The Down and Out
As he awakes to greet the dawn
On his park bench amongst the dew
The Times newspaper he has used for a blanket
The one read by the chosen few
As he stretches out his arthritic arms
And moves his arthritic legs
His eyes now staring up at the rising Sun
As he drinks from his cup, now full of dregs
He greets the day with his usual smile
Though the garden he surveys is owned by the city
As people pass him by and tut
He resents their look of pity
I may be a wanderer he thinks to himself
But self respect I have so much
I need no one’s indulgent stupid remarks
I do not need societies crutch
As he makes his way to who knows where
Each and every day
Spending his days on the road and free
Searching for food along the way
Every dustbin is his restaurant
Each titbit or morsel that he might find
Will keep him alive and independent
He is just the roving kind
Each night he returns to the municipal park
His bench is always there
Another newspaper will keep him warm
So he can sleep without a care
But he is not alone it seems
He has a field mouse for company
Who arrives each night to sleep in his pocket
And will even partake a sip of his tea
As he sleeps he must remember
Not to turn over or disaster could strike
He would crush his little rodent friend
The one he has nicknamed Mike
So together they settle beneath the stars
Out in the cold and rain
And when they awake they both need to rise
And face the world again
Old Roddy, our gallant hero
From fighting, on the Som, in world war one, and yet
Has memories that bring him nightmares
Of things he saw that he would rather forget
Time has passed him by so much
His mind a blank to the person he once was
No one knows a thing about his life as they pass by
The ones who glare and cuss
But he always greets the day with a cough and a smile
Puts newspaper in his shoes to fill the holes
And watches intently as the old park-keeper
Clears up the work of last night’s Moles
As Mike runs off to forage for food
Old Roddy prepares to venture out into the morning Sun
Because his greatest adventure is about to rise
Unbeknown to him it has begun
Because every day is a new beginning for him
Where he will travel only he knows
But he will always return to his park bench home
In the park where the flowers grow
So if you pass him by asleep
Or if he is awake just say hello
Because unlike him you surely will
Not have far to go
And just remember one thing
When you see Roddy out in the rain and snow
He and his little field mouse friend Mike
Have nowhere else to go
His pockets may be empty
His clothes may look like rags
And as he wanders around the place
His worldly goods are all in bags
But that does not make you a better person
Than he ever could have been you see
But for fate and misfortune
It could be you or me
A little bird flew into my garden
It was a Robin I think
Lands on my bird table and sits in the water
To bathe and to have a drink
Oblivious at first
To any other thing
Seemed to be enjoying himself
Fluttering his damaged wing
He had obviously been hurt
In some mishap or a scrap
And was taking advantage
Of the water laid on tap
But lurking in the undergrowth
Was Blue, next doors cat, an English Grey
Whose was thinking to himself no doubt?
To catch our robin redbreast
Before he flew away
So stealthily creeping nearer
As our little friend did rest
Oblivious to the danger he was in
So far away from his safe nest
But I need not have been worried
Because when the cat did pounce from off the floor
Our Robin was more alert than I thought
And flew in through my door
Standing on my kitchen table
He looked a funny sight
With one wing barely moveable
As he twittered by the light
I put out my hand and he jumped on
As if to say, I know I will be all right
Then I bathed his little damaged wing
And used matchsticks as struts to mend the break
Then bandaged it all up together
A real injured soldier did he make
He stayed indoors with me for almost a week
Sleeping in a box underneath the stairs
His injuries keeping him in a sedate mood
Until, I removed his temporary repairs
Then he flapped his wings and chirped away
So, I opened up the door
And he flew away so majestically
Sadly for me, to be seen no more
The Aerodrome
One Christmas Day morning a few years past
The Fog was quite thick, and was closing in fast
Took my dog Buster, a Golden Retriever, one of the best
To the old Aerodrome a few miles west
Parked off the road, just by the gate
7 am in the morning, did not want to be late
For the day’s festivities, with the family and all
Hopefully a day full of merriment, have a real ball
So out of the car, and off we went
Striding out well, morning felt heaven sent
Fog getting thicker and a real eerie feel
Wrapped up warm against the early morning chill
Walking on the runways now long past their prime
Out in the Fog, it was like returning in time
You could feel the drone of the planes in their time
