Poems
I’m Coming Home
As I wave goodbye and walk away the kisses and cuddles from my loved ones still fresh in my mind I set my sights on what will be my new daily grind. To Afghanistan I flew to fight for my country, I’m with my brothers, never alone, a promise made to my family. I’m...
MILITARY MUMS
She was always there from the start she held close to her proud heart she even sorted out your cuts and grazes even coped with those upset tums those wonderful people the….. Military Mums. They can be soft as feathers or do a rager that will put to shame the biggest...
Losing a Child
When I lost my child It crushed my broken heart You don’t expect to lose a child You don’t expect to be apart It was so unexpected For my child I idolized How do you come to terms? When one of your children dies Who do you blame for the pain? That you feel deep down...
Step By Step
In truth the band play'd on; may sound cliché When stepping out alone leaves one exposed In partnership we waltzed thro’ each new day Didst follow every lead I hath proposed Once sensing you at hand, no more relates No more the warmth of touch midst winters chill...
Silence Reigned
Unspoken words as held within one’s heart Mean so much more than I dare choose to say Should e’er by grace therein, new genus start Sweet fragrant prose may bloom to form bouquet First seeds were sown when act of kindness swayed In understanding of said ‘Lonely...
Is it Hogmanay
In days gone by the written word In rhyme was accepted well Stories of life and fiction But nowadays it's hard to tell Eager eyes would scan the pages Looking for something new But now it seems the interest has waned For readers there are few So as we forward wander...
Graduating Steps
To walk before one runs, applies thro’ time By taking stock of all such choices made Initial plunge may prove less mountain climb; More treading water, as in plans hath stay’d Then inspiration calls to lift thine heart For betterment of self, in years ahead...
In Adversity (For all PTSD sufferers)
As fair weather friends in droves peel away Confronted alone; our future’s unclear Where all didst chip in; aye “Back in the day” Now singular paths, leave life more austere Loads are for sharing; a burden relieved No task insurmountable, should we choose Helping...
Will You Still Need Me?
When I get tired of washing my hair wiping soap from brow, Will you still be checking out my high hairline counting grey hairs, one at a time If I should pray and ask to be free would you “Wipe the floor” Will you release me, why would you keep me? “When I yearn for...
To Glimpse Our Loss
A bearded stranger decked in red just smiled as I walked by I acknowledged with a nod, in hoped for acquiescent ploy Twelve strides more I turned to glance yet could but only heave a sigh The strangest feeling filled my heart, ‘twas one of overwhelming joy This day...
Snap Dragons
I ventured forth ‘twixt labyrinthine streets Replete with ‘fair trade’ bag and open mind My aim to gather in some Christmas treats Whilst searching out the wares of varied kind At “Toys ‘R’ Us” ‘twas fun, tho’ noisy too “Agent Provocateur” suspended dreams In choosing...
I Pine for Thee
Beyond a forest glade midst woodland sprawl Awaiting on the season of goodwill Here planted long ago; as fates befall Neath snow drifts touched by bite of winter’s chill Perhaps our numbered game leaves nought to chance Such plentiful supply of Christmas cheer Tho’...
I Come From
I come from slum clearance, waiting forever for posterity and re-generation the men at the bookies and the bar and the women and kids just survived washing day on Monday’s and back to backs I come from riddled streets, hammering, woodbines and smog I come from Co-op...
WAR’S END
I’ve never been in battle Stumbling through the mud Or heard machine-guns rattle Seen comrades soaked in blood I’ve never had to suffer In cold or driving rain Numbing all my senses Seen sacrifice and pain But one thing I am sure of That war will have it’s day We must...
Missing
I miss you at home you’re not there I miss you sitting in your favourite chair I miss you the way you used to care I miss you each night before I go to sleep I miss you in dreams I awake and weep I miss you when the hurt becomes too deep I miss you with your happy...
IF.
If you had seen what we have seen, upon the field of battle, If you had watched as comrades fell, and heard machine guns rattle. If you had heard the scream of shells as they hurtled overhead, If you had wondered deep inside if you may end up dead. If you had heard...
