Early morning light

 

The sun's early morning light breaks through the bedroom window

And brightens the dim room where I wake from my sleep

Her own  pictures on the walls now start grinning at me

Art was my wifes greatest hobby while I just love soccer

But now I have lost her and for the passion for that game too

For I have to navigate my life alone and am sad

I tend to delay even the smallest of tasks these days

Detouring and mumbling to myself "That job can wait"

It's clear I should do somethingbut what I just don't know

Clearly she did the leading as most good wives tend to do

So my life was a wreck until I found a note from her

Hidden in her bedside drawer with my name on it 

My first real girlfriend

 

In my last year at school there were times when we had freedom to study, play tennis or just use the library to write our essays. I then I found I was not the only one there but Joan, a very attractive who would also be there doing the same. So we chose that time to to chat in the library or in summer play tennis. She was very good at the game but that worried me little as I was more interested in dating her.

When school was over I often found her walking home and found she only lived a short walk from our house. Before long I was invited to meet her mother and if I stayed longer I'd meet her father too.

In summer time we also spent time walking to the town park where we'd find a secluded bench so we could kiss each other. I adored her and soon I was visiting her on weekends to and was invited to have meal with the family too.

As the school year progressed she said she needed to spend more time studying. I too was concerned as my exams were over and one of the schools governors had asked the headmaster if there was a student interested working in architecture. I was informed and took the job eagerly.

We kept in touch for many months but she too managed to get a job...but in London,so our friendship was shattered. This sudden change was the end of our romance. 

Fifty years later we met again on Facebook; both my wife and her husband had now died. I lived in Australia and she in Britain and we happily told of our lives far apart. Sadly just last year her daughter emailed me telling me she too had died.

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Rastus and us at the market (Chapter 7)

 

Strangely Penny was up before me; she was standing by the window. 

"Come back to bed" I said.

"I daren't, I want you so much" she stated simply. "I'll get a cup of tea."

We were up and taking Rastus in his walk through the park quite early and after breakfast went into Stirling township where there was a Sunday market with flags and bunting waving, the call of the vendors selling their wares and of course the inevitable smell of a barbecued meat and onions filling the air. Rastus behaved himself quite well in the crowd probably more concerned that the barbecued sausages would be on the menu. We needed nothing but to be with one another but I dallied at a bookstall and I found a couple of Leigh Childs novels for Penny.

I asked her how she came to read him. Her response was unusual.

“My days are spent in a rigid environment of hospital discipline and with sick and frightened people. I find that I can enter an escapist world in his books that others might with fantasy or gaming.”

I nodded an agreement; holding on to her hand which I felt was now mine.

So I then said, “I can remember a bookshop owner in the city telling me a similar story where a lawyer dealing with the court system, crime and criminals all day long would escape with “Mills and Boon” light romance to get it out of her system.”

We finally found a seat, a few yards from the busy market and I said simply “I am so glad I found you” and leaned over and kissed her tenderly as the world passed us by while Rastus tried to decide whose knees he should put his head on. 

We were a happy band of three tied together by love. Penny loved Rastus. Rastus loved Penny and me. I loved both Penny and Rastus. But the relationship between Penny and me was a little odd. She was funny, warm and so lovable…but I could sense she was holding something back. She had guessed that I was recovering from a  previous engagement from  which I had emerged but with a few thorns for my troubles. 

367 words

Sorrow alone

 

Dearest one I am writing to you again

I've a heavy heart as I miss you so much

Your box of ashes long buried in the ground

I'll not forget, for you are part of me

The blooms have died and been removed

As I sit down and remember our love

I hope you are listening as we talk

As we would on our long country walks

We held each others hands just to be one

Now I feel that pang of sorrow alone

If I could share my life with you again

I will one day, we're made for each other

So prepare to move over one day soon

 

Rastus and I stay the night (Chapter 6)

I lied of course when I said we slept well the night we stayed with Penny. Rastus certainly did as he fell asleep and was flicking his paws or growled a woof or two as he guarded us from danger in his dreams or chased rats or cats perhaps.

