Submarine Sensation

                           Semenov

RUBY TUESDAY

SUBMARINE SENSATION

Oh Jellyfish! Thou haunts the deep,

And, similarly, when I sleep,

Thy tentacles enfold my brain

Wafting from thy black domain.

Some people fear the squirming snake

And hissing sounds that serpents make.

Rats that nibble human toes

Disturb some minds, when in repose.

Spiders are creatures that create

Terror as they lie in wait.

But, Jellyfish, thy tentacles

Are horrifying spectacles!

Thy sightless look appears to peer

Into the dark and spy me near!

Thy jelly blubber is nauseating

Utter revulsion in me creating!

Imagine if thy floating hairs

Should catch this swimmer unawares!

Imagine if I were entangled,

Sucked at, squeezed and even mangled!

They tell me that, in far Japan,

Jellyfish the size of man

Float in their millions in the seas

In wafty giant colonies!

Even thy watery friends, the sharks,

Don't rate the exclamation marks!

And, judging by the number here,

You'll realise I have a fear

Of jellyfish. But I never swim!

So the chance of meeting one is slim.

And thou art a pretty red.

In thy defence that can be said.

*

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REALITY CHECK

Little ducks upon a pond

Are things of which we're very fond.

'Look at their little paddling feet!

Look at the ducklings! Oh, how sweet!

See each gorgeous burnished feather!

See how they  swim along together!'

It's only when they're on a rack

That we see them as a human snack.

We see them dangling side by side,

Merely protein exemplified!

We look at them and lick our lips,

Fancying a plate of duck and chips.

Thoughts of 'ponds' are cast away

As we become predators, ducks prey.

Take a look at slices of ham,

Bacon or beef or veal or lamb.....

When they sit upon a plate

In their ultimate gravied state,

They seem removed from agony

As far away as they can be.

They seem inanimate, unfeeling,

Not victims of our double-dealing.

Animals are 'cute' and 'sweet'?

Oh no, they're just our human meat.

But when we see them in a line,

Prepared for a meal (no doubt with wine),

There is a certain reality shape

That our dulled senses can't escape.

'It was ever so' we say

And simply turn the other way.

*

Faces in the Crowd

               
   


RUBY TUESDAY

FACES IN THE CROWD.


As I sat drinking iced coffee I watched the passers-by,
With a critical and, shall we say, a sharp sardonic eye.
Malcolm was stuck in a man-style shop, seeking a 'crimping' tool,
And he takes his time about such things, I can tell you, as a rule!
So I thought I'd play a private game, related to 'I Spy.'
As I watched the throng of variegated people passing by.
'Would I swap with you....or you....or you....or you?' I pondered,
As they scuttled, drifted, hung-around or just, without aim, wandered.
Here was one so old and bent by comparison I felt youthful!
And here was one all angular; I like 'plump', to be truthful!
Here was one weighed down with cares, her mouth a downward arc.
Here was one who probably earned her living after dark!
Here was a schoolgirl, blithe and gay, with all her life before her;
With all those examinations; I was certain they would bore her.
Here was a mother and screaming kids! I couldn't live that again!
And here was a suffering creature, hobbling in great pain.
I'm an ordinary woman, approaching the end of life;
An ordinary mother and an ordinary wife.
And I sometimes feel downhearted when I think I've been deceived,
Reaching this stage with almost nothing actually achieved.
But a little self-analysis works wonders I have found,
So, if ever you feel depressed, simply look around.
*
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THE CHANGE

The drifting down of red and gold

Before the coming of the cold;

The old barn set amongst the corn,

In days before we all were born;

The rustic, rural charming scene

Reminding us of what has been.......

All these in some bucolic haze,

Reminding us of 'better' days,

When life was true and safe and gentle

And human life was elemental.

We can view this scene and sigh

Because such life has gone on by.

*

But I prefer to take the view

That there is much hope in the new.

The jagged spears of windmill sails

With all that 'renewable' entails,

To me are signs of great endeavour,

Proving that mankind is clever.

