British Reserve

Give in man - go on give in!
Let's drop the stiff reserve,
OK, so you are British - but give
Your children all they deserve.

Wrap your arms about your kids,
Do it often, good, and tight.
Hug them in the morning
Instead of just goodnight.

This lets them know you love them,
And you always will.
Too soon they will be gone from you,
Over life's nearest hill.

But if they carry memories
Of frequent hugs with you,
They'll walk on firm, emotional paths
And see their problems through.

Go on man, just hug them.
Now, this very instant.
Gather them close before 
They are gone and too far distant.

Twin Towers

There are holes in Manhattan
where two Towers stood.
Symbols of rich greatness which
became rubble mixed with blood.

The zealots in the crashing planes
thought Paradise was theirs,
and death for them was noble
if they upset world affairs.

Warriors of an Eastern religion,
base, bigoted and defiant;
such fools were they to prod
earth's largest sleeping giant.

Three thousand people gone,
and thousands more are blighted,
as they live on their shattered lives
and the fuse to war is lighted.

My Friend the River

On her waters I have cried and feared
But I have also dreamt my dreams
Shared magic moments with good friends
Who applauded my foolish schemes.

On her waves and tides I am clever
I can move mountains or part the sea
I can never express just how much
My estuary means to me.

Muddy, yet green and majestic
this river is my friend and my prop
May it ebb and flow for ever
till the World's End bids it stop.

A Gale in the Park

It stood for years, but now it is dead,
Lying over on one enormous side. 
Branches spread out like lifeless arms
There's nowhere now for Squirrels to hide.  

Dark grey is the trunk that lies there
With bright white flesh exposed like a sore
The moss green of the north facing bark
Is contrasted by the red rot of the core.

A rogue wind in the dark killed this tree.
A steady blow would only have it bent.
It withstood strong blows for years before,
But this time a Hurricane was sent.

Autumn had not yet collected its dues
For the leaves were still attached.
Nature should have let them fall as usual
Before it had the Tree dispatched.

Tight Valve

I see much beauty in a sunset
And enjoy laughing in the rain
I am moved by a babies chuckle
Or the hiss from an old steam train.

Or a sunrise in the morning 
And a high tide at noon
Curlews plaintive crying on marshes
Before the rising moon.

I am a sucker for nostalgia
True pathos brings a tear
I like to be alone but
I need somebody near.

I have deep hidden feelings
Which yearn to be set free
But I can't tell those looking in
About the softer side of me.

Easy Honours

Good works abound for those
who seek to be a knight
Any publicity is good - 
Just spell the surname right.

Be seen to fight injustice
Or work among the poor
Feed the hungry masses
Close a Martyr's door.

Hold a starving baby
But stand still for the press
Carefully check your flight time
- get no pee on your dress.

Wear Versace in a minefield
among some legless kids
The nation watches News at Ten
before it shuts its lids.

Another way to climb
the steps to meet the Queen
is persecute tax payers
until they want to scream.

BUT everyday somewhere
an 'unknown' is brave or kind
No recognition for them though
- out of site, out of mind.

Spliced

Ups and downs
Peaks and troughs
Tesco bills
Kids with coughs.

Married life

On we go
Through all ills
Astounded by our 
Household bills.

Married life

Shattered nights
More sleep we beg
Splattered shirt with 
Scrambled egg.

Married life

Cars that break
Lawns that grow
Meals with relatives
Who just won't go.

Married life that
We all bear
Single folk just
Stand and stare!

Would we change it
Oh contraire
We'd miss the chaos
If it wasn't there!

Deceptions

Greedy London getting fatter
Europe poised to steal our funds
Does our sovereignty really matter
Why not join the moribunds?

Carefully crafted 'green' platforms
Painted with selective facts
Don't let balance spoil the picture
Shout louder if a view detracts.

High placed men of God
Protect the dogs of shame
Who abuse and wound our babies
And Sunday still play the game.

Town and country planners
Making decisions at a bar
Permitting more carbuncles
And we don't know who you are.

What of honest policemen
Who tell of what they know
And watch corrupt superiors
Distorting with the flow.

Within our democracy
We are asked to trust
That good will show out always
And we endure because we must.

But small men and women
Who try to tell the truth
Are but small slates upon
Our societies leaking roof.