• on family

    there is safety in numbersthe joy at arrivalstravelling togetheruntil it is timeto go our separate wayswhich by necessityis a lonely businesswaving farewellto our loved onesas we step into departures~n.b. Just thoughts, not news. CLP 05/02/2025

  • on Rwanda

    at The Arsenalthe pitch-side adverts exhort“Visit Rwanda”If you do visitYou’ll discover its proxyIs visiting DRC~n.b. The Arsenal and Premier League ploughs on regardless. They’ll take anyone’s money, the more the merrier. CLP 03/02/2025

  • on life

    Met an old friendWho told me about an old friendYounger than either of usAnd not very wellNot very well at allSo I called my younger old friendSaid I’d seen our old friendWho’d told meYou’re feeling a bit under the weatherYes, he said, cheerfullyAll the world’s a stageAnd I’m on Stage 4Under the lightsUnder the doctorCurrent

  • on passing

    Cars, buses, trucksthe wheels rock as I pushthe pedals hardermy shoulders stiffenarms firmhands grip tighton top of the handle barto counter the rockingI focus on regaining balanceto direct my powerthrough the chain wheelas I am passingcars, buses, trucksa kid in Chelsea Tractorstaresthinkingman on bike goes faston cycle pathpassing plane treepassing plane treepassing plane treeacross junctionacross

  • on sleep

    with you beside memy heart settles, breathing steadiesbrain rests, but for dreamsand what dreams!and when I wakethe veil between night and daybecomes confusedare you really hereor am I still dreaming?~ CLP 18/01/2025

  • on Law

    Only seen the man on tellyKnocking a ball into goalsHeaders, volleys, bicycle kicksA back-heelThe pitches were so poorSo much mudEven on a colour TVThe games from ManchesterAppeared to be played in black & whiteDenis Law, a slight, feisty ScotHeld his sleeve cuffs in his fistsStretched his shirt from wrist to collarKids copied that on winter

  • on peace

    don’t say you’re surprisedhow many will be murderedcelebrating peace~ CLP 16/01/2025

  • on Ukraine

    Which is the wayOut of this war?The politicians now askAt last admittingThe killing must stop~ CLP 13/01/2025

  • on the turn

    After the freezeDarkness comes laterThere’s softness to airBirdsong less harshA hazel with budsSome crocus leavesSnowdrops swing lightlyBesides daffodil shootsA string of molehillsFrom freshly turned earth~ CLP 13/01/2025

  • on ice

    bright green shoots emergefrom iced arboreal littergoldfinches chitter~ n.b. A day of brilliant sunshine to lift the spirits after loss and accompanying sadness. As an aside, is the attentive robin a messenger from a much loved soul? CLP 07/01/2025