The dark clouds throng to the sky,
And the heavens clatter endlessly.
The silence of the night is overruled,
And saints taint the air before they die.
Wait for me until the dawn.
Hell holds no place for the righteous ones.
Eat up the badness, which rises out,
Never to ensnare the soul forlorn.
I desired to leave the Earth once more -
Desert this place of pain and wrath.
I took my fill of all these hurts.
Ever to rap upon your door!
Thursday 4 November 2010
Sunday 18 July 2010
Train Journey 17.4.99
Life is a stream.
At its start is the turbulence of youth.
Then come serenity and a pool,
Where I wait to move on.
A rainbow on the horizon,
A junkyard and much more.
Later on a golf course,
…and Bedford Station,
In a modern landscape of wire,
Steel and brick…
Destination Derby – an hour further down the line.
At its start is the turbulence of youth.
Then come serenity and a pool,
Where I wait to move on.
A rainbow on the horizon,
A junkyard and much more.
Later on a golf course,
…and Bedford Station,
In a modern landscape of wire,
Steel and brick…
Destination Derby – an hour further down the line.
To Beckett
The time will come when everything's fine,
The low rumbling of the wind sounds like voices.
Everything’s ensnared but you’re not here.
Why are we talking?
Why are we smiling?
Only to fuel someone else’s anger …
And point a finger at the absurd.
The low rumbling of the wind sounds like voices.
Everything’s ensnared but you’re not here.
Why are we talking?
Why are we smiling?
Only to fuel someone else’s anger …
And point a finger at the absurd.
The Things That Don't Exist
She’s made for me,
She’s set me free,
So now I might be fine.
Watching the clock:
Run about; run all day,
Then in the end things will exist.
She's lost the faith she had,
I'm facing death:
Departed at last; I shall raise my mast.
She’s set me free,
So now I might be fine.
Watching the clock:
Run about; run all day,
Then in the end things will exist.
She's lost the faith she had,
I'm facing death:
Departed at last; I shall raise my mast.
The Son Above The Hairdressers
He lived on his own till he was thirty-seven,
Above the hairdressers,
And no one tried to interrupt his studies,
Although some of his friends knew about his book,
Or the hit single he had tried to write.
He didn’t get very far, often drank too much,
And intended some day to travel,
Abroad. Maybe Paris or Vienna.
His mother lived nearby whom he would visit,
And she loved him for his tacit efforts,
To please and please himself,
By doing odd jobs in people’s gardens.
Laying patios and cutting down trees,
For next to nothing. What a waste.
Above the hairdressers,
And no one tried to interrupt his studies,
Although some of his friends knew about his book,
Or the hit single he had tried to write.
He didn’t get very far, often drank too much,
And intended some day to travel,
Abroad. Maybe Paris or Vienna.
His mother lived nearby whom he would visit,
And she loved him for his tacit efforts,
To please and please himself,
By doing odd jobs in people’s gardens.
Laying patios and cutting down trees,
For next to nothing. What a waste.
The Soldier
My first campaign was long ago,
When I was young I went away.
The soldiering, I thought I’d love it so,
I fought to live another day.
At first I learned to ply my trade,
With sword and bow and weapons new.
From boy they said a man is made,
Through drill and practice, straight and true.
Then I went to lands afar,
Across the sea in wooden boats.
There I braved battlements and boiling tar,
And stormed the enemy’s bristling moats.
The captain said we fought in vain,
With brain and blood and trebuchet.
The puddles filled with deathly stain,
I lived to fight another day.
I travelled then to other parts,
And kissed my love again adieu.
The generals eyed their plans and charts,
While we died, wept, crawled and slew.
Now we fight with other weapons,
With jets and drones we kill the foe.
While men in charge enjoy their luncheons,
But really they will never know,
Why we go abroad to hack and kill,
To die, be buried and suffer still.
When I was young I went away.
The soldiering, I thought I’d love it so,
I fought to live another day.
At first I learned to ply my trade,
With sword and bow and weapons new.
From boy they said a man is made,
Through drill and practice, straight and true.
Then I went to lands afar,
Across the sea in wooden boats.
There I braved battlements and boiling tar,
And stormed the enemy’s bristling moats.
The captain said we fought in vain,
With brain and blood and trebuchet.
The puddles filled with deathly stain,
I lived to fight another day.
I travelled then to other parts,
And kissed my love again adieu.
The generals eyed their plans and charts,
While we died, wept, crawled and slew.
Now we fight with other weapons,
With jets and drones we kill the foe.
While men in charge enjoy their luncheons,
But really they will never know,
Why we go abroad to hack and kill,
To die, be buried and suffer still.
The Office Bar
I dropped in one day,
To see what I might see.
When a piano girl would say,
Come and see me play.
She was young and free,
Too kind to bother me.
So when she left the bar,
I knew then that she’d go far.
Playing piano for her keep
From high to low she’d leap.
I only had ten pounds,
To see what I could see.
I loved to watch her hands,
Like an hour-glass and its sands.
I left to hear some flamenco beats,
Outside in the sun, listened to feats,
Of imagination and poise,
Not just some fool and his noise.
Playing piano for her keep,
From high to low she’d leap.
To see what I might see.
When a piano girl would say,
Come and see me play.
She was young and free,
Too kind to bother me.
So when she left the bar,
I knew then that she’d go far.
Playing piano for her keep
From high to low she’d leap.
I only had ten pounds,
To see what I could see.
I loved to watch her hands,
Like an hour-glass and its sands.
I left to hear some flamenco beats,
Outside in the sun, listened to feats,
Of imagination and poise,
Not just some fool and his noise.
Playing piano for her keep,
From high to low she’d leap.
The Knight
Take the sword out of the fountain of life.
From whence the lady has come.
We are all unmade as Arthur has done,
This deed, which we will remember always.
