Poems
Remember
Through the dockyard, Passed the ‘’Old Vic’’ Get Onboard, find a place to sling your ‘’Mick’’ Find a locker and stow your kit Get some scran and feel quite fit Machinery noise like drones in hive To power the ship the screws to drive Tannoy broadcast to spread the...
To Hell and Back
Woken by the sound of the phone ringing A mother answers with a heavy heart The call she’s been dreading since her son’s tour began Has now come to tear her world apart Her soldier, her hero, her darling son Now lies in a hospital bed Hooked up to monitors for he’s...
Life’s a Lie
I lay in bed at night hoping I dont wake up with a scream, Why are they always nightmares and never a dream. Thats even if I get to sleep at night, Its normally in the day, But garanteed some mental image gets in the way. Sometimes I try, sometimes I lose the will, If...
Woodland walk
A hike in the forest On an Autumn Morn It’s an early start As a new day is born Everywhere damp With the dew of the night The air Oh! so crisp What a glorious sight Row upon row of trunks so erect Climbing up to the sky And most of the foliage nearer the top Into...
Thinking aloud
We’re lost on a hill Our vision impaired With bullets a’ flying We’re running scared The strength to go forward Where it comes from who knows Our spirits lift higher As adrenaline flows We will fight to the last And never waiver Till life’s light goes out We will...
A call from afar
He calls from a world That’s torn apart, Where love is forgotten And the children starve, The hell of a war Is raging high, The U-N do help As the people cry. He’s the voice of a loved one So far away, The distance is obvious And there is much to say, As the line...
The Forgotten Hero
On a dark and lonely city street A tired old man beds down for the night He’s cold and hungry but bears no mind As he curls up in a door way out of sight News papers stuffed inside his shirt Cardboard to help keep him warm This lonely old man has no where to go For...
PTSD 1
Parental Guidance Of right and wrong Of strength and unity Of values and truth Of pride and humility Of trust and love Of saying goodbye. Training Of loyalty and support Of boozing and brotherhood Of cunning and guile Of discipline and stoicism Of killing and maiming...
Last day of R&R
The ball’s started rolling, I’ve turned on the tap, I tried really hard not to as I have to go back. The worst thing I could do was let my thoughts dwell and consider the feelings I have for that hell. But linger I have, let emotions come fore, now re-check them I...
No Teardrops
He never let a teardrop fall Nor trickle down his cheek. It isn’t what a real man does, Tears mark the frail and weak. The sergeant’s stripes upon his arm Said leader strong and bold No sign of weakness shall be shown And frailty’s for the old. But in his mind, that...
Dad
I was 5 when my dad died… And I was sad…for I knew him not. No golden memories of man and child… No playing together in the garden plot. Whenever I other boys espied Engaged in their dad’s company… I was so sad…I often cried… To be bereft of paternity. Until one day a...
My Darling Mur
3rd May 1973, Boar’s Head The day when we first met Do you remember Mur? I know I’ll never forget You were sweet sixteen And I was twenty two Who’d have guessed that on that night? That I’d just fallen for you Something inside me sparked that night When I looked into...
For the Soldiers return
The sun beats down upon the parade ground What a beautiful day As the banners they sway What a welcome home For the soldiers return Excited children in need of their dad Weeping wife’s the one’s who really had it bad A joyful dad who is so glad To be back in the arms...
Heroes of Trafalgar
Nelson’s ships are sailing straining at the breeze battling wind and tide ploughing Spanish seas seeking out the enemy to cut off their escape and bring them into battle beyond Trafalgar Cape it will be glory or dishonour before the coming night soon there will be...
The joy of bowls
Now I’ve been a bowler a long time it seems Since playing football was only now in dreams I started at first with Lignums four That I purchased for £3 off the neighbour next door I joined the local Club and really tried hard To learn how to bowl and fill in the score...
Billy the Bat
Have you heard about, Billy the bat, Who sleeps upside down Like an acrobat Hanging from claws His wings tucked in tight He sleeps through the day And flies by night Flapping and fluttering, And swooping low But how does Billy, Know where to go? He follows the signals...
