Did you pack my blue dressing gown Fred?

Yes Tommy.

Are you sure you packed my blue dressing gown Fred?

Quite sure, Tommy. 

Tommy checked himself in the mirror, made adjustments.

Fred, I havn't got a blue dressing gown.

      This charade for the sake of us in the band

      invited up for a drink which never happened. 

The varicose veins like his act were outstan...

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Old enough to know his own mind

under a Christmas spell he peeps through his window

bed clothes pulled back,

the light is strong the shadows black

by the candle in his hand. 

He knows up there is the face of a man

the picture book tells him so,

the moon believes in Santa Claus

it's all just magic

in the ghostly glow. 

Safety lies in dreams

so to bed he now mus...

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I'm whoozie for a floozie,

can't afford to be choosie.

While i'm boozie

i'll go for Suzie. 

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Philipe Pettit high wire artist

broke the law in a good way

by trespass and brazen deception

to gain access to the skies around

Notre Dame then the Twin Towers

both predating the flames. 

Showman, born a Leo

raised his art aloft

formed a determined team of friends and

with bow and arrow shot a cable

to make a tenuous bridge

on the broad shoulders of New Y...

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The town clock was interrogated for hours

but never broke down,

never revealed whispered plots and plans overheard. 

In spite of threats and deprivation of light

the questioning going on by day and by night

it only said "I tell the time and that is all."

Whichever approach they used

of force or subtle persuasion it stuck to its story

simply marking the occasion.

In ...

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After the cremation service the fresh air.

"I never forget a mask,"

I said to someone i'd never met,

an attempt at grim humour.

The embarrassing marquee behind us

pallbearers upright in their black masks,

so long in the waiting. 

Truth is I had felt disconnected

but grief can spread like ripples

from a stone cast into water

at the downcast head of one

I k...

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When I was eight I made a placemat

from coloured raffias and thick card

a hole in the middle allowing thread

to radiate to the edge under which

the raffia could pass for stitching

under and over the loops to create

circles of alternating hues of red

green and yellow 

each side different, the circles undulating

according to the tension applied

by small hands. 

...

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A humble cottage had been half hidden

behind tall hedges

spindly latched wrought iron gates waist high

these past twenty years

reaching behind two lanes in a triangle

its occupants long gone. 

One day a notice was clipped to the gates,

telling nothing but a reference number. 

This remained for six months.

One day a car was parked inside. 

The time was dawnin...

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Citadel of commonality

a wander at will to see

Ladybird sweaters

the Chipmunks on 45s

clamours for the top ten

counter girls fresh out of school

trying to be adults. 

Men's tools pre - plastification

on fire from Practical Householder DIY tips,

flotillas of make up all a - sparkle,

magnolia stockrooms

the drone of fluorescent tubes.

Docking bays of glitterb...

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All in a gusting the wind came

making a dance of the heavy trees,

many people were walking

with tiny dogs on whippy leads,

who suddenly at a violent gust

took off into the feisty air

their little legs like those of ducks

below a wintry skyline 

 owners quite befuddled and shocked

as the doggy kites plunged and soared

barking fit to burst

with their ears like f...

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I make sense of the rubbish

quite at home at the end of my garden

screened off with all the functionality

of a French pissoir. 

The incinerator proud with rust

wheezes in its own smoke,

leaves have come to terms with their maker. 

Though the air festers in imminent rain

indoors traps me - 

now the shed hunches with its good nature,

comfortable in the dampness of ...

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On Monday I got covid,

yesterday I had cancer,

today it's arthritis,

I do feel ill.

it's really time to make a will.  

I caught the habit from my mum

she lived 'til she was ninety six,

so I should be grateful for inherited genes

although -

who knows what tomorrow may bring?

i'll probably suffer from everything. 

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My work is non essential

i'm rather sad to say

of very little value

in the thinking of today. 

I've always felt myself to be

a handy sort of chap

but now i'm non essential

shrinking on the map. 

The road map is a working plan

that only works for some

while others work their balls off

i'm sitting on my bum.

The black dog is a - waiting

for me to...

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Cubby Broccoli was there to meet him

Roger Moore and Honor too

Sean reminded Goldfinger

what he expected him to do.

"I expected you to die and here you are"

was the laser sharp reply. 

Then they let the cameras roll

just for old time's sake,

the script came up on an autocue

but their minds were needle sharp

and the filmtrack played a celestial song

to a golden...

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I watched the rain from a doorway

in shadow pools as dark as light blinded

in a monumental longitude. 

With freedom and the urgency of gravity

it shed itself

under a constant sky

taking no prisoners

cats and dogs indecisive

slinking for cover. 

Collars like funnels

a weeping of spectacles

seeping of shoes

all told the story. 

