I really loved that girl
Was that the truth? Her eyes agreed
That girl I really loved
Her eyes agreed that was the truth
I loved that girl? Really?
The eyes agreed; was that her truth?
The truth was I really loved that girl
That; her eyes agreed
That agreed, I loved her eyes
That girl really was the truth
That girl, her eyes I really loved
Agreed that was the truth
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/couple-love-night-romance-1019131/
I loved your green eyes and the way you flicked your hair
But you have left me now it just does not seem fair
Only to wake each morning to find you're not near
Knowing that my love, that have really gone I fear
I go for walks just like we always used to do
On the beach, in the hills and through the woodland too
You were a bird watcher they all still sing their song
But you my dear I have lost in the milling throng
How does one cope when your love leaves you all alone?
What doyou do when she doesn't answer her phone?
How does one's heart beat when there is just now hope left?
How can I cope at all when I am so bereft?
Love and longing are such a peculiar pair
I am so brokenhearted it seems so unfair
Each day I wake I know the choice that I must face
In having to find someone else to take your place
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/dark-room-inside-people-man-alone-2597279/
What can I say? I came, I saw and I hid
Beneath the curly swathe of my jet black hair
Immersed myself in every book I could read
Floating, flying in a dream without a care
I explored the east and I ventured way south
Spoke strange languages out of my pouting lips
And searched for the meaning of this precious life
Magnifying glass now attached to my hips
I scribbled and wrote and I scrawled even more
I researched this and I wrote of that all day
Even took pad and dictionary to bed
Living my life of writing in every way
The mystery is I never found a man
With whom I could share love and a future life
To tend to all my strange and wildest needs
So lived my days as my dictionary's wife
Image used with permission of artist to illustrate writing at 'Imaginary Garden with Real Toads'
Did I tell you about sweet Colleen
My brother's girlfriend when I was a teen
Don't know why but I thought she was beaut
She was shy, smiled at me which was cute
Aching for her, she was ripe fruit
I so wanted a girl just like that
She wasn't thin nor was she fat
You could say I had a crush on her
Had bully brother so did demure
Which was more than I could endure
Luckily he and she did not last
Soon she was a thing of the past
I started to work in another place
Near Christmas I thought I saw her face
When she saw me; said "HI" no disgrace
Found out we were made for each other
She then said "You're not like your brother"
Now in the twilight of my long life
After all the good times and the strife
So glad I did steal her for my wife
Coleen saw the subtle difference
Chose me on other side of fence
I'd fogotten what grief he could cause
That she left him was cause for applause
She was like a gift from Santa Claus
Image found at https://com/photos/face-red-makeup-hair-girl-cute-4494513/
How I recall Angela
A sweet girl with bright blue eyes
Who with just one kiss would give such sighs
She was a lass next to none
Her lips the taste of cinnamon
Which I must say was quite uncommon
She stacked the shelves in a shop
Which is why my eyes did pop
To see her long legs and derriere
But that was nothing at all
Because she was six feet tall
I didn't groan as I was too
I gave her onyx earrings
She loved them they made her sing
Next will be a diamond ring
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/exhibition-girl-model-tall-girl-2875020/
I woke to see early morning sun
Now shining through the bedroom window
I lay my head close by, watching her
She breathes in quietly unaware
As curtains sway in the summer breeze
The lawn I cut yesterday grins at me
Scent of fresh cut grass still in the air
I should get her a cup of black tea
Long to stay with her for eternity
For there are no better days than these
I breathe in the perfume of her skin
Still dozing she puts her arm round me
I am intoxicated with her love
What a lucky man to have found this prize
Then she awakes and says "Darling, tea please"
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/search/garden/?pagi=21
There was a lick of light through the curtain
As the crack of dawn made her appearance
Bird in tree's branches waves hello to me
Keeping time with her family of three
I like my garden and I love my wife
They're the two best things that are in my life
That's until our new baby brings us joy
Times imminent already got one toy
I won't be happy till baby's here
Must be calm but inner feelings do fear
I prefer the rhythm of garden tree
Soon I'll hold her hand and new baby see
I turn to see my wife's sleeping face
Her clothes are all packed in one single case
Then she whispers "Time" just one single word
So off we go, cheeped on by just one bird
Image found at Pixabay.com
Daughter has taken to pottery
Throwing muddy clay upon a spinning wheel
Moulding it with her fair hands
Until she forms bowl, pitcher or vase
It takes some time to get the knack
Eventually trying again and again
Establishes a rhythm
To form pot and smears on face
Gradually she likes the work
Not dilly dallying to make her own way
There's no heavy heart or strain
Happy, bouncing home, pots in case
She's passed the test in tutors eyes
Around the house we have flower pots galore
Dishes and other things
Now need shelves in every place!
