senior
Affliction, Alzheimer's, on last checking,
Although Asperger's has been flung like mud.
No, none of those. The reason I am here
Is to earn enough to finish paying
Off debts that have built up since studenthood!
Immediately after I posted this, about 1.30 pm today, I was told by a doctor that my medical test results were not favourable and I could not take part, so I'm back home now and can't earn the money to pay off the last of my debt :(
But I'll keep the sonnet anyway. Why make life hard for myself?
Sun 12 Oct 2008
Of AZD3480, that should,
If all goes well, assist in diffusing
The spread and concentration in the blood
Of aripiprazole, which is as good
A medication for schizophrenia
As they currently have. And now I would
Like to make it quite clear that I am clear
Of schizophrenia, and that senior
Affliction, Alzheimer's, on last checking,
Although Asperger's has been flung like mud.
No, none of those. The reason I am here
Is to earn enough to finish paying
Off debts that have built up since studenthood!
Immediately after I posted this, about 1.30 pm today, I was told by a doctor that my medical test results were not favourable and I could not take part, so I'm back home now and can't earn the money to pay off the last of my debt :(
But I'll keep the sonnet anyway. Why make life hard for myself?
Sun 12 Oct 2008
768 - Musing without boozing
Been thinking on and off ’bout love and death
Do either exist, or like life, are they
Hard to pin down? Maybe life is a myth
Or just a word that our egos obey
Our life comes from the fire and rock and play
Of subatomic particles, all dead
From that viewpoint we’re all still space like they
Although they create patterns in our head
That we enjoy awhile but then the dread
Develops. Love has gone, and even breath
Is shortening like hair that’s turning grey
Yet when there’s no point getting out of bed
We reach completion, work all done, and stiff
As we may be, that’s where we want to stay
Sat 11 Oct 2008
Do either exist, or like life, are they
Hard to pin down? Maybe life is a myth
Or just a word that our egos obey
Our life comes from the fire and rock and play
Of subatomic particles, all dead
From that viewpoint we’re all still space like they
Although they create patterns in our head
That we enjoy awhile but then the dread
Develops. Love has gone, and even breath
Is shortening like hair that’s turning grey
Yet when there’s no point getting out of bed
We reach completion, work all done, and stiff
As we may be, that’s where we want to stay
Sat 11 Oct 2008
767 - A sobering thought
On the way home this Friday afternoon
I walked into the supermarket. I
Walked in there with only one intention:
To buy bottles of beer, as I’d stayed dry
All week, and got a lot done. Then, to my
Surprise, as I saw queues at every till
Workers like me all lining up to buy
Their Friday night booze, waiting for their fill
Their ticket to oblivion, cheap thrill
Eradication of failure too soon
You have to laugh, they say, or else you’d cry
To my surprise, I thought: Save on that bill!
And so I turned around with elation
Beating the impulse to curl up and die
Fri 10 Oct 2008
I walked into the supermarket. I
Walked in there with only one intention:
To buy bottles of beer, as I’d stayed dry
All week, and got a lot done. Then, to my
Surprise, as I saw queues at every till
Workers like me all lining up to buy
Their Friday night booze, waiting for their fill
Their ticket to oblivion, cheap thrill
Eradication of failure too soon
You have to laugh, they say, or else you’d cry
To my surprise, I thought: Save on that bill!
