Merry Christmas 

To all my friends both near and far

It doesn’t matter where you are.

Though we may be far apart 

You are always in my heart

I may sometimes forget your name,

A failing memory is to blame,

But your face is with me still

And our friendship is a thrill.

So hear it like a clarion call,

Merry Christmas one and all.

 Mums 

Mums are all important to a baby on the breast 

And as little children, it’s clear that mums know best!

Mums will give us comfort whenever we’re upset

And if we’re being naughty they scold us you can bet!

When we reach our teens they have to let us go. 

Whatever we get up to, they love us even so!

When we reach maturity, if we ever do,

We will find, with wonder, just how much they knew!

The relationship is different but every time we’re low

We need a mother’s hugging for they love us so!

I still hear my mummy, even though she’s gone,

Giving good advice to me so I can carry on!

So treasure all our mummies while we have them still 

And show them that you love them. It gives them such a thrill.

 Count Your Blessings 

I’ve heard a lot of moaning about our situation 

Because we have to be in splendid isolation!

So, it will be different at Christmastime this year

And if you are so inclined you have a cause to fear.

But think of all the blessings that you have to count

And I’m sure they’re going to be a really big amount!

You have enough to eat and plenty more to spare

And there are the people you know who love and care.

You can keep in contact with those you long to see

And you can watch some rubbish using your TV!

You’ve had a lifetime full of fun and things you did enjoy

Like presents given to celebrate Mary’s baby boy!

There are those out in the cold without a place to stay

Wishing that their hunger pangs would shortly go away.

Refugees in war zones fleeing for their lives

Hoping to find safety for their children and their wives!

So count your many blessings. Count them one by one.

Then just thank your Maker for all that He has done!

 Winter Solstice 

Today’s the winter solstice.

No need for any fuss.

We have reached the nadir

That is the low for us!

Now we’ve gone and done it.

We’ve reached the shortest day.

We can all be happy,

Summer’s on its way!

Till the winter’s over

We want to stay in bed.

We have had our troubles

But there are good days ahead.

 All I want for Christmas 

All I want for Christmas is a happy family 

I can cope without them, those I long to see!

As long as they are happy I am happy too.

Coping with this crisis is what we have to do!

Look upon the bright side. It’s only for a spell.

We will be together soon and be thankful we are well!

So to those I love, who I may not see

All I want for Christmas is a happy family!

 Clear Away The Cobwebs

Clear away the cobwebs.

Make the place look nice.

Lest someone should see them!

That is good advice!

Make the place look tidy,

Really spick and span

Polish, clean and hover.

Do the best you can.

Okay, the house is sorted,

What about your brain?

Clear away the cobwebs

So you can rest again.

All the little worries,

Dilemmas and the rest.

Leave some space for praying

To give your soul a rest.

Clear your mind of negatives

Forget about your woes.

Mind! “It isn’t easy”,

Says this one, who knows!

Busy, Busy, Busy

We have all got lots to do

Preparing for the day.

Busy, busy, busy

There is no other way! 

All the fuss and bother,

Is it all worthwhile?

Have we got the wherewithal 

For putting on the style?

Does it really matter

If things are not just right?

Should we not be focused 

On the holy night?

So we shouldn’t panic.

There is no need to fuss.

No one else will worry.

It is only us!

 

 How Many Days to Christmas 

“How many days to Christmas?” 

I hear the children cry.

Growing more impatient 

As the days go by!

They write their lists for Santa

(With a little help from mum!).

And know, that if they’re very good,

That jolly man will come.

They hear the tales of Jesus birth

With reverence and awe.

While their favourite pussy cat

Sits and licks a paw!

They feel excitement building 

And so they have to know 

How many days to Christmas 

And impatience, it will show!

 Clouds 

Grey clouds crowding out the sun

And bringing gloom on everyone.

Dark and dismal as it seems

We can all still have our dreams!

A smile can spread to everyone 

And then our misery is done!

With a laugh upon your way

You can make another’s day.

The sun will soon come shining through 

Bringing light to me and you!

 Blue Skies 

When the sun is shining and the sky is blue 

It can make a difference to the likes of me and you!

It can lift our spirits and thrill us through and through.

We don’t have to stay inside and wonder what to do.

We can go outside and walk for a mile or two 

And maybe go and visit somewhere that is new.

