Call to Arms

Half a circle

Or a crescent

With a focal point

For the silence

And the speaker

Beautiful Countryside

There is a tree

I wish to find

Which I last climbed

In Nineteen-Sixty-Three

The end of the fool

I passed the Eleven-plus

Travelled by Baddeley’s bus

To Penistone Grammar School

It was a time of fear

Innocence was raised

Nightmares invaded

Eyes and mind once so clear

Presents

Today is to be a walk

I have put on my socks which will shortly

Be followed by my sturdy walking boots

The sun streams

Directly through

The East-facing windows

Actually it is later than I thought

Also sun and windows face more South than East

Nevertheless today is to be a day to walk

In lieu of Kendal mint cake

Of which we are without

I have had seeded bread with strawberry jam

I have received a book of walks

You know the sort you get for Christmas

It arrived just in time for the new years resolutions

We fixed the mantelpiece clock yesterday

Soon the fifteen minute chime will chime

And ever so soon it will chime again

The sun streams

Directly upon me

Sat in my soft yellow jumper

Today we will have a walk

You may detect a hint of hesitation

But then it is a Sunday

Yes it is a Sunday

And it is still a good few minutes before

Eleven o’clock in the morning

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Cold Tea

Wind chime

With the name of Woodstock

A sliced up revolution, music of the spheres

Ping pong

On strung bound eco-plated pipes in the garden

Where the sun silhouettes the swaying laburnum

Where the bare blossom tree stands in defiance

Of the dovecot detail on the distant rooftop

Which sits proud and strong, cooing on the skyline

On the mantel piece

The ticking clock ticks

Tick tock, tick tock, ad so, ad so, ad so infinitum

Framed photographs and posters

A warm fire grate

A room rather full of mementos

This is the kind of space

The kind of peaceful restful place

Where one's cup of tea could so easily go cold

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Trek Or Sojourn

Walk

Along by the Silver Birch

Re-live the memory of a your boy's birthday

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

Walk

Towards the dome of Wren

Hear the sounds of bow with your girl’s bells

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

Walk

Inside the Smithfield Market

Smell the carcass of your old man’s youth

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

Walk

About Covent Garden

See the pretence pretend for you her joy

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

Walk

On into Leicester Square

Ride the fairground roundabout as revellers cry out

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

Walk

Beyond Old London Town

Climb on time that time forgot as we sing together

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

…underneath the arches

down paradise way

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