Play the Game 

“It’s not whether you win or lose, 

it’s how you play the game.”

A quote from Grantland Rice.

And I feel the same!

When I’m playing any sport

I must obey the rules

To err and not admit it 

is a ploy for fools!

You may fool other people 

but you cannot fool yourself!

The spirit of the game you play 

has been left on the shelf!

Strict adherence to the rules 

is also not enough.

Sticking to their spirit 

will mean you’re up to snuff!

It is just the same with life. 

The spirit is the thing.

Sticking strictly to the rules

does not comfort bring.

Spread a little happiness 

to everyone around

And know that what you’ve given

will magically rebound!

Butterflies

Observing all the butterflies 

as they flit from flower to flower,

You can see how beautiful 

and delicate they are.

I love to see their colours 

and their gentle grace.

The gorgeous patterns on their 

wings as intricate as lace.

They’re one of summer’s 

beauteous sights

And fill my heart 

with true delights.

Why then, when we’re nervous 

and really want our mummy,

Do we say that we have got 

butterflies in our tummy?

Forgetfulness 

I was so engrossed in the test match once again,

And whether we would win it, dodging all the rain,

That I quite forgot to write a poem yesterday 

And now I have to write two odes for today!

It is my blooming memory that must take the blame

One of these fine days I will forget my name!

I go into another room with a specific task

And then, when I get in there, I find I have to ask!

It’s ok if someone heard me say what I would do

But, if no one is with me, I cannot see it through!

Then when I retrace my steps everything is clear

That I’m now within a loop is my greatest fear!

Ah well! I’ve just remembered! It could be much worse!

I might not remember how to put it into verse!

Hypergraphia 

I have a compulsion to write things all the time

And I’m always trying to get the perfect rhyme!

Hypergraphia is the name of this great affliction 

And I must admit that it is my addiction!

My writing is illegible so I have not always written.

It’s only since computers that I have been smitten!

Sure, I used to write a verse for family occasions 

But then I had to read them at the celebrations!

Since computers came on line I can now be read

And I can type the thoughts I have within my head!

Of course it isn’t me that suffers from my verse

It is you,the reader, who puts up with the curse!

Kite Flying

Went to the Downs this morning for a little walk

Aiming for a little ramble and a pleasant talk.

The wind was blowing nicely so the kites were out.

What joy it was to hear the little children shout!

It took me back in time to when my girls were small

When we made our “bat” kite zoom and dive and fall!

The kids were so excited they’d shout and run around

Filled with so much happiness it was a wondrous sound!

Repeated with one grandchild with the same effect

And will do with our grandson, or so I do expect.

The Downs are such a joy to me and every other child

There are plenty things on do to stop us going wild!

Floccinaucinihilipilification (worthless)

 Flocci-nauci-nihili-pili-fication

Is a word not commonly used within this nation.

It derives from Latin and has been used for years

By silly public schoolboys to impress their peers!

Now it has been used in jest to describe my verse

Or perhaps they meant it, which really would be worse!

Still, they know my poems are just a bit of fun

An attempt to brighten lockdown for them and everyone!

I do enjoy a challenge and anyone can play

To give me inspiration for my writing every day!

Garrulous 

I’ve been described as garrulous! 

They say I talk a lot.

They can not be serious!

It is a load of rot!

I have got a lot to say

but always relevant.

I may lose people on the way

‘cos, follow it, they can’t!

Maybe it’s a fault of mine 

that they don’t understand.

Perhaps I ought to redefine 

the words at my command?

Or maybe it’s their listening skills

That make them lose the plot?

Or maybe it’s some other ills?

For garrulous I’m not!

I should just ignore it 

for it is fake news.

Now I’m like that Donald git, 

believing what I choose!!!!

Hubris

Hubris leads to Nemesis, or so the ancients said,

But do we have to listen? The ancient Greeks are dead.

Today we have a saying as far, as I recall

That, if you are not careful, pride comes before a fall.

So we must not be pompous and should beware our pride

For it makes us careless. That cannot be denied!

Even on the golf course, when you hit a super shot,

You should not be bumptious the next one could be rot!

The lesson is, be humble and never, ever proud

Do not seek to stand out. Be happy in the crowd.

Of course that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try your best,

But never boast that you might be a cut above the rest!

