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September 24, 2020
We took for granted
the usual suspects,
that on our daily route
we would always see.
The same school children
The same shop workers
The same coffee shop occupants,
chatting over a pot of tea.
With joy we walked
by the riverside.
Hand in hand,
even at our age.
Taking for granted
the simple pleasures,
as each new decade
took us to the next stage.
Each day that came,
a new tomorrow,
full of fun and laughter –
what more could we ask?
Now all we see
are scary eyes,
peeping out from
over a mask.
A second wave of fear
hitting us all.
More so for those
who have suffered a loss.
As they watch selfish folk
not heeding the rules.
Is it any wonder
they all feel so cross?
Doing the right thing
like staying in a bubble,
will certainly
prevent the spread.
And bringing families closer
than ever before,
not a bad thing –
it has to be said.
So let sense prevail,
there is no short term fix.
We are in it together,
like it or not!
In a world where kindness
is sadly lacking,
we must do what we can
to stop this rot.
March 25, 2020
In 70, ‘New World In The Morning’, on Columbia,
gave Roger Whittaker, a No17.
And in 73, ‘That Lady’, on Epic,
for The Isley Brothers, at No.14 seen.
In 72, ‘A Thing Called Love’, on CBS,
for Johnny Cash With The Evangel Temple Choir, made No.4.
And in 75, ‘Sugar Candy Kisses’, was a Top 3,
for Mac & Katie Kissoon, on Polydor.
In 78, Barry Manilow, reached No. 43,
on Arista, with ‘Can’t Smile Without You’.
Also in 78, ‘Thank You For Being A Friend’,
on Asylum, gave Andrew Gold, a No.42.
In 72, ‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’, on Tamla Motown,
gave Gladys Knight & The Pips, a No.11.
And in 76, ‘Jolene’, on RCA,
for Dolly Parton, reached No.7.
In 70, ‘Cottonfields’ , on Capitol,
gave The Beach Boys, a Top 5 score.
And in 75, ‘Rhinestone Cowboy, also on Capitol,
for Glen Campbell, a US No.1 & UK No.4.
In 70, ‘Nobody’s Fool’, peaked at No.32,
for Jim Reeves, on RCA.
And in 78, ‘More Than A Woman’, on Capitol,
gave Tavares, a No.7 play.
In 75, Barry White, reached No.9,
on 20th Century, with ‘Let The Music Play’.
And in 77, Boz Scaggs made the Top 10,
on CBS, with ‘What Can I Say’.
In 71, ‘(Where Do I Begin) Love Story’, made No.4,
for Andy Williams, on CBS.
And in 72, ‘American Pie’, on United Artists,
gave Don McLean, a US No.1 & UK No.2 success.
In 73, ‘Joybringer’, on Vertigo,
gave Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, a No.9.
And in 75, ‘Stand By Your Man’, a gold-seller, on Epic,
saw Tammy Wynette, for three weeks, on the No.1 line.
In 75, ‘This Will Be’, on Capitol,
reached No.32, for Natalie Cole.
And in 76, ‘Don’t Give Up On Us’, on Private Stock,
a platinum US & UK No.1, for David Soul.
In 74, ‘(Win Place Or Show) She’s A Winner’, for The Intruders,
on Philadelphia International, a No.14, was to be.
And in 76, ‘I’ll Go Where The Music Takes Me’, on Pye,
gave Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, a No.23.
In 71, ‘My Sweet Lord’, gave George Harrison, on Apple
– a US No.1, & UK No.1, five week success.
And in 73, Mott The Hoople, reached the Top Ten,
with ‘All The Way To Memphis, on CBS.
In 70, ‘Spanish Eyes’, on Capitol,
at No.49, for Al Martino, did thrive,
when in 73, this record, returned to the charts,
this time, giving Al Martino, a Top 5.
March 18, 2020
WOULD VISITORS TO THIS WEBSITE
KINDLY BE AWARE OF THE STRICT
COPYRIGHT RULES.
THANK YOU
HARRIET BLACKBURY
January 17, 2020
She called to me and I responded.
In a world of madness, she made sense.
Although I couldn’t see her,
I felt her presence was intense.
I knew the hell she had lived through.
I admired her capacity to always bounce back.
She taught me to be a survivor,
on days when my mind would backtrack.
She knew me like no other,
and accepted me for who I was.
She passed onto me her teaching,
for no other reason than for ‘because’.
She called to me and I responded,
when my confidence was at a low.
She seemed to know how I was feeling,
when I had lost my get up and go.
I heard the bell that she was ringing,
it had a familiar tone.
It came with a clang of fortitude,
when I was reaching the danger zone.
She knew me like no other,
better than I knew myself, indeed.
Just a push in the right direction,
is something, at times, we all need.
She called to me and I responded.
Her timing, always spot on.
Two minds that simply connected,
to ensure that another day won.
Written by Harriet Blackbury
January 2020
September 24, 2018
Eight wild baby Carrots
in orange, yellow and brown,
that brought a smile
to replace a frown.
Organic Figs aplenty –
so nourishingly good,
and a final touch
to homemade Rice Pud.
Eight Walnuts gathered,
and still in their shells –
A Waldorf salad
screams out ‘Hell’s Bells’!
And something I can’t christen
stares back at me,
from the Cauliflower family,
I believe it to be ?
Two snow white Eggs
for breakfast time,
after fresh juice
of lemon and lime.
Next to get my attention
is a solitary Leek,
when into my Harvest box
I next take a peek.
And an Apple, whole
and quite grub-free !
I am overwhelmed
as anyone would be.
And a Colombian Pineapple –
taking pride of place –
my favourite fruit
in the ‘weight-loss’ race.
