Because

I'm only up at this time of day because I have to go to work.
I'll buy that on the credit card because we're struggling for money.
I buy the cheapest tobacco because I really can't afford to smoke.
I buy a Sunday newspaper every week because I'm retired and can afford the time and money to do so.

I wear my hair in a 'man-bun' because I think I look cool.
I wear shorts in the winter because I don't feel the cold - much.
I'm this shape because I don't look after myself.

I'm buying alcohol because it's Friday.
I'm buying alcohol because I'm going to watch the footy.
I'm buying alcohol because I have a drink problem.

I wear this England football shirt because it makes me feel like I belong.
I buy 'energy drinks' because I really believe they give me energy.
I'll have this bar of chocolate for my breakfast because I'm not organised enough to arrange a proper breakfast.

I smile all the time because I'm a happy soul.
I'm excited when it begins to snow because I can remember what it felt like when it snowed when I was a child.
I laugh because I think you're funny.

...I wrote this poem because I observed all this happening.


Winter


Winter.
The December chill hastens the arrival of Christmas jumpers,
it hardens the butter,
and reminds us to buy anti-freeze.

"A horse wears a coat in the Paddock"

An electric van tip-toes round the corner,
the only sound being it's tyres 
crackling on the frozen snow.

"My breath appears through the dark"

The water in the bird bath has frozen solid.
Autumn leaves on the surface of the pond now form a frozen mosaic.

"Snow covered roofs on well insulated houses"

Bare branches of winter trees mourn their loss.
Clouds threaten snow but don't deliver - yet

"The tips of my fingers anticipate the cold"

I grip my hands round the residual warmth of a now empty coffee cup.
I think a second jumper is now required.

Getting Old

Children are in everything!
Children
Children
Children!
They drive cars
they're buying houses
they're even having children of their own! 
The police recruit them.
They're all over our 'screens'
they're driving trains,
they're even becoming doctors!
They're all over society
they're running their own businesses
they're becoming teachers
they're even standing for parliament!
They're everywhere in sport.
They play for our top teams
they're playing for their countries 
they're even becom...
...wait a minute.

...am I just getting old!

The Sun Sets Light to The Evening

The largest of women got out of the smallest of cars.
The once annoying youth,
now a young man 
holds the door open for a very short lady who, 
compensates for her size with a huge personality.
There is always hope!
With the speaker on,
a man talks loudly into his mobile phone
but is drowned out by a deafening sign language argument,
so much hand waving!
It sounds like she's coping.
The sun sets light to the evening.

The Best Turkish Dentistry Could Provide

The cherished number plate 
hides the true age 
of the car
on the forecourt
the make-up 
and surgery 
hides the true age 
of its driver. 
The choice 
of a purchase 
testifies to an upbringing 
the outfit 
she's selected 
screams along!

For in a 'less than
designer tracksuit
with a 'bona fide
fake gold necklace
round a 'genuine
spray-tanned neckline (which no suns rays have ever seen)
two lips 
with more filler 
than a '75 Ford Cortina
and boobs 
so full of silicone,
her bra's prepared to quit
there; 
with a fake 
but unconvincingly labelled handbag 
from a well-known internet auction site 
lyes the 'not-quite
latest iPhone 
trussed up
like her boobs
in a fake 
diamond phone case
with more sparkle  
than her teeth
which are the best 
Turkish dentistry 
could provide!

(Haiku)

With phone and a fag, 
tinted hair and her handbag -
she goes off to work