winter solstice

the sun stands still

as solstice stones,

ancient light

on sacred bones -

time again

to turn within,

watch the cycle

now begin

Spirit of the Well

 Spirit of the Well

Where Hawthorn trees are tied with rags,

you’ll find an ancient well.

I reside deep inside –

keeper of the spell.

Bring your sickly infants,

whisper prayers, gently kneel.

Bless them with my water,

I will cool, cleanse, heal.

Circle me in silence,

take the children, be away.

Spread the word, let it be heard –

I live again, this day.

Miss Bouquet’s End of Year Class Comments

Miss Bouquet’s End of Year Class Comments

Lily: Somewhat sombre. Rarely smiles.

Blossom: Flighty. Scatty. Can’t sit still.

Heather: Rugged outdoors type. A survivor.

Poppy: Respectful. Excellent memory. A great

example to others. 

Holly: Difficult to handle. Prickly.

Ivy: Takes over. Always where she shouldn’t be. 

Daisy: A daydreamer. Stares out of the window all day.  

Lavender: Bit of a purple patch this year.

Palmela: Thinks she’s something she’s not.

Jean Genies

Jean Genies

It certainly seems

that wiry teens

from Milton Keynes

love Skinny jeans.  

In old Duluth

the streetwise youth

might seem uncouth –

they keep ‘em Loose!

Whilst up in Ayr

the hippies there

will only wear

the classic Flare.

But if you go

to Tupelo

the Superlow

put on a show!

In Montreal…

they wear ‘em all!

ADVENTure

ADVENTure

1 2 3 4

prising open

every door.

5 6 7 8

need to eat them

cannot wait.

9 10 11 12

foil rustle,

fingers delve.

13 14 15 16

I’m the Christmas

chocolate queen!

17 18 19 20 

keep on eating

‘til it’s empty.

21 22 23 24   

guilty feeling.

Stomach sore…

Voice of Experience

Voice of Experience

For all you ‘next time, darling’ dads

and ‘next time, darling’ mums,

don’t expect to keep respect if

‘next time’ never comes.

Ghost Bike

the bike that's chained to the railings
was left here last December, 
nobody ever rides it - 
it's there so we remember

Yew Tree

I've been reading about the association between Pagans and Yew trees (amongst others). Interesting stuff!!

Yew Tree 

I planted it 
the night you left, 
gathered soil 
sticky
wet
in both my hands 
to form a mound,
pushed the seed 

gently

down.
Eventually
it sprouted,
grew
towards the light.
This tree is
Yew.

Different Eyes

Different Eyes

They see:

Snowmen. Snowball fights. Sledging.

I see:

Fragility. Beauty. Uniqueness in every flake.

They see:

Something to climb. Goalposts.

I see:

Silent storytellers. Gentle guardian sway.

They see:

Puddles. Wet play. Boredom.

I see:

Life.

I feel the call of something I can’t explain.

They think I’m different.

They’re right.  

But I belong to something.

Ancient Tree

Look at me,

I’m an ancient tree!

Been here since 1543.

I’m fissure-filled but dry-rot free.

My trunk, my crown, my canopy,

have rich bio-diversity:

beetles, bats, the bumblebee.

I’m living, breathing history.

Yet from where I stand

there seems to be

very, very, few

who see

you

really

must

look

after

me.

Candlewick Convention Country Witches

The Candlewick Convention Country Witches

 

Skies were burning scarlet as the daytime turned to night

and the Candlewick Convention Country Witches took to flight,

heaving on their broomsticks wicker-baskets filled with jam,

enormous lemon drizzle cakes and apple tarte-tatin. 

 

Heading for a picnic at the end of Blackpool Pier,

but the friendly northern seaside-folk had nothing grim to fear,

for the Candlewick Convention Country Witches aren’t the sort

who go turning people’s children into froggies just for sport.  

 

They’d rather bake a muffin, have a cup of red-bush tea,

organise a jumble sale or practise their tai-chi.

Yes, the Candlewick Convention Country Witches have a code:

‘Never make foul potions out of eye of newt or toad.

 

Always wear red-lipstick. Keep broomsticks nice and clean.

Use expensive toothpaste so your dental-work will gleam.

Dress in finely tailored clothes of flowing, silken white.

Enrich yourself with culture.  Always be polite.’

 

They do a lot for charity, teach children how to read.

Most can speak eight languages, and all have got degrees.

They care for the environment and always pick up litter,

they help lost hedgehogs find their way by painting paths of glitter.

 

 

 

So on a lonely moonlit night, if you should see a witch,

don’t hide behind a bus-stop or dive into a ditch.

It’s probably a Candlewick, out on a mercy mission -

wave and thank your lucky stars the Girls are out there Witching!