The old shop
I take a walk to yesteryear To see what I can find What resourceful relic of the past Has someone left behind While walking down the country lane There in front of me Is this old fashioned brick building Waiting for me to see What treasures might I soon find Forgotten...
Political correctness
I have come to the conclusion That this world is going mad How can a children’s nursery rhyme Be construed as being bad? Tell me, why does a board that’s painted black? Cause so much offence Are we not simply stating a fact? Or have we banished common sense? If a...
Dark night
He was a shameless specimen of a greedy, godless man. He sold his wares to murderers and he never gave a damn. He had no lack of talent, but he used it not for good. He preferred the filthy lucre and the custom of the hood. And then, he quite surpassed himself and got...
The Mask
Get a grip! I’m expected to succeed, face fear, be strong, and take the lead, not hesitate in thought or deed. My mask must never slip. Man up! and keep my thoughts inside No one can know how much I cried when the rockets came and the fear arrived. My mask must never...
Funny
It’s funny how the Army’s many Regiments and Corps So often, when in barracks, delight in fisticuffs and brawls. And yet, when “In Theatre” they might make you sob with pride, To see them band like brothers and be counted side by side. God bless the British Army, it’s...
Twenty four hours
Day break, birds are singing Alarm clocks sounding wake up cries Folk are stirring, beginning to wake Wiping sleep from their eyes Through the darkness the street lamps shine A hazy; amber light An eerie fog curls all around As if creeping out of sight Pavements...
A Woman in a Man’s World
Day breaks through a peaceful night A young lady wakes and starts to rise Stretching and yawning She wipes the sleep from her eyes Showered and fresh, she dons her attire Prepared for a day in the sun Desert boots, helmet and body armour Making sure she has her gun...
Away in a sandpit
Away in a sandpit Just cots for their beds Brave soldiers are silently Resting their heads The stars in the night sky Shining down on the land Watching over our soldiers Asleep on the sand There are rockets exploding Our soldiers they wake Disturbed by the noise And...
The two minutes silence
In silence one feels the feet marching Two hundred and forty paces in two minutes And a heart that tap dances along with your feet; In silence you waited to go over the top And you looked for one last time At your friends and comrades; Two minutes silence To remember...
Much deserved praise
To those who have served, and the ones who now serve It's time you get the praise you deserve If not for people like you and me There's no telling in what condition, this country would be When you left, your brothers, sisters, wives, mothers, fathers, had to live in...
Vapour
Even from here There is a line Beyond which I cannot see There are caves In forested hills Where no one waits A cry Across the lake That will never come The line fades Yet stays By the end of it all In a depression Moss houses Carry silence Ferns lean At the grave of...
Meditation
It matters not what thoughts you have Every one has the right To close their eyes and meditate On how their past just might Have turned out Oh! so differently From the that life they now live Tho’ sometimes terrible mistakes we make And then ourselves forgive But now...
All in a Day’s work
We’re hidden here waiting, just waiting To see if the enemy show. We know they are there. Do they know we are here? Time’s ticking, tick ticking… so slow. There’s a whoosh and a swoosh And a crump at the rear. Suddenly tension Turns into fear. A whack and a crack And...
Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
With military skills and achievements From the regiments of Kings, Lancashire and Border Their Colonel in Chief, Her Majesty the Queen Heads up this new Infantry order From historic roots of centuries ago Three regiments uniquely renowned Soldier saints are now merged...
For all the things I didn’t do
For all the things I didn’t do I should have told you more how much I loved you For I feel the time now is too late I have to keep a date with the cold hands of fate For all the things I didn’t do To have walked in the hills with you on my arm Skinny dipping in the...
Ruins on the moor
The moor looked so desolate Uninviting to me But this was the challenge I would face with impunity To walk the path that very few trod Looking for conquests new Was there some danger lurking there Beyond the Horizon so blue The Sun was rising there in the East A...
Dear Santa
I know that it’s still early To send my Christmas list But this year things are different As I only have one wish I wish that all the soldiers Who are posted far from home Will all be home for Christmas Then they are not alone If they have to stay there Make sure they...
