August 13, 2024

 

 

Purple haze and yellow fever

Blue ridge mountains, golden retriever.

 

Lilac, lavender, white snowdrops

Orange cordial, Coco pops.

 

Red sails in sunsets and thunderclaps.

Lightning striking, men without caps.

 

Black ink by Quink and shocking pink.

Potato peelings blocking the sink.

 

Mauve and scarlet, yellow and green,

outshone by peach and tangerine.

 

Slushy snow and unfilled dreams.

Dad liked all flavours of ice cream.

 

Mushroom, beige and racing green.

Pale blue e-types now seldom seen.

 

Black and grey and Teal – the duck.

Bright red leather, not good luck.

 

Nutty brown and almond paste,

many a pastry eaten in haste.

 

Lemon jelly, cherry cake.

Waist expanding, big mistake.

 

Lime and soda and evergreen.

Hot pepper sauce, setting the scene.

 

Fawn at dawn and midnight blue.

In a hurry, join the queue.

 

 

 

March 25, 2023

 

 

And Marcia said to Rex

that she knew that it was him.

Though he flatly denied it,

saying that it was Tim.

 

But it couldn’t have been Tim,

because she knew he was elsewhere.

He’d set off from Central Park,

and finished up in Times Square.

 

‘A dollar for your thoughts’, she said.

No answer could he give.

He knew which side his bagel was buttered,

and just wanted, now to live.

 

‘The truth will out, you know’, she said.

‘It’s just a matter of time’.

‘This just ain’t adding up at all,

your words are five cents to the dime’.

 

He raised his eyebrow thoughtfully,

and simply pursed his lips.

Then gave a smile that never works,

when her hands are on her hips.

 

‘You know you’re in a corner’.

‘There is no wriggle room’.

‘Just simply let the facts be known’, she said.

‘What good’s a horse without a groom?’

 

‘A horse without a groom?, he says.

‘Have you lost your mind?’

‘Oh neigh lad, that, I haven’t done’.

‘All my grey cells intact, you’ll find.’

 

‘It isn’t me who’s stupid,

you should have covered your tracks’.

‘Many a whistle blower,

a bit of integrity, lacks’.

 

‘And no good can come of tickle-tackle,

when a sniffer dog’s on the prowl’.

‘So raise your game and show your cards’,

to prevent one holy howl’.

 

‘You’re barking up the wrong tree’ he says,

‘You’re just prancing in the dark’.

‘Tim wasn’t even in New York,

let alone, out walking in Central Park’.

 

‘And something else that you should know,

a nightingale may have sung in Berkeley Square,

but this may come as no surprise,

Tim also wasn’t even there!’

 

‘You haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,

and I’m standing by what I said’.

‘And your attempt to catch me out,

just proves you are off your head’.

 

‘Just think about this sensibly’,

he says, while on a winning roll.

‘Let’s clear the air of all this stuff,

and go out for a stroll’.

 

‘A stroll’ she says – ‘a stroll indeed!

‘We can’t just let this drop’.

‘We must get to the bottom of this,

or else you’re for the chop’.

 

‘The Chop, you say, the chop indeed!

You know I don’t eat meat’.

‘Just show me proof of what you say,

or else admit defeat’.

 

‘And if you know the whereabouts

of Tim so very well,

please do give him my regards,

when next you cast your spell’.

 

‘But as for me, I’m innocent

of everything you say.

Roy Rogers long since galloped off,

into the sunlight’s ray’.

 

And all the spaghetti westerns

that featured Lee Van Cleef,

are still as good as they ever were,

well, that is my belief’.

 

‘But moonlight shadows linger,

and play tricks with the past.

And my attempt at changing the subject,

on deaf ears, have landed – blast’.

 

‘So if you still think, that it was me,

then suit yourself, let’s just move on’.

I once nearly saved you my last Rolo,

but then in one gulp, it was gone.’

 

 

January 12, 2022

 

 

She found five pens

in her bag today,

all competing

for her attention.

 

She found eight pens

on her bedside table,

but what they had written

she dare not mention.

 

She found two pens

on the ledge in the loo,

which she approached

with some apprehension.

 

She found seven pens

in a vase in the kitchen,

for spur of the moment

comprehension.

 

She found ten pens

in pockets of old coats,

when held back in class

for detention.

 

She found four pens

under furniture,

loitering with

good intention.

 

She found one pen

in her hand right now,

so to paper she committed,

God grant her redemption.

 

written by

Harriet Blackbury    January 2022

 

September 24, 2020

 

 

Q on the top line

clearly can be seen.

Followed by W and R

with E in between.

 

Next T, Y and U

in the middle, look fine.

Before I, O and P

complete the top line.

 

A, S and D –

the second line begin.

And to their right

F and G, squeeze nicely in.

 

H, J, K and L

claim a second row fee.

And the third line

begins with Z, X and C.

 

With V and B sitting

perfectly next to them.

The third row is completed

by ‘good old’ N and M.

 

 

October 27, 2019

 

 

Her tender lips, define her face.

Her swaying hips, so full of grace.

 

The little dimples in her cheeks.

