Perhaps a stumble, some minor slip,

the slightest fumble or loss of grip,

something slippery or too well polished -

whatever I'm holding crashes to ground.

I'm well aware it can't be abolished

but will some-one please turn the gravity down ?

Though ordinary, no kind of heart-throb,

when young a romance was always possible.

It's only now when I'm old and odd

that I feel for those whose lacks are visible.

The horror on the young woman's face

on my asking her to dance with me

certainly put me in my place

as a now impossible partner-to-be.

So late but since I've come to know

the sapping of confidence by rejection,

it's sad of course but much less so

than the plight of the unattractive young.

No need to tell her, she know's she's good looking,

knows all the men really fancy her.

At times their attention is overwhelming

with presents of perfumes, jewels and fur.

She loves adulation, adores being wanted

but always escapes when she's hunted.

No need to tell him, he know's he's good looking,

sees in their eyes the appreciation,

has only to choose from the women who seek him

and prove he's worth their admiration.

But, favoured in feature, he'll always be tempted

unless he can be prevented.

Everyone says they're a wonderful couple,

handsome and beautiful, made for each other.

But life will be different after the nuptials -

how will they cope as father and mother ?

And can they adapt to domestic living,

so used to receiving, unpractised at giving ?

Just another TV ad

This poor animal is unloved

and sometimes even reviled,

often imprisoned in a cage

and experimented on.

And when on its own in the night black wild

viciously hunted by fox and cat !

Please can you help with just a pound

to adopt a lonely rat ?

TikTok-er Rocker

You've certainly got the image alright -

studded and logoed black leather jacket,

thick leather gloves, boots, jeans too tight,

Zapata moustache, always up for a fight;

no-one would doubt at all you can hack it,

a real Easy Rider patrolling the night.

But something is missing, something's not right.

I wonder if you're aware that you lack it -

you Purgatory Angel in e-scooter plight.

Famous Photos

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 expected

or more likely they don't look as good.

The photographer who took that shot

had the skill to choose the best angle possible

judge the quality of the light

select the apropriate exposure

to make the photo a delight.

But you, dear traveller, take pot luck

on season, weather, time of day.

Your photo really won't match up

but does it actually matter much

as long as you show that you were there ? 

Rotovating

Rough digging in the autumn months,

to take advantage of winter frosts

can help the soil environment

at very little cost.

But rotovating in the spring

will probably do harm.

Although the earth looks fine and firm,

pity the poor worm.