I don’t know the reason but find that it is true

I feel a whole lot younger when the sky is blue!

Happy Memories 

When I think of long ago, when I was just a child,

Hearing wondrous stories of Mary meek and mild,

I remember with what wonder I heard the classic yarn,

How she gave birth in Bethlehem in a stable barn.

I snuggled up to mummy as she told the tale 

And I felt for certain all of it was real!

The wonder of the shepherds, the journey of the kings

The angels in their glory hovering on wings.

I really felt that peace on earth wasn’t far away

As we celebrated a joyful Christmas Day.

I feel that peace at Christmas every single year

For Christ’s second coming always seems quite near.

 

 The Sounds of Children Playing 

At this time of jollity and great anticipation 

People get together all around our nation.

The adults smile indulgently as their kids are on a high

Knowing that there is the chance of salt tears by and by!

They can get up to mischief with a little giggle

And if you try to hold them they are inclined to wriggle!

Still, the sound of laughter and rather boisterous fun

Is a cause for celebration affecting everyone.

As they play with merriment, laughter and with glee

They can lift the spirits of the likes of you and me.

The sounds of children playing at this special time of year

Drive off gloom and bitterness, and even banish fear.

 Agreement 

We can reach agreement if both sides give a little 

Not if both insist on every jot and tittle!

“If you want to trade with us on a level playing field,

You have to work to our rules and this we cannot yield!”

“You have got no right, at all, to tell us what to do.

We’re a sovereign nation that will not bow to you!”

Both sides have a standpoint from which they will not move.

It is like a record that’s stuck within a groove!

I don’t care if you’re for Brexit, or think it was a shame,

If there’s no agreement both sides are to blame!

Christmas Past - Christmas Present

We can all remember the Christmasses we knew

Though there was no money and presents they were few!

Still we were enchanted with the presents that we had

And they weren’t dependent on whether we’d been bad!

There was love and expectation in our innocence 

Though, to believe in Santa Claus, we sat upon the fence!

If you listened carefully you’d hear a reindeer’s bell

That it must be Santa Claus you could really tell!

Okay! We had got incentive. Provided you believe,

He’d descend the chimney and presents you’d receive!

We went to church through winter snow (or so it seemed to me)

We clutched our treasured presents for all our friends to see!

We heard the bible stories of how the Christ was born. 

Good reason for excitement on each Christmas morn.

How our Saviour came to earth and lived here as a man

To bring us closer to our God. It was His master plan.

But now there is a danger. That innocence is gone

While a massive spending spree is really going on!

I hope the scene this Christmas has Christ at its core

And not just greedy people scrabbling for more! 

 Gripping 

I went to get my tyres changed so I won’t lose my grip!

In the winter weather they might cause me to slip!

Any skid or sliding could put me off the road

And I really do not want such an episode!

That just got me thinking! In this earthly stay

Am I safely on the road or have I lost my way?

Do I do the things I should as I go along

or am I really failing and, sadly, going wrong?

Luckily I have a guide who shows the way to go

And though I sometimes go astray, He loves me even so!

Though this awesome journey really takes a toll

I have every confidence that I’ll reach my goal!

 Labels 

I wish I could remember how to get my labels done

They ought to be downloaded not typed out one by one!

I have a source with all the names and all the addresses

But trying to download them causes many stresses.

I have done it in the past when I had a brain

But I don’t have the wherewithal to work it out again!

Ah well! I can’t have everything, I muddled through somehow.

The labels have been printed so they are ready now!

Now if we can buy the cards they can all be sent

And all who will receive them will be quite content.

 Relaxing

Sitting with my feet up feeling so relaxed.

As I never worry my brain ain’t overtaxed!

I sip a cup of coffee as I start to write my ode

And nibble on a biscuit to ease my heavy load!

Once I get a subject the words just seem to flow

If anyone will read it I will never know!

In this time of Advent I do a rhyme each day

And that I’ll be able is all I have to pray!

Mundane things, like presents, I don’t give a thought

Though there are some about me who really think I ought!

Who is here for Christmas and who will make the dinner

If I interfered with that I wouldn’t be the winner!

I find it makes life simpler to just do what I’m told

And if sit here quietly all will soon unfold!

“Whatever you say darling will be alright with me.

And, if you sit there quietly, I’ll make a cup of tea.”

I know I have an easy life but that can eas’ly change

When my wife insists that there is stuff to rearrange.

