The snow flakes are falling softly
Drifting down on still air
Covering traces of the past
Which you are not aware
The future has no guiding path
The past is so obscure
Each day the snow falls much thicker
Science has found no cure
Strange faces come closer smiling
Some one that you should know
Show you photographs and trinkets
Buried beneath the snow
The days are growing much darker
The snow is brilliant white
Earthy life fatigues the body
As does the will to fight
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
The fairy
Twas an hour before dawn when Shamus returned to find a fairy sobbing her heart out on his escape toadstool.
“That's no place to be idling away the dawn, clear off away from my door” Shamus snapped,
The fairy sobbed louder.
“Don't think you can get round me like that, I'm not an elf you know”
“I've no where else to go” sobbed the fairy.
“Well you can't just block a leprechauns door at dawn and expect preferential treatment.”
“I'll never be able to return home, and must seek shelter where ever.” she sighed flashing her eyelashes.
Shamus shook his head repeatedly, for a leprechaun he was a soft touch.
He opened the door and indicated for her to enter. All was black until Shamus flicked the glow worms tail. It made little difference for although there was perfect light the walls of the cave were painted mat black as were the few sticks of furniture.
Sitting down Shamus said” if there is a story in you let it be known”.
The fairy looked baffled.
“Well “ said Shamus “why are you here, what happened, what, when, whether, why.”
The fairy looked around and fixed her eye on the black bottles on the bench.
“It's difficult to talk without a sweet cup of milk thistle tea, what with all the crying and all”.
“ah ah Missy you have come to the wrong 'chaun I only do poteen, so you can let yourself out, good morn to you.”
“No wait” implored the fairy,” I'm sorry I irked you I was only making conversation, and it would be easier with a drink, but if no drinks are available, its fine I will just croak a bit”
Shamus sat stroking his beard staring intently at the bright fairy. He was getting warm feelings towards this creature, not quite a pleasant as handling gold but oddly similar.
“Have you had much to do with fairies” She asked
“Can't say I have, you don't mine gold, play pranks, riddle the big yuns, or do jinx's, so we've not a lot in common”
“But I thought you were Shamus the tenth”
“I am, I'm Shamus the tenth plus six, My father was Shamus the tenth and he's off to Kerry.”
“I'm sorry I didn't know he had left you”.
“He's not left us, just stopped crocking gold, he now works in the day time making Euros and claiming grants, what ever they are.”
“But you can do magic can't you”
“Of course I can” snorted Shamus “You've an odd way of insulting folk you know”
“I'm sorry” she replied demurely flashing her eyelids in a provocative manner.
“So why are you here and not in some Fairyland or other?”
“ I fell foul of the new manager of Fairy resources and have been banished” she sobbed. “what is worse every time someone mentions my name it adds another day to my banishment.”
“And what is your name” asked Shamus.
The fairy thought for a moment, after some thought replied. “F F U N only backwards”
“Nuff?” exclaimed Shamus “fairy Nuff”
“Oh no another day added”
“Sorry lass”
they sat starring at each other not knowing what to say next.
“This new manager of fairy resources is who?”
“Rebboc, now chief fairy Rebboc”.
“Ginger Rebboc the Queen of the fairies chamber pot emptier?”
“Yes, but we have had a few changes since then. We no longer have a Queen but a board of directors, who answer to the Chief executive.”
“And the Queen of the fairies is the Chief Executive I suppose?”inquired Shamus.
“No she is the Honorary President, the Chief executive is revered fairy Reggid.”
“Well she is no better I remember her as the Fairy Queens Knicker washer.” Shamus huffed.
“So how did all this come about?” he asked
“Have you heard of Investors in Fairies?”
Shamus shook his head.
“ISO 9000”
Shamus shook his head again
“value for money, Key performance indicators, Bench marking, Targeting, Staff reporting, annual reports, bull park figure, going forward going forward, bonus culture, in the loop?”
Shamus kept shaking his head
“Well its going to take ages to explain this lot and not worth the effort if you possess too much common-sense.”
“OK” said Shamus “We now know that some tossers run fairyland, how they managed it is of no consequence, what are we going to do about it?”
“I don't know that's why I'm here.”
“How come you were banished?”
“I don't know, I have always done my best, done as I was told, but when I applied for Euro Disney, it all went wrong. I was set up for failure, bullied, and everything I did was found fault in, eventually banished for querying an expenses claim for a second home and wide screen fortune teller.”
