How long is it since I took that path
That still winds around the village green
Passing the Remembrance Day cairn
Naming those who are now unseen
These sons and soldiers have now long gone
Fathers, uncles, our memories fade
Fighting for a better life for us
They are far from us in heaven's shade
The drum beats loud and the bugles call
Mayors strut and prayers are read out loud
Birds are flying high above us now
And just what is that gleam in the cloud?
Some rain is forecast that seems so just
Tears are shed by all of us today
Why can't we stop waging senseless war?
Just who can this cruel killing allay?
Service over now let's celebrate
Promising to meet in future years
Laugh and drink to those times now long gone
While widows sit at home with their tears
Image found at www.chopsticksclub.com
After all those years
I'm at graveyard lock again
Memories flood back
Where me and Katie
Used to come as teenagers
Away from the rest
The blue sky above
Sun burning our red faces
Racing down the street
Eyes on each other
Eager for one kiss or more
Now all by ourselves
She grabbing my hand
We could conceal ourselves there
On the canal's bank
It was so quiet
Those blessed days of summer
When we were so young
How did I lose her?
We had pledged our faithfulness
On that old tree stump
One starry evening
We both voted to stay true
But love did not stick
All I remember
That the sky was red that night
A shepherd's warning
After all those years
I'm at graveyard lock again
Memories flood back
Image found at www.kennet-avon-canal.com.uk
There is one place to go
You can always relax
It is at the dog park
And it's fully fenced in
Walking your best friend
It's just a total breeze
You let him off his leash
He runs off safe and free
Perfectly happy now
To exchange news and views
And smells of course with mates
Some dogs are shy at first
Happy to retrieve a ball
Or stick close to master
Watching the others play
Finally they make friends
Going about their task
By racing off at high speed
Breaking off between romps
Coming back tongue flapping
To make sure you're still there
He sinks down just watching
Composed for one moment
Until he sees something
That now needs sorting out
Off he goes task in hand
Then he returns dead beat
Time to go home for tea
Later he sleeps it off
Composed for a moment
Then feet twitching he dreams
Reliving his day out
Image found at www.weekendnotes.com
A park ranger was he
In a forest sanctuary
Loving the stillness in the trees
Eyes closed facing the autumn breeze
He loved working all day
Favorite month that of May
The babbling brook the sweet birdsong
The trees soft whisper all day long
He never would have thought
When this first new job he sought
Still now after all these years
Joy in his work brought him to tears
Oft sitting by the stream
Was obsessed as in a dream
That fairy folk did play just there
Quite safe with him without a care
They'd splash and dance and fly
Teased the fish as they swam by
Safe they felt around this kind bloke
But skittered off when he awoke
He worked for many years
The birds flew close with no fears
Snakes they knew were safe with him
Fish came close, away did not swim
One day though a hush fell
The whole forest heard the bell
Tolling, telling the wild ones too
Sadly the ranger's days were through
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The ancient shaman rubbed his chin thoughtfully showing no expression on his face be seen for once again the ruler had demanded to know what the gods wanted him to do.
He knew in his heart that he should say "Talk" to the pale men who had come to their land in mighty boats carrying hundreds of men brandishing wondrous weapons.
His predecessor had said talk many years ago but the invaders from the north had betrayed their trust that time and had fought them.
Their own warriors had won that time so that bad advice had cost that man and his family their lives so he must decide for himself this time.
Just what could he say so that whatever the outcome with the strangers he himself would not be considered at fault?
It was then that the ground shook as an earthquake struck the land and the buildings stones fell in clouds of dust as people started screaming and running into the open, so the shaman said "See the gods speak as now it is entirely in their own hands".
Image found at www.wallpaperstock.net
Don't be late they said
We'd been invited to stay
It was a four hour drive
Dine at six o'clock
So we had plenty of time
So I calculated
We drove through the hills
Avoiding the busy highway
It was far more fun that way
Little shops to visit
Then there was the scenic lake
On our erratic course
This led us astray
With delay at the ferry
I was put in a spin
Sun slowly sank west
I returned to the highway
Trying to catch up time
We didn't of course
But were greeted with a grin
So we were surprised
"Oh, you're always late
We have booked in for seven
We rememberd last time"
The two sisters hugged
I shook hands with her hubby
Our family is good
Image found at www.wikiwand.com
She is always on my mind
For she was a part of me
I would be dishonoured
If I were to think of her
Just one day of the year
It's not the photographs
That box of mementoes
Or the hospital tag
No, it more than that
It's the tea pot she bought
It is laughing in the rain
It is kissing her nose
A walk in the forest
Bathing in the nude
On a deserted beach
She did say to me once
"You will marry again"
But I won't, why should I?
She is still with me now
Knitting needles clicking
I put the kettle on
I know she in not here
The coffee just for me
It's still the same brand though
After all these long years
Image of my wife's favorite place "Frensham Little Pond" found at www.farnham.gov.uk
