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this place is a mystery to us
it's dark
cold
endless
we sit at its edges
and we stare at its majesty
and we ponder
and we philosophize 
and wonder at all that it hides
we spin yarns
craft songs
and write poems - about it
and we are enchanted by its sounds
as it ripples 
at our feet as children 
it creates life long memories 
we dip our toes into its very being
immersing ourselves - and we play
we play within it
feeling its power
yet we know so little of its depths
and despite it being untrustworthy - we play
for today it's calm - tomorrow?
tomorrow - as if we've upset it
it might be violent even brutal 
it is vast - don't doubt it's power
it is empty - yet not so
creatures live here
creatures like we've never seen
we want to know more about it
it dominates us so 
but has vast areas - unexplored 
this abyss 
many many miles of unexplored wilderness 
a wilderness that is not ours
yet - it provides us food
but which could take our lives 
yet - enables some to put food on the table
but of which we are not masters
yet - which we must take care of
but of which we don't 
yet this giant - merely sleeps
catch this giant in a bad mood
and you're in trouble
this wilderness is a giant we need in
our lives
because the life of this giant
and our lives
are linked 

...and we need it
more than it needs us.

The sea.



 

To Say In My Defense

Am I standing still whilst the world whizzes by
is the sky coming with me for the ride 
do the birds as they pass, simply paint  the clouds - alas 
...are the raindrops simply tears from someones eye

does that sound like the truth - or  sound like a lie
what does the branch that taps my window want to know
will I ever understand, this Magpie in my hand
and will the noise of passing trains ever die 

How do I stop, a dripping tap, filling up my shoe
and where do bubbles go to when they burst
a frog hoping by, said they went into his eye
and I said that's a shame and just won't do 

Does any of what you've read make the slightest bit of sense 
If it does, then you're twice as mad as I
or perhaps it could be me, 
and madness will be my plee
the magpie 
said to say 
in my defense - yes it did!










London Through An Outsiders Eyes

London
People 
people everywhere
pavements bursting
bodies pouring out onto streets
benches taken
pubs and cafes rammed
crowds swarming round popular locations
queues to get in well known shops
barely space enough for your next step
tourists
queuing for everything
to visit everything 
and photograph everything 
space at a premium 
people living in stacks of boxes
tall monoliths 
all in a scramble to reach the sky
prickly aerial masts on roofs puncture the clouds
balconies with views of nothing
thriving on constant noise 
no silence - even at night
no respite from the city's heat
permeating everything 
red buses
red phone boxes 
red faces

pavements offering no shelter
cyclists 
electric scooters
huge suitcases
beggers 

hurry hurry hurry!
deep in the 'now' culture
everything delivered 
everything to hand
everything on an app
food for now
food for later
life delivered 
access to its places
its cafes
restaurants 
theatres
cinemas
venues
galleries
destinations  
famous landmarks
sights to see
(Gasp!)
Tap your phone
Now now now!

London - a city
Jam packed busy
mad crazy
noisy 
full to bursting
feed your senses
exciting 
lots to do
lots to see
lots of experiences
A-mazing

...in small doses!
(I want to go home please!)





Heads Off To The Loo

My bladder usually wakes up first
shortly followed by my mind.
My bladder says it needs emptying,
my mind asks if it possible to push blancmange up a hill with a chopstick
My bladder tells my mind it's an idiot
...my mind adding
"it would probably be easier if you used several chopsticks!"
My body chips in...
"shut up you twoI'm not ready and if we move now, 
we're all going to end up in a heap on the floor!"

My mind continues, 

"and, who was the first person who thought we needed a letter 'P' 
at the beginning of the word psychology?"

"I need emptying" shouts my bladder!

"I can't move...!" - my body reminds them

"...and - continues my mind
"why is it...?

Brain hits the mute button - and we head off to the loo - slowly!


War

This is an arena of war 
conflict amidst primeval 
tribal
unreasoning support 
support for their soldiers 
their colours displayed
war paint across faces
stood amongst their own
flags with village names proudly displayed
allegiances laid bare as this battle commences 
Sergeants leading the men
jumping up and down they scream
arms around each others shoulders
they become soldiers of war
as if prepared to fight
prepared to die
chanting well rehearsed songs
jeering incorrect decisions 
cheering progress on the battle field in front of them
mocking those in charge 
worshiping their Generals 
mauning the loss 
saluting their warriors in winning 
the battle
winning the war 
the war that is this game

...this game of football

The Tube - Off We Go Again


Tap a card and go down endless escalators 
deep into vast holes dug into the earth
hot and stuffy
be prepared to be squashed into trains
like sardines in a tin.
sweaty Turkish baths meet mass transit
electric motors provide startling excelloration 
powering us along 
inside hollowed out tubes
deep under the streets of London 
too full to get a seat
too noisy to chat
too hot to be enjoyed!
but getting you to where you need to be!

"Doors closing!"

"Ready, Steady - GO!"

Lurch backwards 
hang on tight!
heads down
no-one talks
faces buried in mobile screens
thumbs tapping 
no eye to eye contact
swaying side to side
left right up and down 
announcements made - no- hears 
wheels on tracks
flanges squealing 
biting screeching breaks - throw you forward!
"STOOOOOOOOOOP!"

Part essential mode of transportation 
part fairground ride

"Mind the gap!"

crowds of people trying to get out
crowds of people trying to get in - squashing us further

"mind the doors!"

...off we go again!