A Soldier’s wish
It was told in the news today A brave soldier sadly died Thoughts and prayers go to his family To his comrades who stood by his side They will mourn the loss of their loved one Their comrade and their friend And his memory will live on for always Deep in their heart,...
The most uncomfortable instrument known to Man
It’s that time again In the shower you go Preening your nether regions For today they go on show Has it been three long years? Since your bits were last on show Still it’s better to be safe than sorry So off to the clinic you go In the dreary waiting room You sit and...
My Granddad
There’s a bright new star in the sky tonight Where my Granddad has gone to rest I chose it so I’ll always remember him My Granddad is just the best He used to give me wine gums Told me stories all the time And when I painted his wooden cribs He said I’d done just fine...
Hello Mother, Hello Father
Hello mother, hello father Basra is quite, like no other It gets really, quite hair raising Especially when the mortar bombs start raining You know my buddy, Corporal White He got bitten late at night From a bloody camel spider Now his middle finger’s swelled to two...
Fall of Singapore
Now George was a man well known to me A mild and gentle man He was my brother in law you see And when WW2 began He like most young men enlisted In the Army to fight the foe Not ever knowing for sure To which part of the world he would go He joined the Essex Regiment...
Pleasley
I’m driving down from Sheffield Looking for somewhere to stay And by the time I’ve got to Chesterfield I thought I’d lost my way There must be somewhere near here A little village away from the crowd Where I can sit and reflect on life Even think my thoughts out loud...
Shall I ? Can I ? Another time
I sat at the table With notebook and pen I'm thinking of writing a poem again My mind is in motion But what shall I write Of a ship on the ocean Or gulls in full flight The Opera or Ballet On the opening night Shall I look out at the moon in the sky Even watch as a...
The guns fell silent
The guns fell silent No more death from above The final shot has been fired The guns roar no more I look upto the sky Dare I ask why? Why has so many been taken I hope that their lost lives will not be forsaken I feel the sun on my face I close my eyes tight The suns...
Rambling
Oh! how I long for the countryside For solitude and peace A place of pleasant sanctuary Where worries seem to cease For here I can bare my very soul In perfect dignity Away from all of the strangers And the only critic is me I stroll along the country lanes Until a...
One lonely soldier
One lonely soldier With a pen in his hand Writes to his family From a far off land The words he writes Come straight from his heart Still he hopes they don’t show How he’s falling apart Haunted by nightmares Of recent attacks So called martyrs Bombs strapped to their...
The Moon
The moon is a living being looking down on us He lights our way and cares for us all Earth is one of the many planets he sees each night My friends and I think about the moon Opening his eyes at dusk to guard us all Often people dream about going there Now dawn is...
Gone for good
Smiles as he thinks of his red haired mate, The reason, for a thousand things, he was late, The times spent “digging holes with your arse” The smiles the tears, the jokes and laughs. Leaving his memory behind in a foreign land, No longer there, to lend a hand, A...
The Monolith
It is a joining As I kneel here Hand on cold black stone Carved in remembrance of the fallen By I am a living wall My memories dance across my eyes When smells and sounds Actions and words Take me to the place I cannot escape We hold hands across the space of time My...
You are…
You are better than you believe And you are still here Ask yourself that question truthfully How many reprieves How many close escapes It has a purpose He has a purpose Take your pick The Universe cares For it brought you to this place That you might be refreshed...
A voice in the darkness
What dark law Enslaved my youthful soul And left it black as pitch Only for the law makers To run from their creation Dark monster of a military Prometheus Forged in a likeness That left me hollow as a golem Open only to be filled with death Sorrow followed Deep,...
The bed blocks
As I lie here and dream I hear a scream The sergeant shouts Drop your c**** and pick up your socks It’s time to rock So let’s make those bed blocks I spring into action and leap out of my bed There’s something to be said about a G10 army bed I grab at the covers and...
High in the sky
For Poppy The moon that shines so bright, bright, bright The stars that shine at night, night, night The moon and the stars came out to play They played away till the break of day The sun, the sun, the glorious sun Came along to join in the fun But the moon and the...
What heroes welcome ?