“Oh dear” Said Shamus” what a state of affairs, You can stay for a short while, only until things improve but not too long.”
“well you could help me get back to Fairyland, that would be the logical thing to do”.
“hum” snorted Shamus” it will be a lot harder than you think unless”
“Unless what”
Shhhh I'm thinking”
“What about”
“Shhhh I said”
“Hum a thought shared is a thought something”
“Shhh” shouted Shamus
Shamus crossed his legs under him put a finger in his ear and with the other hand stroked his beard. It was suppose to help concentration.
“we could do a reversal spell” suggested Shamus
“Great where do we start”
“Its not that easy, you can not do anything wrong or nasty, and I can do nothing good. So we have to find something good that is wicked or I have to do something wicked that is good.”
“where is your gold”
“what has that to do with it, concentrate on the problem ahead fairy”
“Just wondered why all is black”
“Just concentrate airhead”
“why is it so black”
“For the sake of gold, shut up up up”
“Where is the gold?”
“If you must know my rainbow is broken, so I had to put it into a Bank for safe keeping.”
“Well I can fix Rainbows, if that helps.”
“That's it begorra, that's it, broomsticks”
“Broomsticks?”
“Shut up fairy this is what we can do, It all hinges on Halloween, and if it works those other fairies will be ousted you will be welcome back into fairyland. Then you can fix my Rainbow, OK?
“OK what do we have to do?”
The town hall was full, every one was talking at once.
“Order Order” shouted the mayor banging his gavel on the table top.
“Mrs Brown you have the floor”
“thank you your honour. As I was saying Johnny Jenkins offered to help me across the road. He did not want paying just wanted to do a good turn. Then he smiled at me, not sticking out his tongue or spitting just smiled, it was frightening, hideous, sinister even “
“well Mrs Brown that is very odd for the Jenkins boy” said the Mayor
“What about me” said Mrs Quail from the sweet shop. “ they all came in from school offered to pay a penny more than the sweets cost because they were so good. They never stole any, licked them, or moved the price labels. Even worse they all said please and thank you before leaving. We counted the takings for the day and nothing was stolen in fact we were 5 p up on trading. Frightening, hideous, sinister even or worse.
“What about me” said the window cleaner “ they gathered round the bottom of the ladder and handed me a bucket of clean warm water. Normally they would put a frog in the bucket or mud, the horrors have been known to pee in it. They were as nice as pie and offered to hold my ladder in place instead of kicking the bottom away when I am up it. Frightening, Hideous, sinister or worse.”
Everyone in the town complained how well behaved the children were, how frightening, hideous and sinister it all was.
“we want protection for tonight” they all chanted.
The mayor was lost for words or what to do, he had himself seen children acting goodly with random acts of kindness and resolved to lock himself in doors with the lights off Halloween night.
“we want protection“we want protection“we want protection” they all chanted.
After a long deliberation the Mayor spoke solemnly, “we have no Army, Territorial or otherwise they are abroad, The police station was closed, sorry , reassigned last year and the local bobby tours the area once every eight months unless despatched to assist in record keeping, so we can not call them out. We could swear in Special constables to patrol Halloween, if I can call for a show of hands?”
No one put there hand up, no one was brave enough to face all the children that had become suddenly organised and acting “GOOD”.
“Well” said the Mayor “it is up to ourselves to help each other. We must all keep the lights on, if a light goes out we report it to the neighbours and we all go round and help. So keep by the phone, listen to the local radio station, log on to the local parish web site, and keep torches, Kendal Mint Cake, Map and Thermos of hot tea ready, with luck we may survive what has been planned.”
That night the children went to bed early, kissed their parents goodnight, knelt by the bed, said their prayers, and said God bless Mummy and Daddy then climbed into bed. It was frightening hideous and sinister. Never in the history of town matters had so many been so scared by so few.
Next morning the children woke bright and cheery looking forward to the day ahead, The parents were a group of neurotic, psychologically challenged, shatter, and exhausted wrecks.
The following day a rainbow appeared in the sky, and two fairies were sent to a penal colony in Australian and every time their names were said backward an extra day was added to their penal servitude. Many many days are being added this very day as those down under are fond of the words Digger and Cobber.
Just outside the small town of Blarney a short green gentleman withdrew his savings from the bank.
The effect of which was a run on the bank of Northern Rock. All the clever people lost all their money, stocks fell, and the poor people heard of the words Bonus culture, and expenses.
