Introduction
The poet, author
TREAT EVERYONE WELL WHO YOU PASS EACH DAY, BECAUSE THE PERSON YOU
MAY NEED TOMORROW, MAY HAVE COME YOUR WAY TODAY, AND WHAT DID YOU
DO OR SAY, WILL IT BRING JOY OR SORROW?
THIS WORLD IS FULL OF PRETTY FLOWERS, YET MANY CHOOSE THISTLES AND
THORNS INSTEAD, AND ALL HOW THEY WASTE THOSE PRECIOUS HOURS,
AND IN THE WRONG DIRECTION TREAD.
Begin!
1
"Where is love, Sir?" he asked me,And I said, "Take a look around,"
And he said, "That I have, Sir,"
And I thought to myself, "Oh dear,"
And so I said, "Love you, son,"
And he replied, "Oh, thank you, man,"
And I thought to myself, "Good on you, love,"
But love replied, "Good on you, man."
2
A world of love and laughter is what I’m really after, so do you mind? Oh, what a party pooper. Do I have to remind?I can’t go anywhere without your bad news, that diet of doom and gloom that you choose. You’re spoiling my mealtime, my drive to work — oh, how I wish I could just tune out, in or out, somehow block that view, but you’re so demanding, so intrusive, and thus peace being rather elusive. Perhaps I shouldn’t worry so, but you know, everywhere I go, people are saying, “Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?" Oh my word, Yes, it’s really too much, and why I’m tired of such, so if you don’t mind, surely something brighter you can find, even humorous too, thus showing a little more thought and care please, because a world of love and laughter is what I’m really after, so what about a little hug, rather than another slug? — yes, an “I’m sorry” squeeze.
3
One
day, veering somewhat out of my way, I went through the land of
laughter, that state of play, and I couldn’t stop giggling, funny
things here, hilarious things there — and even well after, I grinning
here, smiling there, bursting into cackles midst this or that,
startling passers-by or some straying cat, I simply unable to hold
things back, and hence that impromptu smack, ’cause there’s a time and
place, you know, and so, one should mind the land of laughter,lest shortly or well after, a certain imprudence one show.
4
A Conversation With A Difference
(Countries)
“I wouldn’t RUSSIA, you know, because she’s probably snowed under having BRITAIN off more than she can chew.
You may have to PERU some other option.
Perhaps you could contact JORDAN. He’s very musical and good on the QATAR, and not the kind of guy who’ll make a TURKEY of himself come tomorrow’s gig. However, he may want to know SAMOA about it given that he hasn’t had any warning. IRAN him earlier regarding something else, and he’s pretty much got nothing to do, except for packing his collection of CHINA. Sometimes he drives around in his Holden MONACO looking for work, though he does have another SUDAN that he uses. I've often seen him BURMA long the road. When he’s not doing that, he sometimes goes fishing off an IRELAND that’s nearby, one that has a lot of flat GREENLAND. In Winter it gets quite CHILE, and thus it more like an ICELAND, though one does get to see a few WALES passing, and quite a number of sharks have been spotted. Hence why some jokingly call it FINLAND. I discovered that he has a miniature ride-on train, and ISRAEL line is quite long. He's quite clever. One day, after he got sick of the cost of petrol, he went and MADAGASCAR, but hey, I’m simply digressing here.
Failing all that, try CHAD. If UKRAINE your neck, you can just see him now. He’s mowing his lawns. He’s a little clumsy though. The odd time I’ve see him KOREA into his flower garden. IRAQ him up sometimes because I joke about it too much. He's always keeps his lawns short, but one time he let it grow very long, and I saw a MONTSERRAT. KENYA ring him now, soon-like? He’s worth contacting just INDIA case JORDAN can’t make it.
At the end of the day, you need to get someone, VIETNAM or someone else.
OMAN, that smells good, but I’d put those potatoes in the oven with the BRAZIL nuts thus minimising the amount of GREECE given that CUBA butter you’re using. I’d pop some SWEDEN too. You could then GHANA them with herbs. That’s quite a lot you’re making. In fact, it’s BELGIUM out of the pan already. That amount should FIJI all, given that it’s meant to SERBIA six.
It’s making me feel quite HUNGARY. I’d better stop looking at it, otherwise you might think I’ve an ALGERIA motive. If I were left alone, I would NORWAY at it, and there’d be none left.
Say, that pudding’s nice. Did JAMAICA yourself? And that cake’s nice too. You could ice it and DENMARK it with ANDORRA'S name given that it’s her birthday. Mind you don’t BANGLADESH or it might shatter.
When’s the picnic, by the way? I don’t think anything’s likely to spoil it BAHRAIN of course.
And before I forget, have you SCOTLAND yet for your dream home? Will you LIBYA here much longer?
Well, I think I’ll go for RWANDA along the beach where I often SEYCHELLES. After that, I might go down to the LIBERIA to get a certain book out. I've actually held off doing so because I owe then a GUINEA for losing a book. As for the ROMANIA of the time, I'm not sure. Usually MYANMAR go shopping, but I think she's caught up today. If I don't get back to you today, it'll most likely be KOSOVO. He's such a talker! Some people call him a LAOS because he makes them miss their bus. I think he has a dog called MALI, which tends to MALTA bit. Well, I'd better get going. See you later.”
By Lance Landall, like the rest here...
5
WHY DO CATS NEED NINE LIVES?
BECAUSE THEY DON'T LOOK BOTH WAYS WHEN CROSSING THE ROAD.
BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO CURIOUS FOR THEIR OWN GOOD.
BECAUSE THEY'RE OFTEN FOUND IN TIGHT SPOTS.
BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO ASPIRE TO RIDICULOUS HEIGHTS.
BECAUSE DOGS AREN'T INTO CATS.
BECAUSE THEY DON'T ALWAYS LET SLEEPING DOGS LIE.
BECAUSE THEY GO PLACES THEY SHOULDN'T.
