I so like walking the dark forest
Happy to see wombats and possums
Foraging in the bush with others
With some shrieking birds in the blossoms
But the worlds's changing it's sad to see
Forests on fire and wildlife failing
Our careless greed affects all of us
Now Covid keeps us scared and wailing
We're worried to share or walk outside
We watch others from our window pane
Nibbling on our last cans of supplies
Faces are scared you can feel the strain
Some are inclined to ignore the threat
Acting as though it won't affect them
Others open their curtains with such fear
Believing it's the start of Bedlam
I recall almond eyed Chinese girl
Reading the news a few weeks ago
Now the disease is spread far and wide
Death count rising and there's more to go
Image found at www.pixabay.com
"Don't put your daugter on the stage
Mrs Worthington" so the song goes
She was warned but look what happened
As the girl had certainly ripened
It was not me to be the one
To give her such good advice
She was given an explanation
For the sweet lass had an acting passion
Acting in a play, why not I say?
What harm can come of this venture?
Her parents pleaded and tears she cried
But nevertheless she persisted
Actors, producers found her quite bright
And taught her a lot both day and night
So it was she became a star
Acted in theatres both near and far
T'was sad to see her move far away
I knew her when we were both at school
She always looked over my shoulder
For someone much richer and older
Image found at www.google.com
I went back there again
To the place I was born
The village with a church on the hill
We walked everywhere there
Until I got a bike
A present after I had been ill
Then I rode everywhere
Train station was the best
To see steam locos to my fill
Me standing there smoke drenched
Writing numbers on a pad
That was my life until I met Jill
With her black polished shoes
And tank top that she wore
More like me than a girl with a frill
Together until our teens
Riding bikes one fine day
She said words that really made me ill
She was leaving our town
Better school, better stores
Those things really gave her a thrill
So I lost her; she's gone
Teen love hurts quite a lot
Until spring came then I met April
Her dad ran pub in town
Often left on our own
Parents in bar, we kissed to our fill
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"Just where is she now?" You ask
It hurts to recall those days
Of unrequited love, my sweet
It's many years since we did meet
She a girl with raven hair
With her deep dark eyes on mine
Met her at a small town dance night
She walked up to me, eyes alight
"You look like you want to dance"
As she pulls me on the floor
So quickstep, waltz and rumba too
She knew full well just what to do
Soft warm body was a treat
Her eyes never looked away
But kept me close in possession
'Til break was called to that session
We sat down to have a drink
Breathed her scent and felt her warmth
Needless to say I was quite struck
I just couldn't believe my luck
A bit after ten she said
"Glad I met you but I must go"
"Want and lift?" I asked gallantly
"No, my sweet; that won't suit hubby!"
I laughed but felt like crying
As she put wedding ring on
We walked outside, then I kissed her
She smiled "With that, I do concur"
Met her again much later
Different town four years on
As she came running to my side
"Hello" she whispered, "You want a bride?"
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We ate our meal by candlelight
Our first date was such a delight
She chose to drink a chardonnay
Her eyes sparkled hip hip hooray
But made her drink water as well
To rescue her from a drunken spell
She ate her food which was quite fine
Her eyes were always fixed on mine
And not on some faraway place
Worse still to be sick, what a disgrace
Or doing something quite unseemly
She was instead chatting freely
The important thing she was fine
I was quite proud she was mine
Show her off to my mum and dad
They will be pleased not cross or sad
That she's someone I can be proud
And shout out from hilltop quite loud
As we walk back to my sedan
We both glance and smile as we can
Really want to sleep with this girl
She so much like a precious pearl
As she holds on tight to my arm
She says "Tell me about your farm"
Image found at www.pixabay.com
The shops cash register went ping
I turned my head to glance that way
My eyes did meet the girl's at the till
Yes I knew her, her name was Jill
Used to be at school together
When young and free and I fell in love
With every girl that I did see
But not her, she didn't fancy me
Put my purchase on the counter
So she could scan it at the till
She glanced at me then said aloud
"Hey, I missed you" (There was no crowd)
I twisted round, we were alone
So spoke "Do you fancy a date?"
Her shining eyes and mine did meet
She turned and said "Must be discrete!"
So the wheel of fortune spun around
I did break all the rules for her
Did tread the road of infamy
Instead of honest monogamy
Our sighs though were not in the press
Though we met for more than a year
As winter came and snow flakes fell
She wept "It's over" that phrase from hell
Image found at www.pixabay.com.au
I don't know if you have heard
You can't call me an early bird
Dawn really is no friend of mine
Especially after a night of drinking wine
In my teens was quite a rake
At 1.00am was still awake
Staggering home full as a coot
I was surprised my Ma didn't give me the boot
This all changed when I met Sue
Most stunning girl I ever knew
Loved the way she flicked her hair
So losing her would be far more that I could bear
And so it was we got wed
Must confess she was good in bed
Not long before babe came along
We were all so pleased that I could have sung a song
However there's just one thing
All was quiet wife is sleeping
Found those earlier days a boon
As little bub's crying would wake me far too soon
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I don't say we were intimate
W
e were just friends that loved to fight
Scruffy me I poked my nose at her
Watching from our upstairs window
As she rode on her new bike
She snarled out "Tiresome little tyke!"
Anything to upset the game
Don't know who was the first to blame
Days of yesterday were quite fun
But all changed in the teenage years
Held hands walking back home from school
Talked and smiled not playing the fool
We were great pals that moment on
Then saw her eyes no longer shone
But looked at anything but me
While I was quite unaware
In those great days of yesterday
Foolish me saw not slow decay
She chose to date another man
I woke, I was in the dustpan
With someone precious, keep them safe
Or else you find you have lost her
One who you've loved whose eyes did shine
You're heartbroken like I with mine
Image found at www.https://pixabay.com/photos/bicycle-riding-on-a-path-4358893/
Pretty girls are contagious
They're a curse to this old man
All my life they've caused mayhem
I have long been plagued by them
Their cheeky grins when a kid
Fluttering eyes all the time
Their warm hands at the first touch
That first kiss was all too much
How troubled were my feelings
As I dreamed of them at night
Let down I felt when over
She's not to be your lover
You put on such a brave face
Such feelings make you stronger
Even teenage love hurts so
You look around...where to go?
Soon you brighten up again
Not long you forget the pain
Then you wink at fair haired girls
You know...the ones with the curls
Now I go for a coffee
I do so every day
The barista smiles at me
That girl fills my heart with glee
Image found at www.https://reductress.com/post/is-your-barista-thedoula-for-you/
Forgive me for taking an alterative approach to the prompt. Hopefully life goes on regardless of the problems that seem to face us almost every day!