For us though it was a beautiful time of discovery sharing Penny's bed for the first time. I was not prepared or confident in this. We joked about what nighties of hers I could wear. Then I had a shower and when I returned to the bedroom draped in a towel I saw she had chosen the side nearest the window with her clock radio where she always slept. She had put a chocolate Caramello on my pillow for me; just as though we were in a hotel.

She was looking at me all the time then turned over and put out the light. I reached over and held her hand and she with her other hand and touched my face as I breathed in her scent as she did so. I let go of her hand and lightly touched her naked body with my fingers like an explorer discovering a new tropical island.

"You are so beautiful Penny" I said as my fingers gave her a satisfying feeling with her murmuring approval. She in her turn was not passive as she too checked out this intruder in her bed, running her fingers through my hair and then leaned over placing her head on my chest to listen to my heartbeat.

"Penny, we mustn't make love...I am not prepared" I said. 

"I didn't expect you to be. I would have been a bit peeved if you assumed I was a pushover. The more I know about you, the more I like you."

We both kissed and explored each other and delighted having been so close together.

Strangely she was up next morning looking out the window without a stitch on.

"Come back to bed" I said and she did. 

Word count 341

Nothing works

 

                         

Nothing works, I can endure no longer

My mother looks at me trying to help

I have reached the end of my tether

My girlfriend thinks we ought to split up

I am beyond hurt, it is hard to take

I felt I'd had a brutal stab in the back

"Let go for a walk son to get some fresh air"

Said my father getting upfrom his chair

We walked up to the woods close by to us

By way of the green fields close to our home

"It happened to me son, long ago" he said

We headed into the trees not far away

When we entered them we sat on a log

"Back then my girl did the same and it hurt

We parted and both went separate ways

I started work and then that girl phoned me

"I made a mistake" she said "I am sorry"

"Thats OK" I said, better luck next time

Rastus and me go up the hill (Chapter 4)

 

After my old neighbor went to hospital I looked after Rastus . Sadly she did not return home so I transferred his ownership and licence with all his chattels to me and her family agreed. 

Rastus tended to love anyone or perhaps it was the smell of food on them. Already he considered my house his and had happily settled in. 

I phoned Penny who now lived up the hill a few kilometres outside the city and told her of the change. 

“Why don’t you both come up to see me this week end as I’m free?. We can have bone stew” she said laughing.

So on Saturday we drove up the hill through leafy suburbs and winding roads with new smells for Rastus to enjoy. His head was out the window and grinning with his tongue out when we went through the hills villages. 

We found Penny’s place and drove in her driveway. She came out straight away and once inside I offered her a present which was a pink silk scarf that had once been my mother's. Penny was stunned, “It’s so beautiful” she said with moist eyes, “I love pink”. Then put it on and looked in a mirror smiling  

Rastus by this time had got bored so laid down at our feet. Penny said “Up you get Rastus we are going for a walk, there’s a park close by. 

Unlike a city park this one had native gum trees, scrubland and winding trails and a freshwater lake. He chased imaginary animals yet missed a koala looking down at him. After we’d worn him out we made our way home with Penny and me holding hands and her holding his lead.

Back at her place, Rastus drank a whole bowl of water and settled down for a nap.”Would you like a drink? she asked “I have a Pinot Grigio in the fridge.”

“Well not if I’m driving, perhaps one glass.” 

Penny then said “You can always stay the night”, looking in my eyes. 

I smiled, then nodded whilst Rastus snored in his sleep.

