Wednesday 30 August 2017

The Bailey kids


"Come on, out of the house you get, as you are driving me round the bend" said their mother with the three children home from school that week. They looked at each other as though they had just received a present and grinned all over their faces as they rushed to get their shoes and woolies on as she waved them off.

"I say we go down to the river" said Jack, and though the girls looked at each other and screwed their faces up they couldn't think of anywhere better so nodded reluctantly. So they ran off down to the river and walked along the bank throwing sticks and and stones in the water, watching the birds there until they got to the bend just before the railway bridge where they saw a solitary fisherman sat there with his line in the water. "Ha!" he said as they approached, "You be the Bailey kids, ain't yer?, cos I knew yer Ma years ago before she met yer Pa".

When the kids got home they told their Ma who'd they met and placed two fish wrapped in newspaper on the kitchen sink to show her what the man had given them; while she wiped away a tear from her eye she murmered "Ah that was Ted, he told me once he let the good ones get away". 

Image found at www.shutterstock.com

Their war effort


I respect you Dad for all those years
You worked in London in the blitz
Making sure the power stayed on
All that wartime we fought the Fritz
And wives at home fought back their tears

How I admire my darling Mother
Who poured your love on us each day
And went to work as many did
Jobs in factories in the fray 
Their war effort was no bother

To my dear Uncles I thank you too
Who went to war to fight the foe
Some came back but were not the same
Some died to Aunts and Cousins woe
Who hadn't chance to say I love you

I'd like to thank my Nan now long gone
Who made parachutes for pilots
And for Uncles sailing the seas
Merchant Navy men was their lot
I owe much respect the list goes on

Image found at www.publicdomain-content.com

World War 2 ended early August 1945

Monday 28 August 2017

Pretty butterfly

It is spring again
With sun’s warmest smile
The kiss of the breeze
And you dance for me
Pretty Butterfly
Colorful fairy
And you entice me
With you I ponder
You give me pleasure
You do me no harm
You are beautiful
A true gift from God

While it is the first day of Autumn (Fall) on September 1st in the Northern hemisphere in Australia it is the first day of Spring so I thought this poem from 2014 would be suitable this week

Image of Red Admirals from www.rampantscotland.com

Sunday 27 August 2017

We'd hold hands


I liked the way you cut your hair
I even liked the clothes you'd wear
With you in trousers just like me
Striding down the road happy as can be

You weren't one-eyed like other girls
Had long fair hair but not in curls
Happy waving your hand at me
To go exploring birch woods running free

We slipped our shoes off just for fun
Wading the river's calmer run
Then washed the mud from our toes
We'd both kiss then, Shhh! As no-one else knows

Retreating from our trysting place
We'd hold hands and sometimes embrace
Chatting about the day we had
Wondering what story you'd sell your dad

Soon we had crossed the railway line
And checked to see we both looked fine
You dumped your sabre, me my gun 
We then waved goodbye we just had such fun

Image found at http://dissolve.com/

Note: With regard to the "sabre and gun" line, In recalling my days of childhood exploring in the woods a stick was necessary to beat back the nettles or poke into holes hoping to find things rather than your hands. It could be converted to a gun to pretend to shoot aircraft out the sky or a large bird that seemed too curious about us being there. The stick was usually discarded before we got home.






Saturday 26 August 2017

The dog woke up


You looked up at me now
As the first wind gusts beat down
Hammering the shutters
The dog woke up and moaned
Placed his head on your lap
As the rain clouds dumped their loads

The darkness fell early
A trash can galloped away
Late for some appointment
Straight out into the roadway
The window frames rattled
An epic storm now began

"We're too near the river
I hope we are high enough"
"Should have gone to Ma's place"
"We didn't have the sense to"
"Who will protect us now?
We've hesitated too long"

She hadn't heard a word
They said they would keep in touch
She scanned the paper's lists
The she folded it up again
Thinking that too morbid
Just then her cell-phone rang

Image found at https://storify.com

Thursday 24 August 2017

Friends for ages

Norwegian wood  Extract from P7
"Naoko took her left hand from her pocket and squeezed my hand"


We'd been friends for ages of course
Really this act was something more
It stayed there belonging to me
I squeezed her back to say hello
Her fingers traced over my palm
Glancing up from my open book
I looked into her laughing eyes
For one moment I thought of him
But blanked him out of my mind saying
"Do you want me as much as I...?"
Her fingers reached up to still my lips
My heart was beating rapidly
I felt so guilty already
We were going to make love now

Image found at http://www.hujiang.com/

The mother


Since fleeing their home a few hours ago her husband had taken them not with the other ramshackle crowd of people fleeingfrom their village on the main road south but across country to the east instead.

