Airy valedictions cannot span this bridge in time
what’s mine is yours, what’s yours is very definitely mine.
we both can hear the quiet roar of our own new found land
as time drifts to a stop and as we focus near and far
we no longer stand amazed at the hollow rancour of public life
and have no more time for the mere indulgences of strife.
we look too much upon these empty places, the sands
...

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I was a stranger, you took me in

but I found you were stranger still.

I guess we’re two peas in a pod

cuz neither of us fits the bill

of all the many ways the world expects

two blokes like us to be.

You took me in, now we’ve become...

the strangest friends you’ll ever see.

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the black dog

humping my leg

is only a figment

of a dull imagination I say

but I can’t get away from it

this whole setup is a tease

the drone of the TV

the buzz of the fluorescent lights above me

that flicker like frequencies gained and lost

in propagation and interfering...

Joe stands at the mouth of the volcano

and the sacrificial buffalo lo

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A songbird stutters

Unsure, fearful of a world

Deafened to its song

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A new venture for me, in an effot to reach a wider readership I've added a substack account. I'll try and publish on here in parallel - juggling a range of media now but with a litle less time devoted to theatre production ,aybe I'll do better than I have in the past! Three posts so far, each with a poem, which won't always be the case. For more see https://tonyearnshaw.substack.com 

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Dear Mister Stupidly of Braindead,

that genocide is not in my name;

starving babies to death,

your conscience won’t stain,

so I’m asking you, oh very nicely,

pretty please, will you bugger right off;

we’ll protest against murder,

we’ll protest ‘til it stops,

we’ll protest a lot further,

we’ll protest til the fucking penny has dropped,

we’ll protest a lot louder,

i...

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I don't dwell much these days

It seems that the only point is the one right in front of me

Healthy habits help keep me of sound mind and soul 

I know when I'm not doing well when my poster becomes poor

Then I have to pay attention

And give attention to myself

Maintaining a healthy system relies on a lot of things

Money seems to be the most helpful at times

Though I have lea...

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PEWTER HEART

_____________

Lost:

One small metallic

Treasure, laying untouched in blades of grass.

Heart-shaped,

Pewter-made,

Chain connected to its form.

A love 

Freely given,

Refused in disgust.

Never kept,

Never worn,

Tossed into the tall green grass

Like a shiny hunk of trash,

Grown cold,

Left to rust.

Found:

B...

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Dead children
Funny cats
Dead children
Our ten best hacks
Dead children
Suspicious activity
Dead children
Click here to see
Dead children
Meghan and Harry
Dead children
Are they really unhappy
Dead children
How to get an upgrade
Dead children
Review and get paid
Dead children
The great game
Dead children
It’s always been the same
Dead children
Buy or sell
The burning man crie...

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Your beauty makes YOU invisible

Do people see the real you or just your beauty? 

Beauty is a barrier 

I broke the barrier 

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We have nothing much to offer love,

Embarrassingly, we extend a nothing offer

We have very little to say about love

Ashamed that love escaped its heart-shaped coffer

We had high hopes once, for our forever-ever

Searching forever with higher hope

Scarcely do we have anything left of belief

Recognising that belief in love is beyond our scope

We have little time that...

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(There is a little skipping on the audio but it does not detract too much from my velvet tones)

For those of you under the age of 50 some explanation might be needed – probably on a number of levels.

First of all, “3d” was thre’pence under “old” money.

Second, the “d” stood for denarii – a valuable legacy of Roman coinage.

Third, and perhaps most important, you’ll need an understa...

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O people of Allah/God hear the call divine  

Be not divided, for in unity, strength we find  

Pray, supplicate, let your voices be heard  

For Allah/God listens to each and every word  

Repentance awaits, the doors wide open wide  

His mercy abundant, in Him we confide  

Gather in numbers, in unity we stand tall  

For deliverance awaits, upon His merciful call  

W...

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that full moon mood 

cold and bright cascades:

a twist, a press 

as a touch, wrung wistful 

grips shaped gasps

goosebumps, brushing thistles

a skyward buck

a smiling howl

and a cooling, bliss-ed

descent

 again. 

this is what worship

should feel like 

mouths mapping a collapsing curve 

drawn closer--too close 

to a white hot center

spel...

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There's a phone at my work

And you might think me a berk

But it calls me from a mindful zone

A place I like to visit alone

Ear to the top

As sounds fizzle and hop

It is a direct line

To feeling fine

I hear wind, birds, hussle and bustle

A universe unexplored in the rustle

Even in short bursts, it quenches my thirst

Distorting my mind toward what's first

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I show her the poem

with the noisy words

building to a crescendo.

My scribbled paean, foolishly trying

to say these things to her

better than they’ve been said

by others, in ink on paper.

“Maybe I should tone all of this down some?”, I propose.

She smiles and says, “I like the clamor just the way it is.”

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proper

proper job

proper nob

proper mint

proper skint

proper bent

proper meant

proper rude

proper chewed

proper slim

proper Jim

proper mate

proper gate

proper bloke

proper woke

proper full

proper cool

proper less

proper guess

proper half

proper laugh

proper script

proper flipped

proper porn

proper gone

proper ...