 

347 words

Like an April breeze

She was young and fresh like an April breeze

Who caught my eye after cruel winter's freeze

When my eyes looked upon this young girl's charms

How I wished for her in my eager arms

Her name was May who had blossomed so well

Whose sparkling eyes had many tales to tell

So I took a bold step to talk to her

She looked up at me and did not demure

I loved that she enjoyed a cuddle or two

And both she and I would write a billet doux

But the month of June was another trial

...it was over and I was in denial

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Dance with me

 

I must confess I wasn't good 

When dancing with my beau

Two left feet they did say I had

And I had no real way to go

So I was avoided like the plague

Luckily I did meet this girl

We'd go to the flicks or opera

And once to a weekly dance

At town called Farnborough

She found I had a fault or two

Disapppointed to say the least

I could tell it from her face

Oh please let me lead she said

I bowed my head in disgrace

But at least I steer my car

It wasn't long before we were wed

And lived such fulfilling lives

We went to dances a few times

In big halls or other dives

Where she could dance with other men

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A kiss in the park

I shouldn't really tell you this

But relationships are best if you kiss

I walked home from school each day 

With this sweet girl whose name was Kay

I bet you think I kissed her lips then

Oh by the way my name is Ken

I found that I could always steal a kiss

When I decided on an artifice

Took her to the town's park at first

To satisfy our romantic thirst

Okay, we were tardy getting home

Just told her Ma round shops we did roam

We did stay friends for a few years

But chose new partners without tears

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Love hurts

Love really hurts doesn't it?

When she says it's best to make a break

While you thought there might be wedding cake

Wondering whether she's found another beau

Meaning that is time for me to quit

Was I too fast or too slow?

Why didn't she say what was wrong?

For just now she seems headstrong

Wonder if she met another

But she's quite clear she wants me to go

So I have to start afresh

I'll take a break and settle down

But my Ma could tell from my frown

Gave me hug saying "There will be more"

I shook my head, my life was in a mess

But she was right after all

A few weeks later met another lass

Whose bewitching eyes in class

Made my heart go pitter pat

And now each day I walk her home from school

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Inheriting the keys to the kingdom

The rain beat against the window pane

The birds had disappeared, ants the same

Who could say what the wiggly worms all did

Probably from the birds they all hid

As the wind's squall beat about the bush

My wife cradled singing "Shush"

Whispering she would like a cup of tea

It was the weekend so that meant me

So I put the kettle on to boil

Which was quite good for a weekends toil

I looked out onto out uncut lawn

And the overgrown flowers all forlorn

Baby now was sleeping happily

She returned him to his nursery

Then came back, I held her in my arms

Then I stole a kiss, such were her charms

So we sat there as the rain fell down

We drank tea, I saw she had a frown

"You want me, don't you?" she said smiling

As she unbuckled my belt, grinning

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In a different light

How time flies regardless of our wishes young or old

Pulse beating, pumping, blood circulating away

Dreaming of the past running round as we play

Leaping in the grassy fields, plucking wild flowers

Chasing each other barefoot or laying in the sun

For life was great them everything was good fun

Soon we'd see the girls in a different light

A smile from one of them had our hearts beating

What's to say seeing her face in a different light?

With both of you grinning as you meet each day

Now were a pair, a double holding hands in the street

Meeting each morning both hearts did skip a beat

Dad finds you shaving with his razor one friday morn

Well he say "I get you one of your very own"

Looks down at your scuffed shoes "You have to clean your own"

So no more kicking gravel, framed my life differently

I was flying, floating on a cloud way up high

Dreaming of my lovely sweet Ellen bye and bye

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In the woods

 

