Twixmas

Its Twixmas,

A strange turn of phrase,

A week long of limbo,

Seven most boring days!

Most people are home,

Enjoying the rest,

Time out with family,

It should be the best.

But oh, they get bored,

After a few hectic days,

Of presents and parties,

Their eyes, they do glaze!

So many chocolates,

Turkey and drink,

Christmas T.V.

That cheese, it does stink!

Let's go for a walk,

Get some fresh air,

But the wind is a blowing,

It's really not fair!

Let's visit the shops!

Look round the sales.

But its far too much hassle,

With the crowds it entails!

The tree looks so droopy,

The decorations sad!

I must take them down,

Or I'll surely go mad!

Before you know it,

It will all be quite done,

Back soon to work,

An end to the 'fun'.

But oh, on the very first day,

You will certainly cry,

Where did my break go?

It whizzed past, oh my!

I need another break,

To help me relax.

Please come back Twixmas,

Before I drop in my tracks!

Well I'll be dashed!

Well I'll be dashed!

The builders are back.

With lots of white stones,

In a great big sack.

It's been three weeks,

Since they came here last,

Because the rain it fell,

And the wind did blast.

But they're back on track,

with ladders and mortar,

It'll soon be all done,

If I supply enough water!

The kettle is on,

To make them some tea,

Will they finish today,

We'll wait and we'll see.

It's looking quite good now,

Not dowdy and grey,

White pebbles and render,

All rubble's away.

I'm happy it's done,

It's been such a trial,

But now that I look,

I've started to smile.

It's looking quite smart,

T'was quite worth the wait,

Dressed up in it's finery,

And looking so great.

But, I must now admit,

It's been quite a test.

And now I can sit down,

And have a long rest.

My house is naked!

My house is naked!

It's getting a new coat.

It's down to bare bricks,

We got a good quote.

They banged and they drilled,

Removing the old,

It won't take too long,

The builders, they told.

On goes the first layer,

Concrete, all grey,

Oh, so much dust,

It'll be worth it, they say.

The first one is done,

Now wait for it to dry.

Oh rain, go away!

The men they do cry.

Make us a cuppa,

Is said with a grin,

And also a biscuit?

To dunk down within?

They've gone for the day,

Now time for a tidy,

Dust, dirt be gone,

Til they come back on Friday!

Hopefully it will soon be done,

I'll drop you a line,

On how it is going,

If they're taking their time.

So until my next poem,

I'm going to wait,

Until it's all done,

And they're out of my gate!

My Daughter's getting married!

The time it has flown

She has grown up so fast,

Has her own house,

A man that will last!

He popped the question,

And she said YES!

That means a wedding,

Lots of planning I guess.

Where for the ceremony,

How many guests?

There are lots to invite,

My daughter suggests.

What about the dress,

Short, to the floor?

White maybe cream,

One she'll adore.

What about bridesmaids,

One two or three?

Family and friends,

A pleasure to see.

Then there's the food!

Types to please all.

Veggie and meat eaters,

They'll all have a ball.

What about the evening?

The music and dance?

Thinking of it all,

I'm in quite a trance.

But one thing is sure,

The day will be great,

Enjoyed by everyone,

I can't wait for the date.

I'll put on my hat,

Help out the bride,

Have a great day,

And smile with pride.

Senior moments!

It is now official!

I'm getting quite old,

But my mind is still sharp,

If I might be so bold.

But, now and again,

Something goes wrong,

I'm never quite sure,

It's not been happening long!

Senior moments,

I think they are known,

Those times when your brain,

Out of the window has flown!

You know the ones,

A slip of the mind,

You put back your keys,

In a place you can't find!

When leaving a room,

You go through the door,

Then can't remember,

What you went in there for!

You put the milk in the cupboard,

Cereal in the fridge!

Do you think you are mad?

Well maybe a smidge.

You walk to the shops,

To buy lacking stuff!

But then it's forgotten,

Curiously enough!

You boil the kettle,

To make you some tea,

Check in ten minutes,

The cup's empty, you see.

I forget names,

What things are called,

It's annoying, too true,

I'm really appalled!

I'm really not mad,

I'm just getting on.

Cut me some slack,

Cos my brain's not quite gone!