What heroes welcome did I receive When home from battle did I come still bleeding None For I was one who was forgotten A battle scarred soldier who none would claim But all would blame For what happened over there The memories I wish I could forget But they lay...
New memory for old blokes
A memory is unveiled today – a reminder and so much more A plaque to honour we who served – as airmen in a war All volunteers who heard the call – we answered with our heart And were sent to serve in Viet Nam – where each one did his part On foreign soil we lived and...
Illusion
Looking into the shimmering water Images many I can see Is this just an illusion Laying waiting just for me What is the interpretation Grey & Brown & Green & Gold Orange too and there’s some Silver Surely these colours must unfold Innermost thoughts of souls in...
Rhodesia/Zimbabwe 1980
The Township buildings etched out sharp Against the orange Sun A silhouette of blackness The colours slowly run The morning mist is melting Exposing ground so dry The bones of fallen soldiers Picked clean by vultures high Who did these men belong to What stories could...
The Amorous Shower Curtain
Why does it always follow me When I get in the shower ? I must act like a magnet Exuding some strange power It moves along as I move Drawn to my skin With threads that are invisible The dance it does begin We dance along the shower tray Synchronised as one Nearly...
Bernadette
A husband and wife in the town of Athlone Awaited a child of their very own Be it a daughter or be it a son In the year of 1941. A bonnie girl she turned out to be They named her Bernadette A lovely cuddly little child Her presence you could not forget She grew up...
Horizon
I look through the viewer And what can be seen Peace and tranquility In the countryside serene Flow gently Sweet Afton Or so the poem goes As the river seen here So gently flows Like the path of life Till it disappears Into the distance over the years But still in the...
Response to Depression
Try if you will to close your eyes And think of memories past The times when you had a smile on your face As on happiness your eyes you cast But then your life has gone through change Over these many years With strain and stress and tragedy Accompanied by tears But...
Little Sister
Hey little sister, dry your tears Let me see your smile I’ve got to work, but I’ll be back It’s only for a while Draw me one of your pictures I’ll take it when I go I’ll place it near my bed space Pride of place on show When you’re feeling lonely To my photo blow a...
Just like you
Hi Daddy, how are you today? I hope that you’re okay I know that you are thinking of me So I just wanted to say Even though I miss you Daddy When you are far away My love for you is growing Each and every day I miss your kisses and cuddles When you tuck me in at night...
The joys of Motherhood
From the moment of conception The miracles of life begin Forming inside a custom made shell Your baby grows within So now nine months of pregnancy For you have just begun Morning sickness, toilet trips And that’s just half the fun! There’ll be ante natal clinics...
Angels watching over them
Last night as I lay in bed Crying in my sleep An angel came and asked of me “Dear child, why do you weep?” I told her how I worry About our soldiers brave Of how I wish that they’d come home Not end up in a grave I told her of the battles That each day our soldiers...
Week by Week
Week 1 Chris went away Week 2 He is missing home today Week 3 Things are hard he says Week 4 He is ill and takes to his bed Week 5 He is getting better and things are not so bad Week 6 He is down and is not sure if he wants to be a solider lad Week 7 don’t read 6...
In-Night
In-night! We just had an In-night. Block job: when? The walls are to be scrubbed you say – Ah, a pity about the emulsion. The striplights have flies in them And the windows have paint drips Idling, scenically, on them. The tile floors, in the toilet, Have stains...
Life
How long is any man’s life? As long as that of his wife, As long as the day is bright; As long as the dark of night, As long as each passing mile That he walks along Life’s aisle; Long enough to be hatched, Long enough to be matched And, yes, to be despatched.
On guard (1)
The telephone rings, grab it and then speak: “Irish Hussars, Guardroom, Guard Commander.” “Take a signal to the clerk, Trooper Jones.” “Then take one to the Comcen, from the clerk.” “Has anyone seen my hairnet? For riding…” “You know, riding, for my hair, on...
On guard (2)
The Guard Commander sitting in his chair Sighs, glances around and ruffles his hair. Peace. Neither grey-clad, plastic telephone Dares to ring, ere the snap of telling bone Summons, once more, peace from the ringing air And death comes for the noisy, ringing pair....
