Bapaume Road

You look across and notice
it’s not the window I’m looking through
“You’re missing all the view”
you say
I’m flicking past memories of you
and her
and us
how we used to drive home from nanna and grandad’s
and fly down that steep hill
with the roundabout at the end
and we'd scream out “again!”
but you never did turn around and go back up
The safest place I knew
was the middle seat in the back of the car
It felt as though we might go far, far
away
and never stop
and nothing bad could happen
and I wouldn't have to go back to being frightened
if we just kept moving forward
Maybe that’s why you never did turn around
at the bottom of that hill
You knew I'd have to wait until
I was older to understand

I Have

I have been contained
in walls of stained glass windows
and stood in reverence
head bowed, eyes shut, hands clasped
I have climbed mountains
where there’s no other soul in sight
and stood in reverence
head raised, eyes open, arms wide
I have seen new life arrive
blood and tears and screams and warmth
and stood in reverence
I have kissed death
A coldness like no other

I Don't Even Know What To Call This

Rhymes coursing through my blood
like I’m hooked up to I.V.
All my flows are flowing free
all like intravenously
My flow is so fresh
like a new bag of saline fluid
Your flow be all ancient
like it was written by a druid

I’m addicted to my lines
but they're not the cocaine kind
I am meaning the kind that rhyme
and mine are talcum powder fine

If you don’t be patient
I’ll put you in a hospital
where it won’t be nice
Ain't no Doctor Huxtable

Step aside
Run and hide
My style is hot
like Kentucky Fried
I am Coke
You’re like Pepsi
I’m for real
like Johnny Depp, see
I am smooth
but I ruffle feathers
I have cult status
like that movie Heathers
That film is ace
It starred Winona
You’re a one hit wonder
like My Sharona
I keep my fizz
like lime and Corona
so give it up, fool
or I will own ya

Take My Word For It

“I won’t always be around,
you need to learn to do these things alone”
You are right
I do
Your words are true
and I will take your word for it
Sometimes, though, I think
you don’t understand just how deep
is my fear
and how near
to
the
edge
it takes me
You say “Kids! Who’d have 'em?!”
You say I never listen to a word you say
But I do
Just take my word for it
and give me time
and I will take your words
and your wisdom
to heart
but the hardest part
is passing them on to
my mind
My nerves fray
For strength I pray
You think I’ll find a way
I will take your word for it
if you say
so
and you must know
that when you give me your words to take
I will make
the most of them
well...
at least most of them, anyway

Far Be It From Me

Far be it from me
so much I held dear
Far be it from me
to want it back here
Far be it from me
to need it so near
Sometimes it seems
there’s a lot that is
far be it from me
but I will be
forever grateful
for all that once was
so close
and all that is
to come

Giggling Gertie

If laughs could be liquefied
yours would be a burbling brook
It cascades so freely
uninhibitedly
from a well within you
well and truly
it is
an endless, replenishing
refreshing source of constant delight
and if my ears were sore eyes it would be a sight
for them to behold
I let it wash over me
It would have to be
my favourite sound in the whole world