CHRISTMAS EVE
Brave were the few Who ventured that night Away from the warmth Of their fireside bright Cold was the wind That scattered the snow Hither and yon Above and below Nothing was left Untouched by the storm Beasts in the field Stood close to be warm Then snow upon snow...
FIGURE AT THE GATE
Who is that standing at the gate? Why is he out so very late? He’s staring into my bedroom A solemn figure in the gloom Why does he wear that hooded robe? Hiding from the streetlamp’s globe? His presence fills my soul with fear What is the reason he is here? Then all...
A Poem of Remembrance
Poppies grow in fields in memory of loved ones. Family cry in thought of their loss. Men and women fight for their lives. Have faith and to keep going never give up. Poppies rise and get worn with pride. The wind blows, your face glows, when you wear your poppy...
For Max
He lays his head upon my chest; He knows he needs to have a rest. I stroke his head; his eyelids close And he’s off on a little doze. A tiny mite; not yet a year, With painful mouth and painful ear, He snuggles tightly in my arms, Quietly, feeling safe and calm. Not...
Telesales
I woke up this morning As the telephone was ringing. I picked it up beside my bed And someone with an accent said, “We hear you had an accident In the last two years.” I said, “That was no accident Because it was deliberate. I’d nearly killed the bugger.” He told me...
Are you growing old
When you wake up in the morning Do you turn over once or twice Just to clear your head a bit Or was sleep just Paradise Is the Sun too bright on the window As you look through bleary eyes Or when you stand are you feeling dizzy It may be then you realise That age is...
Harry the Miner 2
Now Harry was a lovely man A very good friend to me So I’ll tell you a little story Then you can plainly see He stood 6ft 1” in his stockinged feet A slim yet muscular man Spent all his days in the bowels of the Earth Since his working life began Barely 13 years old...
Fatima
This story started some time ago On an Island not far away New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean Where some Australians visit or stay Fatima was the destination For Kathy at this time When she was working there with Missionaries Where happiness reigned sublime The party...
YOUR T.V. BOX
What will you be doing this Christmas? Sitting at home with the kids? Not in some dark smelly alley Hunting ‘neath grey dustbin lids? Will you be having a turkey? Roast taters all done in a tin? I bet you don’t fancy cold bacon Pulled out of somebody’s bin? That...
Pass Out Parade
I am what I am, I do what I say, You never can change me, Myself I shall stay, From darkness of past, to brightness today, My life, One long journey, That made me this way. A child aged so young, a knife to his throat, That day will live on but never to gloat. A...
Love One Another (Christmas poem)
Give love and a smile; It will take you and others that extra mile. For what you give you will receive, No better time to give, than Christmas eve! Imagine what a world it would be, If I loved you and you loved me. If we multiplied this love to everyone we know, It...
Final Journey
Through the streets of Wootton Basset The soldier's journey ends This Christmas they'll be sadly missed By families, mates and friends Our thoughts are with their loved ones In this their time of grief We celebrate their bravery Alas their lives were brief They died...
Remember Them
This poem is for the countless souls Whose fate was signed and sealed By one abhorrentmadman And his minions in the field Their misery and torture Where death was their relief What men can do to other men Is so beyond belief Women, men and children No mercy were they...
The Brave Ones
Your husbands, sons and brothers are ranked with high esteem They served their queen and country, their love, their life, their dream These brave young men who gave their lives to fight a foreign war We always will remember them and love them evermore Our thoughts are...
The Red Fields
Amidst the mess of blood and gore Many heroes fought the war They fought for king and country dear Through injury, death and mortal fear Through a deadly hail of lead They fought their way through fields of red Past their comrades dead and dying Thoughts of loved ones...
On the Beach
It wasn't a day at the seaside Or a ride on a merry-go-round But allied troops on the landings On Normandy's deadly ground Bodies littered the beaches Brought down in a hail of lead The cries of the wounded pierced the air As many lay dying or dead They died on the...
A Crimson Red Poppy
A crimson red poppy bright and bold, with an interesting untold story to behold In the dull grey crowd, the poppies stand proud. A kaleidoscope of ruby red, remembrance of where dead soldiers bled. Touching soldiers souls with mourn and miss, one more husband not to...