Ouch!

Went to the doctor,

My B12 jab was due.

Saw a different nurse,

She said she was new.

Chatted away,

She drew up the stuff,

Ow, that really hurt!

That was quite rough!

I turned for to look,

A big needle I saw!

One for drawing up,

I stared, with a drop of the jaw!

Is it not enough,

That I have to be here?

You hurt me so much,

Coming again I will fear.

My arm is now sore,

Come up in a bruise!

You hurt and abused,

The nurse I accuse.

I'm sorry she says,

Won't do it next time,

I'll use one much smaller,

Which won't be a crime!

Thank you dear nurse,

For being so kind,

I'll come back again,

I really won't mind.

I can't work it out!

I love a good puzzle,

Crosswords and such,

They keep my mind active,

So it don't addle too much!

But oh, this puzzle I'm on!

Days, I have toiled

I can't work it out!

My fun it is spoiled!

I get out the books,

To check up on the word,

But still it won't fit,

This is getting absurd!

I check out a website,

To finish the clue,

But still it won't work,

I'm feeling quite blue!

I throw down the book,

In a bit of a shock,

This difficult thing,

Is starting to mock!

I need to get out,

For a walk I will go,

Maybe my brain,

Will get a good blow!

A lightbulb comes on.

That's the answer I seek!

Flying high in the sky,

I look up for a peek.

Drone! That's the one,

I've done it at last!

I fill in the squares,

And finish quite fast.

I smile and turn,

To the next puzzle page,

Sudoko, oh no,

This will take me an age!

But I'll do it, you'll see

I'll work it all out,

Cos using my brain,

Is what it's about!

I need a new oven!

I need a new oven!

My old one is dead.

It needs to come quickly,

Or none will get fed.

I look on the web,

A.O., they look fine,

I look and peruse,

Which one will be mine?

Ah, that one looks good,

I choose and I pay.

Not long now to wait,

Then I can play.

Two chaps have arrived,

They smile and say,

You'll have a new oven,

By the end of the day.

Inside of the hour,

They've finished the job!

They try the new oven,

By turning the knob.

It works! And I smile,

Happy am I,

I'm going to get cooking!

Tea time is nigh.

So I thank you A.O.,

For a job that was great.

They even cleaned up!

Really first rate.

Disconnected

She stood, the wind slicking back her hair, blowing away the tears that fell from her eyes.

Why had things changed? All of those years, listening, passing on knowledge, feeling at one with those around her.

Life was full of sound, full of chatter, love and laughter then. True, there was never silence, but she was not used to that anyway!

Ever since her birth, there had been the voices. Precocious, her Mum had said. 'Knows more than she should!'

But what had changed? Why did they not speak to her anymore? 

It had all started with her illness. As it took hold, they drew back, became quieter, eventually becoming silent.

She felt so alone, their voices no longer her eternal companions. Nobody could understand. Why should they? They lived in a stifled, closed world of silence!

She understood, they were giving her space to heal, to rest. She was sure that they would return – wouldn't they?

It felt as though the wind around her was playing tricks on her ears. She was sure that she could hear her name being called.

Are you there? She called. Have you come back to me?

Just the whistling wind answered her cries.

She turned to go, rushing to get out of the bitter, biting wind, back to the warmth of home.

She reached home, her hand on the door handle when...............

Yes, there was no mistake this time, she heard her name being called. Softly, sweetly.

She turned her head, looking for the source. But of course there was nobody there!

She smiled, realising that they were still there, after all. Biding their time until she was well.

Then came the rush of love which filled her to bursting.

'Don't worry my child, we have not left you, we were always here, watching, waiting for today.'

And with a beautiful rush the voices returned. Spirit voices, the loved ones who had passed into another realm. She was home again.

Fighting for peace

I got up this morning to the awful news that there has been yet another terrorist attack in my country.

People are justifiably angry about it and most are blaming religion as the cause.

But is this really the case? If there was no religion, would war and conflict cease, would the world be at peace?

Sadly, I believe that it would not. Man will always find a reason to fight, to start wars.

We will always fight for what we think that we deserve, what we are owed.

Without religion, we would fight over land, food, money, to name but a few.

