THE TEA-BREAK STRATEGY

I've never lost a game of chess
when it's the PC versus me
If the PC has a chance of success
I unplug it and go for a tea.

SHIPPING FORECAST BLUES

I wake up feeling Cromarty
In fact I'm Dogger-tired
I go Forth to the kitchen
and make a Wight coffee
The Sole person awake
in my house
I'm well past my Forties
and Dover 50
Shannon feel much better than this
Tyne waits for no man
It's Fastnet cast.

DRIFT MINING

Sounds of a car engine start
are muffled by my double glazing
Light for a new day delivered
through nets and curtains in slices
I'm drifting awake, I think
or awake and recalling a dream
The senses arrive
In part we're revived
by memories
mining a seam.

WHITE LINES

The markings on roads
are repainted
as we tear along
white, dotted lines
It's often a blur
this road that's more travelled
We're fixed straight ahead
to the end

Stop!
Look!
Listen!

White lines wear away
whatever our route
Memory cannot be
repainted.

LIFE AS A JIGSAW PUZZLE

Start off
small
Find the
pieces
with ease
Don't worry about the picture
on the box
It changes without warning
Don't worry about the cracks
That's part of the puzzle
Don't force pieces to fit
where they should not
Once completed
Let your kids try.

SHIRE DAD

I was small
My granny's porcelain Shire Horse
was resplendent in harnessed decoration
and plaited mane.
The very symbol of strength
Teetering on her mantlepiece
Now I'm a father
I often think of that Shire Horse
A symbol of strength
and permanence
Made of glass.

BIN DAY ALARM

The clink of bottles
the tumble of cans
a bin day alarm for my street.
Recycling last night's thoughts
some rush out in duvets
old T-shirts
or less
Refuse in hand
Refusing to believe
they've missed
the truck as
it trundles
down
hill
A rubbish start to the day.

HOPE IN A TEAPOT

Yesterday I saw a sign. CAR BOOT SALE NEXT SUNDAY. It snatched me from the alternative reality in which we are living. I was transported to a time where haggling over a £5 tea service was the biggest worry of my week.
Bring it on.
I'll buy it.
There is always hope in a teapot.

ON FATHERS DAY - LITTLE OLE WINE THINKER, ME

I come from a long line of fathers
All fathers all have this long line
Whatever great vintage we're after
We're all grapes picked from the same vine.

BIN THINKING

I haven't got those wheelie bins
I wheelie need them, too
I've naked bags
That bend and sag
They stink in summer, pooh!

I haven't got those wheelie bins
Our bags are Al fresco
They're gnawed and pawed
By things with claws
Bin thinking it's Tesco.