Image found at www.potters-wheel-girl.jpg
I wake up to the sirens drone
I was small but not alone
Sound was like a mournful scream
Blinds drawn so our lights are not seen
I am a small boy once again
See my mother's eyes in pain
Dad's in London fire watching
It is wartime no time to sing
We hear the planes up in the sky
Can't look out even if I try
Blackout curtains do make sure
If light seen warden will knock door
Under the table we huddle
Pillows, blankets and cuddle
Quietly I fall asleep
Wake up in bed heard not one peep
Mother must have put me to bed
Now it's morning I'm not dead
So must get up, off to school
Can't miss the bus that is the rule
The bus is late, I can see why
Buildings bombed Mum starts to cry
Hoping dad will soon come back
Working all night he'll hit the sack
Dad arrived when we got back home
Shrapnel gift from a dropped bomb
Showed it off at school next day
Kids crowd around at break for play
I liked watching planes overhead
Or listen to them when in bed
War's horrid I've seen it all
Still recall it while standing tall
Image found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00x543b
Winter taunts us with Autumn's colour
Romantic as we hold each other
As dead leaves fall softly to land
Then eerie mists appear at dawn
Soon blown away by the cruel north wind
And beaches now seen with empty strand
Draft excluder now placed foot of door
Trees stripped quite clean with nothing to say
Gaping at view of barren farmland
Humans appearance changes now too
They're less relaxed as if much to do
Planning Christmas needs every hand
Even the dog curls up in a ball
On summer days he lays out in a sprawl
Now dreams and moans of seashore's sand
Children's eyes shine with first fall of snow
Soon they're downcast with bitter cold
Slipping and sliding is not so grand
Now look! Spring flowers burst from the soil
Gloves not worn now, Sun shines at dawn
Birds chatter and sing like a brass band
Smiles are on faces walking around
Winter forgotten for one more year
Now couples dancing a saraband
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos.happy-couple-happiness-love-4021036/
My first real girlfriend was Joan
I'd met her playing tennis
Free time used the courts at school
Soon after walked her back home
Held hands, talked of many things
She was in a different class
Both at school and on the court
She won the girls tournament
And easily beat me too
Holding her hand my heart sings
Her mum, dad holidayed once
Down at beach resort in Kent
Was invited down for a few days
So she and me walked a lot
Hoped this was more than a fling
She told me after that spree
That was all for her and me
It broke my heart to be free
We'd both left school gone to work
To see what the future brings
Later I found perfect wife
Settled down to married life
Had our kids one, two and three
Worked hard finally retired
Travelled the world sightseeing
Wrote stories and poetry
Kids married all left home
On Facebook had a few friends
Wife died, I'm alone again
Then old girlfriend requesting
Her husband too has now died
So we talked of such a lot
As though we had not parted
Few weeks ago she too had died
Wonder where the story's ending
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/search/man%20on%20computer/
A blacksmith with anvil to clobber
The work brought me grief so I slobber
I've become bitter I've failed a lot
My stubborness means I've lost the plot
I didn't understand about life
My eyes on a honey for my wife
She liked muscles but not the clatter
Of hammer pounding, did that matter?