We would fight over small things that in the grand scheme of things don't matter at all, but we feel it is our right to do so.

Animals fight over the same things, and at the end of the day, as much as people dislike to hear it, we too are animals, with the same instincts to fight for what we want and need.

But here lies the difference. We have the gifts of compassion and logic. The ability to compromise for the good of all.

We can negotiate, we can put ourselves in the shoes of others, we can see things from their point of view.

All wars and conflicts start with a disagreement between two parties.

Instead of killing each other, we should use these human abilities to find a peaceful outcome.

Maybe this sounds simplistic, but if more people used these uniquely human abilities, then the world would be a kinder, more peaceful place for everyone.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone, the world over who has suffered and lost due to war and conflict.

Let us hope that one day our humanity will triumph and our beautiful world will be a haven of love and understanding rather than one of death and destruction.

It's too hot!

My last little poem,

About feeling so cold,

T'was a while ago,

It's getting quite old!

So now, I'm too hot!

The sun is now here.

I'd like to go out,

It's too warm though, I fear.

My head it is scorching,

Cos I've got blond hair.

I'm sweating and baking,

It's really not fair!

I cannot be pleased,

I'm British you see,

It's too hot or too cold,

Never just right for me!

Too wet or too dry

Too light or too dark!

Summer's light is too early,

I'm up with the lark!

In winter I'm tired,

Because sunlight is gone!

This chopping and changing,

Is really a con.

So I'll sit here and sweat,

Wanting coolness for me,

Then I'll moan it's too cold,

And make some hot tea!

Where is my blanket?

Where is my blanket,

I feel oh so cold.

Right to my bones,

Is it cos I am old?

It's the middle of May!

It should be sunny and bright,

Nice and warm,

Breezy and light.

It's raining hard,

The sky is so grey!

I want blue skies.

Please go away.

The heating is off,

Because Winter has gone.

But I'm so very tempted,

To switch it back on!

In just a few weeks,

Summer will be here,

But this awful weather,

Won't get better, I fear.

I'd go for a walk,

But don't want to get wet!

Those comfy old shoes,

They'll leak, I will bet!

So I'll sit on the sofa,

Cuppa held tight,

And pray for good weather,

With all of my might!

Snatch that parcel!

There's a new game,

That I've been playing of late,

You can win lots of stuff,

I think it is great!

It's like pass the parcel,

That as a child I played.

Is it still fun?

Did my love of it fade?

Well this game is different,

You can win some cool stuff,

From flights, food and cash,

And if that isn't enough..........

You can be quite mean,

And snatch from a mate,

Maybe open their parcel,

And find something great!

Or if you are kind,

You can pick up from the map,

Sat on your sofa,

With your phone on your lap!

Or you can go for a walk,

And pick up that way,

Enjoying the sun,

Watching trees as they sway.

Sometimes I feel mean,

When I grab a mate's stash,

But they might block the attack,

Stop me increasing my cache.

When a parcel is picked up,

There's six hours to kill,

Till it's locked down,

A prize in, I will!

It's a fun little game,

Played naughty or nice,

But snatch from some players,

And you could pay the price!

Cos they'll nick back their stash,

In the blink of an eye,

And I'll have no more parcels,

Maybe I'll cry?

No, when you are sleeping,

All tucked up in bed,

I'll steal them all back!

Is that something you'll dread?

If you would like to join in,

And play this good game,

It's in the app store,

With prizes to claim.

If you do want to play,

Please input my code,

It's EEG8FD,

That is the end of my ode.

Glasses, glasses everywhere!

I went for my eye test,

Just the other day,

Squinted and struggled,

What will they say?

Do you drive?

No I do not,

That's good,

Cos your vision's not hot!

What work do you do?

Do you stare at a screen?

Yes? You need 'puter glasses,

So the text can be seen.

But I use reading glasses,

Is that so wrong?

No, no, they're no good,

They're rather too strong!

So down I go,

Perusing the frames,

There's many to choose from,

It's all fun and games!

I choose two pairs,

They're on offer you see,

Two for one,

That'll do nicely for me!

So now I've got four pairs!

General, reading and lappy,

Get it wrong,

And my eyes won't be happy!