BECAUSE THEY'VE A TENDENCY TO PLAY CAT AND MOUSE.
BECAUSE TOO OFTEN THEY STAY OUT ALL NIGHT, HANGING
AROUND IN SOME BACK ALLEY.
6
A Conversation With A Difference
(Cities)
I RANGOON, but he was out, so I popped DOVER to see LIMA, his last name being STANLEY.
He was wanting to head overseas as SUEZ possible but couldn’t really afford it, and I replying sympathetically, “No DOHA?”
He nodded his head as he drained the BRUSSELS sprouts.
“Like some cheese?” he asked, “I just got it this morning from the NEW DELHI.”
Given that I didn’t think he’d been out, I asked, “DUBAI it, or did your MUMBAI it?”
“Mum,” he replied. “I sent her a couple of TEXAS. In the MAINE, she’s very good like that. In fact, the other day, she bought me a NEW JERSEY”
“Wow, that’s nice,” I echoed.
I took the cheese, thanked him, and slowly sat down, my back still sore after visiting the CAIRO.
I carefully moved the plaster of PARIS mould of a BUFFALO that he had been fastidiously working on. If I’d dropped it, he certainly wouldn’t have MINSK his words, and thus saying SURREY being of little help. To be honest, I learned long ago not to TAMPA with some of his things, his reaction like a SHANGHAI.
I thumbed through the MANILA folder that contained his travel plans.
“I will SUVA the soup soon,” LIMA said.
I thanked him again and inquired about his car that he was selling, saying, “DAKAR go?”
“No, not yet,” he replied glumly, “But I MECCA nice buyer. VICTORIA, I think her name was. Her last name being HANOVER. She used to go to your old school. GENOA?"
"No," I replied.
"She wanted something that she could go TURIN the country with, but she had GUAMS over the car," LIMA continued, "thus EXETER, though she was such a DERRY. I really should’ve been a bit heavier on the COLOGNE. It's SEOUL story. So, no chance of me DUBLIN my money. I seemingly not destined to ROME, and thus just stuck at home.”
“Well, it wasn’t in the greatest of condition,” I stated. “You bought it off your father, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” LIMA replied, “but I’m not going to BAGHDAD. After all, he did sell it to me cheap, you know.”
"That's true," I agreed. "And by the way, did you get the CARDIFF fixed? It's seen a few rough RHODES."
LIMA nodded.
The soup tasted nice, so too the sprouts.
“You could put another ad in the paper and see where it LEEDS,” I proffered. “Someone’s bound to be interested in an old PLYMOUTH. If I can sell my old Morris OXFORD, I’m sure you can sell yours, though I think CHESTER just bought it to help me out. Like with my AUSTIN. Better than they just LYON there. Well, I MOSCOW. Haven't time to BALTIMORE down. I need to get home and have a BATH because I’m catching up with my NICE. I don’t think you’ve met FLORENCE, nor her sister CHARLOTTE. If you want too, ALASKA. Anyway, lest I'm late and get sent to COVENTRY, I'll see you later. I don't like to HANOI her. I'll go via the back roads, DENVER the motorway. And by the way, it's best you get out for the ROSTOV the day too, rather than being STOCKHOLM, though you really do need to BUCHAREST when you can afford it. What about BRISTOL? Anyway, MUSCAT, see ya.”
YOU DIVE AND SWAY, THUS POSITIVELY UTILISING THAT PUSHING AND SHOVING, WHICH, I MUST SAY,
YOU ACTUALLY SEEM TO BE LOVING, 'CAUSE OH, HOW YOU DANCE SO MERRILY, SO VERY CHEERILY, A
SIGHT THAT HAS ME SMILING WHILST MOMENTS OF THE DAY I'M WHILING — OH, JUST LOOK AT YOU,
AND VERY PRETTY TOO, NOT JUST AN INSPIRATION, BUT A VERY CLEVER CREATION.
7
A Conversation With A Difference
(Cars and trucks)
“AUDI,” middle-aged LINCOLN greeted, “MAZDA been ages since I saw you last, and your brother. How much is KENWORTH these days?”
“Quite a LADA money, MACK replied, “I wouldn’t mind some of it myself, but he’s HOLDEN on tightly to it.”
“How about yourself?" LINCOLN asked.
MACK looked a bit uncomfortable because he really preferred to DODGE that question. “Well, I’ve become a bit of a ROVER these days,” he replied, “Thus can’t a FORD much, and all why I’m often borrowing money from MERCEDES. Not that she minds, I must say.”
“I wouldn’t mind catching up with your son,” LINCOLN interrupted, “Is NISSAN?”
“No, he’s out for the day,” MACK replied, “He went down to PLYMOUTH in his CADILLAC.”
“How’s your car going?” LINCOLN asked.”
“Really well, actually,” MACK replied, “It’s a real little HUMMER, never misses a beat. Turn the KIA on and away it goes. Originally I bought it FERRARI, but she never really used it. Her friend LEXUS use his OPEL, so she’s out in that most days.”
“Well,” LINCOLN replied, “It’s a real TRIUMPH how you managed to restore the car. I liked your SHELBY right attitude. How MINI months did it take you?”
“About ten,” MACK replied.
“Why did you BUGATTI?” Lincoln asked.
“Well, he kept making fun of my car, and his SKODA isn’t up to much, so when it broke down, I couldn't help myself,” MACK replied with a sneer.
“Well, TESLA’s back now,” LINCOLN stated, “So I’ll introduce you to her. She’s just dropped our dog off to Mike Gibson. He’s our CORVETTE. Great MAN. Signs each receipt with a scribbled MG. Our dog has actually had obedience training. I only have to say CITROEN, and he does, but he's crook at the moment. Sorry to digress”
Boring! Let’s leave them to it.
8
Tick Tock Investigators
I’d been called to investigate stolen time, and was checking where it had gone,
A number of people having seen it fly, which I was duly dwelling on.