Feel the presence of the airmen all in their prime
Out of the gloom, a figure appeared
Dressed kind of funny, it really felt weird
In flying suit, helmet, large boots and a jacket
Out in the mist the planes were making a racket
Though startled for a moment, I swiftly said hello
He looked at me strangely, I thought he would go
But he smiled and said Hi, my name is Joe
I am an American Airman, but I guess that you know
I nodded my approval, we shook hands and we talked
Said he came from Kansas, related more as we walked
His piercing blue eyes lit up the gloom
His infectious smile would brighten any room
Said he was married, just wanted to be there
With his wife and children, sat in his old rocking chair
Though only twenty, he looked a lot older than that
I noticed the frown from under his helmet hat
The lines on his face truly said it all
How hard life was now trying to save us all
Suddenly I was startled, by something he said
He missed them all greatly, now that he was dead
He looked at me caringly and just shook his head
Said sorry for disturbing me, it just filled me with dread
I looked straight ahead, dumbfounded at best
Thought I had better go home, I need a rest
As I turned back to face him, he was no longer there
Just as he had come, he disappeared into thin air
I thought I was dreaming, just called Buster
Said nothing to no one, left the situation alone
My curiosity was raised by something he had said
About being in a churchyard and something I had read
About an American Airman, killed in the war
Now I was intrigued, wanted to know more
So I went to the local Library, dug out some books
There on a page, my airman’s good looks
Staring up at me, I found it hard to believe
So more information I set out to retrieve
It seems he had died in his plane that had been his plight
Flying over Southampton, one dark night in a dog-fight
His body was found and buried nearby
No one to mourn, no one to cry
Family so far away, lost forever it seems
Now he’s just a memory, part of their dreams
I will always remember a chance meeting at best
With a poor soul we needed, now hopefully at rest
An Owl sits high up in a tree
Looking so forlorn
Icicles hang down from the branches
His hat and scarf well worn
The Snow is falling relentlessly
Feet are almost frozen to the bone
His beady eyes glare constantly
As he braves the storm alone
His thoughts return to his old barn home
Which is not so far away
So off he flies through the forest so white
To return another day
As the snow falls on his feathers
He shakes to clean
Back to his safe abode high up in the barn
To wait for more clement weather
Robin Redbreast
A Robin sits amongst the Snow
His redbreast out on full show
A chirpy little bird is he
Has he just come to see me?
His spindly legs with his body so fat
Tasty meal for next doors cat
However, he is alert to all the danger
Because to my garden he is no stranger
Often he flies in to chirp hello
Today especially in all the Snow
I will build a Snowman so he can be sat
On his head, perched on his hat
He sings his heart out just for me
Flutters his wings so I will see
That he has arrived and needs some food to eat
And I always throw some to his feet
Once he has had his daily fill
Off he goes, out of my garden, over the hill
So, I sit and wait until another day
When my little fat Robin comes my way
A Bird
A bird shat on my head today
Why he did it I could not say
Passing below a nice green tree
He suddenly let it go on me
My head was wet, it trickled down
And stopped amongst my disapproving frown
A tissue was required, Oh what a mess
A sorry state I must have looked I guess
As it dripped all down on to my shirt
All embarrassed, feelings hurt
It’s supposed to be lucky someone said
What to have a bird shat on my head
I retorted in an angry mood
Then laughed out loud when situation reviewed
It must have been funny to those near by
To see this bird with a very keen eye
Who flew away not to be seen again
But only his droppings did remain
Is it lucky, we will see
But I won’t forget the day he shat on me.
As the Candle Burns
As the candle burns
The pages turn
With history in the making
But as we read about our past
Of things we thought would never last
And of time that life was taking
Page on page our lives unfold
Of the story to be told
In many years from whence we came
Of battles won, of things invented
People with lives not so contented
No one page is just the same
So as it flickers and sheds is light
We read on well into the night
History unfolding before our eyes
Be it a novel or a book of fact
It takes time for us to react
To release that inner, disguise
As the Candle flickers and burns
The wax down the candle onward it churns
Illuminates the flower bowl as ease
Its red leaves flutter in the light evening breeze
As through yonder window it creeps
While everyone else in the house quietly sleeps
What wonders do we discover and take in?