 

 

Chestnuts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A chestnut’s

the best nut

to eat

when it snows

 

hot

from the pot

give ‘em

quick

cooling blows

 

split them

and slip them

sweet

from the shell  

 

winter

 

warmth

 

and

oh

 

that smell

A bit of a silly one!

I think there's probably a million poems called Animal Crackers, but I couldn't resist!

 

 

 

 

 

Animal Crackers

 

The hamster’s wearing lipstick,

The cockatoo’s in tears,

The rattlesnake’s grown whiskers

and the mice are drinking beer.

 

The cats are whistling show tunes,

The guinea-pig’s gone green,

The giant lop-eared rabbit’s

grooving like a dance machine.

 

There’s something in the water!

There’s something in the air!

Whatever it is, it’s bonkers,

now let’s get out of here!

Nick Toczek-stylee

Had the pleasure of meeting UK poet/magician/performer, Nick Toczek today - a master of rhyme. These are my efforts:

How to Swim with Piranhas

 

Piranhas

will harm us

devour and dis-arm us

if we don’t show calmness

we’re dead.

 

So

 

dispense with the drama

the helmets and armour

just find your nirvana

instead.  

Who Can Trust Ya, General Custer?

 

General Custer

full of bluster

lost his lustre

 

when

 

Natives mustered

Custer, flustered,

 

floundered

 

busted

 

done and dusted

 

It Were Like This, Lad!

Over the weekend, my Uncle and Auntie were discussing their childhoods in Sheffield - My Uncle started talking about this man called Mr McKegg that used to come round and deliver groceries in his little old van. He also remembered a shop that sold only sherbet - imagine that!!! It got me thinking...

 

 

 

 

It Were Like This, Lad:

 

Mr McKegg,

the grocery man,

sold butter and eggs

from a battered old van.

 

At The Butcher’s shop

was a Mr Blake

selling plump pork chops

and the choicest steaks.

 

Old Man Heap 

ran the Sherbet Shop

where fizzy-tongue treats

would whizz and pop.

 

The Fishmonger, Foster,

filleted, scaled,

while his wife cut hair,

and painted nails.

 

At The Bicycle Place,

wearing overalls,

was Alfred Chase

who could mend it all.

 

On the big village green

us children played

till the sun went down

and the light would fade. 

 

It were diff’rent, lad.

Times have changed.

The world moved on.

Nowt remains.

 

 

 

 

 

When the wild wolves run

I've been reading about the wolves that used to be found all over the UK and Ireland. Their demise began with William the Conqueror's arrival.  I wonder, if they returned on certain nights, how they might feel about those who hunted them to extinction...

 

 

 

 

 

 



There’s silver in the mist when the wild wolves run,

though they leave no tracks in the mud. 

 

There’s a high-moon howl on a cold-eyed hunt

for the taste of human blood.

 

No flesh, no bone, will be safe this night – lock the windows,

bolt all your doors;

 

for the wild wolves run these hills once again,

with revenge in their fang-filled jaws.

 

 

Shine On

 

Shine On

 

Wolf Moon – howling chill

Ice Moon – frozen, still

Storm Moon – through the cloud

Pink Moon – growing, proud

Flower Moon – blooming late

Mead Moon – celebrate

Hay Moon – golden light

Corn Moon – lazy night

Harvest moon – gleaming scythe

Hunter’s Moon – giant-size

Snow Moon – frosted glow

Winter Moon – round we go

Saturday Morning Poem

Here's a quick 2 minute poem from yesterday morning x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday Morning Poem

 

Today

let’s play

the bright

blue sky 

is high

above

us both

so I

can run

and jump

with you

awhile

so hey 

let’s play

let’s sing

and smile

Bath Time!

It’s a bit of a laugh,

in the bath

 

there’s bubbles and squeaks

when I slide on both cheeks

 

there’s soapy-white pearls

in my undersea world

 

there’s toes in the tap

and a warm flannel slap

 

there’s wrinkly skin

and shampoo on the chin

 

there’s wishing and washing

and splishing and sploshing

 

there’s dancing about

when it’s time to get out

 

it’s a bit of a laugh,

in the bath

The Cold Side of the Pillow

It's gotta be the cold side for me!!

 

 

The Cold Side of the Pillow

 

The cold side of the pillow

is a tranquil desert night,

the stillness of a moonlit lake,

an owl’s silent flight,

 

drifting clouds of frozen breath,

words we never said –

the cold side of the pillow,

soothes my weary head.

So ya wanna be famous??

 

How Does it Feel to be Famous?

 

If you’re desperate to know,

here’s a tip:

 

try walking the streets

of a packed seaside town,

with a steaming bag of chips.

 

You’re a face in the crowd

no longer. The spotlight

is firmly on you.

 

A thousand pairs of staring eyes

are glued to your cheeks

as you chew.

 

People will copy your choices;

they’ll rush to do things

the same way.

 

And suddenly everyone else

has got chips -  

you’re a trend-setting star

for the day!