x-mas factor

no, i wouldn't go so far as to say i hate it.
i don't like all the sales hype.
not a good time for those who go hungry
or any other time for that matter.

so we had a tree in the corner,
with lights flashing cos they are meant to
and a fire, for the coziness of it
'n plates laden.

it was great sitting round the table,
all five of us,
even milkshake, our cat, had a salmon
head - well seasoned.

maybe a midnight mass would be good
with all the pomp and singing;
otherwise, i have to say, we did ok
today without god, queen or prime time

tv viewing. mind you a squad car did
drive by, lights flashing but no news
of men, or women, or little children blown
to pieces like in some parts of the world.

so greetings to all who get this far.
thank you for all you have done. amen.

oh, the champagne was a bottle left from
the launch of the jazz cafe, parkway that is,
in 1991 - turned out to be an expensive bottle
but today worth every loving sip.

mind you, freya said she hated champagne
and had every right to say so.
i drank her glass...

Witness

Bright, clear, cold.

Closing the front gate,

there was a youngish black guy,

standing on next door’s steps.

He caught my eye,

came down.

“I know you’re just going out

but can I give you something to read?”

“Not if about Jehovah’s Witnesses”.

He almost smiled.

“Is it The Bible or Jehovah’s Witnesses

you don’t like?”

I just muttered “Jehovah”, felt a little rude,

added, “No offence”

and turned away.

There were two others knocking at the house

on the other side.

I strode off in the crisp air to buy

earrings for my daughter, presents for two

friends at school.

And I fancied some good smoked bacon,

The sort that doesn’t go watery in the pan.

So you can see I did have much better

things to do with my time.

Well-read?

yeh, i wish i had a pound
for every book i haven't read
every film not seen
every bottle drunk instead

yeh, we have the pounds and dollars
the books not read
the films not seen
the living dead ahead instead