From whence the lady has come.
We are all unmade as Arthur has done,
This deed, which we will remember always.
The Green Gun
Waiting in the wings,
And away in flight.
No more waiting,
And ready to fight.
The green gun is dead.
Long live the peace.
And away in flight.
No more waiting,
And ready to fight.
The green gun is dead.
Long live the peace.
The End
Lovers lost in days departed,
Today I wish it never started.
I fell from grace, to reach this pace,
And threw away an old shoe’s lace.
But now I realize you’re cold as ice,
And really not that nice.
Sometimes I’m alive but tired,
And sometimes not alive at all.
Even though I’m one eighty-five,
I’m never so strong a tree,
When with bended knee,
I realise that God will always be there,
To pick through my nightmare –
Of you with another man,
With the name of someone near,
Bringing me so much pain.
Today I wish it never started.
I fell from grace, to reach this pace,
And threw away an old shoe’s lace.
But now I realize you’re cold as ice,
And really not that nice.
Sometimes I’m alive but tired,
And sometimes not alive at all.
Even though I’m one eighty-five,
I’m never so strong a tree,
When with bended knee,
I realise that God will always be there,
To pick through my nightmare –
Of you with another man,
With the name of someone near,
Bringing me so much pain.
Sussex Downs
Ages distant ages past,
Who’s to know we’re not to last?
Times anew and time to keep,
The Lord will know our time to sleep.
If all is lost then we will find,
Freedom from a tortured mind.
Now time is past when we will wake,
Some path will come a way to make.
Now die amongst the shimmering pool,
This life is gone - was I really no-one's fool?
Who’s to know we’re not to last?
Times anew and time to keep,
The Lord will know our time to sleep.
If all is lost then we will find,
Freedom from a tortured mind.
Now time is past when we will wake,
Some path will come a way to make.
Now die amongst the shimmering pool,
This life is gone - was I really no-one's fool?
Sunset
Seagulls floating on currents of air.
Trees swaying in the wind.
Twilight over a cloudy sky.
Sitting looking out of the window,
At buildings – one of which is new –
And others which share the view to the sea beyond.
Trees swaying in the wind.
Twilight over a cloudy sky.
Sitting looking out of the window,
At buildings – one of which is new –
And others which share the view to the sea beyond.
Summer At Seaford
The summer’s still fresh in my memory,
Winter’s not yet here,
But I will wish for it, anyway.
The Earth its course will steer,
Back around the golden sun,
Till summer comes again next year.
The summer’s gone for a time,
And I spent it on the strand,
Amongst the chalk and stoney lime,
While my perspiring brow I fanned.
I spent the summer with my friends,
Who ate and drank down on the beach.
We sang and cheered below the bends,
Of pebbled dunes each other’s hands to reach.
Winter’s not yet here,
But I will wish for it, anyway.
The Earth its course will steer,
Back around the golden sun,
Till summer comes again next year.
The summer’s gone for a time,
And I spent it on the strand,
Amongst the chalk and stoney lime,
While my perspiring brow I fanned.
I spent the summer with my friends,
Who ate and drank down on the beach.
We sang and cheered below the bends,
Of pebbled dunes each other’s hands to reach.
Sextet
Silent lament,
Vent discontent.
Abandon everything,
Whilst we are speaking,
Invisible aurae,
Tell me the reason why.
Vent discontent.
Abandon everything,
Whilst we are speaking,
Invisible aurae,
Tell me the reason why.
Sailor's Song
My heart belongs to someone else,
Who lives so far away.
My heart belongs to someone else,
My love has gone today.
My love he is a sailor boy,
Who lives across the sea.
He's the reason why I'm coy,
To lie and be with thee.
And so I'm sure that we must part,
And never be as one.
My mind was made right from the start,
This union be undone.
Or rather, “Now what have I said,
This union be undone?”
“I would rather lie in bed,
With someone newly won.”
So leave me now, my mind is set.
You can never be with me,
Or be forever in my debt.
My heart is closed to thee.
My heart belongs to someone else,
Who lives so far away.
My heart belongs to someone else,
My love has gone today.
Who lives so far away.
My heart belongs to someone else,
My love has gone today.
My love he is a sailor boy,
Who lives across the sea.
He's the reason why I'm coy,
To lie and be with thee.
And so I'm sure that we must part,
And never be as one.
My mind was made right from the start,
This union be undone.
Or rather, “Now what have I said,
This union be undone?”
“I would rather lie in bed,
With someone newly won.”
So leave me now, my mind is set.
You can never be with me,
Or be forever in my debt.
My heart is closed to thee.
My heart belongs to someone else,
Who lives so far away.
My heart belongs to someone else,
My love has gone today.
Right Thing, Wrong Time
Verse
I remember when we first met,
I never knew why you left,
I don’t think I can forget,
But, I guess it’s for the best.
What am I gonna do, I said,
What am I gonna do if I’m
Not there holding you?
Gotta somehow make it through.
Chorus
We had the right thing at the wrong time,
And I can’t explain,
How you drive me insane.
The way you held me,
Made everything feel so right.
I wish I could turn back time,
I wish you could be mine.
Verse
I thought that we were just fine,
I remember all the good times,
My memories of those nights,
Everything felt just right.
What am I gonna do, I said,
What am I gonna do, if I’m,
Not spending time with you?
I can’t believe it’s true.
Chorus
(Same as before).
By Jim McGrath
I remember when we first met,
I never knew why you left,
I don’t think I can forget,
But, I guess it’s for the best.
What am I gonna do, I said,
What am I gonna do if I’m
Not there holding you?
Gotta somehow make it through.
Chorus
We had the right thing at the wrong time,
And I can’t explain,
How you drive me insane.
The way you held me,
Made everything feel so right.
