It was a long summer
While sun smirked down on us
Like an errant uncle
Outstaying his welcome
We needed a shaman
To sing a song for us
We needed the dark clouds
To pour rain down on us
Oh sincere singer sing
Spirit the days to change
Muddy our paths for us
Flood the roads, we don't care
We've lost our dignity
We've forgotten our pride
We lose much more each day
The raven shakes his head
It was a long summer
Clouds darken the night skies
We listen to the rain
Watching from the window
Now just who do we praise?
We had cursed and ranted
Thunder booms, lightning strikes
Someone is not happy
Image found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-27/matthewson-drought-assistance/5287562
My brain screamed at me
"Go! Enough of work today"
Grabbed my case and went
Passed drinking fountain
Three plant pots and notice board
To the vestibule
Pressed the down button
A fresh office girl had joined me
Long wait for the lift
We both smiled hello
"You are new aren't you" I asked
She nodded shyly
When the lift arrived
She entered first, which pleased me
Then hit one "OK?"
"Where else?" I then said
Silenced by other workers
Now piling aboard
At every floor more
Passengers boarded the lift
Our shoulders now touched
Lift was so crowded
I was wedged right at the back
With the office girl
Everyone faced front
On the long journey downward
Pressing each other
A curl from her hair
Fell across her pretty face
Wanted to kiss her
At last the ground floor
I reached down to hold her hand
Everyone spilled out
Into the dark street
"How about the flicks?" I asked
She spun round "Tonight?"
Ignoring the screen
Sticky hands still together
Our eyes kept meeting
Image found at https://pixabay.com/en/couple-movies-cinema-theater-1513497/
Oh I remember that August night
Jazz club was raging
Us two dancing
With me touching
And holding you close so very tight
Your eyes and your hands never left mine
We swung to the beat
Despite the heat
Still on our feet
The sweet smile on your face was sublime
Walked home after our very first date
Moon lighting the way
Watched your hips sway
Was a great day
Knew from the first you'd be my best mate
I wake now from my afternoon nap
And cry myself hoarse
Dreaming of course
Years from the source
You've died and left me in life's sad trap
How well I recall that summer night
Jazz club was swinging
We were singing
Then were kissing
Holding each other so very tight
Image found at https://rbkclocalstudies.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/jb-at-the-jazz-club/
Note. The last verse shows that his memory is not quite the same as it was in first verse. Such is the penalty of getting old and forgetful, so he could be very much like me! I did invite my wife when we first met to the Jazz club I attended; as she sang in a light opera group she looked horrified and said "No thanks", but I did see her perform in Iolanthe and other classical performances!
There's a cemetery near by
I don't intend to lie there yet
But I walk through there oftentimes
Groundsmen mowing lawns make it neat
Bells ring, birds sing, I sit on a seat
There are interments on sad days
People gathered round dressed in black
Faces glum with words spoken soft
Caskets are slowly lowered in
Or tiny box with child therein
Ropes withdrawn let the sleeping lie
Mourners quietly wander off
Grief unpacked until they do find
That their lives have changed with this loss
The raging sea of their minds does toss
I continue on my walk each day
Blowing a kiss to my loves plaque
Plod my way back to my small flat
Return to the desert of normal life
Remembering my dear darling wife
Image found at https://pixabay.com/
Had hardly any sleep last night
So hot we kicked the covers off
Our limbs spreadeagle not touching
Thank heavens it is Saturday
A mozzie bite now marked my leg
I stifled the alarm early
Before it startled you awake
Left the curtains drawn tightly shut
I pulled the sheet back over you
Went to kitchen put kettle on
Had my shower, was rinsing off
I heard you call me back to bed
The charming thing about my wife
Is her most persuasive powers
Try as I might there was no way
That her offer I could refuse
Sun's rays filtered though the windows
She grinned as I entered the room
Summer's heat now mingled with ours
As we rejoiced this brand new day
Image found at https://www.healthymummy.com
How can you see me with different eyes?
Just how can you see where truth really lies
I am not as so many others see me
Do believe me as I am trustworthy
You now look askance at me, I feel blue
They have invented lies that are not true
You're really the prettiest girl I've seen
And I love that your pretty eyes are green
Please let us walk home one fine day
I promise I won't hold your hand. Okay?