Yes, it seems that it had gone so fast, but no one knowing where it had got too,
And thus there not enough time in the day, and by all accounts, such appeared true.
All why they phoned Tick Tock investigators, I thus working around the clock,
Hours quickly disappearing before my very own eyes, and I taking stock.
But still no sign of them, and no one taking responsibility, and so
I simply shelving the case, ’cause it was very clear they weren’t going to show.
But I’ve oft pondered on this case, it quite a mystery, time disappearing,
One engrossed in this or that, and then it gone, and hence why this case I’m sharing.
Time seemingly slipping through one’s fingers, but how to catch the thief, and all why
I’m appealing to you all to keep a look out, ’cause this thief seems very sly.
And if you do sense where time's gone, please let me know, and I’ll reopen the case,
Going back over those lost seconds, minutes and hours, and those hands on each face;
Well, people do tamper with them, you know, such more cause for alarm, and therefore
One needs to watch, and aiding and abetting leading to doing time, what's more.
By Lance Landall
9
A Conversation With A Difference
(Early composers)
I went to see Sergei RACHMANINOV, though kind of HAYDN this visit, despite his BACH being worse than his bite, and which puts most people off given that he’ll OFFENBACH.
He still had problems with mice, so I suggested he contact BEETHOVEN, and if he wasn’t able to help, he could try someone else who might be able to get a better HANDEL on things.
I knew he loved oil paintings, so I asked him if he’d seen MOZART, his work being made up of colourful compositions of which I thought it would be worth taking note of, and he quite a master in his FIELD.
He still hadn’t been to see his ELGAR brother, Robert SCHUMANN, about getting his boots resoled, and nor had he visited BARBER for a hair cut. He being quite a procrastinator, so I have to be quite FRANCK with him at times.
I always seem to be at his BECK and call, often having to deal with a whole LISZT of things, including the old COATES he leaves hanging around the place, and the clothes that need washing. And as always, he absolutely insisting that PURCELL is best.
His cat was sitting on the chair by the fireplace licking its fur until RACHMANINOV said, “ORFF!”
RACHMANINOV was also having problems with his outside aerial, so I told him that I’d ring TELEMANN, who, given how old the Television was, might well tell him to TIPPETT. He's actually a very BIZET man, but one can only but try these things.
“How much is BUTTERWORTH now?” RACHMANINOV asked as he fed his pet BYRD through the wires of its CAGE. BUTTERWORTH having met with a certain misfortune. “Don’t know,” I replied, “Though he’s still able to bring home the BACON, and that’s the main thing."
His new business partner, DELIUS, who lived closer to the BEACH, and who'd once been a PORTER, had mishandled the books, all of which had left BUTTERWORTH quite badly BRITTEN. At least he wasn’t scammed LOCKE, stock and barrel. Such is what can happen when one’s BAX turned.
Anyway, time was getting away on me, so I had to SCARLATTI, hoping to get home DVORAK, and the on way, just over the BRIDGE, I had something to CHOPIN, a sweetmaker who was very big on SCHUBERT.
10
HELLO MISTER SEAGULL. IS THERE ANY CHANCE THAT YOU COULD TEACH ME
HOW TO FLY? — OH YES, JUST AS HIGH UP IN THE SKY, BECAUSE I'M SO TIRED
OF BEING DOWN HERE, IT TOO UNFAIR, AND WHY I LONG FOR HEAVENLY HEIGHTS,
PEACE AND QUIET IN MY SIGHTS, AND BECAUSE IT'S SO STILL UP THERE.SO PLEASE, MISTER SEAGULL, SHOW ME HOW IT'S DONE, BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE SO MUCH FUN, THOSE SWOOPS AND DIVES, THAT GLIDING TOO, AND OH, WHAT A VIEW — YES, YOU SO ABLE TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL, THOUGH HEADING BACK COME SOME SQUALL, BUT ONLY FOR A TIME, AND THEN THAT CLIMB, AND YOU BACK GLIDING AGAIN, AND HENCE MY PEN, BUT I GUESS YOU AREN'T INTO POETRY, HAVE NO IDEA ALPHABETICALLY, AND WHY I GUESS I'M DESTINED TO REMAIN GROUNDED, THOUGH HAVING LONGINGLY EXPOUNDED, BUT TO NO AVAIL, I FEAR.
11
EVER SO SLIGHTLY ECCENTRIC
Kindness is a droplet in another's heart.
A word of reassurance blows at the head of an anxious thisle.
A hurting heart needs a loving potion.
A caring smile is a flash of sunshine.
A knowing glance is like a wink from the moon.
A listening ear is like a warming fire on a Winter's night.
A lonely place needs an extra chair.
A helping hand is like an electric boost.
An empathetic hug is like a real life teddy bear.
A selfless act is a fragrant perfume.
A response of forgiveness acts like an opening bud.
Being there for someone acts like a seat belt on a busy highway.
A thoughtful action triggers a grateful response.
A tender rub on the arm is like a homely cat.
A generous massage is like the feet of a dozen furry kittens.
12
I WISH THAT BY SIMPLY ENLISTING MY WILL, I COULD MAKE MYSELF INVISIBLE — OH, WHAT FUN I'D HAVE, GOOD
FUN, THAT IS, ONE MOMENT SEEN, PERHAPS ON A LEAN, AND THEN,
DISAPPEARING WITH A QUIET POP AND FIZZ, AND THEN, LEAVING SOMETHING
SPECIAL SOMEWHERE, WHICH WOULD SUDDENLY APPEAR, MUCH TO HOOTS OF
DELIGHT, THERE NO NASTY FRIGHT, BUT A CERTAIN CONSTERNATION — WELL,
GIVEN THE LACK OF EXPLANATION, THERE BEING NO NOTE, NO NOTHING, BUT
HEY, I HAVE TO SAY, WHO WOULD LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH,
ESPECIALLY AN INVISIBLE MOUTH?OH YES, THE LIST OF MY MYSTIFYING BUT BENEVOLENT ANTICS WOULD GROW BY THE DAY, ONE TEMPTED TO TICKLE AN EAR OR TWO, BUT NO, I WOULDN'T DO, THOUGH A TAP ON A NAUGHTY SHOULDER COULD PROVE A DETERRENT, THUS HELPING SOME FRUSTRATED PARENT, BUT NO, I WOULDN'T DO THAT EITHER, SIMPLY NEITHER, FAR TOO BUSY ELSEWHERE, MORE INTERESTED IN DISPENSING CHEER, BUT SAD TO SAY, POSSIBLY, I DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY, AND WHY I STILL REMAIN IN VIEW, NIGHT AND DAY, SUCH UNABLE TO DO.