She wasn't normally squeamish but she wrinkled her nose with disgust as he had taken them to the sewerage pits on the far side of town as they would not be so obvious there to an advancing army which in his mind would be foolish to the extreme.

All was still and quiet there as they sat down to rest in the bushes to look across the pools of water where hundreds of birds had started looking for food again after egrets, a few swans and dozens of duck stopped staring at them and started fossicking for food again.

The mother pulled open her clothes to offer her breast to their little girl while swallows and other small birds now confident that they meant no harm swooped low over the water flicking their head as they caught insects in flight.

He husband then urged them to move on again as he picked fresh leaves and berries from the bushes urging her to eat them too as they made made their way over the foothills to the border.

"Why?" she asked and he casually replied, "Because you may have to feed the boy too" so she lowered her eyes and understood for their son was only three although already weaned they all had to stay alive somehow and she might be the only food source for them all and it was then she knew he really loved her. 


This is a precis of a story I wrote a few years ago which has been abbreviated to six sentences

Image found at www.unicef.org.au

Wednesday 23 August 2017

The whisper of the trees


The whisper of the trees
The babbling of the brook
Susurration of the wind
The roar of the seas surf
The thunder in the skies
Are the sounds of nature at work

The howling of the wolves
Chattering of monkeys
The hoot of the wise owl
The splash of the dolphin
The laughters of children
Are the sounds that we are alive

The oil spills in the ocean
Trash with nowhere to go
The melting of ice caps
Hunger on a rich Earth
Pollution everywhere
All signs we are a failed species



Image 1 Pine forest found at www.EskiPaper.com
Image 2 Staten Is. rubbish dump found at www.beta.blogbaladi.com

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Young couple


How easy that it was to tell
The young couple were in love
Someone must have cast a spell
The youth had come out of his shell

There was a certain sparkle here
It was the look, the way they’d move
She was all dewy eyed with joy
For at last she now had her boy

He held her close and touched her soft
This was the way that he would prove
That there was no other in his life
He clearly desired her for his wife

Image found at www.gettyimages.com

This poem written and published elsewhere in Dec 2014 deserves another airing

Sunday 20 August 2017

When I pick flowers


I always feel sad 
When I pick flowers
Especially orange ones
My favorite colour

I always feel sad 
When I see people
With hoods marching
To right and the left

Their torches alight
Erasing history
Statues come down
To mask all the facts

Will we teach lies?
Will history be wrong
Evil deeds live on
Stability gone

I always feel sad
When I pick flowers
Especially orange ones
My favorite colour

Image found at www.newyorker.com/news

Saturday 19 August 2017

You lay on the sand


I gulped with surprise
In all of my years 
Cultivating friendships
I had been the one
To make the first move

Turning I saw you
Across the laneway
Stalls and boutique shops
Eyes not on bargains
But only on me

The crowds shielded you
Then you melted away
Some blade cut you out
Etched clean from my sight
But a dream of mine

A few days later
Sun, sea, sand and shades
There from the water
You walked to your towel
Wrapped it around you

You lay on the sand
That warm afternoon
Turned your face to me
Smiled then you beckoned
And patted the sand

What more can I say?
Yes, I wanted you
You had set your trap
How willing I was
Mission accomplished



Image 1 found at www.remotelyfashion.com
Image 2 found at wannabemagazine.com


You took your time


I am such a fool
Spent the evening bickering
Now your soft warmth calls
I crawl into bed
Your breathing is regular
Hoping you're asleep
I kiss your shoulder
You murmur "You took your time"
Then turn to kiss me

Image found at www.rebelcircus.com

Thursday 17 August 2017

I look in your eye


I'm no flash dancer
No, it's not my style
But you're in my arms
We'll spin for a while

I feel your warm hand
Together we're close
We move our bodies
You scent's like a rose