Poems in my knapsack ‘ an explanation
Poems in My Knapsack This was my first go at publishing back in 1983 and I was still in the army, in The Queen’s Royal Irish Hussars, so I used ‘Cpl. C F Green’ as my name and dedicated the little booklet to the Regiment. The ISBN was 0 86303-093-9 and it was a short...
In the shadows
Itʼs not fair this beast can hide away, Trick into thinking everythingʼs ok, Lurks in the shadows and waits to take, The laughs, the smiles, the fun you make. One minute happy with smiling wife, The next dark thoughts of taking life, The faces you thought...
Questions
Can man share man with man? The Bible says, ‘No greater love…’ For man, man can have. Can man have? Love God, love your neighbour; Love man, God and Man, kinds of man. I question myself and other men. Do I love? Do you love? Can I love? Can you love? Give love – I?...
The World is not a nice place
The World is not a nice place It is full of hatred of people from a different race Small minds rally the troops The bigots make them jump through hoops To fight in wars and kill others A person whom you could have called brother The world is not a nice place Where...
The Caretaker at the British Inner German Border (IGB) hut at Walkenried, Bad Sachsa
Caretaker, caretaker, why are you here? Caretaker, caretaker, have you no cheer? Visitors, if you come, bring your own cleaner And cook, rations and washer, and pad-locker; Visitors, if you come, please do remember The duties and the food for the caretaker. Bring your...
Watching the Summer Sun
Watching the summer sun It is so hard to believe I am fighting in World War 1 I sit in my trench in line with the French It’s a pity that my feet are drenched I look upto the sky The planes they fly on by A dog fight ensues I hope our boys do not lose They loop the...
The intense sense
The Doctor has said, “Forget it, my friend.” So sadly said, “For you life does not extend.” I have found new life from this sorrow And strength, born of knowledge, And relief, born of that same knowing; Each item has become more intimate – Touch, sight, sound, smell...
A Sonnet: Christ
See, I am as I am, simply a man: I have only this, my strong-willed body, And I have only your strong-willed belief. See, I am nothing and I have nothing. Then see, I am Man of Man, born of Man. I am Man of Men, giver of all Men. See, we are this Man: needer of...
The spoken heart
I believe that I am an imperfect man, looking for a perfect God; Laws and morality are part of God, the rules by which man lives And the rules by which man dies, these are all part of God. Is a Christian any greater than a Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist? Is this Christian...
From my Window
A keen and fresh wind: coming hard from the sea, Whipping at the grass, biting at the smoker’s chest; Tugging at the window and at the walkers’ clothing As they lean their ways from the cookhouse, weaving With the rush of the wind in its surf-surging. In front of me...
Frustration
Paper, paper, I must have some paper. How can I write without paper? Frantically searching for some paper. Under Here? In there? Some writing paper! In here? Where is here? I must have some paper. No paper. No paper. None! No paper! A pencil? Yes! But paper – some...
Glimpses of Tidworth in farewell
The walker treads the trail; Sharp, grey, gravels grate Under his swiftly moving feet, Small swirls of dust erupt And are cleared by the breeze. The walker climbs the hill, A small speck in a mass of green; He labours under the sun, Soon drenched with sweat, Seeking...
Gun
Are guns bad? Are people totally good? Any gun is only a mechanism, Like a clock that sits ticking the ages passed On someone’s Victorian mantelpiece. The clock mechanism was built to give time And the gun only gives ammunition. “Ah but,” you say, “what happens when I...
Helicopter night landing
Marbly-sheened, grey sky, silhouetting the black, nondescript trees, While the blurred, whirling shape lowers itself into the silent shadows; Torrents of wind hurling flurries of leaf-drops around Blinding the unwary watcher and burying him to the knees In a madly...
Here & Now
Where is here? Here, here is here. Here, like a wraith of shadow, here And here, over here. There? No, here. Now thence, and, therefore, whence. Now, Also henceforth now, therefore now. Here and now is terminal life, Death but an aged blink away. If I die – where?...
I the soldier & I the man
What is it like to be a soldier? Ask not I. We wait in the sidelines, like so many first time fathers, Aware: ‘endless pregnancy – endless fatiguing.’ The long periods with spirit deadened by boredom, Relief: ‘The Soldier’s Friends’ – whore, bottle and gun. Sometimes...
