I awoke from my dream
I was but a boy again
When all my muscles did work
Hanging from a tree branch
Balancing before I moved
Then jumped into the river
Darkness still, where is dawn?
Just where have all those years gone
Catch a glimpse of your sweet face
Recalling our wedding day
Glancing in each others eyes
Feel you near and I shiver
For it's true, you have gone
Frantic I hug the pillow
Hoping for the impossible
That I'll see you once again
Looking now in the mirror
As my body does quiver
Everything points to that
For I am an old man now
I so need to hold your hand
Then look into your green eyes
And kiss those sweet lips once more
Thank you; my constant giver
Image found at https://www.istockphoto.com/au/photos/old-man-sleeping-chair
The air was still, the day did shine
As summer sun beamed down on us
My veins throbbed and some shade I sought
I mowed the lawn, the pets looked on
I wonder where my wife has gone?
She's usually part of the team
But has taken off in the car
Probably to fill up the tank
Will be back soon I have no doubt
Pets have now disappeared from view
Back door opens here come the crew
Dog's tail wagging furiously
Creating quite a fuss, wife grins
"I went to get some ice cream
Come on in before it all melts"
The dog barked then jumped a rope
The cat looked on from the back door
I packed up, put mower away
Lucky me, words are not enough
Love my wife she's without a match
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos.search/dog%at%20window/
First of all my hair fell out
My limbs felt wrong
Thought I had gout
I was so tired
Did not go out
Once exposed to gamma rays
Thought I was lucky lad
Six killed outright
Thought that was bad
But was dying,
Sadly, slowly
Once exposed to gamma rays
Didn't say goodbye to wife
Or little ones
Shut out of sight
It was that bad
Goodbye, goodbye
Once exposed to gamma rays
Image found at https://www.indiatodays.in/education-today/
I saw her first in the Bric-a-brac shop
Behind counter reading a magazine
She was quite cute sucking a lollipop
Guess she was probably still but a teen
I asked her where the old postcards were kept
She looked up stared at me with eyes of green
Her hair all dishevelled as though windswept
With the most beautiful face I've ever seen
She started to point in the direction
But paused as her eyes and mine did conjoin
We both were filled with mutual attraction
She woke; pointing to room that did adjoin
I smiled, then thanked her and made my way there
So spend an hour searching every box
Found few but my mind was on an affair
As I thought of her flicking her locks
Put her magazine down when I turned up
"Found some?" she then asked trying not to blush
A sweet smile for me she did develop
I paid, with smug face from shop did rush
Image found at www.https://www.yelp.com/biz/second-hand-rose-buffalo
How many miles did we walk in our time?
Sometimes even the weather was sublime
As woods we searched and by waters we sat
Waiting patiently just like a cat
Searching for rare birds to just say hello
Like owls on dark night with moon all aglow
Quite often we'd walk on a deserted beach
To see sea birds their new fledgelings did teach
Getting them to dive and fish for themselves
Scratching and searching in sand they did delve
So we would sit with our backs to a rock
Stay there quiet lest all the birds fly amok
In our mid winter we would try our luck
To look for our own Australian Shelduck
Who loved the wetlands and flooded fields
He'd stake his claim and for nothing would yield
For if we came close he'd keep his distance
Would protest with quacks his sole resistance
Best of all was forest off beaten track
For native wild creatures it did not lack
We walked right in to the Eucalypt wood
And sat right down as we knew that we should
Listening to forest noises around
Echidna walked up, sniffed, then homeward bound
Image found at https://www.echidnawalkabout.com.au/how-echidnas-walk/
Was restless all night
Wakeful, listening, anxious
As winds howled with fright
The mountains looked down
Over the neighbourhood trees
While pale moon did frown
Just why was I not sleepy?
For normally I drift off
It seems so creepy
I must get some air
Hold on! There's a cake to bake
Oh brain, that's not fair!
So out to the kitchen
Cups of flour and sugar now
To feed hungry kin
Fear not, all goes well
Excepting they said to me
"You're tired we can tell!"
Image found at https://www.recorder.ca/entertainment/television/brockville-man-on-great-canadian-baking-show
My wife was always sad
The day Summer solstice came
For her it spelled it out
That another year would end too soon
Summer meant so much to her
Memories from so far back
Her life changed as the day grew short
For another year would end too soon
She loved the beach and sea
On the sand with kids and dogs
But when the days cooled right down
Sign another year would end too soon
Worst of all winter came
Rained poured down and frosts did bite
Then came snow that blocked all the roads
Yet another year would end too soon
Snow did melt and trees grew leaves
Spring brought back smile on her face
She started planning holidays
For another year had come around
Image found at https://unsplash.com/photos/LBt9M11x6rY
When I first met my girl's father
He was gruff as he sized me up
Nodded at me and turned aside
Suggesting that I should behave
What had I let myself into?
Did he think that I was depraved?