As we walked in the woods

Fir trees whispered to us

We sat down in a glen

The sun set, stars came out

Silver specks far away

Some close by, some apart

We rested there in the wood

Leaning back I kissed her

Looking back to the fields

Quietly by its trunk

Telling secrets to me

On well worn forest path

Comet then chased up high

As it did what it should

Soon all was quiet now

Summers warm night nodded

So removed all our clothes

And quite naked thus made love

Grinning over the fields

Hand in hand walked away

Happy loving all's good

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I loved someone

I had one brother, he hated me

He was older and I'd stole that breast

That he always thought was his alone

Took some time before parents could see

Long after those first years were over

I had to watch for him hatching plans

As a pinch or punch would often come

When parents eyes didn't look our way

We both grew up and sent out to play

He'd punch and shove me in the nettles

Once in a little pond to laugh that day

So I'd run home but did not betray

So in the end I found my own friend

When first I started in junior school

We would play and explore on our own

T'was good not having not wear a frown

Better too when I played with some girls

Some with straight black hair and some with curls

I even held their hands walking home

During the war when the sirens droned

We moved house one year to a new town

Brother now went to senior school

And I fell in love with every girl

With fair hair and not even one curl

I walked this girl May home after school

She was the first to let me kiss her lips

And then there was Eileen and Joan too

In the end I chose Maureen to woo

My secret affair

 

"How did you get on?" he asked

"She's married my dear fellow" I answered

"What difference does that make" he replied

(Three lines from Balzac;s short story, Domestic Peace)

...and so it was from that day on

I had a secret affair with her

A polite grin at first from me

And then her sweet smile in response

Meeting by chance at the town fair

Blushed when I pointed to a cafe

But in the end she did agree

So much more of her I did see

Eager to show me where she lived

Not long she took me home with her

Lead me around to show me all

'Til we both gave each that first kiss

That commenced our pure love affair

That lasted to the start of fall

We parted one day at the fair

...husband guessed; that was end of me

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She smiled at me

 

I met her in my last year at school; she smiled at me as I walked her home. And so it became a habit for us both to meet and play on the tennis court just a short walk from her house. I liked her curvy legs and that she played so well. So I didn't mind when she won the game. But it all went wrong when I finished school and got a job in town. She didn't seem so close anymore and suggested we take a break as she was taking her exams. Just after that was the last we ever met as she found a job in the city forty miles from home. This was more than sixty years ago and my life took a varied course. I never saw her again but after both our partners died just a few years back she found me on Facebook so we kept touch each on the other side of the world. Then I got a message from her daughter who told me that my old flame had passed away. Clearly her mother probably felt she should let me know that all these years she still loved me too.

What is the price of love

When you have a broken heart

As she turned you down?

 

I heard the freight train whistle

I heard the freight train whistle in the dead of night

As across the rooftops it seemed to scream with fright

Looked out from from my window and gave owl a surprise

He blinked at me then flew off with wide glaring eyes

Silently he swooped off through the darkened trees

Tried to get back to sleep to close my weary mind

Dulled with mourning, losing friend who was always kind

We both married other partners much later on

But still it hurts to know that she too has gone

We both went to the same school; and walked her home too

Soon we were both married to loves of our varied lives

Crowded Britain lost us, went 'downunder' to thrive

Sailed to Australia to work and raise family

This was good as weather here is rarely chilly

However it's large, so always warm somewhere

Am old now and my body's sagging to be sure

I looked back, how fortunate we were so secure

No other country margins us, the sea is our border

So being here always has been such a bargain

Visit when you can, there is always a beach to swim

Rain in October

I feel sad autumn leaves now fall

I don't care very much at all

Because my girl gave me the boot

Who cares that trees stopped bearing fruit

Despite that I'm full six feet tall

Feel that I want to howl and bawl

She was beauty and so cute

As losing her is so acute

October rains pour down on me

No way did I want to be free

No cuddles close, no kisses sweet

My shattered life's now incomplete

No way now that she'll be my wife

Already I sense my cold life

She was a beauty and so cute

The loss of her is absolute

 

The pale moon rises

                                                 

The pale moon rises; we will see each other tonight. Our love is forbidden but we persevere regardless. I wonder whether the moon is our friend or a duplicitous sneak as I touch your soft skin and feel the warmth of your body. So for the moment I worry not . However I sense trouble as a sad mist clouds your sad eyes and you say not one word.

                                                      This speaks millions

                                              I sense this will be the last time

                                                        It will be dark soon

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