That is unless of course you want me to
We can do whatever you want to do
Of course I've noticed you for some time
You should have checked your mum, as she knows mine
Yes, it's okay to walk home now and then
But not everyday, I will tell you when
And don't invent stories of what we do
For what we say is between me and you
We will do that and then see how it goes
And I like that you have a long straight nose
There is one more thing that will have to be
Don't start saying you're going out with me
We'll be friends as we live close, you and I
And no kissing yet...until by and by
Image found found at http://elisephillips93.blogspot.com.au
Her calm green eyes stared at me
As she flicked her long fair hair
From her sweet face, mouth a grin
Unswayed as we both stood still
People they passed on both sides
In spite of that we stayed there
Both simultaneously
Smiling at one another
So we then started talking
Nothing about the scene fazed us
I reached up to touch your face
You let me, grinning, nodding
Then the rain started to fall
Holding hands we sought cover
Then entered a small cafe
Sitting close to the window
"I want you to be my wife"
A gracious smile on your face
"Perhaps" you said quietly
Rain washed down the gutters
"I've got a check list here"
"You look quite healthy, that's good"
She then took out her iPhone
"I've nothing booked, so yes"
Memories are foolish things
My mind spends hours in that realm
What I had, I now have lost
And never more can reclaim
https://fr.freepik.com/
Do you remember my love
Those days long past, hand in hand
We'd traverse dunes sand in our shoes
Both laughing across the strand
Treat to see the sea at last light
As with a sect of others
Worship the sun's final rays
After a day's torrid heat
Align now to western bays
Feel night's cool breeze channel in
Your skimpy dress billows out
I must confess that pleased me
Injecting mirth as we walk
Long street to your family
Check time and get our tales straight
Image found at https://thoughtcatalog.com
The slap of waves on the boat's side
As now the wind blew as night fell
Fourth day at sea with nowhere to hide
Except when the sea was unkind
And sprayed us all with its wet kiss
O land, land just where are you to find?
Last night another baby dies
But the mother still holds him tight
When she gives him up, all day she cries
Our water is running so short
But one sip in morning and night
Just how long before we reach a port?
How bad was life before this?
That makes us suffer hell at sea
The first sandy shoreline I will kiss
It's dark but lights are seen far off
So we head that way full of hope
But my mother now has a bad cough
We arrive at a cove near a port
And soon are discovered there
But too late our landing to abort
So we are herded in buses
Just how comfy the seats they feel
We're so quiet nobody cusses
I smile at my little brother
His eyes all agog at this place
And mother with us all together
Image found at http://www.insajderi.com
Laying on the bank of the lake
Your head on my tummy
Fast asleep, unaware
Of the splash of the otter
Or the sigh of fir trees
Our limbs were intertwined
As I kissed your slim wrist
I now felt your pulse beat
And the warmth of togetherness
On the other side of the lake
Wolf emerged from its den
Now carrying a cub
Staring at us in doubt
Wishing we were not there
Putting us all at risk
A cool wind now sprang up
You shivered now smiling
At me and evening's fading light
"It's time to go" I said scanning
The dark lake's other side
The wolf was not in sight
"Let's hope the woodstove's lit"
As we got up to leave
Nature's portal again
Return to traffic noise
TV and foolish talk
Hearty meal and steaming coffee
Image found at https://www.vix.com/es/btg/curiosidades/8874/los-5-mejores-padres-del-reino-animal
I switched on the light
It was the dead of night
As you dreamed undisturbed by my side
I had heard a growl
It was more than a miaow
As a streetlight flickered in the trees
You slept without care
Was a stranger out there?
Making disturbing sounds by the drive
Decided to check
Snatched my robe from the door
I'm off to investigate out there
Talk of the devil
Furry tail in our bin
Not shy stealing bread for her joeys
Image found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkUFvPWxFkA
Possums babies like kangaroos are called joeys and adults are common backyard thieves in Australia.
I read the tears on your letter
Your words they told me less
The winds of winter blow
But you will grow so strong
By the time that spring comes along
My husband also looked aside
When our child came along
A friend was there for me
Catching all my sad tears
Now dear I want to quell your fears
You are different now in his eyes
Since baby came along
Cuddle him like before
Childish doubts will soon wane
To sing a song of love again
Image found at http://www.parent24.com
You lay close to me
Side by side at the clay pit
Watching, listening
It was springtime now
The birds were gathering clay
For their new year's nests
Close together now
I felt the touch of your skin
And your body's warmth
Birdwatching is fun
Muffling our talk, keeping still
And whistling like them
Our field guides on hand
Taking photos, never eggs
Prying every bush
Push and pulling
One another up steep climbs
Such togetherness
Such fun getting lost
Then finding our way back home
To our own back yard
Image found at https://in2jordan.com/tours/
It's bedtime and I'm dreaming
Dreaming again of past days
A cup of English breakfast tea
Mail man knocking on the door
Just how long ago was that?
I remember such small things
Playing cards with your parents
Your sister flirting with me
When she dropped her own boyfriend
Just how long ago was that?
Our cosy nest of two rooms
Toilet and a kitchen sink
Walk to parents house to bath
Before we got a proper home
Just how long ago was that?
We were happy together
For then we built our first home
With just so much work to do
While we were both still working
Just how long ago was that?
The the babies came along
Boy first the girl born at home
We me helping the midwife
As hospital orderly
Just how long ago was that?
What words to write so you read
That I never forget those times
When we blossomed like roses
In that our best of all times
Just how long ago was that?
Could I turn those pages back?
Children are parents now too
While I wait for you to call
To come and join you again
Just how must I wait for that?
Image found at https://depositphotos.com/stock-footage/old-man-dreaming.html
