Remembrance Day

The ground below my feet is red
not red from blood
but flurries of poppies
descended from above

Each poppy a soul
a person with a name
I do not know
we've never met before

One on my shoulder
two on my head
gently resting and beckoning
making me aware of lives frailty

Many questions come to mind
who are you
where did you come from
what happened to you

Perhaps we've met before
or shall we meet
my feet won't move
they're surrounded

Winds blow briskly
poppies flutter into the air
gathering speed
and they are gone until another year.
until another year

Panic!

Alone again, left again. To the big comfy spot then. That thing they've left on makes noise. I prefer the quiet. To sleep, a long and...what was that? There?! Again, more?! And louder still! To the door, its shut. Attack! Scratch it, harder, those noises what are they? To the window, I saw one! And another, they're everywhere! So great and bright and terrifying, that loud boom so powerful! Will those things come for me? Quick, behind the chair, breathing heavy, so thirsty, but the water bowl - too risky! I hope they come back soon.

Bonfire Night

The air is acrid. Sky on fire. Boom. Fireworks burst and we "ooh" and "aah" as if we have never seen such a display before.

A child carrying a guy. Lifeless. Legs dangling over his shoulders. Red embers rain towards the ground. Fizzle. The boy's face lights up. He has never seen such a display before.

His parents come. Scolding. Why did you go so far away? His mother takes the boy's little hand. The finale. Whistle. Pop. Sizzle. Dad is unsteady. One too many. Car doors slam. They will never see such a display again.

Debris

In a box made of tin that smells chocolatey I sit. Sit for an eternity. Waiting to be shook about. The cool night sky. I stand looking up at the world of stars before me. I can't wait to meet them all. A white light. My life flashes before me. Silence. I scream. Total euphoria as I rise above it all. The stars are too far to touch as I reach out my fingertips. Bang. And there I am a million pieces. Debris of a short but contented life. The crowd gasp in awe.

Boom

Boom. The sudden sound. A dream. Gunpowder’s power, more beautiful than anything. A guy? Well, not just a guy. A sorcerer. Turning light into one gorgeous end. Boom. All over. “The world would be wonderful, they say”. A night to remember. To make “The Queen is dead” more than just a record by The Smiths. The Queen, the King, never mind… All that matters is… Boom. Scary? Nah… Beautiful! Imagine fireworks instead of nuclear bombs. Climbing up to Heaven rather than dropping from Enola Gay. Remarkably drawn pictures of the future. And then… Boom. That was all, Fawkes.

Remember, remember.

I am Guy Fawkes

And I tried to kill the king

Close but no cigar

You all know my name

And commemorate my death

I am Guy Fawkes

It just goes to show

Celebrity is timeless

You all know my name

You all know my name

And you’ll all be forgotten

Close but no cigar.

Settling Down

Pine and spruce
green and lush
sweltering in sunshine
growing by moonlight

Weather is strange
should be cold
with winds and storms
rains and floods

Garden still growing
no sign of decay
the fence needs some painting
the gate an adjusting

Soon it is time
to use the wand
to signal the garden
"Just let is be"

Allow Mother Nature
to work magic powers
on cold winter months
invite chill winds
to cover the ground

Prepare the soil
feed the birds
wait for spring
it soon will come.