Part Company

It would be nice to make a dignified exit

No kicking, no screaming

No praying, no pleading

We can't be together and so

Say a few words then I'll go

It would be nice to make a dignified exit

Don't feel diminished

Because it has finished

My heart

Knows it's the right time to depart

It would be nice to make a dignified exit

Don't feel bereft

About the fact I have left

Try to smile

You won't notice I've gone in a while

It would be nice to make a dignified exit

I shouldn't be grieving

when it's me that is leaving

but I know

it's the right time to let go.

Reward & Revelation

I don't think I have the nerve

To say I've got what I deserve

This answer might be deemed a fudge

But I don't think it's for me to judge

--

I can't be described as 'go-getting'

So I've not been one for goal setting

In fact I probably should confess

I want to help other people to their success

Hold on a minute, bless my soul!

Looks like I made myself a goal.

--

(Two poems written from Write Club homework topic of Goal Setting and "Do you have all that you deserve?')

This is the Day

Today the colours seem more clear

than they usually are round here.

The lime green shade of ivy leaves,

emerald tones deep in the trees.

Hawthorn berries, glowing red

while pure white snowdrops raise their head.

Today I realised I heard

songs of many different birds

A collared dove calls out its name

I hear a chiffchaff do the same,

the 'electronics' of the starling

a blackbird's voice, so clear and sparkling.

Today I opened up my eyes

and saw cotton wool cumulus floating by,

cirrus streaks on azure blue,

contrails of aircraft passing through.

I don't know what broke the spell.

Today I noticed I feel well.

(Poem based on the 'Take Notice' strand of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.)

An English Spring

The first signs of spring

Council-planted crocuses

Or is it croci?

1979

When I feel down

If there's too much bad news

I put on the first album

by The B-52s.

Valentine's Poem for Hairdresser

Circles are round

Squares are er... square

Thank you so much

For cutting my hair

The Grandfather Clock

The grandfather clock struck 5pm and what happened next was... unexpected.

Nothing happened. The door to the drawing room didn't open. The famous German detective did not walk in, take centre stage, sum up the case and name the murderer of the Duchess of Northwich.

The Duke and his guests continued to wait patiently but after a couple of minutes the nervous coughs and fidgeting started. The first person to speak was the sleuth's friend and confidante Henry Bromyard who said: "Well this is most out of character. I've known him 15 years and he hasn't been late for anything."

At five past five the exasperated Duke shouted: "Where is the awful man?" His next outburst was directed at the butler. "Channon, find him and bring him here at once. I will not be kept waiting in my own house." The butler bowed and left the room.

Ten minutes later the butler returned, alone. "Where is he then?" spluttered the master of the house.

"I have been unable to find Herr Bonhof your Lordship", replied the butler. "What do you mean, 'unable to find' him?" the increasingly-irritated Duke fired back.

"Sir, the gentleman appears to be missing."

--

(Write Club homework based on the phrase 'The grandfather clock struck 5pm and what happened next was')