However the effect of reverse jinxing did cause a stranger phenomena, England won the Ashes.
“That's no place to be idling away the dawn, clear off away from my door” Shamus snapped,
The fairy sobbed louder.
“Don't think you can get round me like that, I'm not an elf you know”
“I've no where else to go” sobbed the fairy.
“Well you can't just block a leprechauns door at dawn and expect preferential treatment.”
“I'll never be able to return home, and must seek shelter where ever.” she sighed flashing her eyelashes.
Shamus shook his head repeatedly, for a leprechaun he was a soft touch.
He opened the door and indicated for her to enter. All was black until Shamus flicked the glow worms tail. It made little difference for although there was perfect light the walls of the cave were painted mat black as were the few sticks of furniture.
Sitting down Shamus said” if there is a story in you let it be known”.
The fairy looked baffled.
“Well “ said Shamus “why are you here, what happened, what, when, whether, why.”
The fairy looked around and fixed her eye on the black bottles on the bench.
“It's difficult to talk without a sweet cup of milk thistle tea, what with all the crying and all”.
“ah ah Missy you have come to the wrong 'chaun I only do poteen, so you can let yourself out, good morn to you.”
“No wait” implored the fairy,” I'm sorry I irked you I was only making conversation, and it would be easier with a drink, but if no drinks are available, its fine I will just croak a bit”
Shamus sat stroking his beard staring intently at the bright fairy. He was getting warm feelings towards this creature, not quite a pleasant as handling gold but oddly similar.
“Have you had much to do with fairies” She asked
“Can't say I have, you don't mine gold, play pranks, riddle the big yuns, or do jinx's, so we've not a lot in common”
“But I thought you were Shamus the tenth”
“I am, I'm Shamus the tenth plus six, My father was Shamus the tenth and he's off to Kerry.”
“I'm sorry I didn't know he had left you”.
“He's not left us, just stopped crocking gold, he now works in the day time making Euros and claiming grants, what ever they are.”
“But you can do magic can't you”
“Of course I can” snorted Shamus “You've an odd way of insulting folk you know”
“I'm sorry” she replied demurely flashing her eyelids in a provocative manner.
“So why are you here and not in some Fairyland or other?”
“ I fell foul of the new manager of Fairy resources and have been banished” she sobbed. “what is worse every time someone mentions my name it adds another day to my banishment.”
“And what is your name” asked Shamus.
The fairy thought for a moment, after some thought replied. “F F U N only backwards”
“Nuff?” exclaimed Shamus “fairy Nuff”
“Oh no another day added”
“Sorry lass”
they sat starring at each other not knowing what to say next.
“This new manager of fairy resources is who?”
“Rebboc, now chief fairy Rebboc”.
“Ginger Rebboc the Queen of the fairies chamber pot emptier?”
“Yes, but we have had a few changes since then. We no longer have a Queen but a board of directors, who answer to the Chief executive.”
“And the Queen of the fairies is the Chief Executive I suppose?”inquired Shamus.
“No she is the Honorary President, the Chief executive is revered fairy Reggid.”
“Well she is no better I remember her as the Fairy Queens Knicker washer.” Shamus huffed.
“So how did all this come about?” he asked
“Have you heard of Investors in Fairies?”
Shamus shook his head.
“ISO 9000”
Shamus shook his head again
“value for money, Key performance indicators, Bench marking, Targeting, Staff reporting, annual reports, bull park figure, going forward going forward, bonus culture, in the loop?”
Shamus kept shaking his head
“Well its going to take ages to explain this lot and not worth the effort if you possess too much common-sense.”
“OK” said Shamus “We now know that some tossers run fairyland, how they managed it is of no consequence, what are we going to do about it?”
“I don't know that's why I'm here.”
“How come you were banished?”
“I don't know, I have always done my best, done as I was told, but when I applied for Euro Disney, it all went wrong. I was set up for failure, bullied, and everything I did was found fault in, eventually banished for querying an expenses claim for a second home and wide screen fortune teller.”
“Oh dear” Said Shamus” what a state of affairs, You can stay for a short while, only until things improve but not too long.”
“well you could help me get back to Fairyland, that would be the logical thing to do”.
“hum” snorted Shamus” it will be a lot harder than you think unless”
“Unless what”
Shhhh I'm thinking”
“What about”
“Shhhh I said”
“Hum a thought shared is a thought something”
“Shhh” shouted Shamus
Shamus crossed his legs under him put a finger in his ear and with the other hand stroked his beard. It was suppose to help concentration.
