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')

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?')

Last Night it Snowed

Walking in fresh snow

Looking back at the footprints
That prove you exist