Monthly Archives: October 2021

Book Announcement: 10 of My Poems Included in Croydon Poetry Hour Anthology 2020/21

I am delighted to announce that 10 of my poems have been included in Croydon Poetry Hour Anthology 2020/21. Amongst those of my poems appearing in the book are Blackbird, Leaving and Whilst Drunk on Very Strong Beer. For anyone who is interested, Croydon Poetry Hour Anthology 2020/21 can be purchased here https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/croydon-poets/croydon-poetry-hour-anthology-202021/paperback/product-q777n8.html?page=1&pageSize=4

I have reproduced below my poem Leaving. The text of the poem is followed by a Youtube video of me reading it.

Leaving

On my way home
I touched the stone
Of my local church.
And longed to stay
With the singing birds
On this summer evening.
I have oft heard
The birds singing
And regretted leaving.

I envy them
For, unlike men
They do not weep.
For they see not
The final sleep.
While I
Knowing that man must die
Have the beauty of birdsong,
Which does not last long.

Some Civilisations Go Slow

Some civilisations go slow
In their decay
While others stay
But a short time.

Birdsong does not last.
And poets must rhyme
Of empires that pass
And fast climate change.

A Most Wicked Young Lady of Dover

A most wicked young lady of Dover
Has gone and stolen my favourite pullover.
So I’ve said to Bess
“If you want your dress
Then first give me back my pullover!”

A Most Beautiful Young Lady Named Polly

A most beautiful young lady named Polly
Said, “lets go and do something jolly!”
When we did rush
Into a thick bush
We screamed, “my god its prickly holly!”

The Young Lady and the Devil

On the night that’s known as Halloween
A young lady sat eating some cream.
When the devil, being a wit
Said, “please, give me a bit”.
And then she awoke from that dream!

Miss Heart’s Performing Art

I know a young lady named Heart
Who is an expert in performing art.
She performs on my lawn
With that pretty Miss Thorn
Which really is good for my heart!

There Was a Young Lady of Japan

There was a young lady of Japan
Who married an old man named Stan.
He thought her real hot
But not getting a lot
He left that young lady of Japan!