And so I turned around with elation
Beating the impulse to curl up and die
Fri 10 Oct 2008
766 - Work, work, work
You work hard for no thanks except your pay
Which now of course won’t rise for years to come
A public servant, used then tossed away
Even the pension forecast’s looking glum
That was a main selling point; now the thumb
Is down on that one too. But still, it went
Quickly today, so quickly my head’s numb
With stats and policies and what I meant
To get done but once again I didn’t
Little time to email friends, even say
Much to those sitting around, having fun
Chatting about how their evenings were spent
But, at least, like I said just yesterday
I’m not in a mine or a factory’s hum
Thur 9 Oct 2008
Which now of course won’t rise for years to come
A public servant, used then tossed away
Even the pension forecast’s looking glum
That was a main selling point; now the thumb
Is down on that one too. But still, it went
Quickly today, so quickly my head’s numb
With stats and policies and what I meant
To get done but once again I didn’t
Little time to email friends, even say
Much to those sitting around, having fun
Chatting about how their evenings were spent
But, at least, like I said just yesterday
I’m not in a mine or a factory’s hum
Thur 9 Oct 2008
765 - Up with the lark
What’s hell on earth? It’s getting up early
An even more ludicrous thing to do
As winter draws in, dark, cold and surly
Bed’s better, with an extra dream or two
Imagine the days of TB and flu
When factory hands and miners had to rise
By candlelight or gas lamp, no chance to
Relax with a coffee; out under skies
Blacker than the soot that would soon comprise
Their outermost skin; breathing in swirling
Dark clouds till lunchtime’s cigarette and brew
But the real sin was alcohol, advised
The preacher, warning of the hell to be
When it was a place they were going through
Wed 8 Oct 2008
An even more ludicrous thing to do
As winter draws in, dark, cold and surly
Bed’s better, with an extra dream or two
Imagine the days of TB and flu
When factory hands and miners had to rise
By candlelight or gas lamp, no chance to
Relax with a coffee; out under skies
Blacker than the soot that would soon comprise
Their outermost skin; breathing in swirling
Dark clouds till lunchtime’s cigarette and brew
But the real sin was alcohol, advised
The preacher, warning of the hell to be
When it was a place they were going through
Wed 8 Oct 2008
764 - The new doors of perception
An after-dinner coffee by my side
No alcohol today, none yesterday
I feel so real, no depressants inside
This is real life and this is the real way
Stumbling through messy undergrowth, a ray
Of sunlight through the trees, a patch of blue
Emerging onto open fields, away
From shadows into colours old and new
A fertile landscape with much more to do
More seeds to sow, crops to grow, in this wide
And panoramic space, this place to play
To plan, to build and then enjoy the view
Of orchards in rows, and the distant tide
In between, inviting with whitest spray
Tue 7 Oct 2008
No alcohol today, none yesterday
I feel so real, no depressants inside
This is real life and this is the real way
Stumbling through messy undergrowth, a ray
Of sunlight through the trees, a patch of blue
Emerging onto open fields, away
From shadows into colours old and new
A fertile landscape with much more to do
More seeds to sow, crops to grow, in this wide
And panoramic space, this place to play
To plan, to build and then enjoy the view
Of orchards in rows, and the distant tide
In between, inviting with whitest spray
Tue 7 Oct 2008
763 - Cider with Tommy
Tess of the D’Urbervilles is awful sad
Like most of Thomas Hardy’s morbid stuff
Wasn’t that Alec D’Urberville a cad?
Sorry, but in this context it’s quite tough
To leave out the word ‘cad,’ yet does it prove
Hardy’s themes of loss that this word has died
Like the old rural ways he used to love
Those peasant nights beside the fireside?
That’s if they were lucky to live beside
Some forest where the tree-trunks could be had
For firewood, although this then would remove
The ancient wood over time. Hardy cried
For the world as it was when, as a lad
He’d roam chalk lanes and help thatch the odd roof
Mon 6 Oct 2008
Like most of Thomas Hardy’s morbid stuff
Wasn’t that Alec D’Urberville a cad?
Sorry, but in this context it’s quite tough
To leave out the word ‘cad,’ yet does it prove
Hardy’s themes of loss that this word has died
Like the old rural ways he used to love
Those peasant nights beside the fireside?
