Dull spring morning.
Another day
Of work
In a contemporary play
Of temporary things.
Soon the afternoon
Will come.
The sun
May shine –
How many moons
And suns
Will I see?
My mug of tea
Grows cold
Next to me
Dull spring morning.
Another day
Of work
In a contemporary play
Of temporary things.
Soon the afternoon
Will come.
The sun
May shine –
How many moons
And suns
Will I see?
My mug of tea
Grows cold
Next to me
There once was a guy with a tie
Who was plagued by a very large fly.
When a girl called Yvette
Said, “is he your pet?”
He swatted that fly with his tie!
When a beautiful young lady named Miss Prism
Said, “the sun he has long since risen”.
I said, “the moon
Will come out soon –
And have you ever been good Miss Prism …!”
On a day in early spring
I heard the birds sing
As we walked together
Through this ever-changing weather.
And as we walked
I wished to talk
With you my dear old friend.
But it was my shadow
That walked in sunshine
For you have crossed the line
Where all things end.
I cannot cry
Or go where you have gone,
Yet our friendship lives on
And one day I will become
A shadow in sun
And shade
For life is made
Of fleeting shadows
And I know
That I must one day go
Were you have gone.
But other men
May see my shadow
Walking beside them
And know me
And their own mortality.
I was delighted to interview talented author Esther Chilton on the World Poetry Café. To listen to my interview with Esther please follow this link https://flashfiction2.substack.com/p/world-poetry-cafe-april-23-2026-with. The interview begins approximately 22 minutes into the podcast.
I know a young lady from Japan
Who married my best friend named Dan.
On their wedding day
He passed away
So I left with that girl for Japan …
I know a very pretty young actress
Who said, “can I try your new mattress?”
When I said, “shall we play?”
She replied, “we did that yesterday!
Today I’ll just try out your new mattress!”
I saw a square
Of sunlight fall
On my study wall.
It is no longer there –
We all borrow
Each joy and sorrow
Until our square
Vanishes into empty air.
I feel the wind
On my skin
And hear him
Whisper in the trees
Reminding me of you.
I go in
And face my darkening window
Were I to die tonight
I would go happy –
Yet tomorrow will probably come.
I will walk in sun
Or rain.
Then, returning home again
I will face my window
But not the same
One as tonight
I have some exciting news! With my friend, Alice Liddell, I have established a publishing company.
We have just produced our first book, a collection entitled Mirror Verses. The work consists of a series of poems all of which must be read by holding the book up-side-down. There are other publications in the pipeline including a collection penned by a shy young lady (who wishes to remain nameless) who composed a fine collection of flash fiction whilst nude in hotel rooms.
At present Hatters and Hares Publishers Ltd does not have a webpage. However, for further information please do ask.