A wondrous feeling since we begin
To understand from whence we came
Compared to history our lives today are tame
So as I put down my nightly read
Sleep succumbs if I succeed
To contain my excitement of what I have learned
Collected that for which I have yearned
Some detail of our former existence
The love, the pain with no resistance
As slumber overtakes my mind
I am sure tomorrow more knowledge I will find
What’s Gods Address
What’s Gods address
Because when I call he’s out
I sure I have it wrong
Because he never is about
I knock upon his door each day
To call and have a chat
But somehow, he never hears me
What should I make of that?
Is it me I ask myself?
Or has he just gone deaf somehow
I have tried to shout his name out loud
Until sweat springs to my brow
Maybe he will not hear me
Because I have been bad
Perhaps it’s just the way I think
And it has made him rather mad
I will try again tomorrow
This time I will knock quite loud
And climb the stairs to heaven
And catch the nearest cloud
It will take me in the back way
I will catch him unaware
Sneak up silently behind him
He will never know that I am there
So I can tap him on the shoulder
And ask him straight outright
You never open up the door to me
Especially last night
Where were you when I needed you?
I know asking is a pain
But when I want you, you are never there
And you have so much to gain
A sinner I may well have been
But nice with it all the same
I am sure you know me well by now
I know you know my name
You will have to change that door of yours
It’s just too wide and thick
I have knocked and knocked but you never hear
Maybe I should use a stick
Now look God come on play the game
You know I worship you
So let me in and we can have a chat
That is all I want to do
So if anyone knows your new address
Be sure to let me have it
Because I need it more than ever
Not knowing that he loves me, hurts a little bit
Every sinner needs your guidance
Especially those like me
So come on God just open up
And invite me in for tea
Little Jimmy
Little Jimmy is six years old
And spends his life doing what he’s told
Despite this, he has no life
Just abused, a life full of strife
All he wants is a little love to come his way
But for what he gets, he has to pay
His mother beats him with a stick
Thrashes him until he is sick
He fell over and banged himself she says
And tells social workers about his wicked ways
So as to get sympathy for her alone
She even hits him with the phone
It’s in the cupboard under the stairs for you
After she has beaten him black and blue
He hates the cupboard because it’s dark
It’s cruelty that leaves no mark
It’s the mental torture he has to endure
Every day and more for sure
If he does not reach seven who will care
He thinks, no one cares, who will miss him if he’s not there
His father’s as bad but uses a belt
And on his back, he has a welt
Left there from the previous nights beating
As in a corner he was left bleeding and bleating
Sobbing tears, so all alone
He wonders if he will ever be full-grown
How much longer can he take?
This life so cruel and no mistake
He need not have worried he soon knew his fate
As one night his parents came home late
After leaving him locked in his dingy room
With no light on in the dark and gloom
Both were drunk had a few to many that night
And went into a rage when they switched on the light
They saw what nature had made him do to himself
And they beat him senseless with a shelf
Neighbours heard the pitiful screams
It woke them from their peaceful dreams
Someone called the Police, who soon arrived
But it was soon to obvious that Jimmy had not survived
As his life had ebbed away
All his spirit could think of as they took his body away
Was, why me what had he done wrong
To deserve this fate, destiny had it right all along
Social Workers, family and definitely his father and mother
All to blame in one way or another
No one heard his cries for help it seems
Those piercing, blood curdling, desperate screams
How many more Jimmy’s have to die
Before someone starts to ask why
Our system fails so many children in this plight
Despite the failures’, never give up the fight
Jimmy’s parents now in prison where they deserve to be
It’s a Childs right to live life free
From abuse of any kind
To those looking on it is a state of mind
So when you hear that dreadful noise, so heartbreaking
Another Jimmy his soul someone is taking
Pick up the phone, ignore the risk to yourself
Just remember that another parent could be using a shelf
With Jimmy gone and his parents where they belong
We should all ask ourselves what is wrong
That these dreadful situations still exist
Carefully hidden in everyday mist
Watch the Candle
Watch the Candle as it glows
What secrets lie within
Hidden depths of crystal light
What ends where love doth begin?
See it flicker through a glass of wine
As it makes the liquid seem to move
Your lovers face buried deep within the mind
The motion it causes gets into a grove
Dim lights keep the moment special
Her smile lights up the darkened room
And those eyes glow like the moon at night
Sparkling in the gloom
Holding hands, a gentle sigh
I love you, whispered quietly
A loving look emits from deep within each heart
So much in love it’s plain to see
The Candle casts shadows upon the walls
Darkened features move, the flickering palisade weaves its spell
Our two love bird’s bill and coo, impervious to others
How will it end, only they can tell?
