Basho

empty shells vibrate

and the full pond overflows

when a frog jumps in

Anger

An irritant

in a brown and barren restaurant!

Irrelevant - a silent picture on TV,

with background latin music playing on and on and endlessly.

Apparently the silent movies are still here,

over there

and undecipherable, pointless music

rattling round my ears.

When sound and sight don’t mix,

it’s an unnatural trick,

like shouting ‘darling’ in a fury

or thoughtless words that freeze my heart all over.

Andrew's Feedback

When he points, he means no harm.

Instead - he’s - being himself,

singing along to a Queen album

‘We are the Champions!’

with intensity, an elf

conducts us all with smiles and fun.

Although he will not bruise us,

when Freddy Mercury calls

‘NO TIME for losers!’

Andrew’s arm is strong enough

to point at individuals, bawl

‘Losers!’ with intensity, and, boy, that’s tough.

The bar of the Red Lion

A malformed lamb, oppressed in a box,

is touched by drunks, passing their love

over a soft white head; it’s not a hoax

when you see his earlobes twitch and move.

I am alone, I am a stray.

I can no longer see the sky.

Into your senses only today.

I’m born and soon I’ll die.

He rises, tries to seek out grass

but legs collapse and down he slides

into paper, cardboard, plastic, pass

me a pint I’ll keep him alive.

I am alone, I am a stray.

I can no longer see the sky.

Into your senses only today.

I’m born and soon I’ll die.

It seems like, if we keep on drinking,

an invisible friend will join the round;

supping, sloshing, slurp, not thinking

it’s late, here comes the ground.

I am alone, I am a stray.

I can no longer see the sky.

Into your senses only today.

I’m born and soon I’ll die.

Shepherds suggest ‘knock his head’,

farmers nod – an old debate

and when I shuffle off to bed;

the session’s done, lights out, goodnight.