1055 - Sun in summertime

Rare sunny summer’s day. With Josephine
I’m pleased to say we made the most of it
The Aquatic Centre (la grande piscine)
And ‘Mega Mela’ in Platt Fields, the great
Asian fair in the park. Managed to kit
Josie out in a pink Asian costume
Making the local women smile a bit
As we walked by, both eating our ice cream
One mother even took her picture; seems
There’s nothing as nice as digging their scene
For making people of all kinds unite
It’s so easy: so little in between
The different groups. Saw the Asian rap scene
And had some great fairground rides. We loved it!
Sat 25 July 2009

1030 - 24 hours in Salford and Bolton

Last night Andy came round with Soundforge 5
We picked up Rachel en route to Bolton
The writers’ group met, consisting of five
Sat out the back of the Hen & Chickens
One exercise: to draw inspiration
From one of Gary’s books, brought in a bag
My book was ‘Death’s Eye’ (the explanation
For yesterday’s sonnet). I mustn’t brag
But I worked hard today. It was a drag
How the rain fell. Thought I wouldn’t survive
The walk home; thought I’d end up all sodden
My office wear reduced to soaking rags
But I borrowed an umbrella at five-
Past five, and walked home under its protection
Tue 30 June 2009

987 - Man flu, Day 2

Ooh! Aah! Ouch! Eek! And, Oh My God! Still ill!!!
Sore throat, organs aching, unsteady feet
As bad as last night, hot flushes, cold spells
So I stayed at home to recuperate
This afternoon, a visit from Janet
Cheered me up as I was eating dinner
She rang to say she was outside, and wet
She’d bought some treats for me! Surprise! Let her
Up to the flat. She looked so smart in her
Work clothes. To be close again was a thrill
And it was touching that she’d been so sweet
As my clothes dried on the radiator
We could not really kiss in case I filled
Her with these awful germs… On with the fight!
Mon 18 May 2009

933 - Hole in my shoe

A hole in my shoe's letting in water
But my new shoes cannot be worn because
When I last wore them, I got a blister
And that's why I'm still wearing my old shoes
The weather forecast's given me the blues
More rainfall coming than on plains in Spain
But what is to be done? I cannot choose
Between wet socks or this severe foot pain
Oh cobblers! I can’t hobble on, it's plain
Planning's afoot - already a plaster
Is fixed on my blister, so don't accuse
Me of dragging my feet. My sole complaint
Is I'm sick of wet socks. Oh, reporter
Please bring me sunshine for my soaking toes
Wed 25 Mar 2009

920 - The night before

A busy day organising meetings
There’s always someone unavailable
The tales they spin always contain some stings
There’s one with bells on here that you can pull
But never mind work, tomorrow is all
My own, taking it off, cleaning my car
Buying shoes at the local Salford mall
And practising my songs on the guitar
Tomorrow night is a big one, by far
The biggest test of my poor voice which sings
So rarely at home, barely capable
Of rising above whispers. I can’t Marr
This chance to play the Smiths and other things
Please please please don’t let me be miserable
Thur 12 Mar 2009

916 - It's no joke, this comedy

I worked on my comedy for twelve hours
For today was the last day to write it
Been working hard, using all of my powers
But rushing like this only leads to shit
Still, opportunities are rare, admit
It would be nice if the Beeb liked my script
My wrists are aching, my back too, a bit
My eyes are probably red, my brain has flipped
Running on empty now, the last drop’s dripped
After this sonnet, none of my prowess
Will be left; into dreams I need to flit
To recover the brainpower that has dipped
Not packed yet for tomorrow’s trip that steers
Me Newcastle way. I might wear a suit!
Sun 8 Mar 2009

905 - Bolton swings

Left work early and bought a new T-shirt
Went home and practised tonight’s guitar piece
In the end wasn’t sure how well it worked
But it went okay, and people were nice
A good time had by all, cheap at the price
I had three plates of extra hot chilli
And watched the other acts, a nice surprise
To see Gordon Zola sing a ditty
Or two. Jeff played his keyboard for Andy
Anti-war themes, and politics, weren’t shirked
Some rude poems, but best of all, the place
Had some spectators in it, more healthy
Than performers only. My new T-shirt
Didn’t quite keep me warm; thought I would freeze!
Wed 25 Feb 2009

880 - Preparations for visiting my daughter on her birthday

My daughter’s sixth birthday, cold and windy
Spent hours listening to new CDs, and wrapped
Her presents, sipped some soup, which is handy
When you can’t chew like I can’t, so I supped
My soup, with pieces of soft white bread dipped
Watched Football Focus, the soccer preview
While the music played on, and then I popped
The presents in three big bags, quite a few
Things bought, locked door, carried it all down to
The car outside, boot loaded gratefully
Under a grey sky, while a fierce wind whipped
Popped in to Maplins for adaptor, two-
Holed, but new brown shoes must wait till Sunday
Can’t be late for my date, or I’ll get slapped
Sat 31 Jan 2009

853 - Student studies

My daughter’s twenty-first has come and gone
Congrats to P for reaching that milestone
Today I took son L down to London
To start his second student term alone
Takes me back to my second term… I’d mown
Off most of my hair, a trendy new cut
Shaved back and sides. The next step was to own
A black raincoat, Echo-style, which I bought
From Affleck’s Palace, and some shirts I thought
Were suitably dazzling, from Withington
And Didsbury charity shops. L’s own
Approach seems to exclude clothes and haircut
He’s blogging rather than out having fun
P’s back to the Sorbonne. I’ll visit soon!
Sun 4 Jan 2009

