Unseasonably warm at the top of the wood
An azure sky on this Spring day
The lush Lancashire hills vie for attention
Amid the mighty oaks barring their way
An estate of detached houses across a busy road
Where once stood a reservoir to slake folk's thirst
The gated community now perched on this hill
The pampered haves always putting themselves first
Audis and 4x4s driven by suits and dealers
They own the roads in their own corrupt mind
Selfish, arrogant, narcissistic and soul-less
This beautiful view wasted on their kind
Bay horses graze in the middle distance
The sun on their backs, noses in grass
A deep breath taken while savouring this moment
This view expressed from the working class
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Search Your Soul
Ten months passed on another year
A chill in the air now Autumn is here
October's leaves lie brown and sodden
Limp and lifeless on paths well trodden
Golds and yellows in rustling trees
Squirrels gathering nuts before the freeze
A time for hibernation as cold winds blow
Many seeking warmth by their fire's orange glow
Melancholy descends as daylight wanes
Reflective thoughts of losses and gains
Comfort in wisdom, once bitten, twice shy
Never too old to learn, to love, to cry
Closed wounds, open eyes, open arms, open mind
Gravitating to those who are affable and kind
Locked doors to happiness, but still aiming to please
Try searching your soul, you will find the keys
A chill in the air now Autumn is here
October's leaves lie brown and sodden
Limp and lifeless on paths well trodden
Golds and yellows in rustling trees
Squirrels gathering nuts before the freeze
A time for hibernation as cold winds blow
Many seeking warmth by their fire's orange glow
Melancholy descends as daylight wanes
Reflective thoughts of losses and gains
Comfort in wisdom, once bitten, twice shy
Never too old to learn, to love, to cry
Closed wounds, open eyes, open arms, open mind
Gravitating to those who are affable and kind
Locked doors to happiness, but still aiming to please
Try searching your soul, you will find the keys
Sunday, 13 October 2013
Ozzy Osbourne School Speech Gone Awry
During my last year at high school I studied for exams in 7 subjects.
Well, when I say "studied", my 2 years in Technical Drawing classes were largely spent staring into space, throwing paper planes made out of my crap drawings at classmates; wondering why my beloved Manchester City FC were sliding towards relegation (how times change) and generally not understanding the whole concept of technical drawing.
I mostly enjoyed the English Language classes. I was taught by Mr Cockett (insert your own jokes) and he wasn't a bad old stick. Part of the exam was a spoken word section where the pupil had to conduct a talk on a subject of their choice in front of the class. My classmates had already read on such life changing topics as Culture Club, the Rubik Cube and microwave ovens
The pupils had 2 attempts at a talk, mock one then the important one for marks towards the final exam. I decided to go all "junior scientist" for the first one and give a talk on the subjest of eclipses, a more nerdish topic it would have been harder to find.
The comprehensive school bullies were lining up to chin me after that one. My talk on this subject was so boring I fell like beating myself up halfway through it. The feedback I got from my class mates were along the lines of "mate, what was all that shit about?"
I decided my second attempt for the final mark would be on a more interesting subject. However, I over compensated ever so slightly and decided to give a talk on...Ozzy Osbourne!
I kept my plans under wraps until my big day. My research was conducted by reading through copies of Sounds, NME and Kerrang magazines. Around this time Ozzy had become infamous for various atrocities far too gruesome for a daytime audience so I decided to share them in explicit detail with Mr Cockett and my 15 years old classmates. I was determined to lose the “boring” tag for good.
.
The class reacted with a mixture of laughter, gasps and hands in front of mouths. Undeterred, I continued to the end. As I returned to my seat I glanced behind me to see a speechless looking Mr Cockett taking his place again in front of the class. All he could utter was that he "distanced himself" from the content my talk.
Later, the feedback I received from the class was a mixture of stunned admiration, scorn and the odd "well you've f***ed that up haven't you mate". I was marked down on my talk but did pass the overall English Language exam with a "B" mark.
If it wasn't for Ozzy and my own immaturity I may have got my only "A" mark in my exams. He’s got a lot to answer for that Osbourne!
Well, when I say "studied", my 2 years in Technical Drawing classes were largely spent staring into space, throwing paper planes made out of my crap drawings at classmates; wondering why my beloved Manchester City FC were sliding towards relegation (how times change) and generally not understanding the whole concept of technical drawing.
