Come marvel and wonder at dawn’s early light
As boldly it brightens to banish the night
A new day that promises fresh chances and hope
To those still alive to share in its scope
For many may not see another new day
When this one is spent and the light goes away
So embrace with some passion each moment we share
Use the day prudently, live it with care.
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.
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.
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.
How to master a cat…?
You can’t and that’s that!
Through holocaust and atom bomb yield
Cruelty and war, human nature revealed
Barbaric behaviour must surely cease
And people strive to live in peace
If mortal man holds life too cheap
By his own hand sad fate he’ll reap
Squandering life and every resource
No way found to a better course
The sun cares not for the human plight
It marks each day with its warming light
To our demise all assistance we lend
Our fragile existence we hasten to end..
Only fools gravely utter
in their final croaking stutter
to those around the hushed deathbed
words and phrases best left unsaid.
shippsblog.com 