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?')

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')

Lost

I had lost my purse, and was left with just a twenty

I felt like I was cursed and soon my pockets would be empty

I went to the cafe, I think better with tea

But the chocolate cake was looking at me 

and when I left I had just fifteen.

So my first idea, was to head for the nearest bookies

It was crystal clear, I would win money on the horses

I made my selection, it was fourteen to one

But it might as well not bothered to run

I think my gambling days are done

I wasn't through with trying to salvage the situation 

I bought a kazoo from a shop by the railway station

I went to the town square at the end of the day

Put my cap on the floor and started to play

Then the police took me away

It wasn't long before we arrived at the police station

Where I sang this song as way of an explanation

It wasn't enough they put me in a cell

Which was much cheaper than any hotel

I'll do the same tomorrow night as well.

(Based on Lost in France by Bonnie Tyler. Apologies to all concerned.)

(Write Club task based on - 'You have misplaced your purse/wallet after a shopping trip - naturally you could ring the bank to cancel your cards. You now have £20 to last you over the weekend - how/why/if - do you choose to spend it?')

Eagle

Riding the thermals

Your feathered majesty soars

And looks down on us

(Write Club homework based on phrase 'eagle soaring')

Advertisement (on behalf of the Shed Marketing Board of Great Britain)

In gardens and allotments it's known far and wide

A little bit of inside is brought to life outside

Don't know what it is yet? Let me be your guide

It's a place for tools that help you take

care of your garden, like a rake

I'll tell you now and no mistake

If you want to get ahead, get a shed

Lawn mower, creosote, flower pots

Perhaps a rack to dry shallots

I'll tell you again in case you forgot

If you want to get ahead, get a shed

Gardening gloves and watering can

Secateurs made in Japan

Bird food, seeds and bean shoot canes

Somewhere to shelter when it rains

Nuts and bolts and screws in jars

Bits and pieces off old cars

A raincoat with a broken zip

Items destined for the tip

Like a broken clock or a child's bed

Please remember what I've said

If you want to get ahead, get a shed

Autumn

Checking the trees in nearby streets

Trying to work out when our silver birch will reveal its bare branches

Kicking through the fallen leaves

The sun exaggerating the colours of those still clinging on

The price we pay is darker evenings

Condensation on the car

The first frost

Floodlights

Soup back on the menu

Scarf back round the neck.

The Passenger

Three minutes late, the train hauled itself slowly out of the station. She settled back into her seat, thankful that no one had joined her table. 

As the lights of the town disappeared into the night her mind drifted to think of the early women train passengers. The 'experts' had said that women were too delicate to travel by train. That if they went over 50 miles an hour their insides might fall out. 

How did those women feel when they travelled safely for the first time? The men who'd always made the rules, cowering behind a screen in case a woman exploded as the train hit a certain speed, were wrong about that - so what else were they wrong about? 

Was it this simple act of rail travel, that we now take for granted. that empowered women to begin to challenge the established ideas that had been imposed on other areas of their lives? 

She wanted to believe it. Needed to believe it. Their strength would fuel her strength.

As the train gathered speed she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  She knew what she had to do.

--

(Writing challenge on the words - 'As the train gathered speed')

Imperial Fledermaus

I walked up two flights of silver stairs

The crows look very different today

Every moment of truth

You can't compete with it

Suffering

I can't get it now but I can get it

French windows don't open any more

'cause I'm on the outside of time

In silence

Another balloon string held at bay

I can't get it now but I can get it

Sent out into the cold again

But they went off forever

More time to wonder

And I'm beyond redemption

I can't get it now

But I can get it

(A found poem based on one line from the tracks on the Fall's 'Imperial Wax Solvent' album (in track list order) and extra lines from Von Sudenfed's 'Fledermaus Can't Get It')

The Feather

I spied Spider-Man in his espadrilles, he was on the esplanade

I was eager to enquire about his latest escapade.

He said: "I'll catch you at the cafe, once I've conquered the arcade.

Take a table on the terrace, mine's a lime and lemonade."

We spoke of past and present, and the life that we had planned

Then set about our sandwiches, to the sound of a brass band

There was a flimsy feather floating, guided by an unseen hand.

Fluttering forlornly, it fell forgotten on the sand.

As we mused upon this metaphor, we both went misty-eyed

There was no need to say a word, no need for whens or whys.

We polished off our puddings and said a sad goodbye, 

Had a hug, then hurried home and got on with our lives.