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

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

699 - Stars stuck

Pictures of old film stars stuck on the wall
Smoking their cigarettes, scooting in Rome
Clipped eyebrows, padded shoulders, men looked tall
But weren’t; perfected in old monochrome
Monroe holding Yves Montand disc at home
Kath Hepburn wearing the trousers, and proud
Tousle-haired Marlon and James Dean in bloom
Marlene leaner, Greta better. How’d
They look today, now smoking’s not allowed
Now dressing-up’s not done; no dress at all
That wavy hair’s a no-no, so’s a comb
They’d find a way to stand out from the crowd
They’d find a way to make themselves seem tall
Acting out roles in life’s visual poem
Sun 3 Aug 2008

678 - Learning to dance

It's Sunday, ballet show day in Stockport
They're singing 'Summer Holiday,' dancing
In stripey bathing costumes like they're taught
And at 7.30 the show's starting
Meanwhile the summer school term is ending
The real summer holiday's nearly here
And we must have one, but not depending
On bank balance or whether skies are clear
Two cappucinos and crisps please, young sir
With four new summer tops chosen and bought
That make me look a young fashionable thing
Till they're out of date later on this year
And by these tricks are careless people caught
In debt from peer pressure, overspending
Sun 13 July 2008

664 - Rain in the arse

My clothes on radiators, window mist
The rain we hate but need spoils selfish fun
The floor a magnet for dirt, hair, food, dust
No wonder the flat sale’s gone flat; no-one
Wants that. Plates placed for lunch at half-past one
By her below. It’s not just me then, in
A gloomy box. This room of socks all hung
In to dry, before I get wet walking
To work in them next week. My poor leaking
Umbrella, I miss you. Since you were lost
Last week on that pub floor, I’ve been pissed on
Persistently, tubfuls poured, kitchen sinks
Cats, dogs keep falling on my head. Hood fixed
On my new black anorak - bring it on!
Sun 29 June 2008

632 - A mathematical problem

I’d love to tear your clothes off, oh my love
I’d dearly love to do it, oh my dear
I’d really love to gaze where legs are wove
Into the body above, long and clear
Nobody interrupts or interferes
Slowly erupting volcanic desire
Climbing the Mount of Venus and the pair
Of foothills further on with strawberry spires
This food for thoughts of love, music for lyre
I oughtn’t brood on, but can’t move on, love
Although I can’t move on you when we are
When we are two not one, you don’t require
Subtraction, multiplication, but div-
Ision, your decision that costs me dear
Wed 28 May 2008

617 - Emperor's old clothes

Get your top off, get your top off honey
If u can’t stand the heat get outa the stitchin’
Just like me, they long to be clothing-free
Summertime, and it’s easy undressin’
I just want your extra time and your skin
I can see clearly now, your clothes have gone
My baby don’t care for clothes. I’m wishin’
On a starkers, because, fatty bum bum
I can’t wait till 9pm till I come
Bend me shape me, hit me once more baby
Cos when you’re smilin’ the sun comes shinin’
Through the rain, though my screams are tossed and blown
But then I should be so lucky, lucky
You and your clothes will keep on keepin’ on
Tue 13 May 2008

615 - The fun of the warmth

Spring sun, divine celestial orb on high
Oh bloody hell, am I sunburnt or what?
That’s typical British, to auto-fry
Soon as the sun comes out, coz diddly squat
Is what we usually get. It’s what we got
Last year, remember? Course you remember
That worst summer, that bummer, with a lot
Of floods and not much else. Hell, some summer.
So tops off lads while ye may, and simmer
Hey, look at those girls… oops! Nearly crashed. (Die
In agony caused by totty, tut tut…)
Of Californian glamour, a glimmer
I need to rest my happy tired eye,
And lie naked in double bed of sweat
Sun 11 May 2008

573 - Mumbles of eternity

Back from the dragon’s lair, the Welsh wetland,
But against all odds and weather forecast,
The sun shone all day, as we walked the sand
And ate ice cream outside. We had a blast.
Returned to The Mumbles where I went last
Summer, the waves crashing picturesquely
Against the rocks, the white lighthouse steadfast.
Saw a pic of it (1893)
In Waterstone’s bookstore. It seemed to me
As though little had changed. Kids hand in hand
In caps and smocks, women in frocks, all cast
In time, frozen like us. Photography
Preserves the dead, just like our childhood land
That is no more. Lives disappear so fast.
Sun 30 Mar 2008

563 - Treeless in Salford

They’ve chopped down two of the trees just outside
My flat, one at the front, one at the back.
Now it feels like they can all see inside
My flat, the folk at front, the folk at back.
I’d better dress well, not wear some old sack
When wandering aimlessly round the flat,
And I must make sure that I never lack
Clean underwear when I’m around the flat.
They hear everything, now they see all that
Goes on when my curtains are open wide.
They see it from the front and from the back,
Welcome, neighbours one and all, to my flat.
They’ve chopped down two of the trees just outside
My flat, one at the front, one at the back.
Thur 20 Mar 2008

526 - Springing into spring

The sun is rising through the Cheshire trees
And dazzling me with winter - no, spring - light;
For seasons are not what they used to be:
There’s little freezing, no snow on the heights.
This thin veneer of frost maybe might bite
A naked foot on early morning stroll.
I saw a young woman walking, last night
Wearing a shirt but no coat, still not cold.
I selfishly hope that this mildness holds
At least till tomorrow (weatherman, please!);
Louis and me, under soccer floodlights
Tonight, don’t wish to freeze behind the goal.
We’re off to see Scunthorpe / Bristol City:
The Irons struggling, the Robins in flight.
Tue 12 Feb 2008