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Norwich to Horwich
Norwich to HorwichJoined by railway line and rhymeIt’s a path that’s rarely takenIf I’m not mistakenWhy venture there at allIf it wasn’t for football?Across the black soil of FenThrough Peak District and PenninesFor ninety minutes tensionHad I forgot to mentionThe reason for this journeyIs to simply follow PompeySeven years we’ve struggledThe tactics first quite muddledBut →
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From ashes
You’ll notice will o’ the wispsTwist up powdery flakesMaybe kindle a glowIgnite a flickerFrom frail charcoalUntil the rainPercolates the soilFrom where new life grows ~ CLP 12/04/2024 →
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Roundabout
We took one of our quirky circular walksAround one or two and a bit Norfolk villagesWhere ancient boundaries are marked by lanes, hedgerows, creeks and lokesA pair of magpies disabused their reputation as harbingers of joySitting as solemn sentries on opposite gate postsAs we took one of our quirky circular conversationsAround one or two and →
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False Impression
Town’sEyes and earsClatter keysFor submissionTo Thursday’s publicationIn time for morningCigarette, coffee, teaDigestion, reflection, commentaryAmongst curtain-twitching chatteratiLast-laughers wipe away final tearsDiscussion re-opens over beersThe Have-you-heard herdAnd Oh-my-LordsWeekly fed fresh bloodIn black and whiteGobbets of gossipNow newsworthy statusBeside reports of foreign placesWhere the nasty things resideLocal man witness to eruptionVillage couple caught in coupGrandmother’s fearHoliday will be →
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Proximity
It was time for lunchAlmost too lateAt the junctionHesitating for passing trafficAn alternative caught his eyeNot Fate, but the waiterBrought them together(Or possibly the coupleWho cancelled after a tiffSteeped in wearinessThat left a vacancy)You know how the French loveCafé tables too close together?It’s to encourage conversationShe opened him upWith a simple Affaires ou loisirs?He confessed →
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On The Beach
Plenty of fresh airTo blow away the cobwebsSign says, “VACANCIES” ~ n.b. NaPoWriMo 2024 Day 7 prompt :Postcard. I dug this card out of the archives. CLP 07/04/2024 →
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Wish You Were Here
It’s April. Birdsong can be heard during air-raids. Bright flowers sprout through debris. Oh that the spring sunshine would revive the cold skin of our sons and daughters. ~ n.b. Conscription age has just been lowered in Ukraine to 25 years and disability waivers are under review. CLP 07/04/2024 →
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Postcard From Kyiv
Just a quick line thanking youfor not forgetting us.We have no choice but to stay.This is our home.Until the day comes when you can visit again!In peace, with love xxx ~ CLP 07/04/2024 →
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On Ukraine
It’s not over yetCitizens of Kharkiv runMachines need not sleep ~ n.b. Six killed by Iranian manufactured drones overnight we are told. Funny, we are not told who makes the drones that kill women, children and aid workers in Gaza. CLP 06/04/2024 →