A Parody
Had I no Christian charity, no moral code, no guide. The people I might hurt and break, the rules I’d override! The death defying pagan laws I’d hug as babe to breast. The trees and moon I should adore; by sun the earth caressed. The river’s abandoned cries loud heard...
Your breath on my neck
Your breath on my neck Sends shivers down my spine As your body lies next to mine Your warm embrace My heart picks up the pace I look at you as you look at me You make me so happy I run my hand down your body Feeling your skin come alive We breathe together as one You...
Its time to part
Its time to part, my loyal friend Our time together, now must end You have brought together many a Pal From aging bard to pretty Gal We’ve stuck together, through thick and thin You’ve given me shelter and let me in We’ve travelled together for many miles You have...
Children… a life path
Ten little fingers Ten tiny toes Two sparkling eyes A cute button nose There is nothing more precious Than a new born babe A new member of your family A gift that’s Heaven made Their life path’s planned already Mapped out by God above We parents are here to guide them...
Love is…
Love is that inner most feeling The very essence of your soul A love to be shared with everyone A love that makes you whole Love is that feeling you get As your heart skips a beat When you know you’ve met your soul mate The very first time you meet Love is the...
When Diplomacy fails
When diplomacy is in a fix I have just this to say… That those who hold the biggest sticks… Will seem to have their way.
I live in hope
I live in hope that people Will in communion be… To satisfy the need for all And live in harmony. A mellowness possessing… Of thoughts in quietude… And calm and peaceful blessing Is found in solitude. I live in hope that fear Of vices and of sin… Will cease…and...
Soldier, Soldier
Soldier, soldier posted far How I wonder how you are Working hard both day and night Helping others make wrong things right Soldier, soldier posted far I’m proud of you my shining star When the blazing sun is hot Think of me, forget me not If you’re lonely don’t feel...
Enough is enough
Another brave soldier sadly fallen The death toll now steadily rising One life is too many, enough is enough It’s time for some active deciding Decisions need to be taken These ‘wars’ have gone on too long Lives of our soldiers being sacrificed Something is definitely...
I wish
I wish this world that we live in Could be a better place Where people live in harmony Regardless of colour, creed or race I wish that all religions Would learn to compromise Accept the many beliefs we each have Never questioning reasons why I wish that politicians...
Loved one
It doesn’t seem like many years now since your loved one passed away We go about our business in our very simple way You potter in your garden, paint the fence in your back yard I know that deep in side for you, it’s been so very hard We don’t very well express...
I can hear the pipes
I can hear the pipes That haunting sound Going out over the battle ground It gives me courage to fight I will use it to summon all my might For this is to be a bloody fight As we go into battle And the fear tries to creep in The sound of the pipes keeps out the battle...
Ode to our soldiers
With courage and strength beyond compare They brave the things we wouldn’t dare Always primed and ready to fight They do their job both day and night They’re in those lands so far away Putting their lives on the line every day Wearing body armour in blazing heat...
Victim of Altzeimer’s
Your plight is recognised Oh! so well But Children do not fret For she is still there, the Mum you knew So do not get upset She may not comprehend what you say In another world she may live But all the love she gave to you Is still there for you to give For as we...
The pea that saved the Biro
I’m a little Biro I scribble night and day I used to be a writer But my ink ran out today I’m what you call a ‘ Throwaway ‘ My ink has all ran dry My writer’s block has started If I had ink, I’d cry I know I’m destined for the bin I’m no use to them now My ballpoint...
Englands Youth
As you pass me in the street, its not the timing of your feet, I see from you stance you dont feel threatened, perhaps my past would well be beckoned, For once an enemy there stood, His face once covered, Like yours with a hood, But words he did not unleash at me, It...
In an English country garden
As I sat alone in a quiet room I gazed from the window And saw Flowers bloom To form a floral picture there Of a typical English Garden The lawn now green from a Winter rest Where Daffodils and Jonquils show best Amongst Snowdrops and Tulips In a wonderful hue Here...
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