A Sportier Model

A family estate 

an older model

one which has let itself go

past it's best - you know

miles on the clock

carrying a bit of history - eyes up a sportier

younger model 

across the forecourt

mmm, thinks he'd fancy a test drive with that

or even better

what about a trade-in

he'd always fancied a soft top 

an easily convertable model

a sharp looking 

quick off the mark model

maybe the slightly higher mileage means

she's well run-in

a model with a pedigree 

with great handling

great bodywork - nice curves

a well dressed model

well maintained!

The family estate looks again

but then decides against it - can't afford it anyway

and

drives off 

only to miss the spectacle 

as the sporty model lowers its top on the forecourt

and leaves - topless 

into the setting sun 

...and the moment has passed!

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Nothing

What are you doing?

Nothing!

Why aren't you doing something?

Because I'm busy doing nothing!

Shouldn't you find something to do?

...Why? 

Well, because...

Anyway I am doing something

...OK, what?

I'm sitting quietly, 

thinking, 

listening to the birds

resting, 

relaxing, 

recharging my batteries...

Nothing!

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Troubled Town

This troubled 

towns

tower blocks

tall

satellite dishes adorn

prisons minus wardens

piss scented stairwells 

lifts - broken 

lives - broken

children - feral 

housing benefit existence 

dole queue fathers

absent

locked up

social workers given up

dawn raids

benefit druggies

grow your own

dealers pushing

blacklisted postcode

takeaway chip shop

alcoholic at the "One Stop"

shop-lifting

C-C-T-V-recording

shutters - locked all night

cashiers - screened all day

panic the panic button 

broken the window 

boarded

the hooky fags

bent gear

but police don't bother

...in this 

piss scented

shutters

dealers 

pushing

tower block

dawn raid

town

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Why

Why is it that when the clocks go forward  - we must

always forget, the one clock to adjust

and where does darkness, in morning, go

and, can one have a small big toe?

And when it rains you always stand

where that huge raindrop wants to land

And why is it when you've just washed your car

the incontenent seagulls are never too far?

And why, if you look for the coin you drop

you have to dismantle the half of the shop

to find the coin, now disappeared 

on hands and knees making you look all weird

the money gods telling you to 'take a hike'

you know you are not going to find the coin you'd like 

The week you wanted off went to Steve from HR

and the week that you were given, you crashed your car 

although you said it wasn't of your doing

your insurance company tell you, it's you they're suing!

And why, of all the things your little toe could hit

why does your toe hit, the solid bit

And who was 'sod' - and what's his law

and why doesn't 'Murphy' know what it's for

I think it's to do with all you've just read

quite why it can't go right instead

I know not so,

...(Sigh) so I'm off to bed!

(because me toe hurts!)

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With The Wind

Seagulls blown across a rainbow 

bright against the blackened clouds

bright against an angry sky

tug the boats at their mourings

churn the hapless seas

shift the sands

dislodge the bins

and tumble the beach huts

Wrapped in his coat and scarf 

an old man turns his face away to avoid its bite

then leans into it

struggling up the hill 

it trys to steal his shopping bag 

...unsuccessfully 

TV aerials regret their positions 

street lights nod

trees wave their branches

as it sings through cables slung between poles 

cables swinging wildly 

cables howling 

howling with the wind

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But You Don't See Me

I see you!

Hanging there

defing gravity 

making patterns in the sky 

trails stitching clouds together

full with people exploring far off lands

visiting loved ones

fufilling dreams 

I see the excitement on their faces

the anticipation in their hearts - I see you!

...but you don't see me

I see you!

Ploughing

there in your tractor 

drawing straight furrows across the earth

turning the soil with your plough

for seeds to sow 

I see the seagulls following you

flying high above you as you work the land

searching for a meal - I see you!

...but you don't see me

I see you!

Tracing a line across the water

your tiny boat on giant seas

the ropes you work

your nets to catch the fish 

your bright yellow waterproofs keeping you warm and dry

I see the relentless toil 

written across your face

the hopes and dreams in the lines across your 'work worn' hands - I see you!

...but you don't see me

I see you

all of you

from high upon a hill-top road

snug inside my car

speeding to where I need to be

doing what I need to do

I see you

I see you all 

going to where you need to go

doing what you need to do - I see you!

...but you don't see me

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