I wish I could turn back time,
I wish you could be mine.
Verse
I thought that we were just fine,
I remember all the good times,
My memories of those nights,
Everything felt just right.
What am I gonna do, I said,
What am I gonna do, if I’m,
Not spending time with you?
I can’t believe it’s true.
Chorus
(Same as before).
By Jim McGrath
Rhyming Lesson
The days were much too long -
On my return I’ll live again.
It’s for life that I write this song,
So the weather should be fine once more.
On my return I’ll live again.
It’s for life that I write this song,
So the weather should be fine once more.
Princess Diana 6.9.97
The goddess of hunting:
Cut off in her prime;
Leaving two sons.
The grief of losing a mother always:
Leaving a great vacuum.
I am drained and sick:
Feelings of grief;
Hounded by the press.
Cut off in her prime;
Leaving two sons.
The grief of losing a mother always:
Leaving a great vacuum.
I am drained and sick:
Feelings of grief;
Hounded by the press.
Pippa's Song
I remember that I once said,
That we should wed,
On a day like today –
Full heat in Seaford bay.
You wore a blue bikini,
And we both drank Bellini.
The days were short,
And you would never retort,
Or ask me questions as you do now.
It’s me you should allow,
To lie with you some time,
Before the clocks run dry,
And the great bear heaves a sigh;
Or the sun sets on us both.
That we should wed,
On a day like today –
Full heat in Seaford bay.
You wore a blue bikini,
And we both drank Bellini.
The days were short,
And you would never retort,
Or ask me questions as you do now.
It’s me you should allow,
To lie with you some time,
Before the clocks run dry,
And the great bear heaves a sigh;
Or the sun sets on us both.
Non-sexy
One day you’re up,
The next down.
All you do is ache and groan,
Ache and moan.
One day you’re up,
The next you’re down.
One day you’re up,
The next down.
All you do is ache and groan,
Ache and moan.
The next down.
All you do is ache and groan,
Ache and moan.
One day you’re up,
The next you’re down.
One day you’re up,
The next down.
All you do is ache and groan,
Ache and moan.
Nigger Boy
Don’t listen to what youth says:
“Act about and wear a fez.”
For life’s in a smile,
If you wait a while.
Love a nigger child,
So meek and mild.
Sitting in a train you’ll see,
Life means nothing to me.
Shut your mouth young fool,
You know nothing at all.
Leave me out of your cruel talk,
Of marijuana and sticky chalk.
For in the end you’ll be alike,
To raconteurs without a mic.
Sing on ye singers, keep the faith,
Bring me home and make me safe.
“Act about and wear a fez.”
For life’s in a smile,
If you wait a while.
Love a nigger child,
So meek and mild.
Sitting in a train you’ll see,
Life means nothing to me.
Shut your mouth young fool,
You know nothing at all.
Leave me out of your cruel talk,
Of marijuana and sticky chalk.
For in the end you’ll be alike,
To raconteurs without a mic.
Sing on ye singers, keep the faith,
Bring me home and make me safe.
Nature's Peace
Nature’s web,
In early Feb.
I travel along,
To old billabong.
Don’t kill this fly
And Nature won’t die.
I’m down to earth;
Can’t get any higher.
Heaven’s above,
But I’m down below.
I saw a peaceful dove,
Not the mercenary crow.
In early Feb.
I travel along,
To old billabong.
Don’t kill this fly
And Nature won’t die.
I’m down to earth;
Can’t get any higher.
Heaven’s above,
But I’m down below.
I saw a peaceful dove,
Not the mercenary crow.
My Flat
I can’t take this any more!
The background noise and slamming door.
This place has really got to me -
It’s too much now for me to flee,
This living hell of cackling laughter -
I’ll hang myself from the nearest rafter,
Where no-one can get to me any more.
Where the background noise and slamming door,
Can no longer be heard,
While those below remain undeterred.
I’ll say why I hate this place:
Why lines now score my face;
Why those below make me clean;
And why the neighbours are so mean;
Why the hassles never cease;
And why I can not live in peace;
The constant building work;
And why everyone here’s a jerk;
Why I’m just the local caretaker;
And yet they think I’m the troublemaker;
And why the landlord’s just a moneymaker;
And why everyone here’s just partying.
I’m sick to death and must get out;
My mental heath is now in doubt.
This place is shit and in a mess,
So at last I must confess,
That I’ve had enough –
Living here is much too tough.
I’ve done my time now in this prison.
My suicide would be just malisson.
So now I write to stop these thoughts,
To try and quieten the rorts,
Which happen all around here:
Year after year after year.
The background noise and slamming door.
This place has really got to me -
It’s too much now for me to flee,
This living hell of cackling laughter -
I’ll hang myself from the nearest rafter,
Where no-one can get to me any more.
Where the background noise and slamming door,
Can no longer be heard,
While those below remain undeterred.
I’ll say why I hate this place:
Why lines now score my face;
Why those below make me clean;
And why the neighbours are so mean;
Why the hassles never cease;
And why I can not live in peace;
The constant building work;
And why everyone here’s a jerk;
Why I’m just the local caretaker;
And yet they think I’m the troublemaker;
And why the landlord’s just a moneymaker;
And why everyone here’s just partying.
I’m sick to death and must get out;
My mental heath is now in doubt.
This place is shit and in a mess,
So at last I must confess,
That I’ve had enough –
Living here is much too tough.
I’ve done my time now in this prison.
My suicide would be just malisson.
So now I write to stop these thoughts,
To try and quieten the rorts,
Which happen all around here:
Year after year after year.
Mudeford Quay
Sitting on the quay,
I don’t know where I’ll be.
Do I possess the key?
Is this life for free?
When the days are long,
And winter’s gone,
What will I do next time around,
When we’re homeward bound?
