An Explanation

Indoctrination.

Determination through implementation.

A coronation proclamation. 

Maybe a cremation?

The externalisation 

the computerisation of personal information.

Not extrication

nor hesitation, 

the relation of fascination 

a revelation - no resignation 

nor full explanation 

just undervaluation.

No corporate integration

the conformation 

an assignation

to hell with the vacation!

No resignation 

the congregation

merely sent a presentation!

An abomination!

Total ab-lit-er-ation

discrimination

not extermination

a real irritation 

a total fabrication.

No deviation

total domination 

the proliferation 

sweeping our nation.

An illustration  

without specification 

What am I on about?

...have you - an explanation?

to this crazy - narration?

Click here to hear me read this piece 

run out of rhyme

What do you do when your world won't rhyme

when you can't find the words

and you can't find the time

and your feet weight heavy

and you're on your last dime

and the darkness is yours

and your poem won't chime

and every hill that you face

is a hill you must climb

and your only hope

is a world of crime 

but you're much too old 

and you're way past your prime

and your poem won't rhyme

and your world don't chime

is a hill you must crime

is a way past your climb

and you're on your last time

and you can't find the slime

try and crawl from the grime

cos your world won't dime

and your words don't rhyme

cos your world won't chime

have you got enough time

for a tonic and lime

mix a blend so sublime...

...then you run out of rhyme

Click here to hear me read this piece 

The Magpie

One for the folk law surrounding this bird

Two for the devils blood under his tongue

Three for the deathly omen he brings

and four for a thief of shiny things 

Five for a mischievous insightful breed

Six for capacity to remember your face

Seven for cognition an ability to think

and eight for "Morning Captain!" - a salute and a wink!

Nine for these are not necessarily true

and ten - so I'll leave the conclusion to you

Click here to hear me read this piece 

(Untitled)

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.

Click here to hear me read this piece 

 

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!

Click here to hear me read this piece 

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!)

Click here to hear me read this piece