Back to school (for my son)

Back to school! (For my son)

Open your bedroom windows –

And let in some light!

There have been far

Too many sleeping days

And awakes at night!

Favourite games you’ve played

Stuck in your bed -

And you haven’t washed

One hair on your head!

Your worn clothes are still

All over the floor

Along with broken biscuits

And crisp packets galore.

All manner of objects

I’ve never seen before!

With my hands on my hips

But what can one say?

Your bedroom reminds me

Of impending doomsday...

It seems to me

You are now nocturnal

And at the moment

I don’t feel that maternal.

The dust has mounted

But your days are numbered;

I’ve not even counted

The hours you’ve slumbered!

Open your blind -

At your window pane -

You’ve missed some sunshine

And odd showers of rain.

But very shortly

It won’t be the same,

Now it’s time again

To use your brain;

Go back to school

Concentrate on your studies

Come back down to earth -

And be with your buddies.

But when you go back

It will be too quiet,

No one to argue with

No more midday riots!

The house will be clean -

Including your bedroom!

They’ll be so much more room -

With plenty of headroom.

So! Before you flee

Don’t forget your bag,

Grab your key,

Take your phone,

Pick up your lunch,

Can’t wait ‘til you’re home!

4^th September 2013

Living on the moon

Living on the moon

Blazing June – it’s more like gloom

Packed away our swimming costumes!

The seasons now are by the by -

Look up to the heavens, breathe a sigh.

Any sun has gone by mid-afternoon.

Must be like living on the moon.

It’s dark and cold; there’s so much mould;

The showers and wind have taken hold.

Our climate is in disarray -

We’ll have to sledge ride every day!

The snow and rain is now threefold

Our boots have now all been resoled.

Air currents in the stratosphere

We cannot see and do not hear,

The polar jets ‘round south and north -

The frenzy that they bring henceforth!

Meander around our earthly sphere -

Our weather systems’ got quite queer!

And when we’ve all learned how to ski -

Got used to drinking frozen iced tea;

Get rid of all our humble freezers -

Start bathing in some pools of geysers!

Warmest beach now the North Sea!

Put up a permanent Christmas tree!

Our breakfast dinner and tea, it seems

Now flavoured with helpings of ice cream.

Look up at the dark sky and scream -

We need a new incentive scheme!

Hot weather now a distant dream -

We’re in the hands of the jet stream.

Copyright Linda Lawrence

17^th May 2013

Gin and Tea!

Gin and Tea!

Filching through, stuff has accrued

From nuts and screws to paper glue!

My proof of birth and all I’m worth

For the rest of my time on this earth.

There is a will, (now it’s all downhill)

And piles of unpaid utility bills....

There are so many poems to read;

Some litigation that’s been agreed.

The instructions for a tiny mouse -

And including the deeds to my house!

Bank goofing, money for roofing

The confirmation of some damp proofing!

Plenty of trees used for this company

Mixed in with other bits of debris,

Wires, tyres, how to use a log fire;

This mess has really got quite dire!

Causes of the change or menopause

Sitting here reading some prose but pause;

Room for improvement with all its flaws!

Then the cat walks over with muddy paws...

Some out of date hospital checks,

A three year old written out cheque;

Am beginning to feel quite like a wreck!

Is it nearly time yet to take a rain check?

The out of date treatment for my teeth

With all the dust that lies beneath.

Insurance claims and just me to blame!

A letter in my maiden name!

And hidden at the back, a word game

And some other stuff I must reclaim!

Hours on end, don’t quite feel sane

Is this right about a capital gain?

Some legislation, a little taxation,

Need motivation, not frustration!

Piles from the Inland Revenue -

As if there’s nothing better to do!

Achievements, bereavements, all in A4

It’s taken all day, now locking up the draw!

Everything now is from A to Zee!

It’s time now for some Gin in my tea!

Copyright Linda Lawrence

13^th February 2013

Today

Today

I always give my friends a hug to show how much I care

And strangers in the street I meet – a smile with them I share,

I try not to take offence at people and forgive very easily,

Because tomorrow might be very different for the likes of you and me.

We all get our bad days and our problems too

But glad I helped to spend some time and listened closely to you.

If that made a small difference in your life, I’m glad to say I’m here,

But tomorrow is another day and things might not be so clear.

I do not care about material things, as they have not got feelings;

A new car can’t keep you company like that of human beings.

A simple chat, a cup of tea and a laugh about your day

As tomorrow could be very different from the day we knew today.

I am a little frightened of getting very close –

But try to be a good friend to the ones I like the most!

To be honest, there have been times when life has not been fair

And worry that when tomorrow comes, you might not be there.

It matters a great deal that time is found – a tiny sacrifice;

Life is very precious and does not carry a price.

The housework can wait, bills will be late – we’ve made a date!

Through when tomorrow comes we'll not know what’s in our fate.

Of my friends, some old, some new who are equally unique,

Have a special place in my heart and whose secrets that I keep.

And that includes the friends so dear that are not here today

But must move on, look up and forward, not dwell on yesterday.

Behind these laughs, over the years, there has been some pain,

At times there’s been too much to bear, but through the cloud and rain

I’ve started to enjoy today – begun to feel at peace again

With thoughts of yesterday and to smile at friendships gained.

Through the haze I see the beginning of a sunny day

And know today has just begun and life seems much less grey.

I give my friends a hug; it’s not that because I’m gay!

It’s just a little thank you for helping some pain to go away.

Linda Lawrence

27^th November 2007