Thursday 5 November 2015

Two poems on Freedom

What is freedom?

At the moment of our birth we are free from the womb, but not from dependency
Reliance on our mother is not serfdom, but without it our independence is worthless.
At adulthood we are free of maternal care, but not of responsibility
To make our way we must be conformist unless part of the noblesse.

Then to provide our elemental needs, we must toil at the behest of lords,
And not content with one master, another also takes their tribute.
In employment our freedom is restricted as are the rewards.
Success depends not on the effort but on the profit for the institute.

And even if making good in that race, autonomy is still elusive,
We are all part of an interdependency sometimes called society,
With its own precepts, perils and pitfalls so, even for the exclusive,
Market forces beyond our control will add to our anxiety.

But we are free to think that there might be another way,
Or are we? When to depart from the main stream leads to ridicule,
Ragging and removal from the game you can no longer play.

Leaving, the freedom to die, as the ultimate miracle.

Freedom revisited.

The butterfly struggles out of its chrysalis
It emerges into the world, and its beauty
Dazzles as it drifts in the tepid, timid wind
But its struggles are not over,
There are only a few hours of precious freedom,
They must be enough to fulfil its destiny.
An army moves against its foe,
Youthful, expectant, fearful.
But they find their courage as
The generals on both sides say
Come on lads we fight for freedom.
The bloodied prisoner is chained to the wall,
The cell is silent, except is isn’t
The sounds are the kind that must not be heard.
The prisoner dreams of freedom,
Not fields of green or oceans blue,
But of death the ultimate freedom.

Sunday 1 November 2015

Work

I live on a main road, a thoroughfare,
I sit and watch the passage of commerce
And it makes me reflect on the wonders of work.
Why we do it, what it does for us.
Does it fulfil a need in us or is it to fulfil our worldly needs?
Do we live to work? Is it what we are here for?

I can create through my work all manner of useful things,
I can build a house; I can farm the land for food,
I can write a song to sing.
If I succeed in these endeavours I will rightly be proud,
I will also be able to rest, to feast and entertain,
 I will be fulfilled and have fulfilled a need.

But is that what work is today, or is it more sinister?
Is not the work of the world to produce profit not fulfilment?
If the fruits of my labour belong to someone else can I be proud of them?
Working for a wage does not seem noble,
Selling your skills without sharing in your achievements,
Degrades your worth and upgrades others.

So how is it that having a job is seen as virtuous?
When your work rewards others in a way that is outside your control,
Surely that should be seen as contemptuous.
In a complicated world it still easy to see that if through your work,
You can provide for you and yours then you can be content,

But it is not the job itself that gives that satisfaction.
If by necessity work needs to be organised and allocated to many workers
To complete the tasks in hand then for it to remain fulfilling

The results of that work need to be shared.

Wednesday 4 February 2015

Today

Today I am planning to do it.
At last the time has come,
Opportunity knocks, no, it’s the door.
Come in sit down, cuppa?
No really, he said that?
I am sure he didn’t mean it,
Just the drink talking, I’m sure.
Want a biscuit? Digestive?
Sorry that’s all I’ve got.
Must go shopping.
How’s your mother,
That some good news anyway.
Did you hear about Suzie?
Well so was I;  couldn’t get my head round it.
She brought it on herself though,
Never thought Tenerife was a good idea.
Another cuppa? Drink maybe?
Ok I’ll open a Chardonnay.
Cheers.
You going away this year?
Tenerife, oh, well, weather good all year round.
No no, we won’t be repeating last year’s disaster.
Top up?
Yes, Marbella looks favourite for us, Pueto Banus no less.
Oh ta, glad you like them got them in the sale
No, Miss Selfridge.
Wanted them in green but none in my size.
No I’m still a 12, well most of the time.
Yes still a member but not been to the gym for months,
Meet Jean there for a coffee twice a week
They do really good scones.
More? Oh dear another bottle gone
Must go shopping.
Ok nice to see you
Pop in again, bye.
Now what was I doing,

I know I’ll start it tomorrow. 

Lost Love

I can’t imagine life without you,
How difficult it would be,
Not knowing in which direction,
My steps are taking me.

Who would I turn to for advice?
When hard choices I must face,
How would I keep one step ahead?
I’m sure I’d lose my place.

Being out of contact,
Where would I put my trust?
Never knowing the number,
Somehow feels unjust.

Having the ability to search,
For answers to life’s queries,
Is why I love you deeply,
Of you, I will never weary.

That’s why I keep you by my side,
Even when far from home,
You’re my dear, my rock, my all,

My precious mobile phone.


For the love of Art

Spent the afternoon in an Art Gallery, as one does,
Paintings and sculptures worth inspection, the visitors also.

Some must view at a pace, perfunctory, presumably on a tight schedule,
They see everything, but notice nothing.

Others, bending, bowing, contortionists, scanning from every angle, not quite standing on their heads,
But they would if they could.
Maybe it gives them some new perspective even the artist did not spot.

Yet more study at a distance, daring anyone to block their view,
These are the posturing, peering  poseurs,
Their sensibilities,  somehow more important than the art.

Then there are the snappers, always brand new cameras,
So proud, preoccupied with getting the perfect shot
Running off a dozen at different settings just in case.

Then there’s me, don’t know much but know what I like,
I believe in love at first sight.

It immediately moves me to laugh or look twice or to step back, or there is nothing.

Thursday 29 January 2015

Seven Successful Sins

Is success the trappings of wealth, and the absence of need
Or is the pursuit of money at any cost the sign of greed?

The richest country in the world has a problem with obesity
So the accumulation of riches is the consort of gluttony.

To make the most, by laboring the least, is a popular oath,
But isn't that just a fashionable tribute to sloth?

Is looking good to the opposite sex a modern day must,
And then do we condone the inevitable lust?

When we criticize others on a less fortunate path,
Do we succeed by venting our wrath?

When our heroes are those who don't lack a penny
Doesn't this show we have surrendered to envy?

When our auspicious leaders say god is on our side
Is it true or is it fallacious pride?

To succeed do we have to be sinners?

Or, are the also rans, the real winners?

Monday 5 January 2015

Poems for Twitter #poemsin140

Politicians exist to try their best,
For themselves that is; not the rest.
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Economists can always agree on something,
Other economists are wrong on everything.
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The day is bright and cheery
Rather that than dull and dreary
As my mood will swing in line
Like the cone of a forest pine
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The truth is like a dream, hard to remember you once saw it clearly,
Now it’s gone, buried in mists of waking eyes, bleary.
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To conform is to accept, acquiesce, accede, hiding identity,
To rebel is to acknowledge you the individual, original, free.
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I'm superior that's clear to see
so you should try to be more like me
But at best you'll be an imposter,
oh the delicious irony
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The cat, sat, pat
On that mat, splat.
It made no sound,
It didn’t look round,
It was hunting rat.