Sunday, 23 May 2021

I was shocked by the stats on domestic abuse
with reports of one million cases a year
being brought to the notice of UK police
and even more unreported I fear.

In earlier times there was only the village
or neighbourhood offering partners to wed
so, unless you were into career rape and pillage,
it was only the local girls men hoped to wed.

Very few would be beauties but that was acceptable.
You and your mates were all in the same boat.
You'd be happy to share life with some-one amenable
and raise up some kids on whom you could dote.

But now that we see such beautiful women
in print and on screens for so much of the time
some men might feel cheated with average wives
especially so when they're past their prime.

Relationships also may suffer from so much
abusive pornography shown on the web.
When men get a thrill from the sex that they watch,
they then want the same in the marital bed.

Deep down men can harbour a sense of resentment
at women because of youthful frustration
through years of rejection when still adolescent
and consequent dark thoughts in masturbation.

When mutual feelings set sail on the ocean,
passion causes the crashing waves.
Love is the swelling surface motion
but the depth goes down to tectonic plates.

The awesome mass of so many fathoms
is composed of respect and admiration
which can leak away if the sea-bed cracks
and leave only dried up desolation.

It's hard to live in a harsh salt desert
with a lack of emotional nourishment.
Without a welcoming warm oasis
life is just banishment, punishment.

But even when there is no respect,
not even cheating gives any excuse
for causing a partner to accept
domestic violence or abuse.


Saturday, 8 May 2021

I didn't recognise the true leaves of the seedlings
growing in the greenhouse in a tray.
And since I mixed some mole earth with bought compost
it's possible those thriving plantlets may
be something from the meadow where the moles dig.
How can I tell?  But now a single touch settles
the matter immediately.  Stinging nettles !
I know there's a science explanation
about the colour of the sky
and feel it would be presumptuous
of me to question why
it has to be so complicated.
I give the scientists their due
but seeing as it's Some-one's carpet,
I just think God likes blue.

Monday, 12 April 2021

Wildlife incident

Two pigeons perched on the garden fence
confrontational face to face
jabbing each other with their beaks.

I assumed they were fighting for dominance
control perhaps of the garden space.
It looked quite painful on their cheeks.

But then one mounted on the other !
Oh, I see. Their pecking was necking.

Monday, 5 April 2021

Because I'm dead I have no rights but one
yet he that murdered me lives on
and, though in prison, still enjoys so much
of what life has to offer such
as comradeship and love of family
while my folk never will see me
again. They scan a void where howls of loss
reverberate but cannot cross.
Adaptable as people are, in time
his life will mould anew, his crime
not punished by the hell of galley slaves
now human rights cede much he craves
like decent food, gym, music books, TV -
none of which things can comfort me.
Absent, I am forgotten, my one right 
ignored while gradually his plight
gains sympathy for his release. Throughout
imprisonment he has no doubt
he will be free at last. My kin and I
have no such hope. He made me die
and yet enjoys some life which is not fair.
"Forgive" they say, which only means don't care.
I in eternity cannot forgive.
Common fairness says he shall not live.
Because I'm dead I have no rights but one
which is that execution must be done.

Sunday, 4 April 2021

Quote unquote

"So love is nothing then?" she asked, sweet child.
"Not everywhere" he said "but yes with us"
"But why?" persisting, "That's not sensible"
"I don't know why" he answered. Then he smiled.
"The world's not sensible. You'll find out soon enough"
"But why accept something non-sensical?"
"It's nothing much" he joked, "Don't get so wild.
That love means nothing doesn't need such fuss.
You can't blame me. I'm not responsible"
He felt himself becoming somewhat riled.
"Ask some-one who knows tennis more than me"

Friday, 2 April 2021

Hello Beautiful.
You look wonderful this morning.
Such a radiant face.
Although your skirt is past its best.
Do you need a drink?
Though it comes with a warning.
This is your new home,
the perfect place to rest,
my gorgeous Phalaenopsis.