The singer was good doing Elton John
but I couldn't stop watching the keyboard player.
Seated in front of him, eyes dead level
with his chubby fingers as he played,
crustacean-like his hands crabbed sideways,
scuttling to and fro, left and right
as if always seeking some tastier note.

Don't travel the world to see the sights

made famous from iconic photos

for when you get to the actual places,

either they look just as you expected

or more likely they're not as good.

The cameraman who took the photo

had the skill to judge the angle,

catch the quality of the light,

select the appropriate exposure

to create that competition winner.

But you, dear traveller, take pot luck

on season, weather, time of day.

We all know the need for novelty,

for something new not too far ahead

to work and plan for but try to resist

the insistence of image, obsession of idea.

And if you just want to say you've been there,

trying to impress your friends  -

it's a bit sad  !

I hate my ancestors, and parents,
for the features of my face:
the nose too long, the mouth too big,
the ears stuck out in space.

I try to make myself attractive
but the boys still pass me by.
My friends are all much prettier.
Oh God, I want to cry !

I do my very best with make-up,
perfume, all the latest gear.
I try to keep my weight in check
and spend a fortune on my hair.

But what's the good when I'm still cursed
by my unlucky family look.
Deep down I've almost given up,
for all the pains I've took.

If only I had cash enough
for plastic surgery, I'd find
someone to re-shape my face
and cut despair out of my mind.

Three steps to write a poem:
first have a new idea;
then some repeating rhythm;
last, make some rhymes appear.

It happens so often - I say to myself
I'm just too tired to go to the gym.
But then I think - it's good for my health
I ought to go just to keep slim.
So I make the effort and after the session
whatever hormones it is kick in
and I'm pleased that I fulfilled the mission
with aching but envigoured limbs.
It doesn't matter it's not a full hour.
What's exercised most is weak willpower.

If we are only ships that in the dark night pass,
that find each other for a while and then are cast
by wind and currents each on a different tack
drifting too far to ever steer our courses back,
then know I fly your name upon the mast
and carry your memory with me to the last.

Tweets 2

         I  WISH

Why affect transparent deceit

saying they've had enough of me

when all the time the women I meet

pretend they're not in love with me.

I've got a proposal for you

of much the usual kind -

you can enter my body 

if I can enter your mind.

I pay more and more attention to my teeth

as they get less and less

The Male Disease

Sex is an itch they have to scratch

DATES
You know when the fruit is getting ripe 

ready to be plucked

it starts to soften gradually
yielding to the touch

CELEBRITY FICTION
Any fool can write a novel and most do.
But more foolish are they that buy them
just because of the celebrity name.

What seemed at first a catastrophe

with patience came good eventually.

ONE FOR THE STATISTICIANS

Is the total sum of human happiness

greater than that of sadness?

Another murderer wins

like they do every time.

Light punishment for sins,

no justice for the crime.

SIGNAL SOONER, DAMN YOU !

What's the good of showing

what you're actually doing

when you should be showing

what you INTEND to do.

OCCUPATIONAL  THERAPY

If I stop doing,

I might start thinking

and if I start thinking

I'll get depressed.

JAZZ

Good rhythm.

Shame the singer didn't turn up

with some lyrics and a tune. 

'Darby and Joan' was the passing thought

clinging together for shared support.

We like to think we plan our tasks ahead

but sometimes they jump out and ambush us instead.

So you think you still look young?

Well, think afresh !

Sunken cheeks and eyes, skin wrinkled,

hanging flesh.