I mostly enjoyed the English Language classes. I was taught by Mr Cockett (insert your own jokes) and he wasn't a bad old stick. Part of the exam was a spoken word section where the pupil had to conduct a talk on a subject of their choice in front of the class. My classmates had already read on such life changing topics as Culture Club, the Rubik Cube and microwave ovens
The pupils had 2 attempts at a talk, mock one then the important one for marks towards the final exam. I decided to go all "junior scientist" for the first one and give a talk on the subjest of eclipses, a more nerdish topic it would have been harder to find.
The comprehensive school bullies were lining up to chin me after that one. My talk on this subject was so boring I fell like beating myself up halfway through it. The feedback I got from my class mates were along the lines of "mate, what was all that shit about?"
I decided my second attempt for the final mark would be on a more interesting subject. However, I over compensated ever so slightly and decided to give a talk on...Ozzy Osbourne!
I kept my plans under wraps until my big day. My research was conducted by reading through copies of Sounds, NME and Kerrang magazines. Around this time Ozzy had become infamous for various atrocities far too gruesome for a daytime audience so I decided to share them in explicit detail with Mr Cockett and my 15 years old classmates. I was determined to lose the “boring” tag for good.
.
The class reacted with a mixture of laughter, gasps and hands in front of mouths. Undeterred, I continued to the end. As I returned to my seat I glanced behind me to see a speechless looking Mr Cockett taking his place again in front of the class. All he could utter was that he "distanced himself" from the content my talk.
Later, the feedback I received from the class was a mixture of stunned admiration, scorn and the odd "well you've f***ed that up haven't you mate". I was marked down on my talk but did pass the overall English Language exam with a "B" mark.
If it wasn't for Ozzy and my own immaturity I may have got my only "A" mark in my exams. He’s got a lot to answer for that Osbourne!
Friday, 11 October 2013
Rosary Beads Miracle of County Wexford
Most people are interested in mystery. Events that occur with no logical explanation. Well, allow me tell you the true story of the rosary beads miracle of County Wexford in Ireland.
My maternal family roots lie in the rural "sunny south east" of the Emerald Isle. It is a beautiful part of the world, rich in history, rich country air, pleasing landscapes, smells of burning turf and people always ready for the craic. A few years ago something happened here which defied all known reason and is still astounding a local community in it's wonder.
My mother's cousin (my auntie) and her husband live in County Wexford and are people of devout Roman Catholic faith. They are a delightful, warm and friendly couple. One night a few years ago Mam's cousin used the rosary beads for prayers as usual then retired to bed with her husband and left the beads on a bedside table. This was a routine occurrence. The following morning when they both awoke, the beads were missing from the table. After a short time they noticed the beads were wrapped around the light fitting above the bed.
They both searched their thoughts for an explanation. Neither of them are practical jokers and they were alone in the house when the beads were placed on the bedside table. Nothing disturbed them during the night, the beads were on the table, then when they woke up the same beads were tightly wrapped around the light fitting. Once they had time to think, they left the beads where they were and started to tell a few people what had happened. Unsurprisingly, the locals wanted to see the beads so they have stayed where they are to this day.
A year or so after the event, my mother visited her cousin and during the stay asked to say a few prayers alone in the bedroom with the beads. Nothing life changing happened to her but she has said that she had an unusual spiritual feeling during her prayers. I haven't personally visited the house in question but I have seen photographs and was surprised to see just how tightly wound the beads are with the crucifix at the top.
Earlier this year I spoke on local radio in Manchester about this occurrence and the presenter was mildly flippant with some of his remarks including that it all sounded "a bit Father Ted" and he "wasn't sure I would be happy with a procession of people marching into my bedroom" but I think I got my point across that this was genuine and, so far, no one has found a rational reason how or why this happened.
My maternal family roots lie in the rural "sunny south east" of the Emerald Isle. It is a beautiful part of the world, rich in history, rich country air, pleasing landscapes, smells of burning turf and people always ready for the craic. A few years ago something happened here which defied all known reason and is still astounding a local community in it's wonder.
