Old Waldor Castle (On This Peaceful Corner Of England)

Deep amidst the summers heat; hidden in the forest green  

darting wagtails nod and swallows swoop; a meal to catch

as quiet under shade of ancient trees; a family eats

the mothers stroll with prams; their sun shades high so babies cool

and men with fishing rods along the lakeside wait; their luck to try; a fish to catch

sits a castle ruined there - and all around is calm!

All is calm - but once a bloody battle raged!

The calm belies that many souls were lost and so the seat of power seized 

a siege of great distruction dealt; battles left a ruined pile 

the self inflicted distruction caused the mighty walls to crumble

so determined he to take his rightful seat; his power to reclaim.

In time replaced by castle new; which built within the ruins sight 

so dressed to please his lordship's eye 

as garden folly; a statement made

and now on summer days like these when families come and children play

it's hard to imagine that battles were fought and that blood was spilt

on this peaceful corner of England

In Front Of Me

Hear the morning shadows pass the window of your sleeping 

see your breathing lighten by the glowing crescent moon 

as if a lonely heart was just broken into pieces

that couldn't understand why the world would end so soon

it wasn't like the dream I'd had before I woke up finally,

the one in which my tears upon the floor were many strewn 

We had nothing left in common but the gloomy autumn weather

I could see the good times leaving; now were many miles away

despite the remorseless march of the hand upon the clock face

despite the fact that time just wouldn't stay

I think you need to see it through your bright reflective glasses

you wouldn't know what's meant; if I sat it on your knee

If you held it on your hand; you might see that it was broken

broken upon the floor in front of me.

I Run Everywhere

I run everywhere,

these 'trainers' aren't for show.

I will always wear them

to everywhere I go!

I run everywhere

I'm found in 'joggers' clothes 

look; I have the outfit

so everybody knows!

I run everywhere,

I'm always in the gym

I haven't got the time to waste,

I must be keeping trim!

I run everywhere

...though my 'lycra kit' belies

I'm rearly not fit and healthy,

I'm simply in disguise!

Ssshhhh... don't tell anybody!

Summer River

There to water the land it winds

the crops in golden fields wide.

To the sea its channels flow

now in summer with levels low

its banks are dry on either side

Less a river; more 'babbling brook'

its lazy waters passing slow.

A meandering strip a route to find

no gentler sound that comes to mind

than waters 'babbling' on rocks below

Long its sweeping curves are deep

calm its surface waters held.

No trace of movement there I spied

no hurried dash to catch the tide

its flowing passion clearly quelled

In clouds the ubiquitous skimming midge 

a morsel for many a fish to snatch.

A leap; a snap with teeth like knives

or grace and speed the swallow dives

its endless quest a meal to catch

The summer river has not the strength

nor waters deep the land to quench.

Like us we have no need to race

so will simply take a slower pace!

Just A Thought

If I leave my "Soft Rock" playlist playing on my mobile

whilst I go out walking the dog

and there was no-one home to listen

was anyone entertained?

(Haiku)

Bricks, slate, glass, cement 

a house builds; but care and love

within; the home makes