Poetry and Creative Writing for All

Joanne Hale

You Are in my Thoughts

Yet another woe
Has made you low
Facing life without a smile.
If you ride the storm
In whatever form
It will start to pass in a while.
Though the road you tread is a struggle
Seeking light along your way
The path will ease for you
At the start of each new day.
May your heart be healed and lifted
And let sunshine dry your rain
Let the darkened clouds around you pass
And may you enjoy your life again.

Are You?

Is that how it happens
Your heart misses a beat
You think you’re in love
The feeling’s such a treat

You’re feeling all dreamy
Did someone call your name?
If it has happened
Life will never be the same

You think about them constantly
Your stomach’s in a knot
Wondering if you love them
You care an awful lot

But how will you know
When the love bug hits thee
You’ve been spotted by cupid
And the arrows flow free

Are you in love?
Is that what it is
Your heart is pounding
Or perhaps it is his

Yes, now you’re sure
It fits like a glove
What you must be feeling
Is that you’re in love

Christmas Time

Christmas time
Is almost here
Excitement grows
As it draws near.

What to buy
For Mum and Dad
More hankies and socks?
I’m sure they’d be glad!

Then there’s the children
Who want sweets and toys
Girls wanting dolls
And bikes for the boys.

But they also want X-box
And DVD players
And some designer labelled fashions
Of these they want layers.

It’s a time for the family
To all meet together
And for friends to be on the phone
For even longer than ever!

And what about your cat and dog
Don’t forget them too
A squeaky toy or a dangling fish
And a tasty treat, or two.

So ‘Happy Christmas’ 
To each of you all
Have a wonderful time
This coming Yule.

Enquiries

“Can I help you?” – I say
Because it’s part of my job
Seated in front of me
He opens his gob
“What does this mean?”
He looks at me and asks
What I feel like saying is;
“That you’re a pain in the ass!”
But I don’t – I just smile
And say, “May I look?”
I glance at his letter
I’d have rather read a book
“I’ll just get your papers”
I get up to go
Things that we do
To earn us some dough!
Whilst retaining my seat
I look at his file
Where do I begin?
I start with a smile
“Well, it’s like this”
Is how I begin
Why is his face
Covered in that big grin?
Is he sucking a lemon?
Or maybe a lime
He says, “I understand;

Falling

Sun, moon
Stars, bright
Planets, somewhere
Black, the night

Snow, rain
Fall, softly down
Shaping, patterns
Losing, found

Reaching out
Nothing there
Touching, trying
Empty, bare

Cold, lonely
Feelings, gone
Silent wishes
Brief, strong

Falling, falling
Getting slower
Moving, limbs
Tumbling, lower

Pain, silent
It has to stop
Eventually, happening
Final, final drop.

FATHERS DAY

Once again – it’s Father’s day
A day that’s just for you
For me to show my gratitude
For everything that you do
You always have time for me
Even in your busy day
A friendly word, a joke or two
Your loving smile goes a long way
I hardly ever say, “I love you”
But I feel with all my heart
A love that will never end
It’s been growing from the start
You’ll always be my special friend
Yes Dad – that’s what you are
There could never be another Dad
Who compares to you, by far
Thank you for being wonderful
I love you, yes I do
You are the greatest ever Dad
Thank you for being you.

For life’s ups and downs

I said a little prayer today
To God up high above
I didn’t ask for many things
Just His continual love
I asked Him to take care of you
To offer you some peace
To bring you comfort at this time
And to never, ever cease.
I asked Him to help guide you
Over the rocky road you tread
To show you some improvement
In the troubled times ahead.
I know for sure He heard me
Because He always hears our prayers
He listens to every one of us
And He will show you that He cares.

For Peter

All alone I have wandered
Through the struggle and growth of life
There’s been good times and bad
And heartache had been rife
I’d never known true love
Then along you came
You love me in a special way
What we want from life is the same
I know that you will be there
When the downs of life bring pain
To wipe away my silent tears
And to make me smile again
Your gift of love brings joy to me
It’s something in what you do
I want to say a great big thanks
Just for you being you

Forbidden Love

Forbidden is my love for you, though the feelings are deep and strong
You and I – we belong to another, so being here with you is so wrong.

Yet passion keeps me coming back, I want it from you more and more
The chemistry is electric between us, you fill my being deep down to the core.

You have such a hold over me, your power – it rushes through my veins
I’m addicted to you – just like heroin, and this feeling is why I remain.

We’ll continue to meet in secret, and carry on this passionate affair
Sometimes I think it’s all worth the risk, If we were caught, I just wouldn’t care.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband, and I know too that you love your wife
The consequences are unimaginable, discovery would cause all sorts of strife.

But the magnetic attraction it draws us, we get lost amid its might along the way
How much longer can our forbidden love continue? When it could be found out any day.

But until such a time may arise, we must enjoy the times that we share
For if they should come to an end, I cannot say that I wouldn’t care.

Life would be so less bearable, If I could not feel you inside
So, for this reason, my love, our attraction we’ll continue to hide.

Ginger Cat

There’s a hole over there, that I haven’t seen before
I could have a big adventure, if I go in to explore

What would I find? Maybe a well dressed mouse
Or a gingerbread family baking a house

I could be a lion in there - big, brave and strong
A ruler of all territory; oh, how I would strut along!