So I'm sitting here now,

Surrounded by specs,

Chopping and changing,

Depending what's next!

Why can't I have,

Just one pair, not four?

Chopping and changing,

Is really a bore!

I did try varifocals,

But I didn't do well,

They made me feel,

Like I was at sea in a swell!

So for now and a while,

I guess this is best,

Now excuse me dear reader,

My eyes need a rest!

The Tempest

Andy looked at the umbrella by the door. Should he go after her, out into the rain, or should he just wait for her to come back?

He walked to the window, looking out at the turbulent weather.

He had always loved Cornwall, with its tempestuous seas and steep cliffs. But somehow, it's very wildness could make him feel uncontrollably angry, make him say things that he shouldn't!

He looked through the window, into the teeming rain. A lone figure walked towards him along the beach. It was Laura! Tall, willowy, beautiful, with her long black hair billowing behind her.

Andy turned and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He put down his empty whisky glass and with trembling hands, smoothed down his hair.

He thought back to earlier, the fight, the harsh words, the recriminations.

He had told her about Claire, the girl that he had met at work, how he had fallen in love with her, wanted to be with her, not Laura!

She had cried and begged, told him that she loved him and that she didn't want him to leave her.

She had run out of the chalet, into the wind and rain, saying that she needed to clear her head, needed to think.

She came closer. What would she say, would she be angry still, or would she accept that it was over?

Perhaps this holiday was a bad idea, maybe he should have told her before they had come.

What was that in her hand? He couldn't quite make it out. Something that she had picked up on the beach and thought may be useful, knowing Laura!

She opened the door, battling against the wind, and stepped into the room.

Her face was set, he couldn't tell what she was thinking, how she felt.

“Laura, talk to me! We need to discuss this, work out where we go from here!”

Her face suddenly became dark, frightening!

“I told you, I don't want you to leave me, I won't let you leave me!” Andy suddenly felt afraid. He had never seen this side of her before.

With horror he realised that she had a length of metal piping in her hand. She raised it above her head.

A look of confusion passed over Andy's face in the split second before the world exploded as Laura brought it crashing down on his head.

He fell to the floor, blood pouring from the wound. He looked up at her. “Why?”

She stood, silently watching as his breathing grew ragged and slow, the pipe dangling in her hand. “You will never leave me Andy, and you will never be with her”, she whispered.

He took his last breath, sighed and went limp, his eyes staring blankly.

Laura turned, opened the door and walked back out into the storm. He would always belong to her now, nobody else could ever have him!

What do you see?

What do you see?

Am I loud?

Am I quiet,

Do I seem proud?

What do you think,

When you look at me.

That I look old?

Is it just my age that you see?

Am I clever?

Do I have a good brain?

Or am I invisible,

Walking home in the rain.

Is my life very blessed?

No worries or care.

Have I lots of money?

Or a house that is bare?

What you see here,

Is the outer shell of me,

Not what's hidden within,

That's what is key!

I am clever,

I am bold,

But what you see.......

Is just old!

Please give a care,

To the person within,

I am special, clever,

Sharp as a pin!

I may be an old lady,

But I've lived a good life,

Raised a family,

Been a good wife!

I've given and helped,

Those worse off than me,

I've learnt and I've given,

Please hear my plea.

When you see me about,

Don't ignore and not see.

I'm not a poor old lady,

I'm special, I'm ME!

Getting the needle!

It's official!

I've got something new,

Yet another disease,

I'm feeling quite blue!

It's called Pernicious Anaemia,

A vitamin I lack,

And there's only one way,

To get it put back.

It involves jabs,

For the rest of my life.

I'm trying to get a grip,

But it cuts like a knife!

Without the jabs,

I will slowly die,

But I want to feel better,

I sigh, I want to cry!

My first injection,

The pink in the syringe,

In it goes,

It stings and I cringe.

Hours later,

I feel rather odd!

My brain is wired,

But my body is still tired.

I few injections later,

I'm feeling much brighter,

Maybe it's working,

I'm feeling much lighter!

Yes, my body is better,

Much less pain,

I'm happier,

A much clearer brain.

So when my next jab is due,

I'll take it with glee,

Because I'm happy to say,

I'm feeling more like ME!