Photos And Poetry

Gentlemen

Where have all the men gone,

the gentlemen who stood beside his woman,

the ones who were once there to protect you

keep you safe from harm, you walked above the clouds,

who shared his life, love with you,

A love that was forever, not vanish out of sight,

moved to another bed with the coming of the dawn.

Gentlemen are rare species,

are sought but few are found,

men are now guys with their eye for chance,

ships passing into the night come morning,

have moved on to another port,

they weigh anchor, sail with the breeze,

move frog like to another bed.

Storm

'Twas naught moon nor star burned bright,

dark clouds rushed fiercely over

mountains, rivers and fells to

bring destruction across the land.

Rain pelts trees, water rushed full speed,

torrents churned, gouged

ground from river banks,

logs sailed, dangerous missiles.

Drowned animals dragged

battered on a roller-coaster,

down with the swirling water

to end miles away at sea.

Wishes

Roses are red

tulips are too,

hope you birthday

didn't make you blue,

may there be many more

wonderful years ahead of you.

My Christening

The day had come

a day I'll never forget,

dressed in my beautiful layette

wrapped in a shall,

we traveled in the car

parked in front of the house.

I'm not sure of the make,

all I remember are the steps

with rails built on both sides,

the flooring of the veranda,

high blocks on which the building stood,

dirt to walk on, not a proper floor.

My mother carried me beneath the building,

father stood nervous by her side,

an open forty-four gallon drum

filled with water, glistened in the sunshine,

I was passed across the drum to the minister

unaware of the fate that behold me.

After a few mumbled words

my head slid beneath the surface

of the glistening water. Dunked, I tell you,

why should he be allowed to dunk a baby,

this I tell you is not fair,

I couldn't swim. I was weighted down.

He didn't care, if I did drown,

I spluttered and screamed,

but no one seemed to care,

my face finally wiped with a handkerchief. At last. I could breathe air.

I can't forget what he did to me.

Water. Don't bring it near me.

Don't splash it on my face, or I'll scream.

I'm not a fish. Don't put me in a river.

My tears will spill, will cause a flood,

if you're wise, don't cast water at me.

Stars can shine bright on a sunny day.