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It wasn’t the music that drew him,

not at first, but the shape it made

on a stand and the way it took

the light, staring back at him

from the pawnshop window.

And so he decided then and there

he’d learn to play it, taking

for granted his gift and the right

he’d have to cradle it

once he had mastered the keys.

Those first uncertain months

it honked and s...

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I've just had a letter I thought I*d mention,

From that government department that pays my pension.

It seems that as I reach four score

They want to pay me 25p. more!

Their correspondence came as a surprise

Such official largesse brought tears to my eyes

Not least in times of fraught economy

Did I expect to see such generosity!

So. dear readers, when you approach ...

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When with Horror We Defend

All Humanity We Offend

And The Blood Upon Our Hands

is The Blood of All Our Lands

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The Last Hurrah

When I’m old and knackered and all my body parts

have fallen into disrepair, need regular jump starts

If my eyes can’t see and I can’t hear what you say

don’t force feed me with remedies, just help me on my way

My poor old mum’s been poorly, in fact she had a fall

we called the ambulance and she’s gone to hospital

The ward is so depressing, nurse does...

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Late at night in her dreams

Faces come out and make her scream

Some are near, others far away

They never move, they never sway

Unless she moves for then they’ll chase

At a never-ending frantic pace

They never stop their haunting game

For when she awakes it’s still the same

The haunting face is still very near

She sees it watching from the mirror

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A free vote in Parliament on assisted dying  is due,

M.P. s will vote according to their conscience ,not their political view.

Cancer claims the lives of 1 in 2 of those whom we hold dear.

The terminal phase of the illness confronts us with a painful fear.

Under current laws patients with chronic cancer are forced to choose between suffering,suicide and Switzerland.

It's time f...

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I saw 

The flare of the gun

Against the setting sun

My baby's smiling face

I kept within a lonely space

My wife's hand in mine

For one final time 

I saw

The blood from my chest

Sending my body to rest

The future I thought would be

Drift away to a blood red sea

The hands of Time slowly cease

Feeling a weary inner peace

I saw

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We laugh at experts and suck up to fools,

Effortless amateurs from public schools,

And love the chancers who sidestep the rules.

That’s how we are right now, that’s how we are.

We laugh at research and usher away

Facts and achievements on public display;

We’d rather go down on our knees and pray.

That’s how we are right now, that’s how we are.

We laugh at the trut...

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Could somebody stop me 

before it’s too late 

would you walk with me 

to my fate 

I’ve been drop-shipped 

too much of late 

I’d just like to face 

what I’m dealing with 

I’ve tapped out 

everyone I know 

I don’t blame you 

treating me as a ghost 

got one last chance 

to get it under control 

before I’ve spent 

the whole rent on my soul 

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Sleeping with Alexa

Got a new girl in the metaverse

It’s impossible to hate her

Although her repartee is terse

And she’s harvesting my data

Her presence is immersive

She’s made my life complete

Her motives are subversive

She’s got no hands or feet

She’s a disembodied avatar

Who tells me all I need to know

From how to drive a driverless car

What to...

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I'm dead

My bones rusted long ago

I'm not ashamed of what I've done

Just who I am 

I've become a nightmare

Screaming in my sleep 

Doesn't anyone hear me anymore? 

Am I so insignificant?

or am I just alone? 

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After a restful sleep
my thoughts became free
and weightless

I awoke to the light of an overcast day
filtering through closed blinds
a soft glow filled the room

As the afternoon sun  
streams through the blinds 
it creates an outside inner-light

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I’ve never felt 

So alive

And yet 

So close 

So on the verge 

So on the edge

Like a great 

Discovery 

Too good to

Be true

Like

Sometimes 

 I can feel

The heart beat

Of exactly 

Where I’m supposed to be

And all the lights 

Shine 

Like the fates

Have all lined

Up

With torches 

Of fire 

And of passion 

And then 

Sometimes 

...

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Be stirred

like a teaspoon in a cuppa

Be rejuvenated

like grass sparkling after a rain

Be playful

like puppies tumbling into each other

Be happy

like a deep breath

in early morning air

All this

is yours

this day

this smile

this touch

Be full

this day

in this banquet of possibilities

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Skeletons Tell Terrible Jokes

Zombies shuffled aimlessly with heads tipped to one side

The phantoms rattled chains and flung transparent cloaks out wide

The vampires swooped theatrically as they are wont to do

And ghoulish forms materialised in pools of dipping goo

“Wait everyone,” the skeleton interrupted, “I’ve got a joke

Spectres paled spectacularly, their colou...

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Now I’ll be like your ghost 

You’ll feel me everywhere 

But I’ll be nowhere to be seen 

Haunted by my memories 

Tortured by my presence in your heart 

And I’ll miss you 

Like the deserts miss the rain 

And as you wander in search of others 

To fill the void, gain a sense of fulfilment 

As your luck and name change meaning 

You’ll soon begin to realise

All roads lea...