I hear my favourite music:
Will people think I’m sick,
Or do they realise,
The sun’s course in the skies,
After it has run its course,
To bring another day,
Of love and hate?
I will no longer stay,
In this town, in this state.
I don’t know where I’ll be.
Do I possess the key?
Is this life for free?
When the days are long,
And winter’s gone,
What will I do next time around,
When we’re homeward bound?
I hear my favourite music:
Will people think I’m sick,
Or do they realise,
The sun’s course in the skies,
After it has run its course,
To bring another day,
Of love and hate?
I will no longer stay,
In this town, in this state.
Morals Cost
What do you do when you get lost?
I don’t know, but morals cost,
Like umbrellas washed up on the shore.
What do you do when you are poor?
Take care of yourself and others,
And don’t depend on your mothers.
If time is cheap and money hard,
Play the deck to your last card.
Cos’ in the end you’re never dead,
Just keep calm, don’t lose your head.
Those who live and have no money,
May be happy when it’s sunny,
But when you’re stuck in life’s cement,
It’s hard enough to pay the rent.
I don’t know, but morals cost,
Like umbrellas washed up on the shore.
What do you do when you are poor?
Take care of yourself and others,
And don’t depend on your mothers.
If time is cheap and money hard,
Play the deck to your last card.
Cos’ in the end you’re never dead,
Just keep calm, don’t lose your head.
Those who live and have no money,
May be happy when it’s sunny,
But when you’re stuck in life’s cement,
It’s hard enough to pay the rent.
Mission Cactée
Une femme échappée,
Qui voulait se cacher,
A rêvé de moi.
“Tiens”, j’ai dit. “Cauchemars”.
Elle répond,“Que voudriez-vous?”
Aussi, au jour trop clair,
Dit le marchand qui vient à verser un verre.
“Que voudriez-vous?”
Rien peut te retenir,
Et, c’est le moment de finir,
De se laisser aux portes,
Et, c’est pas ta faute.
Qui voulait se cacher,
A rêvé de moi.
“Tiens”, j’ai dit. “Cauchemars”.
Elle répond,“Que voudriez-vous?”
Aussi, au jour trop clair,
Dit le marchand qui vient à verser un verre.
“Que voudriez-vous?”
Rien peut te retenir,
Et, c’est le moment de finir,
De se laisser aux portes,
Et, c’est pas ta faute.
Miscellaneous Epigrams/‘Original’ Quotations
CARTOON CYCLING
Out and In
Speed and Recovery
Grimace and Vomit
INDIGO BUTTERFLY
Withdrawn again,
Scene again.
WHISTLING HEAT
I would always end up with you, eventually.
Like an old man with a hole in his head!
BRIGHTON MUSEUM
Something new, something bold.
Somebody who withdrew, somebody to hold.
SCIENCE FICTION
Terraform.
Plastic worm.
MONEY
No less than half?
Don’t be daft!
SCIENTIFIC UMBRELLA
Umbrelliform
Isn’t the norm.
GOD OF SCIENCE
Everything in creation has been engineered.
Everything in nature reveals its design.
t.A.T.u. - ‘Complexity disguised as simplicity.’ Double - dressed in white, but evil. Look like virgins, but are, in fact, lesbians…
“You’ll know me when I’m famous.”
“I don’t know whether I’m an optimist or a pessimist - I only know that when I wish for the best, the worst usually happens.”
Where’s the Music, Ian?
“There was no one near to confuse me, so I was forced to become original.” (Franz Joseph Haydn)
I like to rise above the room,
Young, hopeless and very cool.
ACM class: Love/Hate relationship with the colour red.
‘Neatly Apologetic’
Him, who never drives quickly round a bend, never gets away with it - ‘The Logists’
I’m in the ‘high’ phase,
To feel it easier.
God knows I’ve downsized to sparse already.
I’m now driving a mental juggernaught.
And I’ll just put down enemy, as if any doubt.
The flaming brain.
Oh no, not again.
I hate the sound of lazy diction at 3.00am
Hollow Man:
You can fill him with whatever you like,
It's always good!
I prefer pure music rather than music needing external inspiration. 'Programmatic' music is more than enough, and so, minimal, pure music suits me best.
They said his brain would swell
They said being intelligent was strange.
All this time I'm here alone
While you're abroad in Cambodia
All you have to do is use the phone
To relieve my sense of phobia.
Use the tools your father left behind.
Replacement Seaford motto:
"E Ventis Stultitia"
Modern, monumental regularity
And the ‘mores’ of Homo Sapiens.
Less self-aware
More without a care.
The oven clicked
Collapsed at the last minute.
“I got what I deserved from life. No more, no less”.
God can strike you dead at any time of day.
Art and life are based on pain, but the afterlife is based on joy. Art, therefore, is always second best.
The efforts taken on battlements prized,
Where perhaps a young soldier lost his way.
Would never rise to abate his brother’s scorn,
All his hopes have become forlorn.
Spontaneous, yet every moment bursting full of joy.
Tireless dummies in isolation seek out rich order.
Splendour engendered.
LAWYERS' DOUBLE-SPEAK
Please observe necessary procrastination and honour the aforementioned afterthought.
Out and In
Speed and Recovery
Grimace and Vomit
INDIGO BUTTERFLY
Withdrawn again,
Scene again.
WHISTLING HEAT
I would always end up with you, eventually.
Like an old man with a hole in his head!
BRIGHTON MUSEUM
Something new, something bold.
Somebody who withdrew, somebody to hold.
SCIENCE FICTION
Terraform.
Plastic worm.
MONEY
No less than half?
Don’t be daft!
SCIENTIFIC UMBRELLA
Umbrelliform
Isn’t the norm.
GOD OF SCIENCE
Everything in creation has been engineered.