The lilting accent when she speaks.

 

Her mind complex, so complicated.

Her answers not anticipated.

 

The thoughts that linger, when she goes.

The vision of her upturned nose.

 

Her cheeky smile, her goodbye glance.

Her carefree walk, her sprightly dance.

 

The lasting moments, there to treasure.

The mine of memories, that bring pleasure.

 

All that she is, I wouldn’t change,

or one thing, would re-arrange.

 

To me, Mendotta, was my fate.

To me – the world, alas too late!

 

 

June 29, 2019

 

 

And she the one,

the one without a name

who burns inside of me

such bright a flame.

 

And melts my heart

with passion and delight

and keeps me safe

when I am full of fright.

 

And she the one,

the one who doth excite

and bestows on me

sweet dreams throughout the night.

 

That help me wake

afresh at morning light

and lift my spirits

up to dizzy heights.

 

And she the one,

the one I won’t forget

when I grow old

and other things regret.

 

For life without her

wouldn’t be worthwhile.

and to my grave

I’ll take Mendotta’s smile.

 

 

May 19, 2019

 

 

And then Percoughalees was homeward bound.

Too brief his stay – the turn around.

No job the same, but who’s to say,

how rough the ocean from day to day.

 

A back-log of cases in his head.

Some still unsolved, not put to bed.

The rumour mill, the twisted thread.

The wasted time, the signs unread.

 

The handsome pay-out, the mislaid dime.

Blues shaken off, until next time.

Where angels tread, where devils lie;

A world of fear, the hue and cry.

 

The badge of honour, so proudly worn.

A loving heart, with edges torn.

And as the seconds ticked slowly by,

in frustration, Percoughalees heaved a sigh.

 

As a recurring vision of Mendotta’s face,

once more taking root, in his memory’s space.

Was she still on earth? Did she still exist?

Her departure sudden, like evening mist.

 

At times like this, no sense was found.

The hurt blocked out by the crashing sound,

as choppy waters, met gentle ocean spray,

and sleep closed his eyes, to dream of yesterday.

 

 

 

August 17, 2018

 

They both arrived on cue,

each one wagging their tail –

though that’s not strictly true,

for they’d come by British Rail,

 

as no Virgin trains on the platform

to be mounted for the ride,

they had taken the escalator

to the other side.

 

and waited for an ‘Inter City’

recommended by their cat,

who had now become a home-bird,

because of this and that,

 

and who’s travelling days were over

and who wisely took the view,

to step aside and let the youngsters

do  what youngster do !

 

The next train at the platform

they decided wouldn’t do,

as their cat had strictly told them

that all journeys end at Crewe.

 

So with tails between their legs –

though that’s not strictly true,

they went down another escalator,

wondering what to do.

 

No Porter on this platform,

though one across the track,

who just completely ‘blanked’ them,

as he loaded a mail sack,

 

so with frustration building,

they sat down for a while,

and decided to ring their cat,

who, of course, was on speed-dial.

 

But their cat by now had settled,

and was in the land of nod,

so back up the steps they trundled,

and said  ‘ain’t life a sod ?’

 

But just then, to the rescue,

came magically into view –

the delayed train they had wanted,

and their excitement grew,

 

and then with both tails wagging –

if only that was true!

they took their waiting seats

and then the whistle blew.

 

August 12, 2018

 

 

Amber, Apricot & Apple Green –

Jersey potatoes nicely scrubbed clean.

 

Crimson, Caramel & Cerise Pink –

Peas from the pod drained in the sink.

 

Marigold, Mauve & Midnight Blue –

A hint of paprika in a rich stew.

 

Lemon, Lilac & Lily White –

Hot milk at bedtime for a restful night.

 

Purple, Peony, Peach & Plum –

Banana fritters laced with rum.

 

Shades of Denim and Army Khaki –

Toasted soldiers in eggs  – what a Malachi !

 

Powder Blue, Navy and Deep Magenta –

Coconuts, Mangoes, and Flying Fish  I sent her.

 

Scarlet, Strawberry & Ruby Red –

Blacksticks cheese, with Sourdough bread.

 

Turquoise, Tangerine, Taupe & Tan – 

catching moon-dust in a dustpan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

!

 

 

August 3, 2018

 

 

She never saw it coming –

she never had a clue.

It took a moment to sink in –

you and him and her and you.

 

She never would have thought it –

not in a million years.

Such things are just unthinkable –

her and you and him – nightmares!

 

She never saw it coming-

she never had a clue.

Some lines not meant for crossing –

somethings one shouldn’t do.

 

She never would have found out

without one being close by,

who stood aghast with eyes wide open,

peering through nets that didn’t lie.

 

She never would forget it –

the moment truth appeared,

the incredulous amusement –

irony on hind legs reared.

 

She never could dismiss it –

trust forever gone.

The certainty of certainties –

the lost bet that was odds on.

 

She never could unblock it –

in cycles it came to light.

She even questioned her own judgement,

looking back at dead of night.

 

She never saw it coming,

her and you and him, it’s true.

Never was a Holy Trinity

so absurd, and so taboo.

 

 

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