I wave when I see her
she caught my attention
a few years ago now
walking somewhere
to the shops maybe
then back again
shiny silver trainers
snowy white hair
determined step
she looked like my mum
drawn to her…
Many of these poems are now part of Old Hands, a book of poetry, micro stories and songs, release date 2nd Oct 2026. To register your interest in a copy please contact me HERE thank you.
“Poetry for real people - from the heart, and meaningful.”
Shiny Shoe Lady
The Landlady
"Come in, come in"
she said, old style,
warm, welcoming.
"This is your room."
It is, to say the least,
generous. Floor to ceiling
bay windows, albeit
overlooking the main road.
No matter, a little road noise
when the welcome…
Sounds of Life and Death
A dog barks
machinery clanks
the rasping sound
of vehicles reversing
workmen shouting
in the distance
music plays
pigeons grunt
in fear of magpies
who won't be denied
albeit distracted
momentarily
by a buzzard
screeching overhead
these sounds
the sound…
Left Sock Shock
this morning
on my right
and to my alarm
it isn't a match
the colours
all wrong
the styling
too flashy
hold up
is that...
gold thread
how can this be
where once
there was unison
understanding
an inseparable pair…
just another day
after all
it is just another day
the date changes
as usual
rules remain the same
hope is blasted
into thin air
a battle of fireworks
from coast to coast
why the competition
who cares
for the biggest
brightest
longest…
too old to dream?
too old to dream
yet still I hope
too old to believe
yet still I trust
too old for tears
but still I cry
too old for games
yet still I try
too old to love
yet still I do…
blue skies
how do they sleep at night
the decision makers
covered in blood stained cloth
they sleep fine
their decisions your demise
birds fly across their blue skies
missiles fly across yours
one head above the parapet cries
stop please stop
…
Read more
in decline
a loud thud
on the window
startled
I jump up
look out
and there
on its back
is a song thrush
gasping
I call you
will it die
I ask
stunned I think
you say
it may recover
fly away…
1974 (that's how it was in those days)
Waiting for the bus
the number 16
Cricklewood Broadway
to Edgware Road
I have no idea when it's coming
because it's 1974
with only the bus stop timetable
to give me a clue
that's how it was in those days…
Common Ground
Who is right?
I am,
Me too, I'm right!
Who is wrong?
Not me. Me neither.
I'm not wrong.
Our common ground
Is there a middle,
where we can meet,
see eye to eye?
A quiet place,
a place of…
see you next time
it's that time
leaving
i place a smile
wave goodbye
close the door
fold in half
and cry
validation
if no one reads you
are you read
if no one hears you
are you heard
if no one sees you
are you seen
yes you are read
because you wrote
yes you are heard
because you spoke
yes you…
Plumbing
Plumbing
Leaves me cold
Under the sink
My head turned upside down oh
Ballcocks another drip
I could call a plumber
Not over my twisted body
Get me my big red wrench
adopted by neglect
through a window
to a window
where decay resides
damaged
aged
ravaged
adopted by neglect
broken panes gaze upon walls
with neither ceiling or floor
fine wallpaper
skilfully hung
hangs
fluttering
twisting into life
certain escape
a gust away
through…
free to speak
if I worked
in a biscuit factory
and shamed the biscuits
for being soft and tasteless
because
in my opinion
they are soft and tasteless
should I be vilified
ignored
sidelined
dismissed
educated maybe
to ensure
that in future
I…