Everything in nature reveals its design.
t.A.T.u. - ‘Complexity disguised as simplicity.’ Double - dressed in white, but evil. Look like virgins, but are, in fact, lesbians…
“You’ll know me when I’m famous.”
“I don’t know whether I’m an optimist or a pessimist - I only know that when I wish for the best, the worst usually happens.”
Where’s the Music, Ian?
“There was no one near to confuse me, so I was forced to become original.” (Franz Joseph Haydn)
I like to rise above the room,
Young, hopeless and very cool.
ACM class: Love/Hate relationship with the colour red.
‘Neatly Apologetic’
Him, who never drives quickly round a bend, never gets away with it - ‘The Logists’
I’m in the ‘high’ phase,
To feel it easier.
God knows I’ve downsized to sparse already.
I’m now driving a mental juggernaught.
And I’ll just put down enemy, as if any doubt.
The flaming brain.
Oh no, not again.
I hate the sound of lazy diction at 3.00am
Hollow Man:
You can fill him with whatever you like,
It's always good!
I prefer pure music rather than music needing external inspiration. 'Programmatic' music is more than enough, and so, minimal, pure music suits me best.
They said his brain would swell
They said being intelligent was strange.
All this time I'm here alone
While you're abroad in Cambodia
All you have to do is use the phone
To relieve my sense of phobia.
Use the tools your father left behind.
Replacement Seaford motto:
"E Ventis Stultitia"
Modern, monumental regularity
And the ‘mores’ of Homo Sapiens.
Less self-aware
More without a care.
The oven clicked
Collapsed at the last minute.
“I got what I deserved from life. No more, no less”.
God can strike you dead at any time of day.
Art and life are based on pain, but the afterlife is based on joy. Art, therefore, is always second best.
The efforts taken on battlements prized,
Where perhaps a young soldier lost his way.
Would never rise to abate his brother’s scorn,
All his hopes have become forlorn.
Spontaneous, yet every moment bursting full of joy.
Tireless dummies in isolation seek out rich order.
Splendour engendered.
LAWYERS' DOUBLE-SPEAK
Please observe necessary procrastination and honour the aforementioned afterthought.
Milan
In the sunken catacombs of Milan,
I dream of marble tombs and statues.
The sepulchral stillness of a veil once lifted.
It is family who wish to intermarry,
And meet again in fair Verona’s aisle,
Or perhaps sojourn in St. Mark’s Square.
I dream of marble tombs and statues.
The sepulchral stillness of a veil once lifted.
It is family who wish to intermarry,
And meet again in fair Verona’s aisle,
Or perhaps sojourn in St. Mark’s Square.
Michelham Priory poetry competition 2004:
Entries by Daniel Lewis Elton
32a High Street,
Seaford, East Sussex,
BN25 1PL.
(01323) 896037
A Day at Michelham Priory
Enticing land of Michelham,
Its verdant lawns and mill at hand,
My friends and I we spent at this,
A summer’s day in perfect bliss.
Inside, the priory and all its beams,
Outside, the moat and Cuckmere stream.
The day we spent in rêveries,
Amongst the treasured gardens here,
Of monks and peoples long ago,
Of sculptures dressed with flowers below.
Inside, the priory and all its charms,
Outside, the grounds brought peace and calm.
A fête we saw with country folk,
And many wares – some bespoke!
We spent our pounds on rural crafts,
And later watched the ferret stars,
Wriggle and race down darkened pipes,
While a crowd looked on with much delight.
The crowd dispersed and went its way,
The sun it dipped and left today.
A time well spent at Michelham,
With food and laughter we left life’s sham…
Perhaps to visit again sometime,
When the weather’s fair and the sun does shine.
The Ghost of Michelham
There was a ghost called Daryl,
Who wore some black apparel,
Came out the tower,
To pick fresh flowers,
And sang a little carol.
Entries by Daniel Lewis Elton
32a High Street,
Seaford, East Sussex,
BN25 1PL.
(01323) 896037
A Day at Michelham Priory
Enticing land of Michelham,
Its verdant lawns and mill at hand,
My friends and I we spent at this,
A summer’s day in perfect bliss.
Inside, the priory and all its beams,
Outside, the moat and Cuckmere stream.
The day we spent in rêveries,
Amongst the treasured gardens here,
Of monks and peoples long ago,
Of sculptures dressed with flowers below.
Inside, the priory and all its charms,
Outside, the grounds brought peace and calm.
A fête we saw with country folk,
And many wares – some bespoke!
We spent our pounds on rural crafts,
And later watched the ferret stars,
Wriggle and race down darkened pipes,
While a crowd looked on with much delight.
The crowd dispersed and went its way,
The sun it dipped and left today.
A time well spent at Michelham,
With food and laughter we left life’s sham…
Perhaps to visit again sometime,
When the weather’s fair and the sun does shine.
The Ghost of Michelham
There was a ghost called Daryl,
Who wore some black apparel,
Came out the tower,
To pick fresh flowers,
And sang a little carol.
Maybe You
I lost you:
You walked through,
The union we never had.
I tried to close you down,
But you just walked on by.
Just to kiss your sweet lips would be enough,
Only now maybe you’re gone forever.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
Now I stand alone,
Once bitten, twice shy.
I know I’m stronger,
But I still wonder.
What it is to love.
I hope you’ll come back, maybe.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
Say you love me,
And I’ll come running back.
Or call me on the telephone.
I would need just that.
To be with you, maybe.
You walked through,
The union we never had.
I tried to close you down,
But you just walked on by.
Just to kiss your sweet lips would be enough,
Only now maybe you’re gone forever.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
Now I stand alone,
Once bitten, twice shy.
I know I’m stronger,
But I still wonder.
What it is to love.
I hope you’ll come back, maybe.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
All on my own,
With no-one to hold.
Say you love me,
And I’ll come running back.
Or call me on the telephone.