Okay! I know I’m lazy but I will soon improve 

When my true beloved demands that I should move!

 Singing

I have a love for singing the old hymns that I know.

They tend to have a tune which really seems to flow!

Though they may be written in another time

The still have a beauty, and they scan and rhyme!

I remember olden times whenever I was small 

As Christmas was approaching I heard the brass band call.

Salvation Army on the street at the corner of the road 

Playing Christmas carols to ease life’s heavy load.

All the people gathered to sing the songs they knew

And we sang with gusto until the songs were through.

Imagine my surprise when just this Sunday morn

I was asked to join a singing group. I was not forlorn.

Dr Sam had asked me to sing within his church 

And I would never ever leave that vicar in the lurch!

I sang within his service in a makeshift choir 

And in ancient hymn form my praise was going higher!

I will miss the carols sung in church this year

While we live through this pervasive COVID fear!

But I will sing those songs at home my mother taught to me

For despite all these restrictions my heart and voice are free!

 Joseph

Joseph was a carpenter working with his hands

He had always lived his life obeying God’s commands.

What then should he do when he heard Mary’s story

About how she was pregnant by God in all His glory?

She was his fiancé. They’d never been to bed!

Could anyone believe it happened like she said?

The evidence was blatant. It was as clear as day.

By the law of Moses she should be cast away.

Joseph’s mind was troubled. It was within his hands.

Should he cover up for her or meet the law’s commands?

Certainly he’d hesitate to take a tainted bride.

The episode would challenge all his manly pride!

He went to bed in torment and tossed the whole night through 

Praying to his God that he might tell him what to do!

A vision came to him at last to put his mind at rest

He should marry Mary. It was all for the best!

An angel reassured him that Mary had not lied

So he had no reason to set the maid aside.

She was still a virgin, though she was with child!

She was faithful to him. He should not go wild!

Now the man was reassured and he loved the lass

He could wait to consummate, the time would quickly pass.

So the pair were married and waited for the birth

Of that special baby who would save the earth.

 A Normal Day

It is just a mixture like every other day.

I will have to face it. There is no other way!

I had to get up early before the morning light

To discover it was raining and had been overnight.

I’m going to the dentist for him to do some filling!

And to put a crown back, provided he is willing!

I leave the house quite early so I won’t be late

For really being tardy is something that I hate!

I get there quite early so I am feeling good

That something bad will happen is fully understood!

Entering the car park I scraped a solid wall,

So after that I’m feeling not too good at all!

I wait within my car till my appointed time

Then standing in the rain I do not feel sublime!

Finally they’re ready, by which time I am wet!

Is it any wonder that I’m feeling quite upset?

The dentist is a lovely man who agrees to do my crown 

So a smile of gratitude replaces any frown.

He agrees to do the fillings without the Novocaine 

As I hate injections this is quite a gain!

The process is quite painless so I am feeling well

Until it comes to paying an amount, which I won’t tell!

Then I just remember the scrape upon the car!

The Chancellor’s Christmas bonus will not go that far!

This is just a normal day with its thrills and spills

And it’s after Christmas that I must pay the bills!

 Worry

Advent is a time of year

When we anticipate good cheer.

The plans are made, the goods are bought. 

Have we got them what we ought?

Or maybe not is what we fear!

 Inspiration 

I get my inspiration from the beauty that I see

In all of God’s creations surrounding you and me.

I see the ripples following a bird upon the lake

And breathe the winter magic with every step I take.

Though it’s past the autumn, there’s colour all around

I can see the autumn leaves lying on the ground.

Bushes with their coloured branches showing now

And little birds among the trees make a joyous row!

Lines of noble poplars, now without their summer green,

Standing at attention, as if to greet a queen.

There is so much beauty everywhere I roam

And all within a stone’s throw of where I am at home!

 Preparation 

A time of preparation for a prospective mum

With anticipation of joy that is to come.

Of course there will be worries about the coming joy.

Will they be a healthy little girl or boy?

The pain that leads to pleasure has to be endured

And the baby’s future has to be secured.

Have I got the wherewithal to provide a home?

And, for perfect parenting, have I read the tome?

Time will pass more slowly as the day approaches 

Like a steam train up a hill with too many coaches!

Thus it was for Mary in days of long ago

Feeling all the feelings that any mum will know.

