10th Anniversary

Ten years it has been

since I walked out that door,

when I decided it was time 

to be an engineer no more.

Times had changed at my works

the spirit gone to consultants,

we were becoming motivated

by strategies from incumbents.

Using our old muscles and minds

getting metal splinters cuts and grazes,

with oily rags, dirt and dust

 getting work done like the blazes.

A rollicking from the foreman

if the job was incomplete,

keep the production ticking over

after hours standing on concrete.

My job, being a physical one

bending metal on the fly press,

forging metal in the fire

my temper heated, I confess.

Then I would hear the lunch bell 

only half the day it felt slow,

as my final day approached

I just couldn't wait to go. 

Yes! We would have some fun

with games of cards, darts, football,

plus the occasional social drink

until we heard the gaffers' call.

Out through the factory gates

I looked behind to reflect,

those thirty years of graft

I leave with some respect.

Now the tenth anniversary

since that time in May,

when I collected my belongings

with not so much to say.

That one final farewell visit

 to that old nostalgic place,

I said cheerio for the last time

with the widest smile on my face.

*****

The Life of William Shakespeare 1594 - 1616

The greatest writer of his time

With comedy classics on the stage

to tragedy, history and poetry

Until we turn the final page.

We may say that all's well that ends well

maybe the start of a comedy of errors

With Hamlet, Macbeth to Julius Caesar

to grace us all with many terrors

With passionate plays like Romeo and Juliet

The Tempest and The Taming of the Shrew

Poetic fantasies with The Sonnets to add

As if he didn't have much else to do.

Many writers have come and gone

But William Shakespeare's work will go on and on and on….

******

EARTH HOUR

This special time on the calendar,

a point to think during one hour

of this wonderful planet Earth,

reflecting man's abusive devour,

of other species and environmental beauty

across the oceans to mountainous terrains,

with arctic circles, the fields and forest

with heat, ice and snow to when it rains.

An ever increasing population

living in great comfort and wealth,

or many live and die in destitute,

in conflict or very poor health.

But this is not about man,

it is about Mother Earth as we know,

as it spins during this hour

through space with a colourful glow.

A small moon compares to other planets,

containing so much conflict and strife,

this prominent blue, green and white, world

with colours mixed to give so much life.

I think to myself if someone asked me,

where or what this Earth is?

Would I believe it is the same place?

Is it Nature's wonder or is it his?

Is this Heaven or Hell?

What are the ideal solutions?

to keep this wonderful planet

free from man's toxic pollutions?

So I think what I should do,

not ought to, or think of doing next time.

We just have to stop killing the Earth.

If we don't, that will be the ultimate crime.

*******

Appearance

This is a different approach from me without any rhyme, but just to capture the suspense in a short verse.

Appearance

I stand proud in my suit,

A Smart, professional appearance,

Not really what you expect.

When you suffer a different experience,

Things are not what they seem,

Even the person next to you,

You wonder if they are real.

Or if their stories are true,

This is a story of a journey,

A train ride on the underground,

Who is this man standing next to me?

Not knowing where the train is bound.

I ask him "Where are we going?

Is it travelling up to the light?"

I am taken by this apparition,

As this man disappears

Into the darkness and out of sight.

******

A SAD REFLECTION

This was written at a workshop 3rd April 2016,  held by Claire Walker in St John's Library Worcester.

A Sad Reflection

Sitting in a shelter,

Waiting for the next boat,

To find my old life,

To keep my hopes afloat.

Cold wind blowing across the lake

With only a hat, jacket and scarf,

To keep me warm from the wintry chill,

Now, I remember taking the wrong path.

Yes! I am in remission from my habit,

 Being stoned every night with alcohol,

Followed by cocaine and pot to smoke,

 falling into a six foot deep hole.

Many will reject me, please don't,

Am I going home? Will they want me?

I look in the mirror because,

I want to break free.

I  wish I said no.

I am sorry,

I begin to shiver,

Sorry everybody, sorry… sorry…s

****

                                  

                                                                        

                                                                            ©Copyright Tim Stavert 14th April 2014