That’s if they were lucky to live beside
Some forest where the tree-trunks could be had
For firewood, although this then would remove
The ancient wood over time. Hardy cried
For the world as it was when, as a lad
He’d roam chalk lanes and help thatch the odd roof
Mon 6 Oct 2008
762 - Nightride
Rain on windscreen, wipers intermittent
Striped ambulance like a zebra in flight
The further north I drive the more intense
The rainfall, here on the M6 at night
Try not to go above the speed limit
No matter what white van provocation
Defeat my own competitive spirit
Enjoy the slow lane’s soothing sensation
Lose sense of time and of situation
To music in the dark, as when student
Sat stoned in small room clinging to the kite
Of stereo guitar infiltration
And often surreal lyrical content
Stafford, Stoke, signposts reflecting headlights
Sun 5 Oct 2008
Striped ambulance like a zebra in flight
The further north I drive the more intense
The rainfall, here on the M6 at night
Try not to go above the speed limit
No matter what white van provocation
Defeat my own competitive spirit
Enjoy the slow lane’s soothing sensation
Lose sense of time and of situation
To music in the dark, as when student
Sat stoned in small room clinging to the kite
Of stereo guitar infiltration
And often surreal lyrical content
Stafford, Stoke, signposts reflecting headlights
Sun 5 Oct 2008
761 - View from Harrow-on-the-Hill
Drove down to London where my son waited.
I came through South Harrow (not North), up past
The famous Harrow School, with all the kids
(All boys) in black blazers walking from class.
It may be that they were all upper class,
Or upper middle, at least. From this hill
Top I glimpsed much of London, but it passed
In a second, obscured by trees, not till
I’d spotted Harrow Campus looking real
Rectangular, a sixties box; it hid
Behind a green moving screen, but at last
I’d reached Louis. Then, having had my fill
Of driving, caught the tube train to Watford
To see them beat Preston. It was a blast
Sat 4 Oct 2008
I came through South Harrow (not North), up past
The famous Harrow School, with all the kids
(All boys) in black blazers walking from class.
It may be that they were all upper class,
Or upper middle, at least. From this hill
Top I glimpsed much of London, but it passed
In a second, obscured by trees, not till
I’d spotted Harrow Campus looking real
Rectangular, a sixties box; it hid
Behind a green moving screen, but at last
I’d reached Louis. Then, having had my fill
Of driving, caught the tube train to Watford
To see them beat Preston. It was a blast
Sat 4 Oct 2008
760 - What he said
So is it true what Martin Amis said:
That when you get to 45 or so
You realise that you too will be dead?
Before that age you thought you'd never go
You looked in the mirror, change was so slow
Hair still dark, body slim, that you felt fine
Uniquely exempt from scythe's swishing blow
Even when sitting smoking, drinking wine?
There seem to be few signs yet of decline
Ignoring yellow teeth and greying head
Change toothpaste, apply hair dye, they won't know;
Too far away to read between the lines
Below your eyes. But there's no cause to dread
The end for forty years yet. Martin, no.
Fri 3 Oct 2008
That when you get to 45 or so
You realise that you too will be dead?
Before that age you thought you'd never go
You looked in the mirror, change was so slow
Hair still dark, body slim, that you felt fine
Uniquely exempt from scythe's swishing blow
Even when sitting smoking, drinking wine?
There seem to be few signs yet of decline
Ignoring yellow teeth and greying head
Change toothpaste, apply hair dye, they won't know;
Too far away to read between the lines
Below your eyes. But there's no cause to dread
The end for forty years yet. Martin, no.