My mother's cousin (my auntie) and her husband live in County Wexford and are people of devout Roman Catholic faith. They are a delightful, warm and friendly couple. One night a few years ago Mam's cousin used the rosary beads for prayers as usual then retired to bed with her husband and left the beads on a bedside table. This was a routine occurrence. The following morning when they both awoke, the beads were missing from the table. After a short time they noticed the beads were wrapped around the light fitting above the bed.
They both searched their thoughts for an explanation. Neither of them are practical jokers and they were alone in the house when the beads were placed on the bedside table. Nothing disturbed them during the night, the beads were on the table, then when they woke up the same beads were tightly wrapped around the light fitting. Once they had time to think, they left the beads where they were and started to tell a few people what had happened. Unsurprisingly, the locals wanted to see the beads so they have stayed where they are to this day.
A year or so after the event, my mother visited her cousin and during the stay asked to say a few prayers alone in the bedroom with the beads. Nothing life changing happened to her but she has said that she had an unusual spiritual feeling during her prayers. I haven't personally visited the house in question but I have seen photographs and was surprised to see just how tightly wound the beads are with the crucifix at the top.
Earlier this year I spoke on local radio in Manchester about this occurrence and the presenter was mildly flippant with some of his remarks including that it all sounded "a bit Father Ted" and he "wasn't sure I would be happy with a procession of people marching into my bedroom" but I think I got my point across that this was genuine and, so far, no one has found a rational reason how or why this happened.
Saturday, 28 September 2013
Delivering
A different time, a long gone era
Duties in providing, duties in delivering
Mouths to feed and children to clothe
Rarely taking, always giving
Delivering bread a source of income
Six days a week, unyielding and relentless
Charming birds from their trees
Another sale, another meal I guess
A man of the people, a respected shop steward
Paid in cash then straight to the table
Working through pain, tragedy and loss
Still delivering, willing and able
A selfless worker, morally steadfast
Even tempered, friends many and loyal
Failure to deliver was never an option
Supporting his family through years of toil
All who knew him still speak of him fondly
The best role model I ever had
Delivering his legacy through those that followed
This was a special man, he was also my Dad
Duties in providing, duties in delivering
Mouths to feed and children to clothe
Rarely taking, always giving
Delivering bread a source of income
Six days a week, unyielding and relentless
Charming birds from their trees
Another sale, another meal I guess
A man of the people, a respected shop steward
Paid in cash then straight to the table
Working through pain, tragedy and loss
Still delivering, willing and able
A selfless worker, morally steadfast
Even tempered, friends many and loyal
Failure to deliver was never an option
Supporting his family through years of toil
All who knew him still speak of him fondly
The best role model I ever had
Delivering his legacy through those that followed
This was a special man, he was also my Dad
Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Bay of Naples
Vesuvius soars over the landscape
In it's shadow lies Naples in a bay of paradise
The Amalfi coast, Sorrento and Capri
A vision of beauty with so much to entice
The Italian language lingers in the air
The rhythmic words dance and sing
Olive skin covered in stylish attire
Young and old answer the church bells ring
The finest foods savoured in the bay
The fruits of the land devoured with delight
Warm and friendly, demonstrative greetings
Impossibly romantic on a clear,starry night
Tourists flock to this part of Italy
For history, conviviality, sunshine and cuisine
Passion runs through the veins of it's people
With a graceful aura that's rarely seen
In it's shadow lies Naples in a bay of paradise
The Amalfi coast, Sorrento and Capri
A vision of beauty with so much to entice
The Italian language lingers in the air
The rhythmic words dance and sing
Olive skin covered in stylish attire
Young and old answer the church bells ring
The finest foods savoured in the bay
The fruits of the land devoured with delight
Warm and friendly, demonstrative greetings
Impossibly romantic on a clear,starry night
Tourists flock to this part of Italy
For history, conviviality, sunshine and cuisine
Passion runs through the veins of it's people
With a graceful aura that's rarely seen
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Kindred Spirits
Kindred spirits are rare and few
Making you smile when feeling blue
When shrouded in gloom and needing a lift