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You´re always in a box,
the spotlight is on,
they judge you on how you talk and how you walk,
they only care about who’s in your bed, like a tragic satire where you lost your essence,
they got the ropes and you´re a puppet of their sideshow, 
that's the price of being a man with a heart,
the scene begins when the doors open and colors enter in a ray of hope.

You grew up thinking you owe s...

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Bang

Its here

Bursting on the day

Asleep for Winter

Bang bang bang

Starbursts of blossom

Exploding in the hedges

Pure white 

The bushes breathing out 

After holding their breath

We’re here again

A joyous dance of snowdrops 

Speckled with Ammonites 

Smiling up at the sun

You’re all welcome

Drink in colour

Dance in the light

Buds like coiled springs...

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Albino Snake

Cucked by fake

Take the picture

take-take-take

Post it, toast it,

fucking roast it

Revenge hurt

revenge porn

Never dead

never born

There forever

till you die

Thighs spread

In the cloud filled sky

Download-upload

shooting your infertile load

Squirming toad

There's a killer on the road

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The Magic in Mundane

Rolling rolling 

Rumble rumble

With all this weight

I’m sure to stumble

Vibrations buzzing

From my knuckle

Then down my arm

With a smoothly structured handle

Caressed in my palm

Blot Blot Blot

Bumpety-bump

Give yourself a stretch

Get those muscles pumped

Kookaburras say hello

The sun says

‘I’m here to kick your ars...

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In life, nothing goes waste, it's clear to see

When done with sincerity, our hearts pure and free

Our souls, untouched by impurity's blight

Negligence alone may dim our inner light

No tear shed for a loved one is in vain

No smile, no matter how rare, is in vain

Each word, true intentions shining through

No love dies when it's sincere and true

Believe in yourself, ...

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No need for words.

No need for typing out more lies

Or truths

- those lines have been crossed

Backwards and forwards

Too many times, too many different ways.

I was listening to your song again

Last night.

Or as I should say our song.

The words we would sing together.

Maybe if there is a god above

Or a way below…

But I can’t see it, I can’t see it..

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A Dark Cloud
What am I doing here? I wonder,
making an advert for soap in a place called Masterful Canyon.

Seeking an answer, I get down and dirty amid cowering cactus.
But all I gained was a sore bottom, for cacti can be nasty.

I was startled to see a meteorite flash across the sky,
and hear a voice cry ‘You wouldn’t see that in Dublin,’
then saw an old Indian with a wooden box, full o...

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As we come across a waterfall,
Which may be large or rather small,
We see the water trickle slowly down,
As it makes a soft and gentle sound.

We find them in the countryside,
Where wildlife may also reside.
They take our angst and our frustration
And bring us contentment and relaxation.
 
So surely it should be our duty
To appreciate this special, natural beauty.
As they give us calm ...

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If you cry my sister,
I am always there to wipe out
Your tickling tears
For swallowing them in me

You are the dearest one,
Don’t think
You are alone in this world
Your brother is still alive for you

Remember me,
The moment you undergo,
The toughest circumstance of your life
Believe me, Sister
Your brother will sacrifice his life
For your sake

Oh Sister,
Don’t take the test of ...

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The Bomb Aimer

In his sights there are buildings,

his order is to destroy them,

he presses a button,

the bombs are released,

he flies back to his base.

Below are those who were his target,

many lie dead by crushed masonry,

others wounded and unconcious,

furniture and shards of glass cover the floor,

a baby cries in a cot.

Back at base the bomb aimer

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We sit across from eachother

Our hands clasped tightly over the table

And in this moment we have everything

And yet we have nothing at the same time

Eyes locked on our targets 

I can see your soul 

It's calling me like a beacon 

And I feel awoken 

We lean in closer to this moment 

Feeding off the energy like vultures to flesh 

I could drown in those blue eyes

If I ...

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HE DID THE REST

(For Barry John - Rugby Legend)

Never a man

To overcomplicate matters

"Chuck me the ball

And I'll do the rest"

His simple philosophy

Retiring before the age of 28

Because he'd had enough

Already a lifetime's worth

Of achievements to contemplate

In the decades that followed.

In New Zealand

They called him 'The King'

Back in Wales

A g...

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The rock

The rock on a high coast, on which I leant.

Your love, as strong as the rock.               

We were

children,

we held eternity blindly; we reached

for a meaning that was greater than life:

destiny.

Destiny - word of fools.

Your eye and mine:

they saw

only a hazed horizon.

Illusion.

Endless line before endless line

losing time to d...

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They say I'm not responsible,

Always painted in shades of irresponsibility.

Why do they claim every good thing as theirs?

Why do they snatch every accolade and credit?

Why not extend a hand when someone feels despair?

Why not offer a shoulder to those in need?

Responsibility isn't just a word, Each letter holds profound meaning.

Why is it always burdened on the honest and comp...

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She only wants me for my money and fame

he thought

going into his studio

to write a love song.

He looked up at the row of golden discs

and quickly forgave her. 

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