Summer

This is British summer! A mix of rain and sun

You can never ever know when summer has begun!

All the summer sports invented in this land of ours

Require a bit of sunshine to last for many hours.

Does this mean that summers were better in the past?

Or maybe global warming has arrived at last.

Do the warmer temperatures moisten up the air

Leading to more rainfall almost everywhere?

The whole of climate argument cannot be so clear

Especially with the sunshine earlier this year!

Yurt

In a ‘yurt’ in Wensleydale must be a lot of fun.

To think that in Mongolia is where it has begun!

They built their ‘gers’ like igloos around a wooden frame 

And covered them with hides so no two look the same.

Living on the Asian steppes can be pretty rough 

So these simple structures must be very tough.

The hides give insulation from the heat and cold

And the Mongol tribesmen must be strong and bold!

It’s not the same in Wensleydale in a yurt today.

There is a bit of luxury for which you have to pay.

The Mongols had no plumbing or dreamed of a hot tub

Or, if they became thirsty, nipping to a pub!

While you enjoy your holiday ponder if you can 

The guile and ingenuity of the Mongolian man.

What a Lifetime 

My gran was born before men flew

And motor cars were very few.

Horse and cart were all the rage 

But soon they turned a different page.

Two world wars she had to bear 

And depressions deep enough to scare.

Yet technology advanced apace

With very scary atomic race.

People flying round the earth

And women showing what they’re worth

And many things that man had dreamed

Were possible, or so it seemed.

Her lifetime would be ending soon

But she saw men walk upon the moon!

What a lifetime it had been

With all the wonders she had seen!

ReplyForward

Dozing

I will be watching telly, with a test match on the go

I really love the contest but I drift off even so.

I know that I’m not sleeping well when I am in bed

But dozing in the afternoon will not do instead!

Just before I fall asleep I suddenly recall 

That if I’m up and doing I don’t feel tired at all.

I’ll go and get an ice cream or make a cup of tea 

And it is the movement that now refreshes me.

Now I’m full of life again no longer feeling tired

And you’ll have to suffer the ode that it’s inspired!

Going on a Journey 

When going on a journey you like to know the way.

You like to plot the route and where you want to stay.

You pack the things you’ll need for every single day.

What you’ll wear on beaches while cavorting in the spray.

You might take your tennis kit in case you get to play!

You need to get the money that you’re going to have to pay.

Preparing for the laws and rules that you must obey.

Allowing for the gremlins that can make you go astray!

Life is like a journey with what ending who can say?

But to go safely on the road you only have to pray!

Excoriation 

I hate excoriation for I think it’s vile

I think that encouragement beats it by a mile.

To strip the skin off someone with a nasty voice

Can only ever be a very selfish choice!

Designed to make another feel so very small

It is not a tactic to be used at all.

To excoriate another may feel very good 

But in my opinion it is downright rude!

It’s used by politicians every now and then! 

It is an act of bullies and not of decent men.

Reaction to attacks like this can only be defensive 

As will always be the case with actions so offensive

To promote improvement encouragement is best

They will try much harder at a just and mild behest.

Hope & Disappointment 

A hope is what we wish for not what we have earned

So when it doesn’t happen we should not be concerned.

We may get our hopes up for something we desire

And, the more we want it, our expectation’s higher.

As we hope, the more we dream on what is yet to be

And it doesn’t cost us for our dreams are free.

Sometimes we will get our wish and are full of joy

We can be contented, every girl and boy.

But we should be cautious it was just a hope

If it doesn’t happen we have got to cope.

And if hopes were higher, it is a simple sum.

Prepare for disappointment. It will surely come!

Disappointment’s part of life it has to be endured

But don’t let it get to you for ‘tis eas’ly cured.

Think of all the fun you’ve had with your expectation 

And the next time try to curb that silly hope inflation!

Happiness

Happiness is a feeling, which is not hard to find.

It depends on nothing but a truly open mind.

We can all take pleasure in something every day

There are always treasures we pass upon our way.

True, there may be some things that are hard to take

But to dwell upon them is a big mistake!

Concentrate on positives, for that way lies your dream.

Negatives are never as bad as they may seem!

If you share your happiness with people as you go

The happiness of all you meet will be inclined to grow!

Choosing to be happy is all you have to do,

And you will not regret it for your whole life through!