It wasn’t just a joy for her when the Christ was born

All the earth could celebrate this great and glorious morn.

And that is what we’re doing in this Advent-tide

Preparing for a pleasure too great for us to hide!

 Anticipation 

Advent is a season of great anticipation, 

In a year of turmoil for all within our nation.

As we think of loved ones who are no longer there

It is sometimes tempting to go into despair!

A never ending lockdown is the way it seems.

At least to see its ending is a thing of dreams!

But there is a glimmer of light that we can see.

They’ve produced a vaccine for the use of you and me!

We can all anticipate getting back together,

Though we still endure this dark and stormy weather!

The sun comes out each morning to chase away the night

And we can see earth’s beauty in God’s glorious light!

Celebrating Christmas and all that God has done

Sending our Lord Jesus, His one and only Son.

Away with all our moaning. Let us all give praise.

For we can look forward to many happier days!

 Royal British Legion

Formed in Nineteen Twenty-One, to deal with those in need
Who suffered from the trauma that cruel war decreed.
Those from every service who came limping back
No longer fit and able. As if upon the rack.
Unfit in mind or body to cope with normal life
Having lived in terror through that awful strife!
The Legion is a charity which gives upon demand
To any of our veterans who need a helping hand.
They work throughout the year in private and unseen
And we can just imagine what that help must mean!
Their symbol is the poppy which grew in great profusion
On the graves of heroes at the war’s conclusion.
Conflicts come and conflicts go and all leave men unfit
But the Royal British Legion helps more than a bit!
Most have purchased poppies in November every year
And when we go to cenotaphs we are all sincere.
The money, from the poppies sold, funds a worthy cause
But when you give your money just take a little pause.
Those whose life’s were ruined in service for us all
Demand our true compassion in answering their call!

 NHS

In the present climate we have to raise a cheer
For the NHS. Thank goodness it is here!
Yes it has its problems from successive cuts,
With politicians carving it and treating us like mutts!
Another layer of ‘management’, as if there aren’t enough!
I’d rather have more patient care than bureaucratic stuff!
The pay for health professionals is miserly at best
And fees for doctor’s training have got to be a jest!
Yet despite these problems they really serve the nation,
In this vile pandemic, with skill and dedication.
Support them in their trials and vote for those who care.
Not for those in parliament who cut health service there!
Enough of all this politics just cheer for those who serve
And hope they get rewarded as they all deserve!

British Birdlife


I am not a ‘twitcher’ so I do not know it all.
In fact on British birdlife my knowledge is quite small.
I do not climb up mountains to spy the eagles there.
I do not often go where only stalwarts dare!
I limit my excursions to woods and around lakes
So, if you will excuse me, I often make mistakes!
I’ve watched the slender heron unmoving till the kill
And their skill and patience give me such a thrill.
Kingfishers are beautiful in pictures that I view
But all I’ve ever seen of them is a flash of blue!
I’ve seen the red kites circling looking for their prey
And hawks that seem to hover almost half a day.
The only owl I ever saw was snoozing in a tree
And a robin in the hedgerow looks askance at me!
I love the graceful swans as they effortlessly glide
And I’ve seen an egret preen itself with pride
I can tell the difference ‘tween a moorhen and a coot
And I’ve watched the ducklings as after mum they scoot.
I’ve watched a grebe go diving and not come up for air
At least that is the feeling till he turns up over there!
I marvel at woodpeckers in their undulating flight
And listened to the pigeons cooing out of sight.
The swallows presage summer as they zoom across the sky
And the geese are honking as they go swimming by.
Yet species are in danger as their habitat is lost
And we call it progress and never count the cost!
We humans are so lucky to have nature so diverse
I wish I could protect it by writing stronger verse!

 

 Silent Heroes

Their war had left them shattered
By the things that they had seen
Lives that never mattered
As if they’d never been!
While politicians ranted
And generals held their sway,
They even took for granted
The ones who had to pay!
They lived their lives in trenches
Up to their knees in mud.
Then there were offensives
That left them soaked in blood!
They knew the men they buried
Amidst the poppies there
As from the field they hurried
Too tired and sick to care.
They had to hide their memories
To stop them going mad
Their’s were not the glories
That their leaders had!
Silent heroes living
Who never could relate
The heavy cost of giving
To war’s awful fate.
Well do we remember
The sacrifice they made
If only in November
When our prayers are said!