Foreign Fields
The morning mist surrounds my world As cordite fills the air Can I stand another day Or will I just despair Exploding shells are all around My mates are falling fast I do not think their gallantry Could ever be surpassed Whistles blow it's time to go To save or seal...
Petals on the Ground
Our brothers, sons and fathers who fought the great world war They lost their lives in battle amidst the blood and gore They fought so hard so we could live, they fought for truth and peace Their only dream was of the day hostilities would cease When the war was over...
My Thanks
I didn't know who you were Or even where you fell But I thank you for my today And for my tomorrow as well.
I’ve Got One In (A tribute to Albert a Fulham fan)
‘Mine's a light and bitter’, Albert would say. ‘I’ve got one in,’ before the fray. I’m here in my corner, reading my paper, Checking that life’s still in order. Ready to talk to my many friends, Never thought it would come to an end. ‘I’m from Battersea Dogs Home’...
Gas Warfare in WWI
My eyes are streaming as I stumble around, “What's happening Sarge?” is the only sound. The guns are silent but the noise still great, Men's voices cry out, not knowing their fate. Bodies underfoot, I trip and I fall, Over comrades and rifles, over wire and wall. I...
“Eyes Left” (repost)
With sideways glance they bid a last farewell Alone in thought among respectful throng Whilst striding by, their image casts a spell So many who dared brave to right what’s wrong Such names engraved in stone and on their heart Shown in relief; yet undercover kept Mean...
LET US STANDS
Let us stand together in the fight against tyranny Let us stand true Let us stand together in pursuit of freedom from oppression Let us stand resolute Let us stand together and strive for equality Let us stand Proud Let us stand for the right to freedom of speech Let...
Try Try Again
In those times of trouble, Which many I have had, Sometimes I ask my mum, Sometimes I ask my dad Sometimes I ask my friends, Sometimes to God I pray, Sometimes I hope for a better life, Hope for a better day. In those times of trouble, However difficult they come I...
“Chemo Sabe”
When all seemed lost, didst ride out into fray Couldst still yet prove to be most faithful friend In taking steps to cleanse my form this way Said ‘silver bullet’ finds own path to wend Tho’ low is now the point at which I lie “Hi-Ho” ‘tis shout within, proceeds...
“It’s the Soldier”
A protest raged on a courthouse lawn, Round a makeshift stage they charged on, Fifteen hundred or more they say, Had come to burn a Flag that day. A boy held up the folded Flag, Cursed it, and called it a dirty rag. An OLD MAN pushed through the angry crowd, With a...
Remembrance
Lost my life, for that of many , spilt my blood, to save my country, fought long and hard, away alone, but this let me save my home, poppies grow as we slip away, remember us, remember our day.
Food for thought
High on the clifftops Looking down one day Two people with a vision As they looked across the Bay They knew not what was below them That had supported where they stood Many soldiers that had risked their lives Many died on sands soaked with their blood They prevented...
Eternity
Life as we know it is measured in years From the time we are born until we die But time is forever or so it seems As the years go rushing by As we wonder whatever went before We entered this mortal life How our ancestors managed to survive The toils , the struggles,...
REMEMBRANCE. The Old Soldier.
I saw him walking down the road, With still a lively gait, Going down to the square, He will never miss this date, Today is his reflection, To think of times long past, Young men, joking, laughing, Who thought their lives would last, Far longer than time given, For...
American Civil War
The pages of Life they turn so fast With many items of interest to see I must confess my thoughts often turn To what happened in the past and now forms History In 1861 in the U S of A Abraham Lincoln became President by election His very first task Seccession by the...
SPRING 1915
The War has raged on, for 6 months or more, But from the grounds of the battlefields, flowers now soar. It's Spring in Europe, the time for new life, Who would have thought of this World full of strife. Seas of poppies stretch for mile upon mile, From the East to the...
1914/Eighteen
To War he was called in 1914, This beautiful young lad, barely eighteen. To battlefields, so far from home, He, with his comrades, but still so alone. With smells of sulphur, cordite and iron, They fought in a world that was so foreign. His hopes and his dreams now so...
UNKNOWN FOE.