Fri 3 Oct 2008
759 - Larkin around
Back to Manchester University
The very hall where I graduated
(’87 - American Studies)
Tonight, the life of Larkin debated
Martin Amis, Kingsley’s son, related
His childhood memories of Phil’s meanness
With monetary gifts. Larkin hated
Children but seemed nice (Kingsley’s kids fearless
Of their bald visitor of small largesse)
James Fenton went on, sky darkened, rain eased
Till audience questions initiated
One guy knew Phil in Hull: most unimpressed
A dull 9 to 5 guy is all that he
Recalled. Now this poet’s celebrated
Thur 2 Oct 2008
The very hall where I graduated
(’87 - American Studies)
Tonight, the life of Larkin debated
Martin Amis, Kingsley’s son, related
His childhood memories of Phil’s meanness
With monetary gifts. Larkin hated
Children but seemed nice (Kingsley’s kids fearless
Of their bald visitor of small largesse)
James Fenton went on, sky darkened, rain eased
Till audience questions initiated
One guy knew Phil in Hull: most unimpressed
A dull 9 to 5 guy is all that he
Recalled. Now this poet’s celebrated
Thur 2 Oct 2008
758 - Showery Lowry Centre
Yesterday evening down in Salford Quays
Pizza Express and Café Rouge were full
The rain crashed and bounced as popular plays
Drew crowds in, many a young and old girl
Milling around the Lowry in a whirl
Knocking my coffee cup as they passed by
Obliviously discussing, the thrill
Of watching Othello or Macbeth die
Reanimating the old ones, the high
Of being young itself enough for these
Groups of schoolgirls. Meanwhile, upstairs, the cool
Room revealed spinning dancers, multiplied
By many mirrors. Outside, rain and breeze
Rippled reflected lights in the Irwell
Wed 1 Oct 2008
Pizza Express and Café Rouge were full
The rain crashed and bounced as popular plays
Drew crowds in, many a young and old girl
Milling around the Lowry in a whirl
Knocking my coffee cup as they passed by
Obliviously discussing, the thrill
Of watching Othello or Macbeth die
Reanimating the old ones, the high
Of being young itself enough for these
Groups of schoolgirls. Meanwhile, upstairs, the cool
Room revealed spinning dancers, multiplied
By many mirrors. Outside, rain and breeze
Rippled reflected lights in the Irwell
Wed 1 Oct 2008
757 - Northern Rock, stocks and $200 barrels of oil
It's like 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'
But more exciting - sorry, Guy Ritchie -
Watching as each hard-bitten broker falls
Each bank drowns in negative equity
A vaultful of dollars held uselessly
The cowboys of Wall Street all bite the dust
Another one, and another. Freddie,
You sang about it then, warned of it first
Poor Gordon! - now his credit bubble's burst
He's not only unpopular, but fails
To convince when he claims his pedigree
In financial prudence. Labour's stocks just
Keep dropping. Today, David Cameron sells
His share offer to voters. Buy Tory?
Tue 30 Sep 2008
But more exciting - sorry, Guy Ritchie -
Watching as each hard-bitten broker falls
Each bank drowns in negative equity
A vaultful of dollars held uselessly
The cowboys of Wall Street all bite the dust
Another one, and another. Freddie,
You sang about it then, warned of it first
Poor Gordon! - now his credit bubble's burst
He's not only unpopular, but fails
To convince when he claims his pedigree
In financial prudence. Labour's stocks just
Keep dropping. Today, David Cameron sells
His share offer to voters. Buy Tory?
Tue 30 Sep 2008
756 - Quick resume
My sitcom entry’s posted off, special
Delivery, should arrive tomorrow
(The deadline, of course). Now I know they’ll
At least read my ideas and get to know
My sense of humour. And, as well, also,
I’ve entered the Manchester Blog Awards
Well who could have a better one? There’s no
Doubt that this is the best, and the rewards
Should soon flow into my coffers. I soared
To the heights of Parnassus, near Rochdale
Last night at a reading. I thought I’d go
And premiere my latest feast of words
But just as I approached climax, final
Resolution, my time ran out! Hum ho.
Mon 29 Sep 2008
Delivery, should arrive tomorrow
(The deadline, of course). Now I know they’ll
At least read my ideas and get to know
My sense of humour. And, as well, also,
I’ve entered the Manchester Blog Awards
Well who could have a better one? There’s no
Doubt that this is the best, and the rewards
Should soon flow into my coffers. I soared
To the heights of Parnassus, near Rochdale
Last night at a reading. I thought I’d go
And premiere my latest feast of words
But just as I approached climax, final
Resolution, my time ran out! Hum ho.
Mon 29 Sep 2008
755 - Skins and bones
I’m pulling at the skin on my thumb’s side
It’s nice to destroy things and self-abuse
Much easier than building up my pride
Much easier than winning. Why not lose?
