Image: The Forrest Fest Birthday Cake, no wonder

I wanted a piece of it

 

17.04.2015 – 80) Car’s in a line, flags flyin’ fine

Then it was of we go with a John Wayne “Yo”

In a convoy led by a Yorkshire poetry Boy

Cos’ we had to be at Radio KPET

Junction ahead, one car through, lights at red,

No need for dread

Fear abatin’ the leaders waitin’

So come whatever, we all get to KPET together.

The flags are my St Georges flags I use when in Texas to promote English poetry

 

81) Steve shook my hand and did tell “Trevor you’re lookin’ well”

From last year when you were here

There’s less of you to be seen

I thought “thank you, now I really am a lean mean poetry machine”

 

82) KPET went ok the perfect start to the Forrest Fests first day

Thom said “no arguments, no ructions you do the introductions

Cos’ you can, you’re the man”

So I opened the show, we let the poetry an’ music flow

Connie ended it then we had to go

To the Senior Citizens Centre, Sage Senior Living, Beehives 1 and 2

Saying “if you can’t make the Forrest Fest

We’ll bring the Forrest Fest to you.

 

83) There was a resident who did enjoy, my poem about a Salutin’ Boy

He could relate to it too, having fought in World War 2

In the Pacific in the Philippines, whuppin’ the Japanese war machines

Playin’ his part, awarded a Purple Heart

Like many old soldiers not one to brag,

About his time servin’ under the American Flag

Against tyranny he’d made a stand

An’ I was honoured to shake his hand.

 

84) At Lamesa Citizens Centre a request

To read my poem from the anthology of the Forrest Fest

Which in to my delight and surprise

I was told had won the Peggy Zulieka Lunch competition second prize.

 

Poems 85 - 89 were written at Bob's Environmental Art Class all on inspiration

85)  Kids sat in rows of three, watchin’ Bob so they could see

Environmental art at its best, part of the Lamesa Forrest Fest

Music he’ll play, on stuff people throw away

In different size plastic bottles he’ll blow makin’ music, makin’ it flow

An’ maybe give a tune or two on a flute made form bamboo

He’ll also ply his didgeridoo Showin’ there’s no need to be blue

Cos’ you can do the same and make your own music too.

 

86) Workin’ with injured animals is just

So amazing when you earn their trust

Not shakin’ with dread, but curlin’ in your hand when they’re bein’ fed

Knowin’ they’re safe with you for a while

It sure makes you feel good an’ smile

An’ it’s awesome when you see, 'em better an’ bein’ set free

 

87) It was a delight Bob gettin’ the kids to draw an’ write

Imagination flowing down an imaginary road they’re going

Pencil and paper tey could borrow, our future poets of tomorrow

 

88) There was a pig who could dance a jig at the rising of the moon

But not to be outdone, there was a cow who knew how

To waltz at the rising of the sun

 

89) God gave us the creatures of air and land

And gave us this command

When they’re sick or injured, give ‘em a helpin’ hand

 

18.04.2015 - 90) We went to Lamesa’s Friday night hub

The good ol’ Country Club

Our main intent, supportin’ Daniel’s slam competition event

Thom Caleb, Ric, Connie and Me to the stage were bound,

Me an’ Connie goin’ out in the first round

Then the semi final started, after which Ric departed

All this had led, to Thom an' Caleb goin’ head to head

For Caleb a moment to savour, the audience found in his favout

But Thom still was some kind of hero, the only one of us to score a zero

 

91) When life is going round like an upside down helter-skelter

I find a tree under which to take shelter

From a busy world I refrain, until ready to join it again.

 

A poem based on the Cowboy Code

92) Live each day with pluck, don’t trust it all to luck

Don’t hide take pride, give heart, finnish what you start

Do what has to be done before the settin’ sun

Show you care, be tough but fair

When you promise someone make sure it gets done

Ride for the brand, concentrate on the job in hand

Talkin’ less but sayin’ more, means you won’t be such a bore

Don’t be cryin’ something’s aren’t for buyin’

Doin all the above’s fine but always know when to draw the line.

 

93) Gentle breeze blowin’, car flags flyin’, everything’s easy lyin’

In the centre there’s ladies recitin’ an’ delightin’

Dusty’s picked a guitar up

An’ he’s strumming it on the back of a pick up truck

I’m in the park an’ can hear traffic passin’ by ‘Neath a blue Lamesa sky

But they don’t drown out the birds singin’ the park to their song ringin’

I’ve got sunshine on my shoulders, a breeze on my bare arms

An’ I’m at one with Natures Charms

 

94) Last night was a bad start when the mic came apart

I’m wonderin’ could it get any worse for my impromptu verse

Well it was soon mended an my work was rendered

An soon I’m gonna do the same, hopin’ it won’t happen again

 

95)  How nice in the morning not to rush,

To hear birdsong break the morning hush

An see the sun rise as if to say

“Welcome to a new Texas day”

 

96) Our last night should be the best,

We sang “Happy Birthday Forrest Fest”

Fifteen years an’ still going strong, so many artists have come and gone

Leaving an impression, lifting depression

Their singin’ ringin’, their recitin’ delightin’

Being an instant hit with their rapier wit

Comin’ from near, comin’ from far

Comin’ again and again across the Panhandle Plain

Gettin’ it on, gettin’ it down, bringin’ their talents to Lamesa town

An’ I got a special journey to take

To make sure I get a piece of the Forrest Fest birthday cake