Winter Trees

Winter trees

Etched into

A winter sky
Of scabby grey

Giants

Forlorn beasts

Stark

Can a tree be lonely?

Laden with snow

We feel their nakedness

We are patient for them

Or waving angrily

But we know

That anger is our own

Giant shadows

Of ourselves

Spoils of War

Imagine, after humans have left the planet
And the new owners of Earth
Are digging about for signs of our past

There will probably be a TV programme

Intergalactic Time Team

Beamed across the universe

Aliens, delicately sifting soil

Looking for ancient artifacts

Trying to discover what our race was like

Excitement as the first items are found

An ancient sword, bullets, a rusted flamethrower

An unexploded mine

Sniper

Mum gives Tarik a hug

Don’t cross the Square

It may be further via the church

But it’s safe. You’re not in open view.

And tell him, Belma sends her love

That might be worth an extra loaf or two

I know he has the flour still

And while you are there

Ask him, What news of Ivan?

Mum gives Tarik another hug

And whispers a short prayer

Go now, she says

And do not cross the Square

Learner Drivers?

A trail of smashed milk bottles

The pavement’s milky wet

Billy’s football squashed and burst

Billy’s quite upset

Mrs Jones’ geraniums

Fit for the compost heap

Mum’s vase bounced off the sideboard

You should have seen it leap

And grandad’s bicycle’s been crushed

He’s in a proper fix

And the wall where grandad leant his bike

Is now a pile of bricks

Three lamposts bent like coat hangers

Our cat has run away

You have to learn to drive a tank

And the lessons were today

The Funnel Web Spider

The Australian funnel web spider

Hides in the loo

And is likely to bite your bottom

When you go for a call of nature

Coming Soon

Last year’s fig tree

Leans over the new wall

Next year – figs!