FRANCES PINCHES
THE NEW PUPPY (TRADER)
I didn't intend to buy you at all,
A social visit, an excuse to call
On old friends much neglected,
Yet still much respected.
Five of you born on September Eleven,
Mum so proud, in her own seventh heaven.
Named for the Spice Girls – just temporary
Ginger, Posh, Sporty, Baby and Scary!
On unsteady feet you pottered around,
Nudging, then falling asleep in a mound.
Yawning awake you notice me there,
Scamper across and give me a stare.
Warm bundle of fur, a little wet nose,
Your perfume so special, much sweeter than rose.
Yet your markings are different to others I've had,
But your Mum is so gentle, and you've a real clever Dad.
In two weeks I'll come and you'll have a new home,
We'll play and you'll learn as through life we roam.
Through play you will learn that life is for living,
That there's joy in the art of both taking and giving.
Footnote: Three of the pups were registered in memory of 9/11
September Trader
Wizard of Remembrance
Manhattan Shades of Blue
TIMESPAN - BIDEFORD BRIDGE
Standing still, strong as it was meant to be,
This crossing point o'er tidal river wide.
Born of years of toil, of expert masonry,
Defying centuries of daily surging tide.
What tales its bricks and many arches surely keep,
Mellowed by time, lashed by tempests past.
Pounded by feet of ancient armies lost in death's deep sleep,
Merchants and travellers in numbers vast.
Now a new bridge looks down from on high,
Used by travellers but by-passing the town.
Sleek and white it shines, almost in the sky,
Today's solution to travel minus frown.
Modem engineering. A town left dying,
As to our south-west beaches we all pass, flying.
SQUELCH
Squelch, squelch, squelch, what a lovely sound,
And the feel of the mud as he jumped around.
It sucked at his wellies as he jumped on the ground,
Then sadness as Nanny said "we're homeward bound."
Squelch, squelch, squelch, what a lovely sound,
The feel of wet sand as he jumped around.
The ebb tide sucked at his bare feet and toes,
Run, catch it quickly before it goes.
Squelch, squelch, squelch, what a dreadful sound,
Mud, reddish grey, bodies all around.
Mile after mile, guns roaring, horses neighing,
Little talk, no idle chat, just the sound of praying.
Squelch, squelch, squelch, still haunted his mind,
After years of peace for friends he still pined.
The gardens awash after heavy summer rain,
But his toil soothed him, eased his pain.
Squelch, squelch, squelch, what a lovely sound,
And the feel of the mud as he jumped around.
Laughing with his grandson, hand in hand,
Come summer, bare feet again, in the sand.
RAINBOW
Riotous Hues amidst the clouds
Against the changing sky
Inspiring artists beyond all bounds
New challenges, skyscapes to try
Beckoning children outdoors, storm passed
Opening doors to welcome in the sun
Wondrous sight, be quick, it will not last.
HEAVY WATER
Drips causing bubbles in the stillness,
Azure drops displacing the clear
Heavy water, reminders of evilness,
Ready to threaten everyone dear.
Harnessed, the world it can save,
Abused, we sink beneath the waves.
ALIEN IDENTITY
I think it really happened, my trip to the unknown,
No matter how insane it sounds, as though my mind has blown,
I'm really rather different from others round about,
But no-one ever listens unless I really shout.
Yet when I shout out loud I do not sound like me,
My voice takes on a wobble and it comes out of my knee,
And when I eat fish fingers
my fingers become fins,I fret if I'm not careful I may end up in tins.
In summer if its hot I have to hide in caves,
I turn bright blue, fake fancy dress and visit all the raves,
My favourite gin and tonic is a no, no, really sad,
Like Hyde and Mr Jeykll my persona turns quite bad.
They locked me up in clink one night after one event,
I melted locks with just one stare, the bars were even bent,
So I think I must be influenced by something rather strange,
'Cos if on a cushion I sit too long I start laying eggs - free range !
THE SEED
Just a tiny seed planted with love,
Or just by chance.
Tended with care and gentleness,
Or gratefully grasping what it can.
As it pushes out into the air
It is viewed with amazement,
Or perhaps almost ignored.
As it grows and develops it is cherished,
Or may simply fight for survival.
It is given space to grow and blossom,
Or is choked by the pollution of life.
It is acclaimed as the perfection of its species,
Or is trodden down by the uncaring masses.
What will life hold for the child
That was once just a tiny seed.