Look back! Our skies are brighter, clearer

Than they were in that much earlier era

When there were factories over the hill

Spewing filth to make men ill.

There's every chance that we will cope.

This windmill is a sign of hope.

*

Ism

Optimism 

RUBY TUESDAY

ISM

Are you an ismist? You probably are.

Is an 'ism' your guiding star?

Babarism is one you may follow,

Though that idea is hard to swallow.

Confucianism is thought to be

A pretty great ideology.

Fatalism  is believed by many,

Who say 'Free will? There isn't any.'

Hedonism? We're on the brink

But we've still got time to dance and drink.

Jingoism ? Raise the flag!

(Even though it's just a painted rag,)

Nihilism is dark and drear;

Followers say the end is near.

Paternalism  from those who say

'I'm the man so I get my way.'

Terrorism .......  buzz-word now

On everybodies' lips, and how!

*

If 'isms' get you all excited;

If all your passions are ignited,

By this or that or the other idea,

Then it is absolutely clear

That you're an ismist!

What a lovely word

For something obviously absurd!

*

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SPARKLING GREY

A grey, grey day in Sydney;
Drizzle, and lowering clouds,
Many raised umbrellas,
Damply scurrying crowds.
But still the water sparkled,
And the gulls were still in flight,
And still the lovers sang their songs
As though the sky were bright.

*

Let's Not!

RUBY TUESDAY

LET'S NOT!

I'm a member of a generation

Brought up respecting punctuation.

I no longer really fret

About its daily use, and yet

I can see it has some uses,

Though there are some who make excuses

For slapdash writing, saying that

'All that old stuff is old hat!'

But, see above! There are occasions,

Really vital situations,

When a tiny comma can make a mark

Preserving Grandpa's vital spark!

*

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CHILD ABUSE 

(An Acrostic)

Children are our future, our immortality.

How anyone can harm a child is beyond belief to me.

It horrifies and saddens anyone with half a heart!

Listening to tales of horror tears us all apart.

Demons must inhabit those who harm our little ones.

*

All are someone's daughters; all are someone's sons!

Babies in the cradle sometimes lack security!

Unless we all watch out for them how sad their lives will be!

Sympathy is not enough! Raise a banner high!

Everybody has a duty to heed each small child's cry.
*
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PS

Carole organised a particularly pleasant walk for Saturday. We car-pooled and went to Swansea to walk along the Channel. The weather was blustery but spring-like and we took 6000 steps! We walked back through the town invading a few dress-shops before we had a tasty lunch at the RSL and came home. A great day.

Off we go!

Spring has sprung.

Five old wrecks!

Badly lit but otherwise good of everyone.

Maureen, Barbara, Gloria, Pam, Nancy, Jan, Carole and me.

Twinkle Toes

RUBY TUESDAY

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2011/08/ruby-tuesday_08.html

 

TWINKLE TOES!

I don't care if it's Photo-Shopped!

I don't care if it's merged and cropped!

I don't care if it's quite unreal!

The image has a magical feel.

In unison, the little red feet

Perform this quite amazing feat!

Asiatics are represented

As people who are regimented!

We picture the ultimate precision,

The mind-over-matter firm decision,

The power to spring up and obey

In a very, very un-Western way.

In the West, a spring like this

Would  be a matter of hit or miss.

Some little girls would be seen mid-leap,

 And three or four would be fast asleep!

Some would be looking to left or right;

Some would be at a too-high height!

In the West we muddle-through;

Apart from the stunning one or two

Who actually achieve perfection

While the rest of us look in another direction.

But I always picture the youth of China.....

Every one a toe-the-liner,

Submitting to discipline night and day

Leaping in a concerted way!

O.K.! It's probably Photo-Shopped!

And maybe such trickery should be stopped!

But this to me looks very Chinese!

Don't try to disenchant me, please!
*

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CAMOUFLAGE!

I'm an alligator off to a party

Camouflaged as a tree!

If you saw me in the grey-green water

You never would recognise me!

I think it's a wonderful costume!

It'll fool you on closer inspection!