“we could do a reversal spell” suggested Shamus
“Great where do we start”
“Its not that easy, you can not do anything wrong or nasty, and I can do nothing good. So we have to find something good that is wicked or I have to do something wicked that is good.”
“where is your gold”
“what has that to do with it, concentrate on the problem ahead fairy”
“Just wondered why all is black”
“Just concentrate airhead”
“why is it so black”
“For the sake of gold, shut up up up”
“Where is the gold?”
“If you must know my rainbow is broken, so I had to put it into a Bank for safe keeping.”
“Well I can fix Rainbows, if that helps.”
“That's it begorra, that's it, broomsticks”
“Broomsticks?”
“Shut up fairy this is what we can do, It all hinges on Halloween, and if it works those other fairies will be ousted you will be welcome back into fairyland. Then you can fix my Rainbow, OK?
“OK what do we have to do?”
The town hall was full, every one was talking at once.
“Order Order” shouted the mayor banging his gavel on the table top.
“Mrs Brown you have the floor”
“thank you your honour. As I was saying Johnny Jenkins offered to help me across the road. He did not want paying just wanted to do a good turn. Then he smiled at me, not sticking out his tongue or spitting just smiled, it was frightening, hideous, sinister even “
“well Mrs Brown that is very odd for the Jenkins boy” said the Mayor
“What about me” said Mrs Quail from the sweet shop. “ they all came in from school offered to pay a penny more than the sweets cost because they were so good. They never stole any, licked them, or moved the price labels. Even worse they all said please and thank you before leaving. We counted the takings for the day and nothing was stolen in fact we were 5 p up on trading. Frightening, hideous, sinister even or worse.
“What about me” said the window cleaner “ they gathered round the bottom of the ladder and handed me a bucket of clean warm water. Normally they would put a frog in the bucket or mud, the horrors have been known to pee in it. They were as nice as pie and offered to hold my ladder in place instead of kicking the bottom away when I am up it. Frightening, Hideous, sinister or worse.”
Everyone in the town complained how well behaved the children were, how frightening, hideous and sinister it all was.
“we want protection for tonight” they all chanted.
The mayor was lost for words or what to do, he had himself seen children acting goodly with random acts of kindness and resolved to lock himself in doors with the lights off Halloween night.
“we want protection“we want protection“we want protection” they all chanted.
After a long deliberation the Mayor spoke solemnly, “we have no Army, Territorial or otherwise they are abroad, The police station was closed, sorry , reassigned last year and the local bobby tours the area once every eight months unless despatched to assist in record keeping, so we can not call them out. We could swear in Special constables to patrol Halloween, if I can call for a show of hands?”
No one put there hand up, no one was brave enough to face all the children that had become suddenly organised and acting “GOOD”.
“Well” said the Mayor “it is up to ourselves to help each other. We must all keep the lights on, if a light goes out we report it to the neighbours and we all go round and help. So keep by the phone, listen to the local radio station, log on to the local parish web site, and keep torches, Kendal Mint Cake, Map and Thermos of hot tea ready, with luck we may survive what has been planned.”
That night the children went to bed early, kissed their parents goodnight, knelt by the bed, said their prayers, and said God bless Mummy and Daddy then climbed into bed. It was frightening hideous and sinister. Never in the history of town matters had so many been so scared by so few.
Next morning the children woke bright and cheery looking forward to the day ahead, The parents were a group of neurotic, psychologically challenged, shatter, and exhausted wrecks.
The following day a rainbow appeared in the sky, and two fairies were sent to a penal colony in Australian and every time their names were said backward an extra day was added to their penal servitude. Many many days are being added this very day as those down under are fond of the words Digger and Cobber.
Just outside the small town of Blarney a short green gentleman withdrew his savings from the bank.
The effect of which was a run on the bank of Northern Rock. All the clever people lost all their money, stocks fell, and the poor people heard of the words Bonus culture, and expenses.
However the effect of reverse jinxing did cause a stranger phenomena, England won the Ashes.
not talking
You never talk to me she said
He never said a word
There is no communication thread
He said she was absurd
Like talking to a brick wall
She would get more sense
Resorting to a screaming brawl
He countenance so tense
He worries but must concentrate
All his finances broken down
He needs more time to demonstrate
The future is still sound
Loneliness has lost its fear
So where will they go from here?
