Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Leaving the local leisure centre
I recognised the male manager
from the time a year ago
he banned me from the gym and so
I didn't bother to say hello.

The crush of customers made us wait
a little while to pass the gate
but then he did something to astound -
outside the exit he bent down
and picked up a dog-end from the ground.

Monday, 30 September 2024

To relax and calmly drift asleep
I think back over the day and keep
in mind some event about which I can say
at least I did one thing well today.

Sunday, 22 September 2024

Life together

There comes a time for most young men
to realise beauty is not for them;
no beautiful woman will be their wife
but plainer ones may share their life.

And as for the women, they soon know
that no Prince Charming is going to show;
enough for someone to always be there
to show some kindness and give some care.

And yet for all, daily life will thrill them
with beautiful babies and wonderful children.

Thursday, 12 September 2024

Autumn

Autumn is two faced, double headed;
Janus looks back as well as forward.
If the seed set in Spring sprouted true and grew,
then the flowering of life as something new
produced the glory of Summer beauty
and heralded Autumn maturity.
But looking forward is less attractive
as life slows down and gets less active
producing the fear in shrunken apples
that what were fruits become vegetables.

Sunday, 25 August 2024

She was clearly no longer a youngster,
unlovely in face and a bit overweight
but a regular customer in the bar
at the weekly local live band night.

Alone, she always tried to shimmy
but arms and legs seemed to threaten a fall
so one night I got her to dance with me
and she had no sense of rhythm at all !

And then last night she came in with a man -
a poor specimen, old, small and hunched
but I hope for them both it's more than a whim,
that he needs her as much as she needs him.






Varkala, Kerala, India

Faint stars enspangle grey-cloaked skies
while fishing boats like fireflies
sluggishly float the dark-draped sea
and wink the while at you and me
cliff high above the wave white beach
among the palm trees' rustling speech.
This evening's warmth will still remain
in England's winter cold and rain.

Disco

dance music playing
dance floor swaying
faces revolving
features resolving
lithe legs gliding
slim bodies sliding
arched arms enticing
cleavage exciting
youth ever yearning
beauty burning