Cars with pal...

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I enjoy the good things of life

so let us pray

grant us an extra day at least

to join the feast

for what if the good things are fleeting

and flying away?

but if it must stop

a new tomorrow

an old normal

may bring us rushing back

to cry over many tears

wasted.  

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I live in a plastic palace

and all is well at home,

my wife has a plastic phallus

and I have a plastic gnome. 

We think in terms of plastic

from furniture to jewels,

we're not iconoclastic

we abide by all the rules. 

With static like the northern lights

people stand around, 

and even when we leave the house

we end up homeward bound. 

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I saw the light through the gap in your lavatory window

flickering shadows of curry displayed on the wall

I stood there gagging

outside your bedsit, my passion beginning to stall. 

My my my Delilah

why why why Delilah?

I could see that girl was too greedy for me

I was to blame 'cause I felt just the same don't you see

Next day I made an excuse when I thought of th...

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At the ministerial address

three grey men destined to unimpress.

We're supposed to hang on their every word

watch the towers and surf the waves

of graphs, learn how one best behaves. 

Deeper drawn into the patently absurd. 

Facts and figures impressive comparisons

salutary words of warning. 

Overture and beginners please

the stage is set for the ill at eas...

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Through that small window of time I see

the Rendezvous Cafe a napkin and me. 

Perfect Italian cup to my right

the smell of coffee pure delight. 

Quintessential Mayfair heat

in the early sixties' historical street. 

On the napkin doodles and words

as if a moment could care -

but the rounded coffee spurred me on

establishing me there. 

Still I write and that w...

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Essex has fallen,

Romford first then Chelmsford,

Dagenham dug in but was ravaged.

The spirit of malcontent came to a climax

and spilled over like the nightlife itself. 

Social media has been full of it,

online casinos offering odds on the outcome. 

Basildon Town hall is under siege

no police presence reported

though notable statues have been protected.

Politician...

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Cometh the thief in a restless search

to steal your breath away.

Angels in white ward off the night

at the end of a precious day. 

In dreams we sense this furtive beast

faceless with its lance

tripping the light fantastic

on its sly and sure advance. 

So wear that mask, wash those hands

protect the NHS

for how long we can ward it off

is anybody's guess. 

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Russell Sprout was rather stout

as wide as he was tall.

His appearance was hysterical

verging on the spherical,

exactly like a ball. 

As marmite's not to everyone's taste

while others seem to love it,

Russell drew a parallel

with some put off by a rotting smell

while others rose above it. 

In one thing he was much admired

and worthy of a mention

his gr...

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Don't go near the trains my boy

don't go near the trains

they'll carry you off in a puff of smoke

and we'll never see you again. 

Stay away from cars son

stay away from cars

they'll run you down for sure son

they're sure to run you down. 

Don't go near the water lad

water 'll take you away

water 'll take you away my son

we don't want you to drown. 

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There was a ghost who was a shadow of his former self

as you might expect

if you believed as he had to in the afterlife.

Perhaps he was fit for purpose in that realm

but who can say

and unless you were an avid follower

of the occult

who would care anyway?

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Bees are the bees knees

and quite essential

Bee keepers in their wading suits

extraordinarily gentle.

Fly away Peter fly away Paul

celebrations to one and all.

Your homes with honey are lovingly soaked

and we know you won't sting us unless provoked. 

One day when you're suddenly in the mood

a flypast would be lovely

we'll clap like we did for ...

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Like a root vegetable distorted

his face grew on you in fascination.

An overstatement

making its case for persuasion.

Some walked away

not knowing what to make of it

but he became his own tour guide

manoeuvring around revulsion. 

An intelligent wit

saw him making the best of it. 

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Obesity is a big subject

and not to be taken lightly

spread the news.

Boris is against it

for viral reasons

so late to the plate

Hunt did his best to avoid it

more pressing matters

being on the agenda

Moseley unabashed

makes the most of it

revealing uncomfortable truths

Ah well,

what goes round

comes around - well, almost. 

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I awoke last night and found i'd died

so I turned to face the other side

quite amazed at what I saw

a beautiful maiden five foot four. 

Size isn't everything I thought

as I relished some nocturnal sport. 

But passing to the spirit world

t'was just a nymph as I lay curled,

a kind of hell my hand passed through

and I didn't quite know what to do. 

Her presence...

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The day is long and hot

stretching out to sand

like the slit in a tank

in plain sight

offering no respite. 

There may be blood 

on unfamiliar hands.

Hearts beat in crosshatch

to a peculiar rhythm

the pace of unfamiliar lands. 

Strange harsh voices coming

from behind barriers to progress

and silent curious children. 