WELL, IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS, ISN'T IT? MAYBE A LITTLE BIT?
13
CAN YOU DO BETTER THAN THESE?
Every word starting with the same letter:
"Many mature married men midst mindless, moronic, mystifying mental
moments make monumental mistakes maritally, maddeningly."
A sentance using only letters:
O, R U L, K (Oh, are you ill, Kay).
A sentance using only numbers:
2 8 3 (Two ate three).
14
What Will They Think Of Next?
I’m not used to toilet lids that slowly shut as if there’s unfinished business,
So I have to wait in order to flush, and how the start of the News I miss.
Sure it’s better than lids falling with a bang and clang, but there’s slow and there’s slow,
Though that’s these modern toilets for you, and when they flush, there’s quite a thump, you know.
Who sits there coming up with these ideas, observing the time of impact, say,
And slowing that movement? Which means even longer in the toilet one must stay.
No rushing off, thus one tapping one’s foot, and counting, "One, two, three, four, five, six…."
Oh, the botheration of it all, which has me wonder, what will they think of next?
By Lance Landall
15
I'M
SORRY, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY — WELL, NOT TODAY, 'CAUSE I'M
REALLY AT A LOSS, EVEN CROSS, 'CAUSE NOTHING'S COMING TO MIND, NOT EVEN
INCLINED, AS IF TO SAY, "DON'T WANT TO, CAN'T MAKE ME," AND WHAT CAN I
DO? — I MEAN, REALLY — MY HEAD AS IF ON STRIKE, IN OTHER WORDS, OFF ITS
BIKE, AND SO, IT'S "WORK IT OUT YOURSELF," AND MY HEAD MEANING, MYSELF, WHICH IS QUITE A CHEEK, 'CAUSE I'M UP THE CREEK, LOST
WITHOUT MY MIND, UNLESS I CAN FIND....NO, I'VE ONLY ONE — OH, WHAT'S IT
DONE, AND ALL WHY I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING TO SAY, SO SORRY, MAYBE
ANOTHER DAY.16
All Why I'm Just Reminding You
I guess you realise, World, that if I pack up and leave, you’re on your own,
I unable to be reached by gilded envelope, email or phone.
So please mind, ’cause when I’m gone, I’m afraid you won’t see me anymore,
I otherwise engaged, and having shut each window and closed each door.
Yes, I won’t be making contact, and thus out of sight, out of mind, right?
Unable to hold things together, nor any of your battles fight.
And all why I’m just reminding you midst going through the books and all,
And whilst waiting for that urgent rattle on the door, or frantic call.
By Lance Landall
17
LOVE GOT UP AT 5 O'CLOCK — NO, SILLY, WELL BEFORE, WELL
BEFORE — IN FACT, IT HAS NO CLOCK — GRABBED ITS JOY BOX, DONNED ITS CARING CLOAK,
BRUSHED EACH THOUGHTFUL LOCK, AND OFF IT WENT, HEAVEN SENT, ITS ROUNDS
NEVER ENDING, IT PRECIOUS TIME SPENDING — YES, USING EVERY MOMENT
PRODUCTIVELY, GENEROUSLY, CREATIVELY, PERSUASIVELY, TASTEFULLY,
EMPATHETICALLY, HEROICALLY — IN FACT, EXTRAORDINARILY, AND ALL HOW IT
BLESSES HUMANITY, THEN GETTING HOME LATE AT NIGHT — NO, SILLY, LATER
STILL, MUCH
LATER STILL — IN FACT, ITS BED NOT SLEPT IN, LOVE NEVER IN, BUT BUSY,
BUSY, BUSY, NIGHT AND DAY, ALWAYS SOMETHING IN ITS IN-BIN.
18
Don't Be Spooked By Spooks
Yes, don’t be spooked by spooks, those flashes and shadows in the night,
’Cause it’s only Granddad meandering his way via torchlight.
Sorry about those noises too, but his hearing isn’t the best,
And thus all is forgiven if much later in bed you rest.
So don’t be spooked by spooks, ’cause it’s just Granddad on his way,
Half asleep, and toilets harder to find than during the day.
I know it’s happened more than once, hence why Granddad’s bothered too,
But when someone has drunk too much before bed, what can they do?
By Lance Landall
19
WOULDN'T
IT BE GREAT IF LOVE SNUCK UP ON US ALL, AND SAID,"GOTCHA!", AND
WE MELTED IN ITS ARMS, FELL FOR ALL ITS CHARMS, ACCEPTING ITS
SHAWL, AND EVERYWHERE WE WENT, AND ALL WE SAID AND DID (EXACTLY AS LOVE
MEANT), FLOWED WITH LOVE, THOUGHT AND CARE, AN ARTISTIC, CREATIVE FLAIR,
AND THUS THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, IT FULL OF EMPATHY AND GRACE, AND
PEACE AND HARMONY THAT ONE COULD TRACE.