I look quite harmless, don't I,

Swimming in your direction!

Just your normal funny old tree-trunk.

How could that ever do any harm?

But, on my way to the party,

I might bite off your arm!

*

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PS

More poetry today, out at The Lake. I visited a Probus Club at Valentine and I used to live by the lake in my earlier Newcastle days so it was quite a nostalgic visit. One lady came up to me and told me that I had taught her son! He must be middle-aged now. I didn't get any photos of me spouting my poetry, but here are two of the surroundings.

The meeting-room had glorious views over the lake but the photo doesn't show them.

This is the actual view.

Red Carpet Treatment

RUBY TUESDAY


RED CARPET TREATMENT

I've never had Red Carpet Treatment, nor, I guess, have you.

In fact, I think a taste of it is very overdue!

No-one has clapped and cheered me as I've stepped from a limousine.

No-one has ever gasped 'That's the prettiest dress I've seen!'

I've never nodded winsomely at all the cheering hoards

Who recognise I'm special from the way I tread the boards!

They say Red Carpet Treatment began in ancient days

And we have simply aped it with our more modern ways.

When a warrior reached prominence he walked a path of red

That represented blood and all his foes who now lay dead!

Then the railroads in America, with not a thought of blood,

Began to use red carpets when the platforms ran with mud,

Enabling the wealthy to step down from the train

And not be inconvenienced by the miserable terrain.

The colours red and purple simply reek of Royalty

But red is now predominant as we now clearly see.

Imagine a famous film-star having to walk on blue!

They'd throw a little tantrum! It certainly wouldn't do!

*

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FIRST IMPRESSION

(An old English rhyme)

"I do not like thee, Doctor Fell;

The reason why I cannot tell,

But this I know and know full well,

I do not like thee Doctor Fell"

The first impression means so much and I put great score by it,

In an instant we sense many things and no-one can deny it.

Does the expression seem off-key, and are the eyes too small?

Is the tone of voice, right at the start, causing your flesh to crawl?

Is the person too, too gushing; do you sense there's insincerity?

Do they wear lots of jewelry as a sign of their prosperity?

Or is it indefinable, the antipathy you feel?

Is it overpowering, though you doubt, yourself, it's real.

You just can't put your finger on that vague sense of unease,

While the newcomer in question is doing his best to please.

Your spouse says 'He's a nice chap' and yet you know he's not,

Yet you can't explain that lack of trust you know full-well you've got.

We all have heard of 'Doctor Fell' and the poet's verse confession;

He'd made his mind up in a trice from One Single First Impression.

*

Reckless!

RUBY TUESDAY
http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2011/05/ruby-tuesday.html

RECKLESS!

A little psycholgy talk today!

*

Babies give themselves away

In a certain situation

That may give cause for hesitation.

Masks on parents sometimes scare,

But some babies just don't care!

Try a mask when with your child.

Does he scream and grow quite wild?

Or does he grin and pat your face,

Showing not a single trace

Of fear or terror? Is he calm,

Showing no sign of alarm?

*

The screaming ones grow up to be

Careful members of society;

Wary, timid, careful, too;

Nervous when there's something new.

The cheerful ones will, in a flash,

Launch themselves into something rash!

*

There's for and against both types of child.

The one who's rather meek and mild

May always conform and hesitate,

Never daring till it's too late.

On the other hand he'll be quite strong

In rejecting all things wrong.

He'll be a citizen of renown

And never let his parents down!

*

The headstrong ones will be fool-hardy,

Never backward, never tardy.

They'll throw themselves into sport and school,

Winning prizes as a rule.

They'll be fearless and admired

For for all the skills that they've acquired.

But they're the ones who'll cause concern

Because they'll be so slow to learn

That fast cars, drugs and other thrills

Can be the cause of nasty spills!

Parents realise, from the start,

That such children often break a heart.

*

So let us hope you have children who

Grow up half-way between the two.

You want a baby who starts off scared

Then joins in a big joke that's shared!

*

------------------------------------------------------------------

FERN GULLY

Seen on a walk along the track....