Distractions, reveries are what we choose
Life’s painless if you aim less high, a slow
And pleasant suicide, room with no views
Except grey sky, on tenth floor; needles go
Straight to the point (Lou Reed’ll tell you so)
Cover your face with veil again, sad bride
For shame that you can’t be a genius
Your name unknown even at home, and no
Direction to roll in but stone. We tried
Now we’re sliding into time’s tightening noose
Sun 28 Sep 2008
It’s nice to destroy things and self-abuse
Much easier than building up my pride
Much easier than winning. Why not lose?
Distractions, reveries are what we choose
Life’s painless if you aim less high, a slow
And pleasant suicide, room with no views
Except grey sky, on tenth floor; needles go
Straight to the point (Lou Reed’ll tell you so)
Cover your face with veil again, sad bride
For shame that you can’t be a genius
Your name unknown even at home, and no
Direction to roll in but stone. We tried
Now we’re sliding into time’s tightening noose
Sun 28 Sep 2008
754 - Anthology
Reading successful poets’ self-pity -
But then they don’t make much - but if they did
As poets they’d still see skulls and debris -
It spurs me to emulate, lift my lid
Revealing wasp-infested stuff that’s hid
But it’s no different, apart from the art
A vase is a vase, a verse a verse. Bid
For one versus another and then part
With cash, but not much. Say thanks and depart
For they aren’t interested either in me
They teach subservience at schools - extra quid -
Belief systems and false gods that the smart
Materialist must ingest outwardly
Now fashion your passion as instructed
Sat 27 Sep 2008
But then they don’t make much - but if they did
As poets they’d still see skulls and debris -
It spurs me to emulate, lift my lid
Revealing wasp-infested stuff that’s hid
But it’s no different, apart from the art
A vase is a vase, a verse a verse. Bid
For one versus another and then part
With cash, but not much. Say thanks and depart
For they aren’t interested either in me
They teach subservience at schools - extra quid -
Belief systems and false gods that the smart
Materialist must ingest outwardly
Now fashion your passion as instructed
Sat 27 Sep 2008
753 - Banana on desk
On this autumnal blue-sky afternoon
Reclining languidly upon the wood
A yellow-skinned beauty freckled with brown
Is bending my mind far more than it should
From thoughts of work to thoughts of flesh and blood
Thick skin enclosing hidden soft centre
Ripe and inviting, ready for the hood
To be peeled away and revealed, later
Turning to mush at my biting, under
Tongue's turning and churning, all broken down
Liquefied and consumed and left for dead
All that's left is its hollow container
The magic gone, fit only to be thrown
Away with the rubbish, trod in the mud
Fri 26 Sep 2008
Reclining languidly upon the wood
A yellow-skinned beauty freckled with brown
Is bending my mind far more than it should
From thoughts of work to thoughts of flesh and blood
Thick skin enclosing hidden soft centre
Ripe and inviting, ready for the hood
To be peeled away and revealed, later
Turning to mush at my biting, under
Tongue's turning and churning, all broken down
Liquefied and consumed and left for dead
All that's left is its hollow container
The magic gone, fit only to be thrown
Away with the rubbish, trod in the mud
Fri 26 Sep 2008
752 - Rush hour colours
Sat here in my office room with a view
Approaching the end of the working day
A train pulls into Salford, purple, blue
On the green bridge above Trinity Way
Now here's another; rush hour's under way
Under the bridge. The cars line up at lights,
Then race off like athletes when red gives way
To green; grey cars, black cars, vans (usually whites)
A big white van with small square windows waits
On red, taking its captive from court to
The red bricks of Strangeways for one more day
Or year, or two: endless blue days and nights
Man in grey suit with umbrella tries to
Find his car in the car park, and it's grey
Thur 25 Sep 2008
Approaching the end of the working day