In fact he was an individual
Had a wife and two teenage girls
Whose needs seem to mystify him
So spent most of his time outdoors
In his garden which was a dellight
Spent his time there 'til fall of night
His garden had lawn and fruit trees
And a mass of flowers and insects too
Birds, singing, nesting calling it home
Then to produce their vegetables
Had council allotment quite close by
With veggies irrisistable
Each evening and all of weekend
Spent his time tending all the plants
Or sat smoking his hand made fags
My girl told me she come that way
Grab a carrot and eat it up
After school nearly every day
They came to Australia when retired
To be close to their family
A small house and garden they chose
So that he could still garden on
On visits we would still receive
Grown veggies his talent not gone
Image found at https://depositphotos.com/35192337/stock-phot-allotments-england.html
Perhaps I should explain that in Britain families with small gardens or enthusiastic gardeners could recive permission to plant vegetables on council land which would be allocated to them. You were permitted a garden shed to keep tools and other equipment in (best kept locked). They were very popular and still exist today. Quite often you would see the whole family working there or sitting down watching their Dad or Mum working there or even being allowed a small portion of their plot to have a kids garden themselves! These plots were extremely useful in wartime!
There's a dearth of Dogwood where I live
That tree whose blossoms have much to give
That outshines the stars to the trees mirth
It's the most flambuoyant tree on Earth
When flowering like a bride's garland
Quivering with delight with her man
As wedding bells ring for the couple
Those halcyon days being supple
Memories can be good and be bad
Marriage can fail which can be so sad
Bonds are cut, the streams water flows on
Love's granite crumbles in life's sad song
There's a dearth of Dogwood where I live
Rough is the weather with no take or give
We must adapt whether good or ill
To stay we must take that bitter pill
Image found on https://www.ebay.co.uk
I looked at my reflection in the stream
As child I played there now that's all a dream
Certain the swirling water knew me still
The young boy that waded there not yet ten
Nor yet tasted the dish of Chicken Kiev
So used to roast beef meals or Irish stews
Or fried eggs listening to the wars news
But I survived that terrible time intact
Well fitted by lifes instances in fact
Grateful too, finding sweet full lips on girl
To give me sweet kisses and children three
Who was a great cook to please me so much
At table and in bed lulled me to sleep
The best of wives gone, so sadly I weep
Image found at https://keithpp.wordpress.com/2014/02/01/and-yet-more-rain
Just as an aside the picture shows the river that ran through the town where I lived during and a few years after the war (WW2). I only discovered when married that my wife used to play there with her sister and no doubt keeping well clear us boys wading in the water!
I woke up, I was four years old
We were at war, so I was told
Were bombed at night, shelter did seek
Daddy came home two days a week
Mummy was boss, did everything
Took us to school, sometimes did sing
Then off to work, most mums did then
All took bus home, number fourteen
Spoke to manager, he agreed
We'd go there after school, good deed
Then play in the boxes out the back
Sometimes even given a snack
The shop where she worked closed at five
Caught bus home at six did arrive
Switched on lights she then cooked a meal
Blackout blinds drawn, cosy did feel
Bombing started the war was real
Hid under table scared did feel
I could feel her shaking with fright
And sometimes we stayed there all night
Was better when Daddy was home
Once when doodlebugs did moan
Said we're safe if we heard them drone
Mum's head shook hated being alone
But she managed she was a star
Now twinkling at us from afar
For everyday she showed her love
Bet that is her shining above
Image found at www.GettyImages-3374....jpg
When I was young and brother same mind
We would play together, things to find
But got addicted to spotting trains
Check steam loco's number...took no brains
We'd cycle miles to reach the main line
Sit on a bridge to while away time
Waiting for express trains or stoppers
Wave at drivers with empty hoppers
We'd check the loco's numbers on lists
And mark guide in our grubby fists
Great when we saw engine very first time
Faces often spattered with soot and grime
But hunger struck us boys as sun set
Rode back home on roads did not fret
Traffic was light for there were few cars
Cycling one handed eating Mars bars
We often took back roads just for fun
Splashing through fords in setting sun
Rattling on timber bridges now long gone
Shortly after World War 2 was won
Miss those days shrouded in smoke and steam
When boys found own pastimes, what a dream
We weren't in front of a computer screen
But staring at express to Aberdeen
Image found at https://omotg.com/europe/steaming-across-tuscany/
I've feet of clay and the bridge is too far
I'm stony broke, failed in life, crashed my car
It was an old model, hate myself now
Must buy a new one except I can't see how
There's something about me that needs a lift
Been kind of stupid for years...now I drift
I'll make a new start and kill my malaise
Hold my hand dear; see the star-shine ablaze
Image found at http://alexdoppelganger.com/atoms-and-you/interesting-happy-facts-26/
Many years ago when I was young
Outside to play was the greatest fun
Sun or rain it just didn't matter'
Far better than hear sister's natter
Best of all to play down by the creek
Wading there, shoes off not for the meek
With simple nets and jam-jars waiting
We scooped a fish up without baiting
Lucky if managed to catch just one
But we were here for the day's fun
When had our fill we shared out the catch
Each kid had jar to share out the batch
By this time clothes and shoes were quite wet
As no towel was brought; boys do not fret
We were scolded of course coming home
Boys don't take towels not even a comb
One fish I caught grew big, he went back
Before our cat thought he was a snack
Mum always moaned about our wet clothes
And muddy state of Bill's feet and nose
But Dad praised any fish we took home
He didn't care quite where we would roam
As kids and mud have long been best friends
However I washed up to make amends
Image found at https://live.staticflickr.com/1863/43870875324_b.jpg
I feel so ashamed
Of my simple self
Using plastic bags
At how pleased we were
They were even free!