The ferns all in full leaf.

Which made me think back to the past

And a very strange belief.

How could the ferns be propagated?

Seeds did not exist!

Maybe the seeds were invisible!

Then they could be missed!

Shakespeare believed this theory

In 'Henry IV, Act Two',

He speaks of the invisible seeds

So he believed it true.

Another interesting point

Of which I've recently heard

Is that seed was only collectible 

On June 23rd!

At all other times the goblins

Snatched the precious seeds

Or caused them to drop on the ground

Among the twigs and weeds!

The discovery of spores, of course,

Ruined this charming theory;

A scientist called Lindsay

Gave the answer to the query.

What a lot of history

Attached to the humble fern!

(The more I blog, the more I read,

And, also, the more I learn!)

*

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PS

I had a great time yesterday! I went to a mens' Probus Club to give a talk on 'My Life in Africa'. It was quite a serious talk and they all listened attentively, but they were prepared to enjoy a joke too. Old men are really nice people.

With me fooling about after the talk.
(Especially for Pam and she'll know why.)

*

Oh No!

                         Local Press

RUBY TUESDAY

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

 

OH NO!

A Spelling Bee

Is not for me!

You get a word

You've never heard!

You do your best

To pass the test.

Is it silent-k?

Is it 'ay' or 'ai'?

Ow! That one's mean!

What's  a 'tureen'?

Mum's looking stressed!

I'm doing my best!

I hear the gong!

I got it wrong!

Then there's a vote!

I missed the boat!

This Spelling Bee

Is the last for me!

*

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DEATH BY DROWNING.

In every picture that I've seen

Ophelia looks neat and clean

Laid out in a tidy way

Unruffled by the river spray.

Always clutching to her heart

A bunch of flowers, works of art.

Nothing ugly, nothing crude,

Nothing of a morbid mood.

She's always floating with her face,

Still alight with warmth and grace,

Pointing upward to the sky,

Like Dresden China, smooth and dry.

But I have found this little gem

Showing the green weeds round her hem,

Showing her face all pale and wan

As it would be when life had gone.

Her hair is streaming out behind,

Her gown falls loose, all unconfined.

She is drifting on the tide

Like a corpse and not a bride.

The picture's morbid, but, for me,

There's a powerful sense of reality.

*

--------------------------------------------------

PS

Not personal news today. I was very impressed when I saw this use of the Sydney Opera House 'sails' on TV today. The event is a YouTube concert. Musicians from round the world, having been auditioned on-line joining together to make music. The news is so full of doom and gloom that something like this is very uplifting by comparison.

*

Red Sails

  RED SAILS

Lady Fame is a fickle creature;

She simply picks and chooses.

Some she showers with accolades;

Some she covers in bruises.

Some are famous and don't deserve it!

Some should be and are not.

Some are left out in the cold;

Others blaze burning hot.

Take 'my' man, Jimmy Kennedy....

'Jimmy who?' I hear you say.

You know Kern and Gershwin;

They're famous, still, today.

But poor old Jimmy Kennedy;

His is a forgotten name,

Yet he wrote such lovely ballads

That it really seems a shame.

So here's a song to honour him;

A parody of praise;

To someone whose flame just flickers,

When I feel it should blaze.

*

To the well-known tune

Red Sails in the Sunset

"Red Sails in the Sunset",

A song made to last

That we have remembered

As years have gone past.

A melody lilting,

And words that are sweet,

That singers have chosen

Repeat on repeat.

Who thinks of the writer?

Who knows of his name?

Those songs he created

Should have determined his fame.

"Red Sails in the Sunset";

We whistle it yet,

Remembering lyrics

Though names we forget.

Jimmy Kennedy was Irish through and through, although he is usually considered to have been American. He was born in Portstewart, in Derry, which I have visited,  and a memorial to him and his famous song has been erected there.

 Jimmy Kennedy memorial Portstewart.

Jimmy Kennedy.