At weekend I entered the local
Who leans by the bar? But my sweet gal!
"Forgive me" she said "I've been a fool"
"I really forgot the golden rule"
So I asked her what on earth was that?
"If he works hard with horse, dog or cat
He will treat you gentle and be fair
And will love you while you're in his care"
So we're back together again!
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/farrier-horse-hooves-blacksmith-1246258/
The millenials are marching
They're coming of age
The boys are champions
Have looks like a sage
The girls are luscious
They are marching too
Rights are their wishes
Which will come they're hoping
The millenials are singing
(A bit out of tune)
It's no milk sop army
But movement brewing
This bright afternoon
Crowds are thickening
They're playing their cards
And they aim is winning
They've reached the park with bells ringing
Crowd sits down waiting
For first one to speak
Talks of corruption
Nature, climate change
Melting ice, forests
Water theft and more
Then there's over fishing
No subject for them is off the cards
Greed rules the planet
For them truth is clear
Wars are for profit
So millionnaires grin
Meanwhile all the crowd
Want an honest life
And to end the charades
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/school-strike-4-climate-4059178/
Checking apartments were my wife and me
At Brighton town overlooking the sea
So we looked at new ones and we looked at old
But not one we looked at screamed out, sold!
Until we found this place high up the hill
My wife's eyes brightened, I could see her thrill
From the Lounge window we could see the sea
It had been maintained in fact superbly
The kitchen was first room seen by my wife
Never seen her grin so much in her life
We saw Lounge room fireplace was burnished brass
In fact the whole flat really was first class
I spoke to the salesman to check the price
"The sellers just dropped it, does that entice?"
Wife nodded but I said,"There's more to see
From master bedroom we could see the sea"
With the drop in price we could afford it
We double checked the lot, then we did sit
Signed the offer, salesman nodded his head
Wife said "I'll see the sea from my own bed!"
Image found at https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/seabrighton-penthouse.html
I have always found it such a pity
To spend all my life in this busy city
Where people rush and the air is so gritty
Traffic fumes are filled with such toxicity
Oh to live in peace with no duplicity
Where there are wide spaces that are so pretty
I long to receive a generous annuity
I could retire, be happy and sing a ditty
I've been planning this since I was barely fifty
Couldn't work without generous annuity
But my wife viewed idea with toxicity
She liked to visit shops in the damned city
We argued the problem with much authenticity
Wife of course the chairman of the committee
We stayed where we were with doubtful felicity
So please keep this quiet, I hate publicity
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/architecture-road-building-4546619/
The dark forest didn't beckon us
In fact the morning pines
Told us to stay away
For foolish man was stupid
To cull the wolves whose home
Was balance natures way
We have the police on every street
Forests have wolves instead
It's their job every day
There's no hospital in those dark woods
But wolves do whats right
So harmed ones put to flight
For then the wolves sing their mournful song
To let the forest know
One more friend had to go
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/wolf-canis-lupus-european-wold-1383977/
"What's that?" I ask seeing a sparkle in her eyes
She says "The year is coming to another end"
Watching that damned clock drives me round the bend
The willow tree has wept its leaves right off
Now is the season for sneezes, colds and cough
Soon we'll be singing songs and carols round the tree
Telling of our ancestors that used to be
Moving with ungainly stooped gait they did bend
I rue their absence as year comes to an end
We chat, sing carols and children scamper about
Play games with each other after presents doled out
Finally they all go home after time check
While my wife waves as she rubs her tired neck
"Ah! solitude" she says following me to bed
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/table-preparing-set-christmas-791149/
I don't want to make a fuss my friend
But whats on your breath for heaven sake?
Guess you've been down the humans lake
Drinking their water full of muck
You should have known better - silly buck
Mind you that gives me a better chance
Don't fancy your hopes with that beaut hind
She'll sniff you and you'll be left behind
Then you'll have to wait 'til next year
I think you've lost out brother dear
Illustration by courstesy of Jason Limberg
