poems
lucky
I was born in Glasgow
in a tenement for two.
When I was just a baby,
the bedrooms they were few.
One was for my parents
and the youngest baby boy.
The other had two sets of bunks
and all the children's toys.
That meant there were seven in all
in fact we had two more,
so my parents put some bedding
in the front room on the floor.
The noise it was quite deafening
my dad was always out.
He'd be working in the highlands
or at the pub no doubt.
But the friendships that we made back
then,
are still with us today.
I'm best friends with all eight of them.
May that never go away.
midnight
Getting home at midnight
you feel a bit rundown.
Others on the train you find
were all partying in town.
They are loud and they are laughing
having lots of things to say,
about the places that they went
and the stuff they did today.
I did three live tv shows
while they were having supper,
thirty seconds till "on air"
standby to roll the bumper.
I'd like to do a night class
or invite my friends to tea,
but I get home at midnight
so it's straight to bed for me.
once
Once was all it took for me
to stand under the lilac tree
and smell the blossoms in the air
for memories come that I will share
Purple flowers filled the room
The class breathed in their sweet perfume
I'd carried them on the bus and train
up the hill and down the lane
Today I was the May Princess
the thought of it had made me stress
but mum then told me what to bring
on this - a sunny day in spring
I followed her outside the door
on the grass and stony floor
to where the lilac tree stood proud
and cut as many my arms allowed
She swathed the blooms in silver foil
My face it smiled just like a Royal
and so the smell of lilacs still
bring thoughts of mum and her goodwill
house
I'm running out of space
in my imaginary trophy case.
The washing's done
floors all clean,
I've bought the sweets for Halloween.
Hoover, dust, iron and bake.
Think I deserve a coffee break.
While the kettle's on the boil,
I'll put away the new tin foil,
then clean the fridge, empty the bin.
Don't have time to go to the gym.
Will change the beds,
the windows are fine,
I washed them all at half past nine.
The loos are done, the bath is too.
That leaves me time to make the stew.
And so you see my trophy display,
is overflowing with cups today.