OH YES, IF ONLY LOVE
WOULD, WE WILLINGLY SURPRISED, EVEN HOPING THAT IT WOULD, AND
THEREFORE, OUR WISHES REALISED, WE HAPPILY CAVING IN, THUS ALLOWING
LOVE TO WIN, THAT SUCH MIGHT CHANGE THE WORLD, AND A MUCH BRIGHTER FUTURE
BUILD, THAT ALL MIGHT LIVE AS ONE, AND THEREFORE, THERE NO NEED OF SWORD OR GUN.
20
Oh Drat!
Dear friend, I’m sorry if my poems don’t bounce,And all why I’ve taken the time to announce,
That I have done a shorter version for you,
Where such bounciness I have sought to pursue.
I thus hoping that you’ll now be satisfied,
And midst my trying to regain any pride,
Because my talent needs assessing, it seems,
And thus gone for now, poetry award dreams....
Wow! Ten out of ten, you said, which heartens me,
There still hope yet, so on with the poetry!
But old habits die hard, so you might soon see,
A few extra beats giggling mercilessly.
By Lance Landall
21
I BUMPED INTO LOVE ONE DAY — AN EMBARRASSING EXPERIENCE BY THE WAY — 'CAUSE LOVE
SOON SAID TO ME, "HOW MUCH HAVE OTHERS SEEN OF ME, AND GIVEN YOU'RE OUT AND ABOUT?"
WELL, YOU COULD'VE GIVEN ME A CLOUT, I HAVING TO STOP AND THINK, MY FACE A SHADE OF PINK,
BUT LOVE WAITING PATIENTLY, AND INTERRUPTING THOUGHTFULLY, "PERHAPS YOU'VE JUST GOT
UNDER
WAY?" AND I OF COURSE REPLYING, AVOIDING ANY LYING, "I GUESS I HAVE,
AND WHERE TO NEXT?" AND LOVE'S KNOWING EYES FIXED. "WELL, DON'T WASTE
ANY TIME THEN, SON, 'CAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH
TO BE DONE," AS IF I DIDN'T KNOW, NOT THAT IT SEEMED TO SHOW, AND WHY LOVE WAS QUICK TO REMIND,
THOUGH MORE ON THE SIDE OF KIND, 'CAUSE WHEREVER WE GO, LOVE SHOULD BE SEEN, AND THUS
ALL ABLE TO KNOW WHERE LOVE'S BEEN, AND ALL WHY LOVE SAID, "HOW MUCH HAVE OTHERS SEEN
OF ME?" AND OH, DARE IT BE A THREAD, 'CAUSE LOVE SHOULD BE WIDELY SPREAD.
22
CERTAIN TRUTH
Anger — Something that leads to trouble.
Hatred — Something that darkens one’s soul.
Grudges — Something that leads to illness.
Revenge — Something that makes things worse.
Rudeness — Something that spoils our chances.
Cruelty — Something that animalises.
Meanness — Something that when it goes around comes around.
Cowardice — Something that reveals an inner weakness.
Selfishness — Something that gets in the way of relationships.
Ungratefulness — Something that gets in the way of blessings.
Childishness — Something that gets in the way of opportunities.
Pride — Something that sets us up for a fall.
Indifference — Something that reveals a lack of growth.
Coldness — Something that reveals an unloving heart.
Racism — Something that reveals ignorance.
Bigotry — Something that reveals intolerance.
Prejudice — Something that reveals immaturity.
Criminality — Something that reveals rebelliousness.
23
YOU KNOW, THERE'S TOO MUCH POISON IN HEARTS — YES, TOO MUCH ANGER, HATE AND THUS
DARKNESS, AND WHERE IT ALL STARTS, THOSE FEELINGS TURNING INTO WORDS AND ACTIONS,
AND I MEANING, TERRIBLE WORDS AND ACTIONS, THE WORLD JUST BECOMING A HELL, AND
WHY I FEEL I WANT TO YELL, "ROOT IT OUT! ROOT IT OUT!" 'CAUSE SUCH SIMPLY SADDENS, WOUNDS
AND KILLS, AND THIS WORLD WITH MORE MISERY FILLS, LET ALONE WHAT IT DOES TO THE INFECTED
ONE, HISSING WHAT'S NASTY, BASHING, OR USING A GUN — YES, IT'S TIME THAT LOVE GOT HOLD OF SUCH
HEARTS, BECAUSE THAT IS WHEN CHANGE REALLY STARTS,
BUT ONE MUST BE WILLING, OTHERWISE THERE'S NO FILLING, 'CAUSE LOVE
WON'T DWELL WHERE THERE'S ANY ILL, LOVE WON'T STAY WHERE
THERE ISN'T THE WILL, ITS VESSEL MADE FOR WARMING, AND NOT FOR CHILLING.
24
TO PONDER
Sometimes WHERE we're looking isn't where we think it is,
And sometimes WHAT we think it is isn't what we think it is,
And sometimes WHO we think it is isn't who we think it is,
And all why we need to be more OPEN to where, what and who,
And prepared to accept the TRUTH of it, regardless of belief or view.
25
HERE'S A CALL TO ARMS, LOVING
ARMS, SO LISTEN UP, ARMS, YOU'VE WORK TO DO, EMBRACING EVERY SINGLE
SOUL, AND WITH YOUR WHOLE, SO THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE LOVE, THOUGHT
AND CARE, AND THE VERY SAME THING WANT TO SHARE, THE WORLD ALL THE BETTER
OFF FOR IT, AND THUS EVERYONE SEEN TO BENEFIT FROM IT — YES, SO LISTEN UP,
ARMS, YOU'VE WORK TO DO, AND QUICKLY TOO, SOME MUCH NEEDED EXERCISE, AND GIVEN ALL THOSE
PLAINTIVE CRIES, THE WORLD SO VERY NEEDY — YES INDEEDY — SO OPEN YOUR ARMS
WIDE, STRETCHING THEM OUT, THUS REACHING OUT, THAT THEY MAY BE LOVINGLY
APPLIED, THEREBY CROSSING EVERY DIVIDE, 'CAUSE THAT'S WHAT LOVE IS ALL
ABOUT, AND HENCE THAT CALL TO ARMS, HUMAN ARMS, YOUR ARMS AND MY ARMS.