He never said a word
There is no communication thread
He said she was absurd
Like talking to a brick wall
She would get more sense
Resorting to a screaming brawl
He countenance so tense
He worries but must concentrate
All his finances broken down
He needs more time to demonstrate
The future is still sound
Loneliness has lost its fear
So where will they go from here?
behind the line
Just how far back do you have to be?
To concentrate on strategy
How far behind, in your bunker so deep
Do you make daft plans while half-asleep
Peace time generals that never fought
At the rank that privilege bought
Despatch young men not asking why
To do their duty, to live or die
You care not if the plans go wrong
With your knighthood and shiny gong
How can you stand as liberty’s shield
You student of Eton’s cricket field
To concentrate on strategy
How far behind, in your bunker so deep
Do you make daft plans while half-asleep
Peace time generals that never fought
At the rank that privilege bought
Despatch young men not asking why
To do their duty, to live or die
You care not if the plans go wrong
With your knighthood and shiny gong
How can you stand as liberty’s shield
You student of Eton’s cricket field
drifting aimlessly
Early morning he leaves his home
Seeking some employment
From long queues the deafening moan
Waiting their deployment
Just two jobs thousands stand in line
The sun burns constantly
Looking for a hopeful sign
Drifting aimlessly
.
The market place has little food
His currency second rate
Bartering leaves him feeling screwed
Frustrations he can’t berate
Crowds avoided cause concern
Suspicion constantly
Nothing to buy with what he earned
Drifting aimlessly
.
She waited so long for his return
Suspecting his abduction
He’s accused of trying to earn
From corrupt reconstruction
His thin body now is bloating
With eyes that can not see
Down the Euphrates floating
Drifting aimlessly
Seeking some employment
From long queues the deafening moan
Waiting their deployment
Just two jobs thousands stand in line
The sun burns constantly
Looking for a hopeful sign
Drifting aimlessly
.
The market place has little food
His currency second rate
Bartering leaves him feeling screwed
Frustrations he can’t berate
Crowds avoided cause concern
Suspicion constantly
Nothing to buy with what he earned
Drifting aimlessly
.
She waited so long for his return
Suspecting his abduction
He’s accused of trying to earn
From corrupt reconstruction
His thin body now is bloating
With eyes that can not see
Down the Euphrates floating
Drifting aimlessly
Remembrance
Talk not of glory to the dead
Talk not of brave battles led
Talk not of the freedom call
Talk not of remembering those that fall
Talk not of the national sorrow
The sacrifice for jam tomorrow
Care for the youth early returned
Care for disfigured badly burned
Care for the eyes that can not see
Care for those branded as amputee
Care for the mind that’s gone astray
Buy a poppy to give them jam today?
Talk not of brave battles led
Talk not of the freedom call
Talk not of remembering those that fall
Talk not of the national sorrow
The sacrifice for jam tomorrow
Care for the youth early returned
Care for disfigured badly burned
Care for the eyes that can not see
Care for those branded as amputee
Care for the mind that’s gone astray
Buy a poppy to give them jam today?
when the wind blows
When the wind blows sand will fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
Young men once brave highly stressed
Inferior body armour is now dressed
Too thin Landrovers, speed reliance
Travel to another democratic defiance
The roadside bomb remote detonation
Ambush, fire fight, and life termination
Reorganisation in machine gun pause
Count the dead for a futile cause
When the wind blows sand will fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
Wounded bodies homeward fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
Homecoming troops feel no pride
With an alcohol need not satisfied
You volunteered, didn’t have to go
The friends once had, don’t want to know
An unpopular war, no end in sight
Started by lies, from intelligence contrite
An illusion shattered the future in doubt
Staunch warmongers want the troops out
From booze laden lips accusations fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
Young men once brave highly stressed
Inferior body armour is now dressed
Too thin Landrovers, speed reliance
Travel to another democratic defiance
The roadside bomb remote detonation
Ambush, fire fight, and life termination
Reorganisation in machine gun pause
Count the dead for a futile cause
When the wind blows sand will fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
Wounded bodies homeward fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
Homecoming troops feel no pride
With an alcohol need not satisfied
You volunteered, didn’t have to go
The friends once had, don’t want to know
An unpopular war, no end in sight
Started by lies, from intelligence contrite
An illusion shattered the future in doubt
Staunch warmongers want the troops out
From booze laden lips accusations fly
From dry ringed eyes tears will cry
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