A train pulls into Salford, purple, blue
On the green bridge above Trinity Way
Now here's another; rush hour's under way
Under the bridge. The cars line up at lights,
Then race off like athletes when red gives way
To green; grey cars, black cars, vans (usually whites)
A big white van with small square windows waits
On red, taking its captive from court to
The red bricks of Strangeways for one more day
Or year, or two: endless blue days and nights
Man in grey suit with umbrella tries to
Find his car in the car park, and it's grey
Thur 25 Sep 2008
751 - Late night reflection
It’s been a long day’s journey into night
And now, back home again, all on my own
But that’s okay, no really, it’s all right
I’m not upset about being alone
A long time ago my few seeds were sown
And now they fall on stony ground, but then
What’s the alternative? What has life shown
But that I will end up alone again
The difference between then and now is plain
I know all there is to know, and it’s quite
All right to ally myself with that stone
To blend deeply with it like other men
Who’ve travelled through this darkness into light
And paid back whatever they bought on loan
Wed 24 Sep 2008
And now, back home again, all on my own
But that’s okay, no really, it’s all right
I’m not upset about being alone
A long time ago my few seeds were sown
And now they fall on stony ground, but then
What’s the alternative? What has life shown
But that I will end up alone again
The difference between then and now is plain
I know all there is to know, and it’s quite
All right to ally myself with that stone
To blend deeply with it like other men
Who’ve travelled through this darkness into light
And paid back whatever they bought on loan
Wed 24 Sep 2008
750 - Fishmouth tries to escape the net
Fishmouth has given his big conference speech
As usual, it’s all about him, not us
A man with such big ears should listen. Preach
On, like your father, but it’s not Jesus
Who cares, it’s you, Gordon. Why all the fuss
About fairness? Blair harnessed Thatcher’s views
The market, or is it the jungle, must
Rule, brutal, efficient. Gordon has used
This anti-social creed to feed the queues
Of bleeding souls too visceral to teach
All victims of capital’s world success
Free trade guarantees low wages; pursues
Unstoppable across borders and beach
Caught in his own net, Fishmouth flops, hopeless
Tue 23 Sep 2008
As usual, it’s all about him, not us
A man with such big ears should listen. Preach
On, like your father, but it’s not Jesus
Who cares, it’s you, Gordon. Why all the fuss
About fairness? Blair harnessed Thatcher’s views
The market, or is it the jungle, must
Rule, brutal, efficient. Gordon has used
This anti-social creed to feed the queues
Of bleeding souls too visceral to teach
All victims of capital’s world success
Free trade guarantees low wages; pursues
Unstoppable across borders and beach
Caught in his own net, Fishmouth flops, hopeless
Tue 23 Sep 2008
749 - Are you havin' a laugh?
I’m running out of time, started too late
Isn’t that just so typical of me?
And yet, apparently, this is a trait
Of successful writers of comedy
Which - this month - is what I would like to be…
With today’s Guardian there was a leaflet
On ‘How to write comedy.’ Quite clearly
A hard thing to teach. I tend to forget
All jokes and stories, and am slow to get
My own lines off by heart. Thought I’d be great
At stand-up!?! - it was big in the 90s -
But gave up. Looking back there’s no regret
I can’t perform but can write. On with skates!
Script must reach them by September 30
Mon 22 Sep 2008
Isn’t that just so typical of me?
And yet, apparently, this is a trait
Of successful writers of comedy
Which - this month - is what I would like to be…
With today’s Guardian there was a leaflet
On ‘How to write comedy.’ Quite clearly
A hard thing to teach. I tend to forget
All jokes and stories, and am slow to get
My own lines off by heart. Thought I’d be great
At stand-up!?! - it was big in the 90s -
But gave up. Looking back there’s no regret
I can’t perform but can write. On with skates!