I look in your eye
Deep as a dark pool
Oh music play on
For I'm but a fool

Your eyes now meet mine
They're eager for more
Dancing is fun
But you I adore

Image found ar www.photoessay.net

Wednesday 16 August 2017

The flood of tears


How could I not feel?
The deep anguish in her eyes
As I spoke those words

How could I not see?
The flood of tears on her cheeks
As we argued long

How could I walk out?
Without giving it a thought
From our house that night

Moon hid in the clouds
In the cold I walked alone
Regretting each word

Later I returned
Everything was in darkness
There was not a sound

She slept with the kids
With her arms around them both
It's my turn to weep

Image found at www.huffingtonpost.com

Monday 14 August 2017

Just three little kids


Just three little kids
Wading barefoot in the stream
Glorious summer

Just three little kids
Run with their dog in the park
Screaming with laughter

Just three little kids
With a bag full of candy
Heaven for the day

This little haiku stream was posted elsewhere almost exactly three years ago today and is just a sweet reminder of childhood

Image found at www.wisconsinparent.com

Sunday 13 August 2017

In the shadows


"Penny for them" she said
Wife wanted to know what I was thinking
Wished she hadn't asked me

My mind in the shadows
Of those days when I was young and free
And of young Cindy Lee

Young and brown and smiling
With her dark hair in loops and ringlets
Loving eyes just for me

I loved her that's for sure
But it wasn't written in the stars
Confirmed by father Lee

I got wise quite quickly
So began life's crooked path, but not
With my young Cindy Lee

I wonder if she'd say
If we met walking down the street
"Couldn't you wait for me?"

Image found at www.pinterest.com

Saturday 12 August 2017

I remember


I remember him
The smoky dance floor
And the boozy nights
Trad jazz band playing
We were in our teens
Laughing at nothing
When we both got stoned

He joined the forces
Then when I asked why
His answer was just
To see the wide world
Never imagined
Him with back pack on
The day that he phoned

It wasn't all true
Bare faced lies in fact
He bagged a job as 
A special agent
Unknown to us all
'Til his wife called 
Surprised I'd not known

Well push came to shove
They lost him abroad
Came back a hero
But dead to the world
Played jazz in the church
I'd pushed for that thought
Of times we were stoned

Image found at www.eveyo.com

Thursday 10 August 2017

My pen pal


Can I tell you about my pen pal
Who I am sure is a sweet gal
That writes a lot about her land
But doesn't know I want to hold her hand
Then dance around in a pas-de-deux
And kiss her lips as I imagine her
Grinning and looking into my eyes
And when I touch I hear her sighs
Then wrap her up in a warm embrace
Only see a wide smile on her face
Perhaps she doesn't want all that
But only wants to show me her cat
Or take me to her busy city
While I would like some serenity
By wrapping her up in my arms
By being beguiled with her charms
Perhaps I shouldn't go on like that
As teacher said we should only chat




Image 1 found at www.performerstuff.com
Image 2 found at https://essaypro.com

Wednesday 9 August 2017

Come out to play


We moved into an old house in the country in June so many years ago and the weather was already warm so we left the doors and windows open wide to create a cool draft within.

Later as winter winds blew we closed them tight to keep what warm air there was in the room we were especially the bedrooms at night before we air conditioning.

We had hardly been in bed five minutes when we heard this scratching noise on one of the other doors so my wife nudged me and said "What's that?"

So I got up and looked out from our door and still the scratching went on so one by one I checked the others doors to see if a rat or bird or open window could make that sound until I came to a little storage room and opened that,

Without ado there was a whoosh and a grateful sigh and I was almost blown off my feet as this gust of air enveloped me and blew away I know not where.

Strangely though rather being scared out my wits I felt now calm and serene for I then realised we lived with a friendly ghost that needed just one open door to come out and play.

Image found at www.pinterest.com

To sleep safe


How can we fix this broken world
Just how can we do what is right
To stop this urge to always fight
Wouldn't that be a glorious sight
Love each other with all our might
To sleep safe this and every night
With all the family all held tight
And you in my arms safely curled?

Image found at www.luxuo.com

Tuesday 8 August 2017

Together


Would I rather be all alone?
Feet dangling in a passing stream
Talking to a bird in a tree

Or laying my head on your breast?
To be drifting off in a dream
Hearing your heart beat just for me

Better still we could both be there
Kissing, cuddling our eyes agleam
Together is best don't you agree?