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Level the fields

mark them out

provide an entry roundabout

put up flags

design the plots

split the haves from the have nots

put in some clouds

a distant view

just to remind us of times gone by

when rural ways

were justified

with no developers satisfied

expand your online catalogue

never mind the waterlog

where you can you always will

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His balcony doors open out

onto the sparkling Thames.

A reflection show his Tommy Hilfiger polo shirt

Yves St. Laurent belt and slacks

crocodile effect shoes

before he half turns to make a comment. 

From the apartment block

the ink hardly dry on the deeds

we look across to the far bank

where beer from historic pubs

spills ungraciously on to grass.

Shame, ...

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It has taken a million years to get its jacket a perfect green

and now we call it a bluebottle

a comparatively recent term. 

Our prejudice is complete

when we observe 

its choices of what to eat. 

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A love made stronger

through desperation and fear

      not a word spoken between them

      at the airport lounge. 

Arrival with belongings on his back

the pale young man clasping the other

bigger, stronger, equally bereft. 

Fugitives from normality

deprived of rights

haunted by separated lonely nights

and now the questions begin

why and how,

whe...

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Let's be clever today

make our mark on the world,

flex our muscles like Darcy Bussell's

let's throw caution away. 

Let's be extra strong

not mince our words for a change,

make advances, take some chances

whether they're right or wrong. 

Let's be superfine

bordering on the divine,

don't take no for an answer

let's discover a wine. 

Let's combine ou...

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My name is Dr. Moreau

I hope you'll come tomorrow to see

in the laboratory of my garden

how I create life from seeds and other sources. 

I have plants that meaow

some that bow wow their heads

when the sun goes in. 

Carnivorous corms

irises with wings,

roses with fingers instead of stamens

these are a few of my feverish things. 

Compost mixed from eye of n...

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We're all going down the plug hole

me included.

I thought for a minute it was a waterslide,

I wonder what's on the other side?

Might as well enjoy it

it ain't the cresta run,

with all the shit that's going down

not half as much fun.

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Layers of memory revived

like the clouds and steam

drifting in a journey behind glass

travelling as before

always in second class.

Savouring one last visit to the past

peppered with loving detail

of mad rail highway vistas

fellow passengers

bound together by impending death

sharing one final wish fulfilment

like a last cigarette.

Then a ticket collecto...

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First remove spending cap

apply "easing lockdown"

in small amounts

always read instructions.

In the case of reactions

adjust dose accordingly.

Side effects include euphoria,

self righteousness,

pomposity

over sincerity,

dreams of tuck shops and wheezes

fever and sneezes.

Antidotes should always be to hand

for example further austerity.

Masks...

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A sea of masks greeted the opening of the abbey doors.

"What do you want?" asked the caretaker

from his dedicated scrubbing of the tiled floor.

"We're here to get the ashes of Kipling,

that jingo imperialist that lies below."

The sanctuary was sacrosanct,

but the threat seemed real enough.

A crowd cannot be easily swayed

and in they burst

with eyes ablaze and diggin...

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When you wish upon a star

bear in mind the colour bar.

Anything your heart desires may bypass you.

Though your heart is in your dream

some requests are too extreme

when you wish upon a star

as dreamers do.

Fate is cruel

she brings to those who love

restrictions to their secret longing

like a bolt out of the blue

fate steps in to hinder you

when yo...

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My head swims with people

a shoal ever encroaching

blind with intent, unwinding

gentlemen's contracts unbinding.

My robot instincts disturbing

old tributes of touching

precious air now guarded

emotion's mesh retarded.

Survival chains us down,

nature's the elephant in the room

my body is a frail thing

a tiny voice dwindling.

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The Thames lay out of reach,

I cut through from the road

in Clark's sandals, short trousers,

past the backs of shadowed shanties on stilts.

Reaching up for an apple

fell into stingers and brambles,

defiant, disbelieving the pain.

Finally there was the river

framed by green arbours

fingers of willow draped low,

a flotilla of drifting blossom.

Upstream...

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If I could send you fragrance in a thought

click and send a perfect blend

with words and picture on the wing

to a blissful journey's end

then I would willingly sell my soul

for a magic ride on the juggernaut.

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Jiving through the forest

here comes Tolkien Lord of Bling,

describing what he sees himself

and bending everything

spreading out his message

of the folk of middle earth

he's the daddy of the feverish

he's cool and he's the king. 

All his tales are solemn

he says the way it is

the devil what is Golom

is making quite a fizz.

Bilbo and the Frodo are

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There is a chord in the repertoire

that once struck or plucked

produces instant orgasm in the listener.

Dedication is essential

and the dangers are obvious

of stroke and seizure, 

Nevertheless with diligence it can be found. .