 Milton Keynes Autumn 

I love the autumn colours as I rove round Milton Keynes. 

The oranges, reds and yellows mingling with the greens!

As my eyes behold the beauty, pleasure fills my soul

And even in this lockdown it seems to make me whole.

I am fed up with covid and bad news everywhere 

Enough to make me morbid and fill me with despair!

But this mellow autumn vista seems to banish fear

And makes me feel like singing for all the beauty here.

I may be getting maudlin but this I surely see

That God is in His heaven and He made all this for me!

 Resting?

After writing daily poems for a hundred and ninety days

I am quite exhausted in many, many ways.

They may be getting sameish with no variety. 

Perhaps now I am running out of spontaneity!

Growing mediocrity might become a trend,

As this ruddy lockdown seems to be without an end!

Some were written for a laugh, some to make you think,

Others that were more designed to create a stink.

Should I now be resting? Not writing every day?

Is it time to call a halt? Only you can say!

 T20

I hope tonight’s T20 is exciting like the last.

Boy those internationals can give the ball a blast!

No matter what the bowlers do the ball goes out of sight

How many fours and sixes will we see tonight?

Test cricket is my favourite but this is loads of fun.

Lots of crash, bang, wallop pleases everyone!

You do not build an innings you bash it from the start

Hitting any bowler to every art and part!

It doesn’t really matter whenever you get out

There is another batsman to give the ball a clout.

T20 is a batsman’s game, of that there is no doubt,

Hitting to the boundary is what it’s all about.

 Back to Reality 

I’ve been on my holidays away from all the toil

Now I’m back we’ll have to see if I’ve gone off the boil!

In my imagination, while I’ve been away,

I’ve thought of every shot that I’m going to play.

My drives are on the fairway, I pitch beside the pin

And every time I hit a putt it just goes rolling in!

I run around short tennis courts like a young gazelle 

And whatever shot I try, I always hit it well.

I have a funny feeling that Its not as it might seem

And reality will show I’m living in a dream!

My drives will all be wayward, my pitching is a mess

And I can miss just any putt, even from a foot or less.

I’ll lumber round short tennis courts moving like a snail 

And every single shot I try will very likely fail.

But I still can have my dreams and I just need to know

That they can’t be touched by what reality will show!

 

Home Again Here we are back home again feeling pretty tired Driving back for seven hours is all that is required! One last look in Church Cove then we’re on our way  Even if we didn’t start till the middle of the day. Held up by an accident for almost half an hour It seemed we would be spending ages in the car! To be fair the journey had no more delay As we went from A roads unto the motorway. Now the hols are over one think must be said I am looking forward to sleeping on my bed!

 Balance 

Watched a guy upon the beach standing rocks on rocks 

I thought that it was easy but I was in for shocks.

He didn’t take the easy course putting flat on flat

I was to discover he wouldn’t dream of that!

He would balance point on point taking extra care

Gently trying this and that as he put it there.

He’d move it just a fraction and test if it would stand

With a lot of patience it stood at his command!

Three times I saw him do it with rocks of different shape

And never did he ever let a rock escape.

When  he had them finished he left them standing proud.

They stood in position though the wind blew loud.

I admired the skill and patience he used upon his task.

I knew I couldn’t do it however much you ask!

 

St. Michael’s Mount On the beach at Marazion what a sight to see St.Michael’s Mount magnificent in all its majesty! Though we could not visit ‘cos the tide was in The truly awesome sight’s enough to make a fellah grin. The weather might be patchy but it matters not The beauty here is just the same be it cold or hot! It may be just a copy of the French Mont-Saint Michel But it shows the British can do it just as well! A holiday in Cornwall,with the coast so grand, Is still so delightful if not just what was planned! ReplyForward

 A Rainy Day in Cornwall

We had the summer yesterday and it was really great

Now the rain runs down the road as if it was in spate!

Yesterday spent on the beach today is not the same!

If I’m stuck inside the house the weather is to blame.

The Cornish riviera is sometimes bathed in sun

But splashing in the puddles can also be great fun!

A holiday in Cornwall can have a rainy day

And in British fashion we can still have our play!

Get into your waterproofs, it won’t do any harm

After all the rain today is really rather warm.

The Caribbean has its storms and hurricanes as well

It’s best to be in England as far as I can tell!