Script must reach them by September 30
Mon 22 Sep 2008
748 - Bye bye blackbirds
The time of year is here when leaves turn brown
And well-fed birds point young beaks at the sky
The time of growth is over; they have found
Their feet; now they must flap their wings and fly
Over the sea and land to some new dry
Warm shelter which they’ll make their own and fill
With their own stolen sticks; where they’ll apply
Inherited instincts, do what they will
Tiptoeing on their own soil, dart and drill
For buried treasure moving underground
Sharp-eyed and wary by day, and, perched high
On distant branch, work done, ready to trill
Their thrilling songs, our simple tunes outgrown
Replaced by rare rapturous melody
Sun 21 Sep 2008
And well-fed birds point young beaks at the sky
The time of growth is over; they have found
Their feet; now they must flap their wings and fly
Over the sea and land to some new dry
Warm shelter which they’ll make their own and fill
With their own stolen sticks; where they’ll apply
Inherited instincts, do what they will
Tiptoeing on their own soil, dart and drill
For buried treasure moving underground
Sharp-eyed and wary by day, and, perched high
On distant branch, work done, ready to trill
Their thrilling songs, our simple tunes outgrown
Replaced by rare rapturous melody
Sun 21 Sep 2008
747 - Sitting in a tin can
Hop on my 747 and come
Fly with me, not to Bombay or Peru
But to some new and far out places. Some
Are in your mind and some tasted in stew
Bought in a can in Sainsburys. A few
Are hiding like the crumbs in your keyboard
Maybe no longer tasting good to you
Old songs sing of these places; so do sword
Marks from our ancient skirmishes. Each word
Will take you back and forth through time; the sum
Total of a life’s travels. When it’s through
(The poem or the life) it’s on record
At each cloud station grab that harp and strum
No angel’s choir, no Frank. Just me and you
Sat 20 Sep 2008
Fly with me, not to Bombay or Peru
But to some new and far out places. Some
Are in your mind and some tasted in stew
Bought in a can in Sainsburys. A few
Are hiding like the crumbs in your keyboard
Maybe no longer tasting good to you
Old songs sing of these places; so do sword
Marks from our ancient skirmishes. Each word
Will take you back and forth through time; the sum
Total of a life’s travels. When it’s through
(The poem or the life) it’s on record
At each cloud station grab that harp and strum
No angel’s choir, no Frank. Just me and you
Sat 20 Sep 2008
746 - I'll drink to that
A week’s a long time in sobriety
As Harold Wilson said (or else Dexy’s)
Last night I went out and drank just coffee
And later on, orange squash at O’Shea’s
Don’t get me wrong, I do like to drink these
But they don’t change reality from its
Annoying tendency to lose the keys
To happiness, or sound off-key, take bites
Out of your legs; but above all, it sits
There on your shoulder, nagging constantly
Like pirate’s parrot in the Caribbees
Like Pontius Pilate, the truth never fits
So let’s wash our mouths of it and be free
And then life will be a Bacardi Breeze
Fri 19 Sep 2008
As Harold Wilson said (or else Dexy’s)
Last night I went out and drank just coffee
And later on, orange squash at O’Shea’s
Don’t get me wrong, I do like to drink these
But they don’t change reality from its
Annoying tendency to lose the keys
To happiness, or sound off-key, take bites
Out of your legs; but above all, it sits
There on your shoulder, nagging constantly
Like pirate’s parrot in the Caribbees
Like Pontius Pilate, the truth never fits
So let’s wash our mouths of it and be free
And then life will be a Bacardi Breeze
Fri 19 Sep 2008
745 - The Democratic Republic of Poetry
You’re the big man, you act like you know it
You’re like the scary headmaster at school
You’re the big man, local hero poet
Respect is due, we must follow your rule
But what respect do you show, Mr Cool
What do you care for what we have to say
From your poetry kingdom it seems you’ll
Exile us if we don’t blindly obey
Your divine right’s as wrong as the long stay
In Number Ten of Mr Brown the twit
The sight and sound of you is slightly cruel
If you’d love to be loved in the same way
That others are, then lighten up a bit