Sadly the only musicians to discover it

have died before it could be revealed. 

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Watering the plants

we are taking control in small ways,

a diversion from the passing of days 

self adminstering tiny chances of life

even if not our own

though we know some seeds will not survive. 

They look up to me from their silly pots,

look up from soiled pillows eager for succour

like the mouths of fledglings

clinging on to moments

that persist wh...

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In nineteen forty five

the seeds of peace were planted,

in nineteen ninety five

the soil of memory was turned

then turned again this very day

ageing victory as stiff as clay

With Winnie's brilliant blundering

the bombs they came a thundering

to decimate what men put up

ignoring bees and buttercup. 

Now we foster tiny plants

to test our trust in ...

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A man like me could have really been something,

standing out from the crowd,

but as I was pedalling the chain came off

so i'm posting on Write out Loud

to give my views on this and that

putting it into rhyme,

to add my mental footprint

on the slippery sands of time. 

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This is the figure I had in mind, he said

pressing the folded note discreetly into my hand.

With calculated delicacy he awaited my response. 

An offer just south of acceptable

but I agreed

as there would be more work,

we shook on it

I left his yard. 

The petrol filler hole on his hired box van

stuffed with a rag I noticed

told a story.

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I fell in love with music again today,

so hard when life gets in the way. 

My dedication was no sacrifice

I took my own advice

sat down to let it flow

down from that upper region

to the hands that know

where age suddenly falls away

and I fell in love with music again today. 

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The astrophysicist climbs onto the bike

he inherited from his father,

moves off in obedience to certain laws,

pondering on the longevity of the tyres

also inherited, along with a parsimony

based on the principles of conservation

observable in all matter.

The tyres need changing

but being a reluctant optimist

he reserves himself for more cosmic considerations

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Damned poetry

i've a mind to give it up

while i'm ahead,

but i'm not though

and I need the solace

it might afford,

the gravestone inscriptions,

prescriptions for a better time.

I've reached that clearing before

where the air is fresh,

where the tiniest of life forms find freedom

apart from us.

So poetry, even though it makes such a fuss

I can't give...

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"Ring a ring of roses

a pocket full of posies,

atishoo, atishoo,

we all fall down. "

What goes around, comes around.

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To the trashers, the spitters

phone snatchers, scam callers

acid throwers and other detritus

the streets are yours

we give them up

so that you can wander

baying under a sickly moon

and under the restless sun,

and by your shadows

may you be overrun.

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Out of the photograph

the family group stare with static pride

into my present which is inextricably linked.

My father, his father

cousin and her father

all in a sepia dream.l

Everyone dies of something, they seem to say

in their noble upright famililal way

and I smile back

finding a tiny chink in the armour of isolation.

There will be other times I know;

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Three score years and ten

then we begin again,

let's see:

discontinued life insurance cover,

doors held open,

serial nostalgia kicks in

expectation that life owes us.

A sense of drying out,

slowing down,

a feeling of disquieting superiority,

increased dependency on social media as a helpline.

Humour used as defence when available.

What made us laugh is...

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When love comes knocking

open your heart

let yourself in

quietly close the door

feel at home

for in that space

your life may begin.

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Stripping wallpaper, a mug's game

but fashions come back

and those old hoary pattern books

are bound to return.

Nothing is new under the sun

except more sun,

so off with the shirt

on with the stripper,

the bucket of goo.

Plumbline and ruler

we've all been there.

The fresh rolls and coffee await,

he who is bonkers

invariably conquers,

it's time to...

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Black is an absence of colour

defining an absence of thought,

so let's fall in love with colours instead,

dark sombre chocolate

and variations of dusky ivory,

forget what's in your head.

Can we dismiss green as one tone,

stand at dawn and be cheated of the light?

Should we be judged blinded of love,

allow fear to drive us to extremes

and into the arms of darkness...

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The globe

suspended in its cradle

thrusting forward its most prominent aspects

swept into view

with a dark side concealed

and in aquamarine

a place I knew so well,

for it was here I stood

as, like a skydiver, arms outstretched

my curiosity aroused, considered

how without a moving pulse

heart still, not beating with tides

winds, joy

silent as death how sa...

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Subjugation and extinction

a fine aim indeed.

A small price to pay

for a masterplan to take shape

Domination without question

a fine aim

not without its problems.

The amnesia of evil

a small price to pay

for the haunting of the past.

Of course it had to fail

but it was thought necessary at the time

and now the ghosts have risen up

a small ...

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After a long and illustrious decline

my grammar school was razed to the ground

to make way for housing,

flags of conquest flown.

"People must live somewhere"

the developers said

sweeping up any doubts that remained

of the advantages undoubtedly gained.

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