Masks 

I knew a man who wore a mask many years ago

People were suspicious and wanted him to go!

He rode a horse called Silver and had a little mate

And every week on TV they could celebrate!

They had a fight with evil, always won and then

The Lone Ranger and Tonto would ride the range again!

Now I’m seeing men in masks each and everywhere 

And there is no need for me to stand around and stare.

They’re not in law enforcement or even robbing banks

And for their compliance we just owe them thanks.

It isn’t very comfortable to always were a mask

But to stop the virus it isn’t much to ask!

So let’s greet the masked stranger as a long lost friend

For hopefully they’re helping to make this nightmare end!

Poetry

I was brought up on poetry at my mother’s knee 

When I was small she spent her time quoting it to me.

She had a love of poetry deep within her heart

And I was so lucky that that love she did impart.

She would quote from Wordsworth, Kipling and the rest

But it was Lord Tennyson that she loved the best.

I heard about the Light Brigade, the Lady of Shallot

But it was Morte d’Arthur that held the favourite spot.

I would sit contented, in rapture on the whole, 

My head was filled with poetry, a beauty in my soul.

This then was the legacy that my mother gave for free

A lifelong love of rhyme and verse that are a part of me.

I love writing verses, for which I thank the Fates,

But I have no pretensions to emulate the greats!

A Proper Contest

I’ve watched a proper contest for the last five days

And all of the test players deserve a lot of praise.

From the first ball to the last the test has been a joy

Skill and application from every single boy.

West Indies had the best of it but it matters not

For I enjoyed the contest ever such a lot!

The bowlers were quite dominant all throughout the game

And you cannot tell me the batsmen were to blame.

The wicket made the test match, with a bit of spice,

Though most of the batsmen did not think it nice! 

I’d rather see a battle where ball and bat compete

Than a soppy runfest though some will think it neat!

The match has kept my interest throughout every day

And I wouldn’t have it in any other way!

Robots

Have you seen the robots roaming round the street?

Notice how they wait for you if you chance to meet!

They detect the traffic as they cross the road

And they really carry a very useful load.

They congregate at co-ops all around the land

There they are provisioned, as I understand.

They look like little boxes on a set of wheels

As they are delivering groceries and meals.

They can be programmed to go to any house

Moving pretty slowly, as quiet as a mouse.

Taking food to people’s homes is what they are for

They haven’t any weapons so they cannot go to war!

No need to fear the robots that are designed for good

They are so the housebound can get hold of food!

Phlegmatic 

I wish I was phlegmatic and took things in my stride

But that I care about things is a matter of some pride!

I can upset some people when I share my views

Even my expression gives some blatant clues!

Though I sometimes disapprove or plainly disagree

I don’t mean to be nasty. That really isn’t me!

If I have offended you, it was not what I meant.

For in just a moment my irritation’s spent!

If I was phlegmatic I wouldn’t really care

But I’d get on with people almost anywhere!

Test Cricket 

I love to watch test cricket just to watch the skill.

The contest ‘twixt bat and ball gives me such a thrill.

The beauty of a well played shot, scoring six or four,

The solid, good defensive shot, solid as a door!

The skill of the slow bowler using dip and spin.

The seamer who can move the ball going out or in.

The grace of the fast bowler running in to bowl

The batter’s apprehension with bumpers on the whole!

The tension of a maiden, the excitement of appeals

The waiting for the umpire to tell just what he feels!

It is the sign of summer that lives within my heart 

Every year I cannot wait for the tests to start!

Rain Stopped Play

After all these weeks of sun with cricket not allowed

We should have a test match without a single cloud!

Of course we saw the start delayed by persistent rain

Then at last we finally saw some cricket once again.

Now we can all settle down and watch it ball by ball.

Oh no the rain has come again to frustrate us all.

We only had two overs and a single wicket

When the rain came back again to interrupt the cricket!

A short time later it is back we settle back to see

I’ve missed test match cricket it means so much to me!

Rain stopped play, the covers out. Now there is no play!

We sit around and watch the rain until it goes away!

It is so disappointing and I am quite frustrated.

Rain stopped play is something that I have always hated!

Click and Collect

Since we’ve been on lockdown 

we’ve changed the way we shop.

No more pushing trolleys 

almost till we drop.

