Normal

November has been mild, again
we're not used to the cold anymore
this is how it should be
how it always was before
I said that the leaves had more colour
dropped sooner, quicker, more completely
than last year
my friend couldn't remember
who would?
normal is just what we're used to now
not what went before
we older ones recall
picking blackberries after school
when summer stretched only to September
now we can eat blackberries from hedges
after Bonfire Night
when Christmas consumes the TV
and geese fly in from the east
in gaggles of grey clouds

~

CLP 22/11/2021

on sound

ambulance passes
low moan of London express
car door clunks, footsteps

~

CLP 22/11/2021

on the street

walk on gold paving
countless, not unlimited
transient riches

~

CLP 21/11/2021

on water

river flood tide turns
draws Sunday sailing to close
brilliant triangles

~

CLP 21/11/2021

on freedom

options unbounded
simple needs confused by choice
chaos surrounds us

~

n.b. Some needs can be met by local services we just want to work properly, (e.g. schools, hospitals, trains, water supply, power supplies), other needs are more of a challenge.

We are all different from tip to toe and one size can’t fit all and in England the weather adds an additional layer of complexity it has been remarked.

~

CLP 21/11/2021

on payday

all those hours used up
while outside weather happens
meaningless tokens

n.b. Herzberg was right, hygiene factors, such as the work environment and pay, are nothing more than satisficers. I look at my salary statement and think, I am giving up living for this, just so I can afford to live?

~

CLP 20/11/2021

Apogee

we can't get much further away
from the summer solstice
grasses tickling your shins
sun pink face, a few freckles
but it's good to be here
with winter encroaching
with your smile
bright as buttercups
your kisses delicate
as sweet pea flowers

~

CLP 18/11/2021

on leaves

they have fallen sooner this year
and faster than last autumn
covering paths, slicking up roads
laying on the Wensum's thin skin
betraying the tide
creeping under Carrow bridge
sailing counter to the current
tonight will be clear
the plane trees flaking bark
boughs shorn of dressing
have nothing to deflect falling frost
can no longer carry the weight of murderous cold
that pours from the stars
submerging underpasses, flooding shop doorways

~

CLP 17/11/2021

on seeing

quayside visitor
inquisitive or hungry
prepared to take risks

~

CLP 16/11/2021

on time

battlements, towers
rich gated community
wealth will eat itself

~

CLP 16/11/2021