But then a poet’s ego is his fuel
Thur 18 Sep 2008
You’re like the scary headmaster at school
You’re the big man, local hero poet
Respect is due, we must follow your rule
But what respect do you show, Mr Cool
What do you care for what we have to say
From your poetry kingdom it seems you’ll
Exile us if we don’t blindly obey
Your divine right’s as wrong as the long stay
In Number Ten of Mr Brown the twit
The sight and sound of you is slightly cruel
If you’d love to be loved in the same way
That others are, then lighten up a bit
But then a poet’s ego is his fuel
Thur 18 Sep 2008
744 - Credit to the crunch
Give credit to the crunch: it’s natural
It’s Darwinian, red in tooth and claw
Yet more proof that as some rise, some must fall
Yes, I know economics is a bore
But this is more than that, yes, so much more
Like gravity, a basic building block
Things can’t only get better; that’s no law
That Newton knew. The circle of the clock
Encompasses repetition. The shock
Of the new is mere ignorance; it’s all
Happened somewhere before, someplace before
We’ve all been down, then up around the block
A clean slate, then, and start again on Wall
And less glamorous streets like mine and yours
Wed 17 Sep 2008
It’s Darwinian, red in tooth and claw
Yet more proof that as some rise, some must fall
Yes, I know economics is a bore
But this is more than that, yes, so much more
Like gravity, a basic building block
Things can’t only get better; that’s no law
That Newton knew. The circle of the clock
Encompasses repetition. The shock
Of the new is mere ignorance; it’s all
Happened somewhere before, someplace before
We’ve all been down, then up around the block
A clean slate, then, and start again on Wall
And less glamorous streets like mine and yours
Wed 17 Sep 2008
743 - Turkish delight denied tonight
Two nights ago I thought, That's it! No More!
Again, just as my heavy eyelids closed
The bed below me obviously bore
The randy couple, with bodies opposed
But meeting in the middle as his rose
And fell upon his rose, fair Turkish maid
As my walls shook again, I then proposed
To myself, for the first time, to parade
About my room, stomp and bang doors. I made
My displeasure clear, let them hear. I swore
And furthermore, swore to bring to a close
This era of 2 a.m. shags that's played
Out every night. They heard me, and forbore
To carry on up the Bosporus. They froze!
Tue 16 Sep 2008
Again, just as my heavy eyelids closed
The bed below me obviously bore
The randy couple, with bodies opposed
But meeting in the middle as his rose
And fell upon his rose, fair Turkish maid
As my walls shook again, I then proposed
To myself, for the first time, to parade
About my room, stomp and bang doors. I made
My displeasure clear, let them hear. I swore
And furthermore, swore to bring to a close
This era of 2 a.m. shags that's played
Out every night. They heard me, and forbore
To carry on up the Bosporus. They froze!
Tue 16 Sep 2008
742 - Views on the news
Collapsing banks, no thanks, keeping my dough
Under the mattress, that’s less risky now
In Zimbabwe, Mugabe’s feeling low
’Cause Morgan’s been talkin’ (now he’s allowed)
Here, Gordon’s orderin’ the Labour crowd
But those rotters, those plotters, don’t listen
Manchester City pity poor but proud
United, excited as sheikhs move in
Good night Rick Wright of the Floyd who’s passed on
To the Dark Side beside Syd; bid adieu
The Channel Tunnel fire has somewhat soured
The Eurostar trip; most are worryin’
But I’m smilin’ - no violin needed, no
With health, if not wealth, I’ll still sing out loud
Mon 15 Sep 2008
Under the mattress, that’s less risky now
In Zimbabwe, Mugabe’s feeling low
’Cause Morgan’s been talkin’ (now he’s allowed)
Here, Gordon’s orderin’ the Labour crowd
But those rotters, those plotters, don’t listen
Manchester City pity poor but proud
United, excited as sheikhs move in
Good night Rick Wright of the Floyd who’s passed on
To the Dark Side beside Syd; bid adieu
The Channel Tunnel fire has somewhat soured
The Eurostar trip; most are worryin’
But I’m smilin’ - no violin needed, no
With health, if not wealth, I’ll still sing out loud
Mon 15 Sep 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)