Life’s no rehearsal
That’s what they say
So enjoy life together
Each precious day
Share common pleasures
Work as a pair
Don’t waste a moment
Laugh without care
For soon it’ll be over
The time will have come
With no final chances
For any more fun
But know that you’re lucky
To hold someone dear
And don’t practise now
For when they’re not there.
How dare you tell me what to do
Can’t you see I am full grown
You think you know what’s best for me
I can manage on my own
You can’t be right all the time
You’ve ruled the roost too long
Why should I follow your advice
I’m not dancing to that song
I will do what I want to do
And make up my own mind
I don’t need your help these days
Hush please, if you’d be so kind
If I’m in a bind, I’ll sort it out
By giving it plenty of thought
Then, if and when, I’ve tried but failed
You’ll be my last resort.
When sun blessed days are but memories
Winter’s grip tight round windows and walls
As soil hardens and nature rests soundlessly
Listen and heed as the fireside calls
Then warming, recall those happier times
What you did and what difference you’ve made
Think then of all those less fortunate
Living lives never out of the shade.
Look at my wrinkled hand
It wasn’t like that before
Why are my knees hurting so
When I get up to answer the door
Why do I feel so tired these days
I’ll be better when I’ve had a nap
Turn on the telly, if you please
But I bet it’s all going to be crap
What day is this and who are you
I don’t recognise anyone now
Childhood memories are crystal clear
But yesterday’s not there anyhow.
Head to the light
That seems the advice
But no-one’s come back
To say that way is nice
Don’t worry right now
About what you will do
Whatever comes after
Is not up to you
But when the time comes
After one final breath
You’ll merge with the cosmos
That’s not really death.
Poor old Tommy on that foreign street
Armed to the teeth, like some he’ll meet
How does he tell public from foe
The courts back in England say he should know
It’s the generals’ job to decide how and when
To train and deploy their brave fighting men
But when it goes wrong, poor Tommy’s to blame
Not those who sent him to fight in their name.
Fresh talc and terry-towelling smell
Rhymes and stories longing to tell
Spotting that very first baby tooth
Eyes searching mine for some loving truth
Lighting one candle on the birthday cake
Leisurely walks around the park lake
Holding hands and showing I care
Talking of others, no longer here
Laughing at furrows on my ageing brow
Answering questions about why and how
Forbidden sweets shared when none can see
Just coming round for Sunday tea
Don’t ask which of these pleasures I miss the most
For none are matters about which I can boast
And, knowing these things might never be
I must miss them all, but secretly.
As silent frosts and gentle snow
Bid ‘sleep still’ to plants below
Winds at shivering branches tear
Threatening any that above ground dare
Icy cold, seeds wait their turn
To know what fate they are to learn
When Winter deigns to loose its grasp
As feeble shoots feint sunlight clasp
Then urgent as the days grow longer
Frenzied growth forever stronger
Through warming soil, tendrils searching
Stalk and leaves now skyward lurching
Green hued cells their magic weave
Creating starch, apart do cleave
In answer to Spring’s gleeful call
Across the earth new life will sprawl
‘Till basking in our young star’s rays
Countless flowers their heads do raise
Grasses nod, caressing the breeze
Pollen gathered by dutiful bees
The Summer months bring endless days
Fields, gardens, pastures, bright-cloaked in haze
With lengthening shadows soon to cast
The signal that this cannot last
Ripening fruits fill hedge and vine
Quick gathered in to make new wine
Nature’s harvest garnered and stored
Planet-bequeathed life-giving hoard
Leaves slowly rust in amber shades
And drop to lie in Autumn glades
A last joyful scent of this year’s roses
Then, once again the cycle closes.
Not now, see, I’m in such a rush
Not now, please, again, do shush
Not now, you’ll simply have to wait
Not now, I’m running rather late
Another time, when I’m not so busy
Another time, my head is dizzy
Another time, we’ll be able to play
Another time, I told you yesterday.
Say ‘Ahh’ for those with the idle gene
Who in the mornings are seldom seen
They miss the lark and the shepherds warning
But sleep on wearily as day is dawning
Then as the sun climbs to its full height
They stir and ready to face the light
Cautiously, through the curtains they stare
And laugh at the fools dashing about out there
If work is a choice they choose something other
Why toil for a living if you needn’t bother
Instead think how to pass the day
Life is too short to live any other way
Why can’t we all have this carefree life
And let someone else face all the strife
Enjoy idle days as our birth right
Saving our energy to enjoy the night.
shippsblog.com 