26
LOVE
TOOK ME BY THE HAND ONE DAY, AND SHOWED ME AROUND THE WORLD, HELPING ME
SEE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF THINGS AS MY HAND IT HELD — YES, THINGS LIKE
HUMAN THOUGHT AND CARE, CLEVER, CREATIVE, ARTISTIC FLAIR, NATURAL
WONDERS THAT AMAZED, THINGS THAT MY INNER SPIRIT RAISED, AND ALL WHY IN
AWE I STARED, AND EVEN MORE APPEARED, WHICH REMINDED OF SO MUCH LOST IN DISTRACTIONS, OR IN WORTHLESS, SUPERFICIAL ATTRACTIONS, ALMOST AS IF TWO WORLDS EXISTED, AND ALL WHY LOVE PERSISTED, THAT I MIGHT VALUE THE REAL
ESSENCE OF LIFE, NATURE, AND HUMANITY ITSELF, BE THAT ONE'S FRIENDS,
CHILDREN, HUSBAND OR WIFE, COUPLED WITH PURPOSE AND DIRECTION, THUS
NATURE AND LIVES NOT LOSING OUT TO SOME MATERIAL COLLECTION, BUT
RATHER, ALWAYS IN VIEW, AND THEREFORE, PRIORITIES NOT ASKEW, AND WHY
I'M GLAD LOVE TOOK ME BY THE HAND, INTERRUPTED WHAT I HAD PLANNED,
GIVEN THAT BETTER IT KNEW.
27
THE BEST AND RIGHT WAY TO LIVE YOUR LIFE:
ONLY LOVE, AND NEVER HATE, HURT OR HARM.
ONLY DO WHAT'S GOOD AND RIGHT, AND NEVER OTHERWISE.
ONLY EMBRACE WHAT'S WHOLESOME AND UPLIFTING, AND SHUN WHAT'S NOT.
ONLY PARTAKE OF WHAT'S BENEFICIAL, AND NEVER OF WHAT'S HEALTH-ROBBING.
ALWAYS THINK POSITIVELY, AND NOT NEGATIVELY.
ALWAYS EXERCISE SELF CONTROL, AND NOT OVERINDULGE OR OVERDO THINGS.
ALWAYS UPHOLD TRUTH, AND NEVER LIE, DECEIVE, OR MISINFORM.
ALWAYS RUN ON PURPOSE, MEANING AND DIRECTION, AND NEVER STAND IDLE OR INDIFFERENT.
ALWAYS KEEP AN OPEN MIND, AND NOT SUCCUMB TO BIAS, PREJUDICE OR BIGOTRY.
BE YOUR OWN SELF, AND NOT A COPY, PAWN OR STOOGE.
GO FOR NOBILITY AND INTEGRITY, AND SHUN BOTH PEER PRESSURE AND THE MINDLESS CROWD.
LIVE FOR OTHERS, AND THEREBY, THOUGHTFUL, HELPFUL, KIND AND GENEROUS.
HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE, AND THUS ALWAYS MINDFUL OF YOUR BLESSINGS.
SEEK ADVICE, AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO EXPRESS YOUR THOUGHTS OR FEELINGS.
BE HUMBLE AND REALITY BASED, AND THUS KEEPING A LEVEL HEAD.
BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL, AND NEVER JUDGMENTAL.
28
UR
HEAD CONTAINS BOTH A COMPUTER AND CAMERA, BUT HERE, WE JUST FOCUSSING
ON THAT CAMERA, THOSE IMAGES THAT WE TAKE IN, AND THAT FOREVER REMAIN
WITHIN, BE THEY NEAR THE SURFACE OR BURIED DEEP IN VAULTS (THOUGH NONE
OF THOSE VAULTS HAVING BOLTS), AND THUS AGE-OLD IMAGES SOMETIMES
REAPPEARING, DELIGHTING OR SCARING, AND EVEN DARING, THANKS TO THAT
LENS, WHICH MANY A SIGNAL SENDS.
YES, MANY IMAGES THAT WE'VE NO CONTROL OVER, AND MANY THAT WE DO HAVE CONTROL OVER — IN OTHER WORDS, THAT WERE OKAY OR WEREN'T OKAY TO FOCUS ON, OR CLICK ON, AND THEY'RE NOT GONE, BUT STILL RESIDING THERE, AND HENCE THAT NEED OF CARE, THEY EITHER GOOD FOR US OR BAD FOR
US, OUR MIND NOT MEANT TO BE A RUBBISH TIP, A HOUSE OF HORRORS, NOR A
TEARFUL, REGRETFUL TRIP, BUT A HAPPY HAVEN, A WHOLESOME
GALLERY, WHERE THERE'S NOTHING WE NEED TO SKIP.
29
THERE'S
NO QUESTION, IT BUT A FACT, THAT WE EITHER USE OUR MIND POSITIVELY OR
NEGATIVELY, BENEFICIALLY OR INJURIOUSLY, THOUGHTS BEING THE FORERUNNER
OF EACH ACT, EITHER FOR GOOD OR EVIL, WORTH OR LOSS, SUMMER JOY OR
WINTER CHILL, AND THUS HOW WE THINK BEING WHAT WE BECOME, AND TO WHAT
WE RESIST OR TO WHAT WE SUCCUMB, THUS CONTROL IN OUR HANDS OR OTHER
HANDS, WE FREE OR SIMPLY UNDER SOMEONE’S THUMB, WE BLOWN BY THE WIND OR
MAKING OUR OWN PLANS, OUR MIND A BLESSING OR A CURSE, A WOUNDER OR A
NURSE, A DISCORDANT NOTE OR A RHYMING VERSE, WE DESTROYING OR CREATING,
GOING BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS, LEARNING OR VEGETATING, AND THUS OUR MIND
THE PRODUCT OF OUR OWN MAKING, AND THEREBY, WE TO RUIN OR SUCCESS
INEVITABLY WAKING.