A Crystal Rainbow
As I look up in the Sky
Following the recent bout of Rain
A magic crystal Rainbow has appeared
Just like a narrow window pane
The multi-coloured majesty
Glows brightly in the sky
It makes me stop and wonder
From whence, and how and why
It has suddenly arisen
Out from its pot of gold
That lingers at the Rainbows end
Or so the stories told
It is like a Crystal Staircase
Heaven sent for me to climb
So that I may disappear
When it is my time
The different hues that shine so bright
Red, Green, Blue and Yellow
Even Orange on the odd occasion
The whole sight just looks so mellow
One moment my Rainbow is in the Sky
The next it has gone away
Just as mysteriously as it first appeared
To return hopefully, another rainy day
As the Candle Burns
As the candle burns
The pages turn
With history in the making
But as we read about our past
Of things we thought would never last
And of time that life was taking
Page on page our lives unfold
Of the story to be told
In many years from whence we came
Of battles won, of things invented
People with lives not so contented
No one page is just the same
So as it flickers and sheds is light
We read on well into the night
History unfolding before our eyes
Be it a novel or a book of fact
It takes time for us to react
To release that inner, disguise
As the Candle flickers and burns
The wax down the candle onward it churns
Illuminates the flower bowl as ease
Its red leaves flutter in the light evening breeze
As through yonder window it creeps
While everyone else in the house quietly sleeps
What wonders do we discover and take in?
A wondrous feeling since we begin
To understand from whence we came
Compared to history our lives today are tame
So as I put down my nightly read
Sleep succumbs if I succeed
To contain my excitement of what I have learned
Collected that for which I have yearned
Some detail of our former existence
The love, the pain with no resistance
As slumber overtakes my mind
I am sure tomorrow more knowledge I will find
Waiting
Molly sits at home waiting for a letter
From soldier boy Johnny who’s fighting in the war
She’s always hoping that he’s safe and well
And that the battles worth fighting for
Always wondering, always scared
That something will happen to spoil the love they share
Will he, won’t he she thinks to herself everyday
Is he safe, is he still there
When occasionally the letter arrives through her door
Her heart pounds and she jumps for joy
To know he’s still safe and will one day return
So that they will be together again, her wonderful loving soldier boy
Lovers Moon
It’s a lovers Moon
Watching through the trees
As we walk hand in hand
In the cool night breeze
As we sit beneath the old Oak tree
And gaze into each others eyes
In the distance getting closer
Is the sound of an Owls cries
A kiss is followed by a warm embrace
As passions begin to rise
Then we notice up in the branches
The glowing, staring Owls eyes
As he turns his head to watch us closely
As we make love under the moon
He has a disapproving look
As he hoots his haunting tune
We lay together in harmony
Our thoughts for no one else but we two
Carefully watched by our new found friend
Watched by the Moon in the darkened hue
As passing clouds drift overhead
Moonbeams are breaking through
The eerie trees look threatening
As passionate events still continue
Casting a shadow over us as we make love
But it’s such a wonderful fulfilling time
Then we just lay together for the rest of the night
Enjoying the Moon, the Owl, the moment so sublime
It’s a Hard Life
It’s a hard life being a father
All that trouble and stress
From the wife it’s is my hair looking perfect
Does my bum look big in this dress?
You know whatever your answer
You are bound to be wrong it’s so true
She’s upset with you now for ages
So it’s grab the paper and off to the loo
The only place in the house that’s a refuge
A safe haven where you can be alone
So you can do the daily paper crossword
Sitting quietly away from the phone
Because there’s another monstrosity
The call when you answer is never for you
It’s always can I speak to so and so
If you say there not here, Oh what a to do
The kids treat you like their own private banker
Like your pockets is a bottomless pit
If you say, your broke, they can’t have any money
They call you a useless old tit
The Cat hates me deeply religiously
Bites and scratches whenever it can
The Dog growls at me when I go near it
It needs a muzzle like the rest of the clan
The Postman was in a bad mood today
He called me an idiot and a prat
As he stepped all over my Dahlia’s
All because his bike tyres we flat
Let down by some naughty schoolboy
Who thought it would be a good prank
Only to cause a mild disturbance
After which my poor heart just sank
So it’s off to the greenhouse for comfort
A gin and tonic from my secret stash
Away from the family and all others
Where I can sit quietly counting my hidden cash