Wrapping empathy in a surprise gift
Picking you when feeling down
Providing comfort when wearing a frown
Not to judge or ill advise
Sympathetic, friendly and wise
A shared pain has a healing feeling
A soothing word can stop you reeling
A respectful, caring, considerate friend
Will always be there to the very end
Making you smile when feeling blue
When shrouded in gloom and needing a lift
Wrapping empathy in a surprise gift
Picking you when feeling down
Providing comfort when wearing a frown
Not to judge or ill advise
Sympathetic, friendly and wise
A shared pain has a healing feeling
A soothing word can stop you reeling
A respectful, caring, considerate friend
Will always be there to the very end
Friday, 16 August 2013
River Flow
Busy lives are lived with life flashing by
Never a chance to enjoy a clear blue sky
Precious moments in time can be savoured and stored
Left for a while, perhaps even ignored
Sunrises, sunsets, hills and lakes
Spirits are lifted when the soul awakes
Fresh air, green fields, bales of hay
Always believing every dog has it's day
Anxiety and worry throughout many years
Realisation and clarity as the mist now clears
With age comes wisdom, a focus on inner peace
Meditation and calm a welcome release
Knowing what you love and loving what you know
Breathing in life itself while watching the river flow
Never a chance to enjoy a clear blue sky
Precious moments in time can be savoured and stored
Left for a while, perhaps even ignored
Sunrises, sunsets, hills and lakes
Spirits are lifted when the soul awakes
Fresh air, green fields, bales of hay
Always believing every dog has it's day
Anxiety and worry throughout many years
Realisation and clarity as the mist now clears
With age comes wisdom, a focus on inner peace
Meditation and calm a welcome release
Knowing what you love and loving what you know
Breathing in life itself while watching the river flow
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Love Conquers All?
A union of mind, body and soul
Their bodies entwined in a passionate embrace
Rhythmically they move to new heights of ecstasy
Climax achieved after the thrill of the chase
Dark clouds empty their cleansing water
Hypnotic sounds of raindrops above
The couple lay gazing into each others eyes
Acts of lust slowly turning to love
The ticking clock, a wake up call
Back to a world of blood, sweat and tears
Hurriedly dressing, checking out then checking in
Their minds a maelstrom of hopes and fears
It wasn't meant to be like this
Energy sapped from the mess they're in
No light in the tunnel, just an oncoming train
One drowning in whiskey, the other in gin
All relationships have their ups and downs
Troubled times can bring a price to pay
An imperfect world full of human frailty
Love conquers all, or so they say
Their bodies entwined in a passionate embrace
Rhythmically they move to new heights of ecstasy
Climax achieved after the thrill of the chase
Dark clouds empty their cleansing water
Hypnotic sounds of raindrops above
The couple lay gazing into each others eyes
Acts of lust slowly turning to love
The ticking clock, a wake up call
Back to a world of blood, sweat and tears
Hurriedly dressing, checking out then checking in
Their minds a maelstrom of hopes and fears
It wasn't meant to be like this
Energy sapped from the mess they're in
No light in the tunnel, just an oncoming train
One drowning in whiskey, the other in gin
All relationships have their ups and downs
Troubled times can bring a price to pay
An imperfect world full of human frailty
Love conquers all, or so they say
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Folly of Royalty
I've opted out of your subject folly
The past was yours, your future's uncertain
An unwanted stage with your airs and graces
It's time to draw your final curtain
A privileged birthright from a by-gone age
A pointless and powerless waste of money
God save our tourist industry
I'd laugh at your silly ways, but it's really not that funny
We're all born equal with freedom of choice
Unless you're a king, a queen or a duke
"Your Majesty", "Your Grace", "My Lord" and "My Lady"
All these titles just make one puke
Send me to the tower and off with my head
For my treasonous words many centuries past
But millions like me share these views
Queen Elizabeth, my dear, may you be the last
The past was yours, your future's uncertain
An unwanted stage with your airs and graces
It's time to draw your final curtain
A privileged birthright from a by-gone age
A pointless and powerless waste of money
God save our tourist industry
I'd laugh at your silly ways, but it's really not that funny
We're all born equal with freedom of choice
Unless you're a king, a queen or a duke
"Your Majesty", "Your Grace", "My Lord" and "My Lady"
All these titles just make one puke
Send me to the tower and off with my head
For my treasonous words many centuries past
But millions like me share these views
Queen Elizabeth, my dear, may you be the last
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