30
The first of nine stand alones.
THE HUMAN WATERING CAN:
ENCOURAGEMENT, PRAISE, AFFIRMATION, FRIENDLY INTEREST,
ACCEPTANCE, KINDNESS, THOUGHFULNESS, SYMPATHY, EMPATHY,
LOVING CONCERN, CHEER, COMPASSION, SENSITIVITY, PATIENCE,
TENDERNESS, HELPFULNESS, INTERCESSION, SELF-SACRIFICE...
31
YOU KNOW, WE SPEND OUR LIFE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND THAT (OR SO AND SO), OFTEN MAJORING ON MINORS, OR MAKING MAJORS OUT OF
MINORS, WHEN MOST OF US HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR, WE HARDLY
UNDER SOME DICTATORSHIP, NOR IN A LAND WHERE THERE IS WAR, AND NOT
GOING WITHOUT FOOD, NOR NUDE, BUT BLESSED IN SO MANY WAYS, WE HARDLY
STRAYS, BUT WELL DRESSED AND LOOKED AFTER.
AND SO, LETS TAKE WHAT
WE HAVE AND MAKE THE BEST AND MOST OF IT, NEGATIVE MURMURINGS NEVER
BEING TO OUR BENEFIT, AND WE NEEDING TO REALISE THAT IN THIS WORLD THAT
WE LIVE IN — SURPRISE, SURPRISE — NOTHING'S PERFECT, AND THUS MUCH
PROBLAMATIC, COMPLEX, MARKED, SPOILED, SOILED — YES, TAINTED, NO MATTER
HOW IT'S PAINTED, AND YET, THERE'S STILL SO MUCH TO ENJOY, SO MUCH TO
LIVE FOR, AND WHY RATHER THAN FRET, AND OUR BLESSINGS FORGET, BOTH
POSITIVITY AND CREATIVITY WE SHOULD EMPLOY.
32
THE HUMAN TONIC:
EXERCISE, FRESH AIR, SUN, WATER, SMILES, LAUGHTER,
PLAY, REST, MASSAGES, HUGS, CUDDLES, PLEASANT MUSIC,
HOBBIES, PETS, MARITAL SEX, ENJOYABLE WORK,
FRIENDSHIPS, NATURE, FAITH...
33
WE
CAN BLAME OUR LEADERS — MAYORS, POLITICIANS, PRESIDENTS, PRIME
MINISTERS IN RESIDENCE — BUT WHO VOTED FOR ANY RASCALS THAT GOT
IN? YES, IT'S
US, SO MIND THE DIN, CHARACTER LESS VALUED THAN WHAT WE WANT, IT
SEEMS, AND ALL HOW
NIGHTMARES DEVELOP RATHER THAN DREAMS; AND MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE OUR
CHARACTERS ARE JUST AS SOILED, AND THUS HOW WE DON'T JUST END UP WITH
RASCALS, BUT HOW OUR OWN LIVES GET SPOILED.
LEADERS ARE OFTEN JUST
A REFLECTION OF SOCIETY, AND MANY APPEARING WORTHY WHEN THEY'RE NOT SO,
SADLY, AND THUS WE FOOLED, AND INNOCENT HERE, BUT YOU KNOW, NOT SO WHERE POOR
CHARACTER IS CLEAR, AND ALL WHY WE, BOTH OF OURSELVES AND OTHERS, NEED TO DO MORE SCRUTINIZING, BECAUSE THE
CURRENT COLLECTION OF LEADERS IS HARDLY SURPRISING.
34
THE HUMAN BOWL OF NUTRIENTS:
CABBAGES, BROCCOLI, SILVERBEET, BEETROOT, POTATOES, CELERY,
CORN, CAULIFLOWER, ONIONS, GARLIC, AVOCADO, LEEKS, GINGER, HERBS,
GRAINS, NUTS, HONEY, APPLES, ORANGES, BANANAS, GRAPES, PINEAPPLE,
APRICOTS, PEARS, DATES, PLUMS, PEACHES, MANGO, KIWIFRUIT...
35
WE NEED TO MIND OUR EXPECTATIONS, BE IT IN GENERAL, OR OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY, OTHERS HAVING THEIR OWN SCHEDULES,
PROBLEMS, ISSUES, STRUGGLES, EXPENSES AND SO ON, ENTER REALITY, AND
THUS THEY NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO BE THERE FOR US, OR AS MUCH AS MIGHT SUIT
US, WE SOMETIMES HAVING TO WALK RATHER THAN BIKE, OR HOLD THE CAMERA
RATHER THAN THE MIKE, AND SOMETIMES HAVING TO GO WITHOUT, DESPITE OUR
NEEDY SHOUT, OR HAVING TO WAIT, NOT FORCE SOME GATE, AND LIFE HARDLY
HANDING US THINGS ON A PLATE, AND THEREFORE, WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR
WHAT WE DO GET,
AND IT BEING POINTLESS TO FRET, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL HAVE
TO MAKE OUR OWN WAY, MOANING, COMPLAINING AND CONDEMNING GETTING US
NOWHERE, AND THE LATTER HOW WE CAN FRIGHTEN OFF
THOUGHT AND CARE, PEOPLE NOT TO BE MADE TO FEEL GUILTY, NOR SHOULD
THEY BE PRESSURED OR CAJOLED, WHICH IS HOW OUR SHIP CAN GET
HOLED, WE CUTTING OFF OUR NOSE TO SPITE OUR FACE, AND WHY WE NEED TO
MIND OUR CASE.