Image found at www.melissaheartsweddings.com

Sunday 6 August 2017

Blanche


How would Blanche love me?
I smile politely
She seems not to care
I blow her kisses
She then turns her face
I know what to do
I'll pick this black rose
And give it to her
Her eyes wide open
She now smiles at me
and kisses my cheek

Image found at www.wikiart.org/en/erte

Not at this address


It had been returned
Rejected "not at this address"
Had I for years been blind?

Going through his mail
I then saw an envelope 
Of quite a different kind

I thought for a bit
Despite all my misgivings
I had to satisfy my mind

So I searched the house
Cupboards, drawers, everywhere
The truth I would have to find

His untidy desk
I looked in the bottom drawer
Aha! My hard thoughts were unkind

What a shock to find 
He'd been suppoprting a child
In a far off land, wasn't that kind?

The hardest part though
Was unrest in the boy's land
Contact was now out of mind

Sorting out his stuff
Now saw the man I married
Oh clock won't you unwind?

Thinking back I weep
Now he's gone I feel such regret
How could I have been so blind?

Image found at www.dailystar.co.uk

This poem about a woman finding her husband had been supporting a child up to his death is merely a reaction to the prompt words which leads authors down strange pathways!

Saturday 5 August 2017

Waiting for the god of thunder


Blossom on the nut tree
And burst of mixed color
In my wee garden bed
Oh isn't nature kind?

I simmer during rain
Pulling labels off jam jars
It matters that I'm stuck
Thor has won once again

The garden weeps with tears
Long chains of clouds storm on
Lightning punches hard
Lawn's surface is a lake

Storm god now clears his throat
His rumble now abates
Sun winks his eye at me
Behind white cloud he peeps

Blossom on the nut tree
And burst of mixed color
In my wee garden bed
Oh isn't nature kind?


Image found at www.pinterest.com

Thor is the norse god of thunder, lightning and storms


Friday 4 August 2017

Waterway


The best part of sailing in a barge
Forgetting of course how much they charge
The ease at being master mariner
Without the problem of a spinnaker
Plying the canals and rivers calm
Where rough seas and wild winds cause no harm
I admit they travel at a snails pace
But they do so with such stately grace
The only scare is coming into docks
Or getting in and through narrow locks
But best of all is docking for the night
Without wild seas making you sick with fright




Image found at www.waterwaysholidays.com

Wednesday 2 August 2017

With my girl


In the front room with my girl, you know the one that had the curls.
Kiss and a tickle, she giggled and screamed, now we're in a pickle.
For surely now her Ma will come right in, just in case we've rowed.

I'll just make sure my girl is all buttoned up, yes, that's OK.
There's no knock upon the door but her Ma comes right in.
"You're quiet" she says smiling, "Your Dad's got the TV on loud."

Readers please forgive me for writing six line poetry instead but it's become a habit!

Image found at www.masterfile.com

I saw it in their eyes


I saw it in their eyes
It was the fear of the unknown
Their lives stolen, the hurt yet to come

I saw it in their eyes
Children's tears on thir sad cheeks
Mother wondering what could be done

I saw it in their eyes
The teenage girl's panicked glance
He former dreams of love undone

I saw it in their eyes
The bruised face of the father
The look of anger and hopes all gone

But nothing in the eyes
Just a job and he was paid
Said the masked man holding up his gun


Image 1 found at www.pinterest.com
Image 2 found at www.pulitzercenter.org.

Tuesday 1 August 2017

Not one word


Our mortal days start full of pain
Crying lustily that is plain
Continuing on all our lives
Starting when that warm breast is gone
My how I wept that was so wrong

How I cried my first day at school
It felt all wrong, I was a fool
I couldn't pull my trousers up
So refused to go the second day
Much to my dear mothers dismay

When things finally settled down
My sad face always wore a frown
Especially when that fair haired girl
Poked her pink tongue out at me
When I cried they all laughed at me

Then teenage years did surprise
Growing up opened up my eyes
Now we were in a battle royal
We learned of that glorious cup
Sounding so good but could not sup

However love does find its way
For a short while things seem OK
Marriage and our little children
Halcyon days no end in site
Until I wake with such a fright

I find that I'm an old man now
With tumbling feet and weathered brow
The bells are tolling just for me
That's because no-one else has heard
I leave this life with not one word

Image found at www.dailymail.co.uk/