He wrote two thousand songs. These are a few of them:

"South of the Border" .  "We're Going to Hang out the Washing on the Siegfried Line" "The Isle of Capri", "My Prayer", "Teddy Bears' Picnic" "Hokey Cokey" and "Roll Along Covered Wagon".
*
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TOM AND JERRY!

(An Acrostic)

Tom-cat, with the bristling whiskers,

Off to catch some mousy friskers,

Maybe you should think awhile.......

*

Are mice worth going that extra mile?

Nearly isn't good enough!

Dinner may prove rather tough!

*

Jerry Mouse is quick and cute!

Eat a dinner of juicy fruit!

Reject all thoughts of mouse-tail soup!

Remember! He'll make you loop the loop!

You'll find the effort not to nice!

Better keep way from mice!

*

Beet This!

BEET THIS!

This beetroot sculpture is awesome!

It's hard to believe my eyes!

That one could meet

A humble beet

In such an artistic guise!

*

But the more I learn of beetroot

The more I am impressed!

This dark red root

Is of great repute

And one of Nature's best!

*

I'm a devotee of beetroot;

I can eat it every day.

Baked or boiled,

Vinagered, oiled,

I can eat it any way.

*

Which may be the reason I'm healthy

At a very senior age!

So now let me list

Things you may have missed

As you've turned your cook-book page.

*

It can lower your cholesterol;

And your blood-pressure too!

It keeps cancer at bay

And in some clever way

Help with slimming! Yes! It's true!

*

I could write pages and pages

On the benefits of the beet!

And it looks so great

Sitting on a plate!

Yes! A beetroot is hard to beat!

*

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SCARLET WOMAN!

She was sitting on the ferry

Out of the wintry breeze.

The ferry's a warm and sunny place

On mornings such as these.

She was counting-out her money,

Quite unaware that I

Was waiting with my camera,

Spying what I could spy.

She couldn't have managed it better

For a winter warmer shot.

She couldn't have posed more carefully

In that little front-seat spot.

Her cap was red, her coat was red,

And her bag! Just look at that!

If that's not serendipity

I'll jolly well eat my hat!
*

Red Slippers

RUBY TUESDAY

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2011/01/ruby-tuesday_31.html

 

RED SLIPPERS!

(My Eightieth Birthday!)

The slippers I'm wearing are red today
For they are marking my natal day.
Eight decades! Surely it isn't true!
I'm feeling almost (a bit) brand new!
'I can't be eighty!' hear me cry!

Why! Any minute I might die!

It really makes my old blood boil,

Shaking off this mortal coil!

Not on your Nelly! Give me time

To write some more odd bits of rhyme!

To be scientific, it appears

It's all to do with telomeres!

They say on both ends of a cell

Little whiskery 'thingies' dwell.

In the picture above there are yellow dots

Which indicate the telomere spots.

These vary in length from person to person

But as years go by they always worsen

In length and quality till, at last,

They cannot function and life is past!

We're all in the same boat, on the whole

Unless you happen to have a mole,

Or two or three, or maybe many.

You're better off! (I haven't any!)

People with moles can give three cheers,

For they have longer telomeres!

People with moles live very much longer

Because their telomeres are stronger!

Scientists! Do your research

Before they see me off in church!

Lengthen my telomeres! Make them longer;

Let me be more spry and stronger!

But, if I fancy euthanasia,

Create a telomere eraser!

I'm sure it's easy! Get it done!

Next birthday I'll be eighty-one!

*

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                               Margaret Gosden

DUSK

Deep in the rock-pools something stirs,

And then, like curtains falling,

The shades of night blot out the sky,

As a lone sea-bird is calling.

I warm my hands at the setting sun

As I face its fading splendour,

Before the light gives way to dark

And the seas surrender.

*

Vital Skill

RUBY TUESDAY

http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

VITAL SKILL!

There are many things in life I cannot do!

Many, many more than one or two!

So here's a certain skill

I'm attacking with a will;

It's something quite unusual and new!

*

Radish to toadstool! Everyone should know

How to include this in a magic show!

It's something that, frequently,

Others will ask to see!