How long has it took
The damage to see
In seas and rivers
Waste heaps everywhere
Took more than their share
Why wrap fruit with peel
When you take it off
Why a plastic tray
And a plastic wrap
You must be a sap
Must be an answer
Recycle paper
Not tossing plastic
In oceans so deep
Just how can you sleep?
To see birds choking
Fish dying in shoals
Wastelands created
Cruelty so sad
It makes me so mad
Reuse paper bags
Refuse to buy from
Those stores that say 'No"
Use their mushroom bags
It will stop their nags
The damage we do
The harm that is done
The future that's lost
Yes! For you and me
Will hurt us you'll see!
Image found at https://www.pri.org/stories/2016-01-13/5-contries-dump-more-plastic-oceans-rest -of-world-combined
The candles have extinguished
Gone the way of waving flames
Darkness fills my living room
And my heart with dismal gloom
Your note is shredded on the floor
Got the message you have gone
Shadows of the night take hold
It's time for rats to be bold
Men are such foolish lovers
Blind to most important things
You've crossed my name off your slate
Will no longer be my mate
I search the torn letter's text
To find just one word of hope
Thought we stick just like glue
You were a peach, how I loved you
The candles now extinguished
Gone the way of waving flames
Darkness fills my living room
And my heart with dismal gloom
Image found at https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/health/candles-in-the-bin-not-this-christmas-8993003.html
I took a walk through the trees at Frensham Little Pond. A magical place that held so many memories of a girl I knew. Three young girls from school used to cycle here with snacks, drink and bathers to swim in the shallow waters of this beautiful pond surrounded by gorse and pines.
My wife and I had been birdwatchers for some time and had lived in Australia for years. We were keen to see the birds that coloured our childhood that were fast disappearing from the British countryside. We read of the Dartford Warbler that could be seen here at Frensham Little Pond.
So we drove down to this secret of her past of so long ago; to try to find the warblers including the gorse and broom. Warmed by the sun, keeping still we sat backs to a tree. The air was still and within minutes some little birds emerged from the bushes, flying up in the air and skimming back down again. They would perch proudly on a twig before disappearing into the undergrowth. In a lull of activity we consulted a field guide, checked their attributes and they were certainly Dartford Warblers. I became part of my wife's childhood and we have discovered an endangered British bird.
Returning years later, my wife has now died. So I walked alone through the bracken and reached the pond. Just me, Crested Grebe on the water and a Tern skimming overhead. I imagined the tinkle of laughter of three girls in the water and see their bikes on the shore. I'm part of their world through my wifes eyes and I regret that she is no longer here to share it with me. It is good to thank her here for the love she gave me as the trees look on.
Image found at https://www.ntprints.com/image/353770/frensham-litle-pond-with-swans-and-ducks-on-the-water
The salt lake was all but dry
Parched now by the summer sun
Some dead fish lay on the shore
As thirsty birds flew high above
Could this be the land I love?
Tumbleweed raced across the plain
Dancing dead before our eyes
Howling wind causing dust storms
Said "We best start back alright"
Need to reach base camp tonight
We packed our gear with great care
Bind all the tools then the tarp
Checked it out and yet again
Dread the thought of not getting home
Missing last flight at aerodrome
Drove carefully to our flight
Leaving Jim the local hand
Wife and crying babe there too
We'll be back on monday night
Great for opals shiny bright
Image found at https://www.cooberpedy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/cooberpedyplane.jpg
We loved to play here as children
Climb the trees, swinging on the branches
Swim in the creek on the weekend
Then all our fun came to an end
For the next time we went up there
A sign was up and trees cordoned off
And deafening noise of chainsaws
All's now gone, there are no bird caws
So we scoot off down to the mill
Learning lesson for all our lives
As nights's noose came crowding in
As our free lives were in a spin
We drifted home and late for tea
We grumbled as we told our tale
Dad laughed and said with a grin
"Be a playground for you to play in"
"It already was" cried poor Alice
"They'll cut all the trees that we climbed"
"And the creatures will have no home"
Bill said "Be like an aerodrome"
Image found at http://www.tamartrails.co.uk/why children-need-to-get-outdoors-and-play