We make our food selection 

weekly, and on line.

And pick our own collection 

time, which will be just fine.

We turn up at the chosen time 

and everything awaits.

And the packing has been 

done at some modest rates!

The car is filled with all the 

goods that we have collected

And when home it all must be 

wiped and disinfected!

Some of the selections may 

not quite fit your taste

But they will be good enough 

that none will go to waste!

When the virus goes away 

we’ll go back to the store

And shop the way we always 

have in the years before!

The Ladder

I’m on a ladder climbing but I cannot see the top

So I keep on climbing and do not want to stop.

I do not know what’s up there but I feel it must be good 

But there is no stopping. That much is understood!

Sometimes I get so weary and need a helping hand

But there is someone near me helping me to stand.

I may need a gentle push to reach another rung

And He is there beside me. Let His praise be sung.

Sometimes it is easy and sometimes it is not

But I am just thankful for the help that I have got.

I can hear the cheering as I make the climb

And I’m filled with energy and His peace sublime.

I’m still on that ladder and I cannot see the top

And I’ll keep on climbing and never want to stop!

Gloom

I am getting fed up watching all the news

It is really only giving me the blues.

With every relaxation it relies on people’s wits

But there are the morons acting just like gits! 

You know this ruddy virus is spreading all around

‘Cos of stupid people lying hammered on the ground!

They may have been fed up staying in their house 

But is that a reason for acting like a louse?

If you catch the virus you may be okay

But what about the delicate you pass on your way?

Have a bit of common sense. Keep yourself apart.

For the deaths you cause will break someone’s heart!

Pubs Opening

So the pubs are open now we’ll really see

Just how very sensible drinking folk can be!

Will they social distance at a metre plus

And if they have to wait a while not make any fuss?

Can they keep new habits when they’ve had a few

And still maintain decorum as they ought to do?

Have they seen the virus, on the far side of the pond, 

When relaxing lockdown, give infections way beyond?

They may be invulnerable but what about the frail

If they’ve brought the virus home just to drink their ale?

We’ll all keep our fingers crossed in the next few days

Hoping that the drinkers will all have changed their ways!

The Local Shops

We used to use the Co-ops whenever I was small

And then with supermarkets we ignored them all!

They were nearly closing, or so it seemed, and then

As we’re in our lockdown we’ve used them once again.

They and other local shops were slightly more expensive

The range in supermarkets was also more extensive!

As within this lockdown we have used them more,

So, when the danger’s over, still use your local store.

Now they’ve proved their usefulness I hope we don’t forget

For if they are not used again we could get upset.

CR2032

The key fobs on my motorcar decided not to work

But to  change the battery was a job I would not shirk.

There was no way to open it as far as I could see!

No worries! YouTube has the answer just for you and me.

I got the blasted thing apart and knew just what to do

Go and get a battery marked CR2032.

I only needed two of them but they were sold in fours!

I took them home and fitted them in front of “her indoors”.

Then I put them in the drawer were batteries reside 

And that is when old cleverboots lost his sense of pride.

I had a pack of ten of them that I had bought before!

That’s when my loss of memory is regretted more!

Then I had a random thought. What of the other car?

Replace the fob batteries for it and I would be a star!

I revealed the batteries and checked if they were right

They had the the correct number much to my delight!

Now all my various car fobs are working as they should

And I am feeling better. The boy done very good!

Now if any out there need a car fob battery 

If you’re very nice to me I’ll give you one for free!

Strawberries and Cream 2

It is the taste of summer I look forward to all year

And, with my “sylph like” figure, I have naught to fear!!!

The cream upon the strawberries is piled up very high

And in anticipation I give a great big sigh!

I dip the spoon into the bowl to scoop them both together

And of course the treat is best in warm and sunny weather.

The sharp taste of the berries, the smoothness of the cream

Compliment each other like some luxurious dream!

I know that it is greedy but I cannot abstain.

Ignoring all the extra pounds that I have to gain!

Memory 

My memory is failing. Why I cannot tell.

True it has me wailing.  In fact I want to yell.

I promised I would write an ode each and every day

While we are in lockdown in an amusing way!

Today I had forgotten until it got quite late

So to do it in a rush has had to be my fate!

Ah well! It gave me something I could write about.

So there is no need for me to stamp my feet and shout.