You may not have noticed

You may not have noticed, but I like to play with words

Though I'm not as brainy as lots of other nerds!

I have a large vocabulary and use it when I can

To provide a little humour and enrich my fellow man.

You may not have noticed, but I struggle lots with names

Even for those people with whom I play my games

I confuse my good friend Micky with my other mate called Ken

And even call him other names, like Iain, now and then!

You may not have noticed, but I'm getting on a bit

Though I have undiminished faculties and wit!

My memory for detail is mostly pretty good

And, if I do forget your name, I'm not being rude!

You may not have noticed, but when you speak to me

I can go off at a tangent about something that I see.

It's not that you have bored me or my interest has been lost

It's just my mind is busy and my rudeness is the cost!

You may not have noticed, but God made me as I am

And I've been trying to improve since I left my pram!

Please bear with all my thoughtlessness and all the things I do

For, despite my inattention, I really value you!

Clarkie

When I came to Manor Fields I wanted to play cricket

And came upon young Clarkie rolling out the wicket.

He looked up when he saw me and came to have a chat

He invited me to join the club. So I did, and that was that!

The first game that I played for them I was surprised but keen

For playing too was Clarkie, the greatest keeper that I’ve seen!

Those of you who knew me when I was in my prime

Know that getting used to me takes a little time!

I grant that I was never quick (though faster than today!)

But varied pace and line and length to make the batsman play.

I was going past the edge, having lots of fun

But blow me down for Clarkie is taking every one!

I’ve played with him at Bletchley for almost thirty years

And only running singles causes any fears!

Tony is the heart and soul of good old Bletchley Town

And you know for certain he’ll never let you down.

He’s been on the committee since Adam was a lad

Maybe even longer than Kevin or his dad!

Even though he’s Eighty I’m quite prepared to say

If anybody needs him he’s quite prepared to play.

Tony always tries to help anyone in trouble

All they have to do is ask and he’s there at the double.

He visited the prison for years and years on end

There for any prisoner who might really need a friend.

It was no great surprise to me when Tony was converted

Though when he shared his feelings I was disconcerted!

He said that knowing Jesus was really so much fun

That it was even better than to score a cricket ton!

It has been my privilege my honour and my pride

To play at Bletchley Cricket Club with Tony at my side! 

Ok, so now he’s eighty and he’s got replacement knees

But you can bet that he won’t be sitting at his ease.

If Polly isn’t careful you know what he will do,

Down at Manor Fields he’ll play a game with me and you!

A Reason to Hope

With all of the atrocities we see on the TV,

Tourists killed for nothing lying by the sea,

We are filled with horror and feel it very odd

That such gross obscenity is allowed by God.

It seems that hordes of Moslems are baying for our blood

Trying hard to swamp the world with a crimson flood!

Yet we know that Islam is a faith of peace and love

And such mindless hatred must grieve our God above.

But there amidst the mayhem a cause for hope appears.

The sight of countless Moslems welling up with tears.

They must have been fearful for their children and their wives

Yet see them standing in a line protecting Christian lives.

These have been the Muslems whose bravery is great

Not the vile fanatics and those who feed their hate.

Lord, be with those people who always stand for peace

And let our Moslem brothers be always at their ease.