Wonderment

At first glance you may have passed
that dusty box plain rusted
with nails that clasped fixing
an ornamental lock
that should have fastened with a bolt
but that had been long gone
along with the years
when he'd guarded it close
I always in wonderment what it had held
but this was a part of house and estate
and intrepidly now I reached up to take
but still I could not bring to task
to opening up that deep wooden cask
Not too large I decided to polish the grain
waxing I rubbed to glisten again
and there it sat for the whole of the day
with me staring hard wondering what way
I could steal myself to prise open the lid
but there was no other way ~ I clicked
the clasp ~ the lid sprang open and I could see at last
inside that dusty old box ~ was completely empty and clear
puzzled I knocked onto each of the walls nothing concealed
no hidden stalls ~ but wait ~ I see there's a corner upturned
I pulled at the edge as the floor gave way ~ a velvet cloth ~
seemed hidden ~ swathed in threads of silvery gold ~ I untied
the pouch from days of old ~ and there before my widened eyes ~
the biggest surprise of my life ~ chippings of diamonds, emeralds and pearls, rubies and sapphires and one of my curls ~ but the richest of these I can say from the heart ~ was the childhood treasure ~ that he clearly wouldn't part. 

~ First Day … ~

It’s happened to us all that first day of school,

that mixture of excitement and dread

Sick to the pit of my own stomach

viewing that huge school in red

 But all too soon the day quickly dawned

striding in stout laced up brown leather shoes

To change out of when I eventually arrived

into one’s more suitable instead

 

we were placed in our classes

Of which I knew barely a few

When a girl swished me glance

with her black shiny hair

And the widest of grins she drew

 

‘I wonder if there’s any ink in those’

She’d observed of the inkwells in the desk

When she stuck her finger into the pot

And then boy, did she make a mess

 

Lifting her finger replete with pot

Revealed it was full to the brim

And In her attempt to shake it free

right over her  head it skimmed

 

dribbling right down

onto her brand spanking new

gymslip, jumper and shirt

and with the form teacher not yet come into view

the sight must have given  a scare.

 

she was one and the same girl

Who in our chemistry class

Induced awe and wonder

at the Bunsen burners igniting gas

and proceeded to set fire to her hair.

 

‘What was that smell’, we’d all declared

When the teacher responded with fright

We’d all jumped back when we saw the smoke

But she completely was oblivious to her plight

I believe these days protection is supplied

But we were hardy things back then  

Albeit somewhat naïve and perhaps even worldly unwise

 

Of course needless to say

She became a best friend

remaining so to this very same day.

 

So life as it is has many surprises in store

Just take a deep breath, dive in and explore

 But make sure you know which way to sway. J

jolly hockey sticks

all huddled together to keep out the chill
the wind lashing against our very bones
called to arms by the mighty shrill
of our muscle bound gym mistress

'come on girls, it's just a little rain'
or sleet or snow or fog but really
hail stones were the worst
can feel them now pelting against
the back of my legs purple bruised
and all we had for cover
were these huge navy blue knickers
elasticated at the waist and legs

one friend even had a pocket in hers
where she used to keep her loose change
think we could have camped out in them

but there we were out in the mud
jolly hockey sticks at the ready
me center forward bullied off
one, two, three and away we'd go

tearing down that pitch we'd slip and slide
whacking that ball for all it was worth
the best was when I'd go in goal
at least I'd shin pads to cover from the cold

but after a game in that quagmire of a field
the heated steam that rose from us
and total lack of 'feel'
numb legs, numb cheeks and numb b....
was quite unreal ~
Happy Days

Spirits Aflame

otherwise trying to reach the starred cosmos
feeling sparks when touched in isolation
perfect lights bright at dawns repose
enters magical night streaks endures
rolls some more gains across encrusting
stardust firing spirits aflame
with a passionate verve
blending mixtures
of matter and particled atoms
merging vibrating speeds
pulsating
solar winds breath
synthesized clustering
in gravitational fields
events horizon
falling into black holes
time stands
starbursts supernova
harmonized
in perfect
is the only flight there is

Dancing Queens

dancing, jiving, ducks and dives
tucked amidst teasing petals
crooning wind dancing queens
sights for eyes preened
as Summers ready scenes enfold

I can still recall
walking hand in hand
as butterflies decorated
paths we trod
warm sands beneath our feet

so much promise
flower power reigned
that Summer of Love
where waves tickled toes
laughing hand in hand

enraptured, skipping prides emotion
massed flickering lights
hearts racing
with those butterflies
doing back flipping somersaults

and there you were
holding me tight
chasing shadows burnt grey
now flashing neon bright
revelling, but fearing cards

dealing closer to knowing
as butterflies evade fingers slipping
frozen eclipsed in drifts of time distanced
spectators of a sun dappled reed
in twisting squeezing bends but for now

we laugh, wide eyed, giving chase
to fluttering butterflies
and even in Autumn's days
of admonishing cares calmly reflects
instinctively surged to fly away

Elephants Delight

can't wait until he turns around!
I've just sneaked up besides
hope he likes my weathered look
and doesn't laugh inside

mind you I have to wonder
who dressed me up like this
as there's nothing I like better
than to roll in watery bliss

perhaps they thought this drop of rain
would harm my delicate skin
but really who were they kidding
that joke on me's worn thin

or did they think I'd blend with the crowd
romping puddles and making a splash
but who chose this outfit in brilliant yellow
I'm someone who usually cuts quite a dash

Oh! what's that I've spotted
over there on the stall
trunk licking sticky buns
plenty there for all

and once I've finished clearing
those delectable delights
the one who dressed me in yellow
will think I look a fright

and with a bit of luck
I'll be in the shower before the night

Lavender Bunched

white laced frills lavender bunched

skies echo lilac

schematic dreams to travel

rising weaves pink and purple

subtleties of nuance

naming hearts choices

weighing conditions agonizingly

combines cultural capitals validation

double edged tapestried wafting weft

keeping thoughts locked in silence