I wonder how long I will live?
Now my brain is much like a sieve
Will I live in a comatose state?
Sadly being force fed
Lying in hospital bed
Will I keep writing useless rhyme?
Just to pass away my time
Will I wander round retirement home?
Chatting to garden gnomes
Because they are all alone
Will they find me watching TV?
Dunking biscuits in my tea
Trusty notepad at my side
Happy in my later years
Writing tales of joy and tears
...you can count on it!
Image found at https://www.dreamstime.com
Many, many long years ago
When I was young with just my bro
Used to be sent outside to play
Spring, summer and autumn days
Neighbors dog got to know of this
Thought 'twas something he could not miss
Would jump the fence to join our gang
Sniffing around for every tang
When we ran he would run as well
Grinning when he sniffed a bluebell
Then jumped into streams just for fun
Then shake the drops on us when done
But shook his head when we climbed trees
Gave him chance to smell woodland breeze
Then follow us on our long trip home
Tongue hanging from his mouth alone
He'd rarely poke his head in our door
Just grinning asks "Do this once more?"
Then race down garden then under fence
Bob the dog with commonsense
But Bob was never on a lead
Didn't mind, didn't see the need
But one day he crossed the main road
Clipped by truck ran to our abode
Luckily the damage was slight
But it gave us and him a fright
We kept well away from traffic
As we hated to see him sick
Neighbors knew nought of this event
Free running Bob often absent
But he took care on future trips
Knowing trucks might give him the yips
Image found at https://aliciajoseph.com/2015/08/
Yes, there was Bob the dog in my childhood. As soon as we opened our back door and he heard our voices he would jump the neighbors gate come running up to us tail wagging and would do whatever we did but preferring the trips in the woods to chase squrrels or the open fields to chase us around. He wasn't keen on us climbing trees though! Yes, he was clipped by an army truck about 1944-5 as he decided to cross the road before us but no bones were broken. Sorry this is not his photo as camera roll film was virtually unobtainable in wartime Britain unless you had bought it pre war!
What visions March has for me
Living once in England's clime
Willing spring to show its face
When still around was winter's frosty rime
I left those shores years ago
Sailing to another place
To Australia I did go
To warmer clime was no disgrace
March here is sunny bliss
Summer takes it's time to leave
Sea welcomes with a warm kiss!
And winters spot of rain? Hard to perceive
It depends on where you go
Oz is a mighty country
Satisfy any lad or beau
No March hares but snakes and sharks aplenty
Image found at https://southaustralia.com/travel-blog/5-of-the-best-beaches-in-adelaide
P.S. This is the beach at Glenelg, South Australia where I live where winter is in June, July & August
I was sorting out the attic
The rain was streaming down outside
With window in the gable end
It was the best place at home to hide
Wife was spring cleaning down below
I thought it best to disappear
Armed with bags and other stuff
She said I've not been there for years
Doesn't take long to get waylaid
In this dusty place, memories realm
Rosary beads, purses, childs shoes
Long gone relatives caught on film
How much time did I waste that day?
Open boxes telling the past
Getting tissues to quell my tears
Knowing how much time had past
"It's time for tea" my wife calls out
Sees the tears that are on my face
"I can see you are having fun"
Kisses me, says "That's no disgrace"
Image found at http://livinthemclife.blogspot.com
When I was just a little kid
What seems a thousand years ago
Playing at the schools rusty gate
Along did come the bully boy
Who said "I wan't your money mate"
"Ain't got any" I sadly said
Screwed my face up waiting for a punch
"C'mon you turd, I didn't have my lunch"
Just then a teacher comes up
Stares in the bully's ugly face
"Heard every word you useless pup"
"You really are a damned disgace"
Then teacher told me "Move away"
As he then took the boy inside
To see the Head in his office high
Later saw the boy had had a cry
In those days rules were very strict
The bully boy never came back
Heard later he was a convict
As other crimes he did enact
How gormless could he really be?
Bullying completely vanished
What was good that all my schools
Kids were never such silly fools
Image found at http://blog.nj.com/fitness/2010/12/recess_not_just_for_children_anymore.html
I think I made a mistake
I was young for goodness sake
I was quite fit or so I thought
Wearing running shoes I'd bought
So I ran to keep me fit
Once started there was no stopping it
In the park and by the stream
Was I mad, was it all a dream?
I joined a club and ran around
Feet always pounding on the ground
In the park, beach and every street
What was I doing to my feet?
Foolishly tried another sport
I thought long jump was my forte
But badly twisted ankle once
Wife glared, thinking "What a dunce"
So settled down to family life
Was the best way with no strife
The babies came one, two three
Wife quite happy to sit on my knee
But that was many years ago
Children grew then off they'd go
Now I've constant pain in my back
That's those years on the running track
I think I made a mistake
I was young for goodness sake
I was quite fit or so I thought
Wearing running shoes I'd bought
Image found at https://pixabay.com/photos/marathon-street-active-race-sports-3441801/
Others kindness fills your heart
When you receive it
Kindness shows what can be done
When you see it given
Kindness makes you feel so glad
When you have given it
Kindness lets you see the world
In a beautiful and different light
Kindness is a helping hand
That lifts you right up
Kindness is a loving smile
Which you need when you are down
Kindness is the hug you get
From someone who has received it
Kindness is that kiss goodnight
From your spouse as you switch off the light
Image found at http://www.goionews.com.br/noticia/2014/04/17/2196/confira-dez-acoes-dos-casais-felizes/48284/
