The Whitlow

Looking down at his right index finger, He saw the scar remained, as did that curved fingernail. Not thought of for years, the memory now vivid, The whitlow, the pain, and the delirium, And the heat of the bread poultice. The old Doctor flitting in and out of his dreams, Muttering, ‘Not ripe, not ripe. […]

The Weston Spirit

The Weston spirit, a heart of gold, a crinkled chip, Forged together in a granite block. Born from adversity, and untold misery. From the depths of despair to fulfillment of life. Bringing hope and purpose to all in need. We remember the scenes of the Ship on fire, The billowing smoke, the cries of the […]

The Water Meadow (A poem for two voices)

Tail flicking Wagtails, Yellow and Pied, Darting, and catching their insect food. Their young at their heels, begging for more. Tail swishing cows cropping ancient herbage, Their pollen covered hooves, and yellow lips, Fertilising the masses of buttercups, and cowslips, By disturbing the insects who help in the act. The old footpath is now a […]

The Thresher’s Lament

Up the blutty ladder, Start work on the Thresher, My guts are all on fire, Down the blutty ladder. Crouch behind the shed. Up the blutty ladder, Start work once more. Diawch! my old guts again. Down the blutty ladder. Crouch behind the shed!. Once more up the ladder, And start up once again, My […]

The Soldier Artist

I gazed at the beautiful murals of Plas Newydd, Remembering the artist, the man that created Those beautiful, vivid, bright scenes. And then I recalled another such place Equally vivid, in a much darker setting. The small fields of the Bockage Country. It’s thick hedgerows concealing heavy guns. Tanks on fire, their crews often burning, […]

The Shire Stallion

Where are you now, my gentlest Giant? Friend of my childhood, my brave Standard Bearer. I remember so well the battles we fought- Waterloo, Inkerman, Ladysmith. We were so brave, you carried me , reins held taught: The Red Dragon of Wales, our Standard proclaiming. Those battles we fought in times without number, Often at […]

The River

You lazily wander, through pastures green, Curling your way as you flow to the sea. Sand Martins, Kingfishers, live in your banks, Tail swishing cattle, stand cooling their flanks. The sunshine reflecting the Golden Gorse, In shallows you gurgle your baby talk; Why do you rush to be lost in the sea? Linger a little, […]

The Party Kiss

We walked slowly home from the party. The sky clouded over, it started to rain. Taking off my coat, we snuggled beneath it. It was exciting, I pressed my lips on your freckled cheek. “Now you will have to marry me”, I firmly said. You chuckled and lisped “Oh you are thoppy, you know we […]

The One They Call The Devil Bird

In the middle of March, the excitement starts. Each morning I wake, and listen for sounds, Search through the window for new arrivals. Every year the same impatience for migrants. When will they come? The Swallows, the Martins. And the one the Ancients called “Devil Bird”. All coming from Africa to stay for a while. […]

The Old Brown Teapot

Standing in a Flanders Trench,the young soldier Peered into the gloom,as he waited for stand down, Which would signal the dawn,and rest from duty. His mind turned to thoughts of home. Sounds of shells, gunfire, War, Blotted out by warm caressing visions, Of a kitchen, glowing in lamp light. His Mother busy preparing tea. The […]

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