Standing before me, a jazz band of bats
Trapeze artist rabbits, and lots of clockwork rats

Poke my head inside the hole, to see what awaits me there
Ablaze with cartoon characters, playing ludo on a chair

Trumpet playing goldfish, horses placing bets on frogs
Stampeding snails, with cat food tails, and elephants wearing clogs

I could go over and take a look inside the strange new gap
But the sun is out and I’m asleep - taking one of my hourly catnaps!

His Life

He was born at 3.30 in the morning, a difficult birth, must be said.
The labour lasted just short of two days - So, he is hungry, and demands to be fed.

Several years have now passed, and he is 5 years old.
His first day at school, it is looming, he’s excited, he’s brave and he’s bold.

And now he is heading to college, he wants to get himself a degree.
And then he’ll join the RAF - What an adventure that will be.

He’s fighting for his country, who have got tangled up in a war.
The casualties, they are heavy, he’s losing comrades he has known from afar.

His plane is shot down and he’s wounded, he awakes in a military bed.
No more flying for him, he’s told, he’ll have to have a desk job instead.

But that’s not for him – not why he joined up, a pilot was all he’d ever be.
He’s fighting again now, a personal battle, to get back in a fighter jet, soaring and free.

His persistence, it works, and he’s got what he wanted, and a long, worthy career he does have.
He’s retiring now to live in the countryside, enjoying what his comrades died to save.

It’s just passed his 85^th birthday - and he is so tired right now.
His life’s had its ups and down - he’d agree, but, he’s got this far into it, somehow.

They said that he died whilst he was asleep, so peaceful, just as he had yearned.
They buried him alongside his Mum, and he was wearing the medals he’d earned.

I Know

You know, I really do mean it
When I say I know how you feel
I do know what you’re going through
Is painful and very real.
I know you’re not exaggerating
Or pretending in any way
It really is a trying time
Getting harder every day.
I do know what you’re going through
As I have been there too
And time right now, just brings you pain
There seems like no let up for you.
I won’t pretend it’s easy
You’ll cope in your own way
You take your time – go at your own pace
And take things day by day.
I know this seems unreal now
But things will improve, it’s true
Step by step, you’ll smile again
With each day that is new.

I wanted you to know

I never need a reason
But I wanted you to know
Why you mean so much to me
And why I love you so.

I love you for your kindness
And the tenderness you show
Sometimes things are not too good
But you always seem to know.

You really are my soul mate
My lover and my friend
I know you’ll always be there
And that your love will never end.

There could never be another
Who in any way can compete
I know I will always love you
Because you’ve made my life complete.

It’s Murder

Poisoned or shot
     How about a knife
Maybe something else
     How do you end a life?

Batter to death
     Or kill with a car
Use suffocation
     Crush bones with a bar

Possible ways
     Spinning in mind
Counting the days
     Until the best way you find

There has to be pain
     When the murder goes ahead
Adrenaline rushing through veins
     Someone will soon be dead

Hatred – with feeling
     Someone has to die
There is always a motive
     When you’re finally questioned why

It’s Snowing!

“It’s snowing! It’s snowing!”
     The little boy cried
Wide-eyed with excitement
     At the whiteness outside

A blanket that covers
     As far as the eye sees
So pure and new
     Even covering the trees

“Let’s go for a sleigh ride!”
     He’s eager and keen
Spoiling the newness
     Leaving tracks where he’s been

Sliding down hills
     Making snowmen
Throwing snowballs
     At his older brother Ben

Toes tingling with cold
     He doesn’t seem to care
All this fun for one small boy
     Surely, it isn’t fair!

Time for bed now
     The day has been long
He’ll awaken in the morning
     To find the snow has all gone

Jasper’s Poem -  (If a dog could talk)

I love you in the morning
When you take me for a walk.
Even when you stand around
With people, when you all talk!
I love you in the afternoon
When you give me my first meal.
And even though its beef, or lamb
I don’t want you to buy me veal!
I love you in the evening
When we lounge and watch TV.
You in your armchair, me on the sofa
Casualty – who cares, as long as you’re with me.
I love you in the nighttime
When you let me roam the place.
And if I feel a bit insecure, or lonely
I visit your room to look at your face.
I love you all of the time
Because you are my wonderful Mum.
And you look after and protect me
When you’re with me – I’m never glum.
I’ll love you even more and more
Until my life is through.
But until that time, I know I’ll just
Keep on loving you.

Just Dreaming

“Stop it – you’re hurting me!”
I heard the girl scream
The image so real
Woke me from my dream

I remembered the man
I’d seen him before
Going into the shop
He came out of the door

It was nothing unusual
To pass in the store
So why was I dreaming?
Of strangers and gore?

They say cheese makes you dream
Bad images you will see
But I hadn’t had cheese
So what else could it be?

Yes! That was it!
I know what it must be
Before going to bed
I’d seen him on T.V!

Moments

Time, ticking
Slowly, away
Never to be
Seen again

Always in the past
Creating memories
Seconds into minutes
Hours into years

At this moment
Now, that moments has gone
Stored in a secret place
On a shelf in the mind

Certain things
Bring them back
A special song
A photograph

Time is still
In a camera’s eye
The moment is kept
Kept forever

Each moment
Passes with time
As I write
Another moment gone

Monday

It’s 7.15am, time to get up
A pot of tea on the table
Have I time for a cup?
A mouthful of toast
As I hurry around
Where are my car keys?
No where to be found
This is all I need
Now I’m going to be late
I’m giving the boss a lift
He won’t like the wait
There are my keys! I run