And Conkers – quite a handful –
in all, totaling ten –
I can’t wait for Autumn
to come around again.
Thank You Kind Friend.
March 10, 2018
We listen and we shake our head,
not always in agreement with what is said.
But listen we do – a friendly ear,
a silent soundboard – in neutral gear.
We do not comment, tis not our place
to get involved – we smile with grace,
as the latest saga is unravelled,
with repetition, and so well travelled,
as hot frustrations, are now aired –
steam coming with each hurried word,
whilst waiting for, the point of entry
to change the mood, with humour plenty.
To stop the rot – to have some fun,
before the will to live is done.
One tale’s good, til another’s told,
one thinks as this tale does unfold,
and just as advise, about to slip,
one thinks it wise, to bite the lip.
as no end does, there appear in sight,
a toilet visit – seems polite.
To stem the flow, to bring a change,
and the mindset, to re-arrange.
So good to get it off one’s chest –
to have good friends, one so is blessed !
June 22, 2017
I rescued a Fatsia Japonica today
that sat begging for help
on the clearance tray
of the Garden Centre
up Blackbury way.
Some of it’s leaves were withered
in hopelessness,
whilst others discoloured –
a brownish mess.
But I was drawn to it’s plight,
and it’s challenge to survive,
spotting three young branches
keeping it’s hopes alive.
The instructions on feeding
read ‘easy care’,
but of it’s limited life
I was quite aware.
So fooling myself,
it got put in my trolley –
praying it would last four days,
as friends coming for ‘a Jolly’.
And at the cost of £2
I thought ‘great value indeed-
I’ll take you to death
if you don’t succeed’.
And your final hours
will have been worthwhile,
because Fatsia Japonica,
you will have made us all smile.
Oh, how we’ve worried
about the unexplained,
that came to light
when hearts were drained.
Oh, how we’ve puzzled
and felt so much guilt,
since discovering your life
inside the fortress you built.
Oh, how did it happen –
the double life you knew?
So gradual the mountain
becoming normality to you.
Oh, how did you cope
and put on that fine show,
trapped and boxed in
to that hell down below,
Oh, how did you function
when madness on trial?
Was that your release valve –
a laugh and a smile?
Oh, how did we not see
your anguish and stress,
which now seems so obvious
when we think and address.
Oh, how you were supportive –
A firm friend and true,
as one by one we unburdened
our troubles onto you.
Oh, how did you not scream
and yell and blow your top,
and tell us our selfishness
just had to stop?
Oh, how could you listen
with such loyalty and trust?
Did it even the score seeing,
another mind going bust?
Oh how? we ask now
when too late we digest,
glaring signs that were missed –
now in peace may you rest.
Oh, how lessons too late
have surely been learnt.
What starts out as a favour,
can see fingers burnt.
Oh, how easy to be known
and yet not known at all.
We missed warning signals –
pride comes before a fall.
Oh, how we’ll see others differently
from this moment on.
There’s real pain under the surface
of just about everyone.
April 28, 2017
Silver Service
out on view.
A luscious bite
with every chew.
A stolen spoonful
is pure delight!
whilst a finger full
dulls appetite.
And eyes said it all
without words spoken,
as silence fell
and hearts were broken,
as elbows rested
on the table,
and mouths wide open
saw teeth unstable,
when just by chance,
a random satellite
dropped by and set
the world alight,
and a candle that,
by force was blown,
created havoc –
rude words were sworn.
as whitest linen
set alight,
and napkins waved
in mid flight.
For Silver Service
out on view,
meant nothing to
the thousands who,
had gate-crashed there
from near and far,
to witness Edgar’s
last hur-rah.
And Sheffield’s finest
turned to rust,
now finger bowls –
a daily must.
And fish forks now
deemed out of date,
were seen stabbing pickles –
in a way most inappropriate!
And clamps for crabs
and winkle pickers,
replaced with fingers
by nose pickers.
And burps were heard
as tummies rumbled,
and chairs fell backwards
as folks tumbled.
And bread rolls pocketed
by the meanest,
as Daisy’s pants revealed –
and not the cleanest!
And around the room
the satellite still spun –
some guests too full
to move and run,
sat there in horror
fighting over clotted cream
dripping from a jug –
desert, now just a dream.
Until old Edgar’s mates,
quickly withdrew,
returning to the pub
and the life they knew,
where pork scratchings
were devoured;
cometh the men –
all action powered.
While ladies threw china
against the wall,
as Edgar’s wife – a dishwasher,
refused to install.
Now Edgar’s Retirement
a thing of the past,
But by God he had a good un
that went off with a Blast.
February 27, 2017
And humour in the end won out,
the common theme, the raucous shout,
as usual suspects all in place,
including those fallen from grace.
And bon viveurs and raconteurs,
took to the stage and made it theirs.
And champagne flowed and fuelled the fire,
as eyes recalled love’s lost desire.
And once or twice or maybe more,
the same old tale, bounced off the floor.
Revived, recycled, yet still the same –
a favourite of Sir Wots-his-name?
and hands were shaken and both cheeks kissed,
as Farewells said, from some now pissed,
and promises flowed from meaning lips,
as one, too tightly, got to grips,
Seizing the chance – you know the type,
who wins a girl by talking tripe.
All in his head, part of his act.
there’s always one and that’s a fact.
And queuing black cabs form a line,
as bodies fall in – ‘Your place or mine’?
Others not knowing their destination,
get out at Piccadilly Station.
And wander off into the night,
A night still young – Go fly your kite.
For humour in the end won through,
the common ground, that buddies knew.
And usual subjects, play their ‘cards’,
staying up til dawn – these real die-hards,
until departing, with words of cheer
‘Same time next week – make sure you’re here’.