I would need just that.
To be with you, maybe.
Lord, Where Is My Soul?
It’s not heart, brain nor breath,
This spirit beyond death.
Not for us to dissect,
Nor cut from the body,
And place in tidy parts,
Nor stack and sort as befits,
The laws of science.
What is it?
It is the human soul -
No more, no less, this it is.
This spirit beyond death.
Not for us to dissect,
Nor cut from the body,
And place in tidy parts,
Nor stack and sort as befits,
The laws of science.
What is it?
It is the human soul -
No more, no less, this it is.
Little Sis'
Tell me little sis’,
The easy way towards true bliss.
Which way do I turn,
When I’ve got no money to burn?
The sun’s up,
But I’m not cut,
To make it now,
To be the next big wow,
On T.V. or the radio.
So tell me now sis’, which way to go.
When I was lost it’s me you found,
You helped put my feet back on the ground.
The easy way towards true bliss.
Which way do I turn,
When I’ve got no money to burn?
The sun’s up,
But I’m not cut,
To make it now,
To be the next big wow,
On T.V. or the radio.
So tell me now sis’, which way to go.
When I was lost it’s me you found,
You helped put my feet back on the ground.
Life Is A Cliché
Crazy spinning angels,
Uptight, uptight.
Can’t get enough of life,
So cut me a piece of it,
Like cake and eating it.
Uptight, uptight.
Can’t get enough of life,
So cut me a piece of it,
Like cake and eating it.
Job's Lament
Perish the day on which I was born,
And the night that told of a boy torn.
May God on high have a thought of it,
May it shine no light.
Why give life to those bitter of heart,
Who long for the death that comes like a dart?
If we say something to you will you bear with us?
I speak from experience, those who plough inquity
And sow disaster, reap just that.
Fair comment can be borne without resentment,
But what are your strictures aimed at?
Do you think mere words are contentment?
Do you see the thorns on which I sit?
Lying in bed I wonder, “When will it be day?”
“When will the day come, for which I pray?”
And the night that told of a boy torn.
May God on high have a thought of it,
May it shine no light.
Why give life to those bitter of heart,
Who long for the death that comes like a dart?
If we say something to you will you bear with us?
I speak from experience, those who plough inquity
And sow disaster, reap just that.
Fair comment can be borne without resentment,
But what are your strictures aimed at?
Do you think mere words are contentment?
Do you see the thorns on which I sit?
Lying in bed I wonder, “When will it be day?”
“When will the day come, for which I pray?”
Jenny Is Fair
If this life is one of toil,
Working for you will make me loyal.
I said I’d be with you when you die,
So please believe that I won't lie,
About this or anything I say:
We’ll live together day by day.
I live for you and I’ll light my light,
Through the day and through the night.
I know now that you’re a giver,
And life just made you stronger.
Working for you will make me loyal.
I said I’d be with you when you die,
So please believe that I won't lie,
About this or anything I say:
We’ll live together day by day.
I live for you and I’ll light my light,
Through the day and through the night.
I know now that you’re a giver,
And life just made you stronger.
I'm Over You
I’m so broken and down,
But I ain’t no clown,
I’m heavy and complicated,
But I can’t get me no woman.
All the girls hate my guts,
And I don’t care,
They can all go to hell.
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why?
There’s just me left standing,
Looking up,
And all I can see is naked skies.
There’s no good love around,
Tell me who’ll lift me from the ground.
I’ve grown tall and strong,
But no-one wants me,
So I’ll just cry into my hands.
This ain’t no love song!
Because I’m gone,
So help me, Jesus,
To reach your port.
It won’t be long now,
Till I’m over you.
But I ain’t no clown,
I’m heavy and complicated,
But I can’t get me no woman.
All the girls hate my guts,
And I don’t care,
They can all go to hell.
Why, oh why, oh why, oh why?
There’s just me left standing,
Looking up,
And all I can see is naked skies.
There’s no good love around,
Tell me who’ll lift me from the ground.
I’ve grown tall and strong,
But no-one wants me,
So I’ll just cry into my hands.
This ain’t no love song!
Because I’m gone,
So help me, Jesus,
To reach your port.
It won’t be long now,
Till I’m over you.
Humility Man
I’m only human,
Made of flesh and blood.
I try my hardest,
But always fall apart.
Since before the flood,
We have erred,
Giving us heartaches.
And then we wake,
Only to fall once more.
Our saviour has come,
But we ignore him,
And go our own separate ways.
For days are much alike,
Leading men astray,
From the narrow path,
To different shores,
Where the learned have gone –
To an Underworld below.
Made of flesh and blood.
I try my hardest,
But always fall apart.
Since before the flood,
We have erred,
Giving us heartaches.
And then we wake,
Only to fall once more.
Our saviour has come,
But we ignore him,
And go our own separate ways.
For days are much alike,
Leading men astray,
From the narrow path,
To different shores,
Where the learned have gone –
To an Underworld below.
Gypsy Woman
She came one time,
One lovely summer’s day,
To a young man’s door,
To sell her wares,
And then was seen no more.
“Do you believe in God?
Or are you a satanist?
You’d better buy my wares,
If it’s luck you want.
Then open the door,
And I won’t disappoint.”
“Will you buy a souvenir,
Of my travels?” said she,
“Let me see”, said he,
“I haven’t a penny”, he said,
“But give me that golden four-leafed clover”.
She handed him the thing,
And off she went.
And so it came to pass,
That his luck had changed,
So he gave the clover away,
To his sister,
Who prospered just as well.
One lovely summer’s day,
To a young man’s door,
To sell her wares,
And then was seen no more.
“Do you believe in God?
Or are you a satanist?
You’d better buy my wares,
If it’s luck you want.
Then open the door,
And I won’t disappoint.”
