2014-2017

FIRE IN MY MIND

42 MOUNTAINS God made mountains out of clay, set that cosmic wheel up to play. Moulded towers miles high and winding pathways to the sky covered in a gleaming verdant glaze. Then we made a mountain out of waste. God made mountains out of rock, hollowed homes for birds of prey on top. Veiled slope in silken snow, winter wonderland on show till springtime waterfalls begin to break. No waterfalls on a mountain made of waste. Plastic bags, abandoned phones, table legs, chicken bones, broken toys surrendering to fate. Cover it with earth until it looks semi-presentable, the odour of neglect still emanates from a mountain made of waste…God carved mountains from ice. Polar oceans hide their massive size. Pristine water to the core helpless in the brazen warm, the frozen monoliths have had their day while the mountain of waste coldly grows and grows apace. Mattresses, batteries, what’s thrown out of factories, carcasses in stages of decay. Cover it with earth until it looks semi-respectable, the odour of neglect still emanates. Bottle tops, candle wax, bits and bobs and nix and nax, a modern-day disposables parade. Food still in its packaging and trinkets that once meant something and hazards that could set it all ablaze. Cover it with earth until it looks semi-presentable, the odour of neglect still emanates from a mountain made of waste…

43 AUTUMN CHILD If life is four seasons then I’m done with two of mine. Spring was out of my control, Summer was a sweaty grind. Now the weather’s turned again and so it seems has my tide. Well in this milderness the water’s cool caress brings me clarity and delight. Oh I I I’m in the Autumn of my life, and I I I’m singing in tune dancing in time, and I I I hope it lasts as long as Spring and Summer combined, coz though I was born at the start of the year I’m an Autumn child, Bonafide! Have you met a Spring child, they’re the ones we chide for being 13 going on 35. They set their sails young get what needs doing done to win the race and name their price. But peaking early can bring later unravelling coz there’s a gap between smart & wise. That ‘aint my song to sing I missed that boat in Spring, but now I’m cruising on the SS Bright…Well a lotta people say they love the heat, maybe Summer’s the time to thrive. Got your schooling done you mighta found the one they say your body’s in its prime, but mine was sick with yearning didn’t take my turn ‘n stalled at every green light. Took time to cure those ails learn from my mistakes, there’ll be more and it’ll be alright…If life is four seasons, best keep Winter in mind. Build a shelter from the cold and gather kindling for the fire. Maybe when I’m 83 there’ll be a pill’ll make me feel 25, but what I’ll probably do is break it in two half a dose’ll suit me fine, don’t wanna go too far back in time & miss that mellow Autumn sunshine…