Your popularity certainly will grow!

*

This world has need of many little ruses!

And now we see a radish has its uses!

It surely wins the title

Of something really vital!

Learn how today! I won't allow excuses!

*

------------------------------------------------

THREE (PARTIALLY) WISE MONKEYS

There's Monkey one and Monkey Two

And there's also Monkey Three,

One cannot HEAR, one cannot SPEAK

And another cannot SEE.

They seem to indicate they're Wise,

But it's always seemed to me

That only one's a genuine Wise Monkey.

*

If we cannot hear the sobbing

Of a creature in distress;

If we cannot see the homeless

And aleviate their stress,

Then we cannot do a single thing

To help clear up the mess!

So only one's a genuine Wise Monkey.

*

Yes, the monkey that I most admire

Is certainly the third;

Who never opens up

And says a single evil word.

Yes, Speak-No-Evil

Is the one that's certainly preferred.

Only he can be a genuine Wise Monkey.

*

For careless little insults

Can start some bitter fights!

A tiny altercation

Can spiral to the heights!

Comparisons can end in people

Fighting for their rights!

So aim to be a genuine Wise Monkey!

*

(But better-looking!)

Choices! Choices!

RUBY TUESDAY
http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/2011/01/ruby-tuesday_10.html


CHOICES! CHOICES!

Try this one Katie! You're wasting time!

You've got one like that already!

This one will look much better

When you're out tonight with Freddy!

*

I liked that blue one over there!

The one with the little dangles.

I think that would look quite nice!

I could wear it with my blue bangles!

*

But you want to wear that dress you bought!

And that won't go with blue!

Remember! It's got red flowers on it!

You haven't got a clue!

*

I may not wear that dress at all!

It makes me look all bust!

Freddy likes my old black dress;

I'll wear that if I must.

*

Black! You'll look just awful!

He wont ask you out again!

And what if you spill your latte!

It will make an awful stain!

*

Maybe I'll wear the red and white.

But not with red beads too!

Lets go and look at the silver!

Silver! Yes that might do!

*

Do you want to look like your Granny!

There are gold ones over there!

Francine tells me that this year

That's the colour to wear!

*

I've been thinking about the dress.....

I might buy something new!

Yes, red earrings will look just right!

And I'll buy the blue ones too..............

*

----------------------------------------------------------------------

PROTECT ME!

Two burly men in red and yellow;
Each one, I'm sure, a handsome fellow,
Though they are turned away from me,
Gazing out at the surf and sea.
I'll never need their ministrations!
I'm averse to tricky situations.
Why risk rip-tides; why risk sharks?
It's safer in the shops and parks!
But, if they glanced in my direction,
I'd probably ask for their protection!
*

The Worse for Wear

RUBY TUESDAY
http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

THE WORSE FOR WEAR!

He was the centre of attention when first he came in view;

When he was bright and shiny, unusual and new.

They hung him up above the bar in a local hostelry;

A handsome Smiling Jester for everyone to see.

Everyone stood around and said 'What a great addition!'

But now I fear he represents the worst of the human condition.

We, too, have been bright and shiny, wide-eyed and full of vim!

We too have gazed out at the world looking a bit like him.

But life lobbed an empty glass at us, in a nasty little fit of pique,

And our nose, once one of our best points, is now nothing but a freak!

Our frills are rather droopy, our colour's faded too,

We don't look quite as snazzy as we did when we were new.

We hang-about and still enjoy all of the passing-show,

But we're not the Jolly Jesters that we were so long ago.

Still, never mind, we're still up there, smiling from the wall;

We have to be quite grateful that we're still up there at all!
*

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THE BENCH
(Rinkly attempting Victoriana!)

I must leave, and leaving, weep,
All I ask is for you to keep
Watch at some time in the day
Where you were when I went away.
Let me picture that shaded spot;
A corner of our garden plot,
Where you and I just sat and talked
Gazing at paths where we once walked.
Honour bids me say farewell,
For how long no-one can tell.
Know that I will dream and yearn,
Till I join you there on my return.
*