36
THE HUMAN BALM OF HEALING:
LOVE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION, RESOLUTION,
FORBEARANCE, RESTORATION, REHABILITATION, IMPARTIALITY,
SHELTER, REFUGE, SECOND CHANCES, SUPPORT, PRESENCE,
TIME, COMFORT, AID, LISTENING EAR...
37
EVEN
NATURE KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCE, BUT SURELY WE, NATURE'S
CROWNING GLORY, INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO KNOW THIS, A FACT THAT
INTELLIGENCE COULD HARDLY MISS, AND SO, WITHIN OUR LIVES AND SOCIETY,
BALANCE THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE, BECAUSE WHERE THERE'S NOT, ISSUES AND
TROUBLES ARE EASY TO SPOT, THOSE POLITICAL LEFT AND RIGHT SWINGS AN
EXAMPLE, AND TOO MUCH WORK, NOT ENOUGH SLEEP, AND OVERINDULGENCE
LEADING TO ILL, THOUGH MANY MORE EXAMPLES COULD BE GIVEN, SOME PEOPLE
QUITE LETHARGIC, AND OTHER PEOPLE FAR TOO DRIVEN, SOME PEOPLE FAR TOO
SOFT, SOME PEOPLE FAR TOO HARD, SOME RELIGIOUSLY FANATICAL, AND SOME
WHO RELIGION CHOOSE TO DISCARD, AND SO IT GOES ON, SO MUCH COMMONSENSE
GONE.
38
THE HUMAN MUSCLE ROOM:
SELF-CONTROL, DISCIPLINE, TEMPERANCE, BALANCE,
WISDOM, COMMON SENSE, PATIENCE, TOLERANCE, FAIRNESS,
CONTENTMENT, ACCEPTANCE, ORDER, TIME MANAGEMENT,
CLEANLINESS, FORTHRIGHTNESS, CONSCIENTIOUSNESS...
39
THERE ARE THINGS IN LIFE THAT WE'VE A RIGHT TO DO, BUT THAT AREN'T ALWAYS WISE TO DO,
AND THUS IT COMING DOWN TO THOUGHT AND CARE, DOING WHAT'S MORE KIND AND FAIR,
WHICH REVEALS A THOUGHTFUL SENSITIVITY, A CERTAIN STRENGTH OF CHARACTER (INCLUDING
CHARITY), A PREPAREDNESS TO SELFLESSLY REFRAIN, ALL HOW CHILDREN WE SHOULD TRAIN,
THUS WORKING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY, AND GIVEN THAT WHAT GOES AROUND COMES
AROUND, PLEASANTLY OR PAINFULLY.
40
THE HUMAN WORKSHOP:
THE HANDICAPPED, THE HOMELESS, THE MENTALLY CHALLENGED,
THE DEPRESSED, THE INJURED, THE HURTING, THE POVERTY STRICKEN,
THE OPPRESSSED, THE WIDOWED, THE LONELY, THE WRONGLY ACCUSED,
THE ABANDONED, THE ABUSED, THE ANXIOUS, THE ASSAULTED,
THE PERSECUTED, THE STARVING, THE HELPLESS...
41
ULTIMATELY,
IF ONE WANTED TO CONTROL HUMANITY, IT WOULD BE VIA THE MIND, PHYSICAL
CONTROL HARDLY ENOUGH, AND HENCE THAT BRAINWASHING STUFF — YES, SEEN IN
CERTAIN COUNTRIES WHERE PEOPLE ARE HELD — OH YES, IT'S A WORRISOME
WORLD, WHERE MANY AGENCIES ARE VYING FOR ONE'S MIND, HENCE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MIND, YOUR MIND AND MY MIND, BE IT VIA PROPAGANDA, MISINFORMATION, TELEVISION ADS, OR RELATIONSHIP MANIPULATION,
TOO OFTEN THE SITUATION, AND THUS THE REAL BATTLE BEING FOUGHT OVER OUR
BRAIN, FROM WHICH SO MANY STAND TO GAIN, AND CERTAINLY WHERE THERE'S A
MASTERMIND BEHIND IT ALL, SOME CUNNING CALL, AND ALL WHY WE SHOULD BE
ON GUARD, MAKING SURE CERTAIN THINGS ARE BARRED, BE THEY GENERALLY
DESTRUCTIVE OR AN ULTIMATE THREAT, A TRAP THAT'S SET, WHICH COULD
PENETRATE LIKE A POISONOUS SHARD.42
THE HUMAN TOOLBOX:
CREATIVITY, INOVATION, MOTIVATION, FORESIGHT, POSITIVENESS,
CRAFTSMANSHIP, GENIUS, STYLE, FLAIR, TALENT, TOUCH, EXPERTISE,
TECHNIQUE, PASSION, COMMITMENT, DETERMINATION, ENERGY
BELIEF, BRAVERY, ADVENTUROUSNESS, ARTISTRY, RISK...
43
THE HARDEST THING FOR LOVE TO DO, THOUGH KNOWING THAT IT'S BEST FOR YOU, IS TO
STAND AND WATCH WHAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO GO THROUGH, WHEN THAT IS FAR FROM WHAT
IT WANTS TO DO, BUT REALISES IT MUST DO, IF IT WANTS TO REMAIN HONEST AND TRUE.
44
THE HUMAN HALL OF FAME:
HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATIONS, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS, PEACEMAKERS,
PACIFISTS, CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS, HONEST, FEARLESS JOURNALISM,
HONEST, FEARLESS MEDIA, CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY GROUPS, RESCUE
ORGANISATIONS, DEFENDERS OF THE INNOCENT AND WRONGLY MALIGNED,
UPHOLDERS OF TRUTH, EXPOSERS OF WRONG, DENOUNCERS OF VIOLENCE,
SEXUAL ABUSE, DOMESTIC ABUSE, ELDER ABUSE, CHILD ABUSE, ANIMAL ABUSE,
RACISM, BIGOTRY, WAR CRIMES, GENERAL CRIMINALITY AND HATRED...