There is a time in my life, from which, I , recoil, When we were called to Arms, on our home soil. To defend, not to fight against an invisible foe, Each face that passes, are they friendly, who knows? In this beautiful land they would take up the gun, Sister against...
Grandpa
A restless tide and a moody sky, over the North Sea, Grandpa and I ... sat on the sea wall, fishing at dawn. He said little to me when I was still small, but I had grown up now; he had spared me before, and now was the time to tell me of war… He paused… It’s a duty I...
Empire State of Mine
I speak now of a brother, Of which I have not got. Neither us are English, Welsh, Irishman or Scot. For both of us are British, but parents, we share not. In battle we must fight now, And as well when we get home, For cruel are all opinions, When created on their own....
Best Pals
Gone I am now, a good life I did live, I have not a lot, but here’s what I give. You can have my heart, it beats strong and fast, it’s really quite healthy, long it will last. You can have my lungs, many miles they have run, I really don’t need them, with those I am...
Never Forgotten
The heavens raged the thunder roared and lightening split the sky. And down below in the sodden earth was death and the soldiers cry. The canon roared, the clarion called, you could hear the eagle cry. And the politicians safe at home whilst all our young men die. And...
How Silent
How Silent? It was so silent I could hear babies Trying to scramble out of their cots How silent can this great sound be? It was so silent, I could hear a nail drop Erin(aged 9) Love is at your doorway Whichever house you’re in You don’t need to try it out Because...
bur-IED Underfoot
No corner of some foreign field for me As sand grains borne by wind, doth shape this land Nor green and pleasant ending soon to be Lest mirage forms creating close at hand This day arrived 'neath bright and pale blue skies Another just like any other dawn Where once...
Never We Forget Them
S-peaks only truth, O-nce a friend, a friend for life, L-ives to serve his country, D-ies, for the man by his side, I-ncase he does not return, E-ternal in the sky, R-emember, this brave soldier, S-o his truth remains alive. Never we forget them, Men green, Men brown,...
My Temple Breached
Tho’ all alone, I was aware of you Who held my life within sure hands ‘that day’ Such thoughts as I ascribe, no more than due For one so ill equipped to hear me say Humility becomes a gifted man Whose skill adept is there for all to see Yet miracles performed as part...
Embryonic State
As held within creation’s crib, unborn Where life begets; ‘tis how I came to be Developing as foetus yet to form From blocks which build originality My DNA may prove to be unique Perchance to hold a quill ‘twixt fingers webbed Expressing thoughts unable yet to speak A...
Turn The Page
Whilst reading ‘twixt the lines of book one holds I’ve formed o’er time, a diff’rent point of view Of life, where changed existence now unfolds Before my eyes both big and dark of hue Where once romance did blossom midst the gun An urgency to touch another’s heart...
In Winter Chill
It’s cold outside, the winters here It’s always cold this time of year. We stand outside as winter blows in silence next to white stone rows. So many people come here too All come to show we remember you. Our fallen warriors, heroes all Whose names are etched upon the...
November 12th
Was it only yesterday the dust filled rays of Autumn sunlight streamed through this coloured glass? Women and children in subdued Sunday best. Men in dark suits or pressed serge. All united with a splash of bright red. Protected by road blocks, armed guards and...
The Poppy Sellers:
Its that time of year, when leaves are falling, That the poppy sellers come a calling, Or stand on a cold and draughty street, Rubbing their hands and stamping their feet, Shopper’s rush by in an endless crush, And you stand and you stand in strange kind of hush, Or...
LAMBLEY DUMBLES
Where Woodborough Road And Spring Lane meet Across the stile There lies a treat A field of green That leads you to A magic place A tranquil view Rolling hills Of modest size Are there to please The traveller’s eyes At every turn A meadow green Where you might watch A...
LITTLE OLD HEDGE TRIMMER ME
I knew straight away that it wasn’t my day When out of the house her voice shouted "Ray" "Those thorn bushes at the end of the grass Are now out of hand so please move your ass Get them all tidied and don’t you dare moan I know you were hiding in the shed all alone."...
The Ebb of The Tide
On Castle Hill, the Romans kept watch Boasted of conquests, and battles once fought Worshipping their gods at their altars of stone Knowing in their hearts they would never go home. The family’s fortune would rise and would fall The Senhouses’ bed was lowered from the...
