Telling tales

When I started blogging
Goodness knows why I chose
To start writing in prose
Never thought at that time
Of writing poems that rhyme

Time had been spent telling tales
Of bad Greek goddess
Who made my life a mess
Running naked and free
Exploring the south seas

Then there was a mermaid
Who made love by the sea
With old man (based on me)
Swimming to a secret cove
Babies born from our love

Longest story lasted years
Maori couple in love
Fishing in secret cove
White settlers took charge then
Gun toting mean white men

Then posting sites gave up
So changed writing to fit
Prose gone now a poet
Write stories but now in verse
Found readers not averse!


Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/412783122089461062/

The three serial stories referred to can be found at Labels: 'Ahu', 'Io" and "Marina" should you care to read them.

We need your help

"We need your help" the small voice said
"Please human we know that you are kind"
I looked around and what did I find?

In front of me and everywhere
Were mice, moths, spiders and yet more
These critters who clearly lived with me

"We need your help" they said again
Then I saw birds and butterflies
There at the window pane looking in

Clearly there was a problem true
As at the door there was a bee
That sat right down on my hand and said

"I'm the spokesman for all the rest
And I am here at their behest
The world is dying don't you know?

"Humans have hurt the Earth, it is bad
Seas filthy with you dumping trash
Forests felled, wildlife killed, end is near"

"Oh man, can't you see? Pity me
Chemicals have killed bees galore
Plants only seed if we fertilize"

"What can I do, I'm a writer?"
It was just then he looked brighter
"Good then you can tell the whole wide world"

So it was, we then worked and planned
For mountains, forests, seas and sand
Room for one and all...except for man! 

Image found at https://jacqueandpaultravels.com/

A love story

The weather had changed and the halcyon days of summer were over and the beaches slowly emptied of holiday-makers day by day.

Tom had lived here for many years and he eyed every visiting family that he saw for the girl of his dreams; a stranger from out of town, cute, fresh, vibrant and with an eye for a local boy like him...but it never happened.

Soon the the weather would get colder and the beaches would be deserted and the stalls would close their shutters for the winter and the sea would rage and the skies would storm and only the brave would hurriedly walk the promenade rugged up against the cold and quickly return home for a hot drink.

So Tom walked slowly along the beach thinking of little when he saw a figure in front of him squatting down at the shore line fossicking among the sand and the shingle.

"Hi Tom," she said looking up at him her face grinning for they were both in the same class at school but didn't talk much unless they had to.

Suddenly a change came over Tom as he looked at Penny for the first time with new eyes as she looked so different, so beautiful that he was swept off his feet with astonishment that this stunning girl was in front of him and had been all along.


Image found at gettyimages.com

Close to her

I was doing my duty at another boring cocktail party of a friend trying to look interested as people talked, laughed and joked around me while I observed others in the room wondering if I slipped away whether anyone would miss me.

More couple were coming through the door and as I glanced that way I noticed a raven haired beauty arrive accompanied by her husband, beau or whatever who seeing a male buddy left his partner who then searched the room for someone she knew to talk to.

It was then that our eyes met and we both stared at each other for ages which in reality was only a couple of seconds and when I raised my glass to her she hesitated at first then slowly made her way through the crush of people to be at my side.

There and then, close to her I was astounded for her eyes were laughing at me as I told her my name and she told me hers; I got her a drink all the time drinking her in myself and in the end I blurted out "You are so beautiful, I would never abandon you in a place like this for others to steal you away."

"Is that you intention?" she asked smiling as dimples formed in her cheeks and by that action prompted me to let my right hand reach down to touch her left hand to check the rings on her fingers.

She leaned close to me and said "I was warned about you, I am glad to find that all they said about you is true, so what is your plan?"

Image found at www.aprilbraswell.com

The Rock Island Line

I was sorting out my Dad’s stuff after he had died; you know all the usual junk that you’d find in an eighty year old man’s home who lived by himself.

A few bits might go the op shops; some furniture could be sold or passed on while the rest would be best taken to the tip.

There were a few sentimental knick-knacks such as photographs and memorabilia that could be kept if they had some memories for the family but for the rest…I just sighed.

It was when I was sorting out an old dresser I found something that intrigued me.

It was a much used copy of a 78rpm record going back the 50’s entitled “Rock Island Line” by The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group.

I cried as I remember my mother telling me they used to play it incessantly when she and Dad were courting.

Image found at www.45worlds .com

A grave young man

“You’re looking rather grave young man”

I looked up to see who spoke and found a rather disreputable angel nodding at me, a new entrant, dead on my feet as it were.

“Sorry for the quip, but welcome and I hope your stay here is filled with fun and happiness,” he concluded.

So this was it, the after life inhabited by wisecracking angels trying to make this homecoming a bit of a laugh.

“Have I come up or gone down”, I asked politely. 

“I’m not sure” he replied “As nobody has told me that yet either”

Image found at www.marcusstratus.deviantart.com

The country cottage

We had just moved house into a country cottage to retire because it had beautiful views.

Downsizing meant we had a few pieces that wouldn't fit so we took a look at the old attic for a temporary storage place.

It was bare except for an old trunk shoved under the eaves shrouded with cobwebs.

My wife was delighted hoping to find treasures or secrets from the previous owners.

After some difficulty I managed to get the lid open to reveal its contents.

My wife screamed and then I realized that moving was not a good idea after all.

Image found at www.hookedonhouses.net

The visitor

“I don’t want him in here” she said as she saw him edge along the street heading for our home.

She was talking about old Jim. I say old Jim but he was my age; we went to school together so many years ago. Now he had found out where we lived.

“He’s always on the scrounge,” she continued, “He’s a parasite; I don’t know why you don’t send him packing.”

I could see she was getting explosive about him and I could see her point of view. Jim was a mate from my school years who had turned into a shifty, lying cheating ne'er do well and was not the friend you would want constantly pestering you for a handout.

“Give him a few dollars and tell him I don’t want him back here any more. I don’t want the kids to see him.” Even angry she was beautiful…but dangerous.

So I went out the front door and walked up to Jim as he approached the front gate intending to steer him down the nearby park so she wouldn't let fly at him if they came face to face.

He looked searchingly at the house to see if anyone was inside but luckily Sue was not at the window. The last time he came she had actually screamed at him.

I think he understood as I steered him across the road and sat him on a seat by the swings and the slide.

“She is still cross with me is she?” I nodded and chatted with him for a bit and slipped him a couple of twenty dollar notes.

“Is that adequate?” I asked while he stuffed them in pocket and nodded glumly. He then looked up and asked “Got any smokes?”

I shook my head, “Neither of us smokes any more Jim…because of the kids.” He nodded glumly, “Yeah, I knew that but I still ask don’t I?”

We chatted for a bit then he sadly went on his way. I slowly walked back to the house, let myself in and went back to my study.

I heard the door open and Sue sidled in and said “Well?” She was beautiful even when cross and she continued “How much did you give him this time?”

“Forty bucks.”

“Is that all?” She spoke with a small quiet voice.

“Why don’t you speak to him Sue, he is your brother for heaven’s sake.”

It was then she cried, quietly, sadly. She knew, as I did, that we had only met each other because Jim was my friend at school.

“You’re too soft on him” she whispered, "but I am glad you are", and she placed a loving hand on my cheek.