The pond in my garden

I loved the pond in my garden

Lotus flowers beamed up at me

At night they snuggled down in bed

Just like my lovely wife and me

Little fish were swmming there too

In the water safe in the shade

We could see it from the window

Our dog was pleased that it was there

He often lapped at the water

Wife said his job was to test it

And warn of the floating debris

My memory recalls the sadness

The awful day my dear wife died

I held her cold hands and her wrists

This made me want to leave the house

For it spoke only of my wife

Who no more would sit on my lap

Illustration from www.pixabay.com

Definitely devine

It was almost dark the night was falling

I listened to rattle of the screen doors

There's a bell, I expect them to ring

"Answer it" my wife's green eyes do implore

Slowly I get up to check who it is

To find a sweet lass whose lips I could kiss

"Sorry to worry" she says with a smile

"Could I see your wife for a minute or two?"

So opened the door (she was quite nubile)

So pointed to lounge door to enter through

She was a stunner; you know what I mean

Apparently her first name was Eileen

So in she came, I took her to my wife

Apparently a student at her school

Most beautiful girl I'd seen in my life

Studying history, still made me drool

Some kids really grow up so fast these days

"You're really such an old fool" my wife says

Mixed day in town

Here in Australia winter's coming
That is because we are upside-down
I've had flu jab, didn't make me frown
Needlepoint is perfectly OK
So came out of surgery that day

Not the same sitting in dentists chair
The smile on my face soon disappears
When buzzing drill brings out all my fears
So my hands grip tight to the chairs arms
Despite young female dentists charms

Her face smiles she likes to chat a bit
Whilst I can only grunt as I am drilled
Then relax as that tooth is now filled
Stacked with filling and capped up tight
No wonder kids are afraid at night

The worst is now over despite the fear
Looks like I escape here unscathed
I am not with gory blood bathed
Worse is that I have to pay the bill
Receptionist waiting by the till

Right my teeth are looking good once more
But my bank balance took quite a hit
It helps dentist didn't hurt a bit
Perhaps I'll get present for my wife
As it's cold might get mittens, no strife

Image found at www.Pixabay.com

A bright new day

The dog's at window and watches out
At carpet of cold snow now melting
Turns to me and looks a little hurt
Curls up on the floor, now quite inert

The lounge has a piano for the kids
But my wife who's the talented one
There's a trapdoor in the ceiling
To go up there is not appealing

It's dangerous for a man like me
I like to lounge around when I'm home
Forgetting work and idle about
Watching for swallows in their hideout

The weekends can be both good and bad
I'd like to be gardening again
My wife is probably in her bathrobe
Or now sorting out her own wardrobe

Dog's curled up on the floor sleeps away
Dreams and woofs about a bright new day




Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/serch/dog%20at%20window/

Lack of vigilance

Her name Maryanne
A cousin of my wife
First met her when she was but a teen
Eyes wide open absorbing all she'd seen

Saw her twice a year
Her smile was such a draw
She loved going shopping with my wife
Never thought she would cause such strife

Or to put it straight
To have a crush on me
Whilst I doted on such attention
And stole a kiss which we do not mention

Alone she was near
Sat in my lap one day
And laid her sweet head on my shoulder
Think now of the things I should have told her

I whispered to her
"You're much too old for this"
She said cutely "Don't you like me then?"
"Of course I do, but just where will it end?"

With her snuggled up 
Wife opened up the door
Saw us and said "Go and pack your things"
Maryanne fled with me explaining

"Okay, she can stay"
Was her surprise remark
"I meant that you'd be be the one to go"
I sighed seeing Maryanne's face all aglow


Goodness knows what my brain does when I think about a prompt before drafting something but this is what emerged as I started scribbling. Apologies to those that may consider it in bad taste, but clearly the husband was careless from the start.

Image found at https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/778419116824687015/

The day did shine

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/

A magical place

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

Winning wage and wife

Factory smoke is diminished
Hope win tender; wages not cut 
As foundry fires crackle with heat
Vigilant overseers observe
Machinery's relentless beat

While in office draftsmen plan
From the ideas of their boss
With computers they scan
With speedy mouse in hand
Their coffee now cold and bland

As metals are forged
Ingots are cut and formed
Are cut to assemble
Products worth millions
While overseers grumble

Works siren now wails
Workers now all grin
Then machines shut down
Our day now over
Soon be with lover

Open the gate
Welcomed at home
Sat down to rest
Happy; well fed
Wife's gone to bed

Image found at https://maryww.com/2013/04/25/do-you-fall-asleep-when-reading/.