The Silver Lining
No amount of make – up can make sad eyes happy No amount of fashion can disguise the longing No amount of fluffy sleeve sweaters can replace a hug No amount of new shoes can walk you to happiness No amount of handbags can carry the emotional baggage No amount of wine...
Old Soldier
Unnoticed, he blends into the grey park bench, eyes clouded and watering, permanent tears for friends lost in a trench not quite enough of a life-time ago. Will anyone acknowledge him? Smile at him? Say hello? How many people walk past without seeing? Are they afraid...
Blame Culture
Let’s have an inquest, A public enquiry, To rake up the mud And apportion the blame; Then pay compensation Of hundreds of thousands To some piece of scum Seeking fortune and fame; Then sack an official And through his dismissal Declare that the process Was honest and...
The price tag
Was it really you and me Entwined together in ecstasy Or was it struggling to be The other half which once was we The heart is steadfast for a while But it can never go that extra mile To keep the family from becoming a pile Of statistics in a divorce file To have...
BLUE BOAT
The blue boat bobbed on briny bay As whistling winds whisked it away Past the point where the petrels nest And seals were sat in silent rest But surely she could not go far With sails still stowed on shiny spar The current soon conveyed the craft On to the open ocean...
La Tranita (The Trinity)
Forty years of pull i have fought This calling sea of might Till spiritual callings safe from port Where blood and salt must now unite So bring me home where the winds not calm Yet all seems still whilst in her arms From air and land I've seen her plight Waiting till...
Heroes
Immortalised in vintage stained glass Their names are etched - the centuries pass Simple day by simple day on their way So easy is it for us to forget The way in which their fate they met Prostrate on the battle field No soft hand their brow to shield As noise and...
I look thro Life’s Window
As I sit and look through the window of life And ponder on things that have passed Wondering if given another chance Would drastic changes have left me aghast I remember well my childhood With a Parents and Family I shared Living life to the full as a child Surrounded...
The Visit
I saw my Mum and Dad today. I met them at the cemetery Where they are resting peacefully And where I visit annually. I tell them of our family And what is happening globally. I don’t know if they really care Or even if they’re really there, But just in case I say a...
Cage of life
Up and down, up and down, Corner to corner, round and round; Snarling at those who are staring at me Standing outside, supposedly free. I growl and I roar; then through a door They throw in some meat, Bloody and juicy for me to eat. Sometimes they’ll herd me into a...
Danish Blues
In Denmark I had Kaffe and Kage, In England that’s coffee and cake. I once was the owner of thousands of Kroner But found all the Danes on the make. They even charged for tap water At nearly two pounds a glass. Everyone felt we were paying Dane Gelt. It cost us to...
Storm on a beach
Yet another day in front of the Easel Canvas tightly stretched on it’s frame A selection of oils at one side ready for use Your Palette and brush in your hands once again The base coat of blue is a help with the sky And maybe for the seascape too It’s time to add...
Growing Old
Growing old is very hard I,ve been told, I never wanted this ticket I got sold But I bought the ticket anyway So I,m here centre stage part of the Play I try to Play my part right in everyway But some People you can,t reach no matter what you say I,ve seen good MEN do...
The Chatelaine
And who were you–a country girl A social butterfly or churl? On Brampton Ridge on a summer’s day For ever youthful you would stay. The artist was an earl, a Howard Whose talent at the easel flowered. Farmer’s daughter, the niece of an earl Who held the artist in her...
THE MARKET DOG OF RHODES
One Monday, in the market place The sun beat on the ground The tourists stopped, to sit and chat The dog just hung around The tourists laughed, and ate and drank In good and jovial mood They had their fill of everything The dog just wanted food They showed their...
Musical Hearts
I’m in love with Bert Though he’s not in love with me He’s in love with Ethel And everyone can see That Ethel fancies Stan With his beard and spotted tie But Stanley is no good to her ‘Cos Stanley worships Vi Vi adores Sebastian In his grand-dad shirt Sebastian’s in...
I Will Be There
I will be there in time of pain Through sunshine, snow, and pouring rain My only goal, your happiness Serenity your heart to bless And if by chance I love in vain This would not halt my soul’s refrain I would not feel regret or strain No limits and no hopelessness; I...