“Will you buy a souvenir,
Of my travels?” said she,
“Let me see”, said he,
“I haven’t a penny”, he said,
“But give me that golden four-leafed clover”.
She handed him the thing,
And off she went.
And so it came to pass,
That his luck had changed,
So he gave the clover away,
To his sister,
Who prospered just as well.
Friday 4:17am (3.7.09)
Seagulls, thrifty as thrushes,
Circling in the early hours of day.
And the silence…
Following a thunderous shower at midnight.
The sounds of early morning,
Coming intermittently as I turn on the light.
The rapture of a peculiar dream,
Which leaves me refreshed yet puzzle…
As if waiting for another out of reach;
Yet happy that more will come.
Sweating over the closeness of the air;
And ready to rise…
The gulls echoing across the sky…
As free as they should be.
Circling in the early hours of day.
And the silence…
Following a thunderous shower at midnight.
The sounds of early morning,
Coming intermittently as I turn on the light.
The rapture of a peculiar dream,
Which leaves me refreshed yet puzzle…
As if waiting for another out of reach;
Yet happy that more will come.
Sweating over the closeness of the air;
And ready to rise…
The gulls echoing across the sky…
As free as they should be.
February Morning
He left the house at five o’clock,
A cup of water and blaubok.
Whilst dark and all around,
The birds were quiet - not a sound.
He went on down in a decline,
Stopped himself before a sign,
To brew some coffee for a drink.
So why do that, I guess you’d think?
He looked around for people near,
And gave a stare, with no fear.
He kept on going without a care,
In his nightmare world, held his stare,
Then passed a farm with all its jink.
So why do that, I guess you’d think?
Suddenly, as if by fate,
Approached a gate.
A barn to his right and straight ahead,
He passed it by; no dread,
And stopped – he saw his head,
Upon the ground in all its glory.
Oh my Lord, now what a story!
So end it does this little ditty,
Of ghosts and madmen - in the city.
The moral is, I won’t deny,
When looking up at the sky,
If it’s dark and early, and cold,
Don’t get up unless you’re bold.
For, he said, you might meet,
A funny thing in some street.
It ends and then you’ll see about,
Death in hedgerows and tre-es stout.
Stay instead and rest in bed.
A warning this is to all he said,
“They locked me up with nought to drink.”
Now why did they do that, I guess you’d think?
A cup of water and blaubok.
Whilst dark and all around,
The birds were quiet - not a sound.
He went on down in a decline,
Stopped himself before a sign,
To brew some coffee for a drink.
So why do that, I guess you’d think?
He looked around for people near,
And gave a stare, with no fear.
He kept on going without a care,
In his nightmare world, held his stare,
Then passed a farm with all its jink.
So why do that, I guess you’d think?
Suddenly, as if by fate,
Approached a gate.
A barn to his right and straight ahead,
He passed it by; no dread,
And stopped – he saw his head,
Upon the ground in all its glory.
Oh my Lord, now what a story!
So end it does this little ditty,
Of ghosts and madmen - in the city.
The moral is, I won’t deny,
When looking up at the sky,
If it’s dark and early, and cold,
Don’t get up unless you’re bold.
For, he said, you might meet,
A funny thing in some street.
It ends and then you’ll see about,
Death in hedgerows and tre-es stout.
Stay instead and rest in bed.
A warning this is to all he said,
“They locked me up with nought to drink.”
Now why did they do that, I guess you’d think?
Family
Don’t look at my family tree.
It’s not a pleasant sight to see.
So if it’s family you want to be,
Take someone who’s not me,
Take back someone who’s not me.
Family’s there to help you up,
To take away some suffering’s cup.
So don’t look at me if you want luck,
Cos’ me and mine will make you chuck.
Take back someone who’s not me.
It’s not a pleasant sight to see.
So if it’s family you want to be,
Take someone who’s not me,
Take back someone who’s not me.
Family’s there to help you up,
To take away some suffering’s cup.
So don’t look at me if you want luck,
Cos’ me and mine will make you chuck.
Take back someone who’s not me.
Epitaph To Chloë
We wish it well once more to see,
Climb upon some pointed tree,
Our dearest cat ‘the black Chloë’,
Friend to all both you and me.
She pukèd once she pukèd twice,
In younger days she’d chase the mice,
In the garden eat the grass,
And that’s not all, no not the last.
In the morning wake you up,
In the evening break a cup,
She would comfort she would squeak,
And paw around before a leap.
In the end she’s like us all,
Liked to think she’s six feet tall,
When in fact it’s there she lies,
Beneath the shells as Justine cries.
So spare a thought for our Chloë,
As the garden dug must be,
For ‘neath these shells lies not some tree,
Please let her rest, please let her be!
Climb upon some pointed tree,
Our dearest cat ‘the black Chloë’,
Friend to all both you and me.
She pukèd once she pukèd twice,
In younger days she’d chase the mice,
In the garden eat the grass,
And that’s not all, no not the last.
In the morning wake you up,
In the evening break a cup,
She would comfort she would squeak,
And paw around before a leap.
In the end she’s like us all,
Liked to think she’s six feet tall,
When in fact it’s there she lies,
Beneath the shells as Justine cries.
So spare a thought for our Chloë,
As the garden dug must be,
For ‘neath these shells lies not some tree,
Please let her rest, please let her be!
Dreaming
He had the light,
To run like an obsidian black.
Into the night,
And never come back.
Wait for me,
On the other side.
“Wait and see”, said she.
Yet it was him she denied.
He waited an age and a day,
Till the Earth had frozen over.
He waited for his lover,
But she was gone in May.
The mist was on the field.
I turnèd left, I turnèd right,
But I could never live.
The rolling wheels.
The years don’t sit lightly on me.
To run like an obsidian black.
Into the night,
And never come back.
Wait for me,
On the other side.