“The Count”
How drained am I, as sunrise sheds its light Upon reflection (Mine, not his) now shown Such wan complexion paints a dreadful sight As daybreak fills the room, he now hath flown An armful was the quota so required A sample more than ample for his needs Twas found on...
Truth or Dare
With eyes half closed, I drift away through time Along known roads which take me far from home Familiar sights I glimpse midst upward climb Reminders of the path I chanced to roam Whilst looking back, I ponder choices made How influenced was I by friends and peers...
REMEMBRANCE DAY POEM
Again we meet to remember comrades lost along the way Some from a century ago and some from only yesterday Today they are in our hearts, our minds and in our thoughts United we stand beside them and salute the peace they brought. We owe them our freedom, our nation,...
“My Squeeze”
A work of Art thou art, if truth be told Created and conceived to please one’s eye Perchance no finer sight wouldst e’er behold No image framed, more beauty couldst imply Feint brushstrokes in your hair, seem quite innate Upon appraisal of technique suffused Such...
Sea and Sand
The holidays are here once more And crowds head off for sea and shore Spades and buckets filled with sand Or starfish, crabs, all caught by hand Your children squealing with delight When someone starts a water fight Then running up and down the beach Just making sure...
Lead Me On
“Wouldst taketh of my hand and lead me home?” A plaintiff cry from one not blessed to see How then I thought, couldst I be free to roam With n’er but half such trust to give, as thee Whilst guiding her I felt a gentle calm Pass over me; I know not whence it came Her...
Gene Genie
A stumbled fall had brought her to her knees I rushed to help in notice of sad plight Then proffered of my hand, with whispered “Please” Whilst cupping hold so gently; held my sight Without a word didst manage to beguile Engaging eyes, expressing warmth of heart...
“Into the Light” (Once more)
I hold you in my heart, midst fight for life When all about seems dark bereft of light Just where to turn for refuge from such strife Appears to be as ever, out of sight "Pray lean on me" that I may dab your tears What strength I have ‘tis yours if thou should need...
Henry V (Cry God for Harry….)
Twas finest hour of men (not still abed) O’er fields of France, as Agincourt played out Outnumbered, weary, some yet full of dread Didst gather ‘round to hear their ‘Liege Lord’ spout King Harry’s words rang out amongst the throng Both Noblemen and Commoner alike “Tis...
Fading Star
How strange the twists and turns of time When your star falls and others climb How every road seems rough and hard And every door is locked and barred Where once the path was easy trod You never once sought help from God Invincible you onwards sped A leader who was...
Sleeping Fools
Wake up, wake up, you sleeping fools See how the rich don’t play by rules They’re only made for such as we Who doff our hats and bend our knee In supplication to those few Who lead the gravy-swilling queue Whilst you and I are beaten down They’re free to gloat and...
Eve of Destruction
Coquettishness at play, brings warmth of sun Enticing of my heart with practiced guile Bewitched in truth by trail of smoking gun I willingly accept the proffered smile All wariness succumbs to measured charm Tho’ mindful that the hurt could cause one pain By...
On Detachment
Debris is strewn betwixt the human form No contour lines as known, defined by eye An image burned, some say outside the norm Of what mankind perceives or can rely A fleeting thought may cross one’s mind (unreal) Where sights preclude emotional response Here taste and...
Dreams
I dream of fields far away and little country lanes The snowdrops in the hedgerows, flanked by violet I dream of the rivers streams and brooks,. The little boys a fishing without any hooks. I dream of the roads the traffic through the town. The hissing of the trolley...
My Situation
It wasn't their fault, Nor was it mine, A situation , That developed over time! It ate away slowly, Dragged me to another place, Would look in the mirror, And not recognise the face! Drinking - Fighting, Causing destruction, Turning in for work still drunk, On sites...
A Life Well Spent
The willow weeps its sad refrain For all whose lives were lived in vain. If I were one, then, so be it- It matters not to me one whit. Untouched by anger, pride, or fear No unkind word I’ll ever hear Content to have lived, content to die Within this ground, at peace,...
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