“Wait and see”, said she.
Yet it was him she denied.
He waited an age and a day,
Till the Earth had frozen over.
He waited for his lover,
But she was gone in May.
The mist was on the field.
I turnèd left, I turnèd right,
But I could never live.
The rolling wheels.
The years don’t sit lightly on me.
Brotherly Love
The time of spring has come again once more,
And the Earth changes its tilt around the sun.
A cuckoo’s call is heard just outside my door,
As the season's heat has finally begun.
But you, my brother, are not with me here,
To see these simple things come back and pass:
For you, it must be said, life held much fear,
And you are now where bars cover thick-plated glass.
Now, the compass almost full circle has come,
And I am ready to begin again.
This year’s tasks are nearly wrapped up and done,
In this dark land of children, women and men;
Where this pain in me will forever smart,
Until time heals the wound within my heart.
And the Earth changes its tilt around the sun.
A cuckoo’s call is heard just outside my door,
As the season's heat has finally begun.
But you, my brother, are not with me here,
To see these simple things come back and pass:
For you, it must be said, life held much fear,
And you are now where bars cover thick-plated glass.
Now, the compass almost full circle has come,
And I am ready to begin again.
This year’s tasks are nearly wrapped up and done,
In this dark land of children, women and men;
Where this pain in me will forever smart,
Until time heals the wound within my heart.
Birthday Letters
I saw her on the train,
To Hove and back again.
Nothing’s changed and everything in between,
I wonder, where have you been?
Sorry to see you go,
But how will I know,
When I’ll see you again –
I saw you on the train.
Maybe in paradise,
Or perhaps on Guildford’s ice,
You and I will meet again,
I saw you on the train.
I remember now in summer,
When I would have rung your number,
So that we might meet,
Maybe in the street.
I would have liked to have seen you again,
Really on any ‘plane or train,
In my sleep of dreams,
Of rainbows and moonbeams.
To Hove and back again.
Nothing’s changed and everything in between,
I wonder, where have you been?
Sorry to see you go,
But how will I know,
When I’ll see you again –
I saw you on the train.
Maybe in paradise,
Or perhaps on Guildford’s ice,
You and I will meet again,
I saw you on the train.
I remember now in summer,
When I would have rung your number,
So that we might meet,
Maybe in the street.
I would have liked to have seen you again,
Really on any ‘plane or train,
In my sleep of dreams,
Of rainbows and moonbeams.
Beddingham Church
Away from the town into the country,
I have flown and received my bounty.
Seagull curses back and forth,
Child shouts for all his worth,
People sing and stand on platforms,
Whilst the mid-day train arrives on time.
I have flown and received my bounty.
Seagull curses back and forth,
Child shouts for all his worth,
People sing and stand on platforms,
Whilst the mid-day train arrives on time.
Asleep After A Soirée (12.12.09)
Deep as the ocean,
With the levity of a sandpiper.
A piper in a military marching machine,
Making movements multifarious.
And the strand will pipe its song
Just as the bird digs for its prey.
Throw off your shackles, old man!
Awaken from your dream!
You sat up when you played
You rose as if from your grave.
Not dead, but cicatricised
And yet so young and weary.
Death has visited your person
You were ill once, but no more.
Life opens its arms to you.
A train smashed your love
She looked back and you met her haunting gaze.
The doctors said your insides were black
But you became well again.
She cursed you once
And now she lives no more
A train smashed her.
She was brilliant, yet doomed…
To a life curtailed.
Leaving everything to your long span of years
Awaken, old man, no tears.
With the levity of a sandpiper.
A piper in a military marching machine,
Making movements multifarious.
And the strand will pipe its song
Just as the bird digs for its prey.
Throw off your shackles, old man!
Awaken from your dream!
You sat up when you played
You rose as if from your grave.
Not dead, but cicatricised
And yet so young and weary.
Death has visited your person
You were ill once, but no more.
Life opens its arms to you.
A train smashed your love
She looked back and you met her haunting gaze.
The doctors said your insides were black
But you became well again.
She cursed you once
And now she lives no more
A train smashed her.
She was brilliant, yet doomed…
To a life curtailed.
Leaving everything to your long span of years
Awaken, old man, no tears.
A Dying Aspidistra
Keep the old aspidistra flying,
Say no to this, this one is dying.
Pour new wine into new wine skins,
Say no to this and these old sins.
Old life is dead; say yes to new,
It’s time to sow afresh, anew.
Old people live and die in peace,
Escaped from the Earth’s caprice,
Of toil and trouble,
Free from a dice’s deuce,
From love’s eternal triangle,
Cupid’s arrows entangled.
Say no to this, this one is dying.
Pour new wine into new wine skins,
Say no to this and these old sins.
Old life is dead; say yes to new,
It’s time to sow afresh, anew.
Old people live and die in peace,
Escaped from the Earth’s caprice,
Of toil and trouble,
Free from a dice’s deuce,
From love’s eternal triangle,
Cupid’s arrows entangled.
Saturday 17 July 2010
A Dark Room (Moorway Lane)
A man sitting alone,
Stares ahead and sees,
Some chairs: a table with six
Seats facing inwards to a glass table.
There is a bookcase with many tomes,
Bound in brown paper.
The sides of the room are of glass,
And the roof slopes downwards from the
Wall: there is no light - save that of
The room which is in half.
Who is this man alone,
Sitting without a care and thought?
Suddenly he gets up and walks inside.
Stares ahead and sees,
Some chairs: a table with six
Seats facing inwards to a glass table.
There is a bookcase with many tomes,
Bound in brown paper.
The sides of the room are of glass,
And the roof slopes downwards from the
Wall: there is no light - save that of
The room which is in half.
Who is this man alone,
Sitting without a care and thought?
Suddenly he gets up and walks inside.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)