Happy New Year

Happy New Year to everyone of you that has read, commented and offered so many words of encouragement this year...thank you....see you in 2011........Pete

A New Years Wish

A New Years Wish

From all around the usual cries

as revellers stop the passers-by

who hug and cheer and welcome in

A Year to come of hopeful things

but jingle left on Christmas Eve

and sparkle fled on Boxing Day

the sales were blown as greed crept in

whilst those without just watched and prayed

I blew across my fingertips

as icy breath hung in the air

and felt the chill of empty dreams

as lights would flash to sell their wares

The hugs are false as knives are drawn

and dreams are dashed in mornings dawn

whilst goods that sit upon the shelves

reduced as gifts for those with wealth

when pints are downed we venture forth

to hear the joys of New Years Eve

from drunken folk on cobbled paths

who piss on walls and vomit dreams

*************

This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a great place to share your poetry, a platform to be recognised..

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnusw/

Christmas Past.....

Christmas Past...

Snow and frost and hardened ground

where spades would strike no earth was found

the morgues would fill with silent sounds

that held the dead from journeys bound

The last I saw were tired eyes

that spoke of death and long goodbyes

and heavy chests and louder sighs

grasping hands and mothers cries

And Christmas Day was wrought with tears

amongst the gifts lay scattered years

the empty chair were once he cheered 

and bottles full of unused beer

But days do pass and time does heal

as Christmas joy belies the chill

with candles lit we mourn the still

and say our prayers for all who’s ill

************

Christmas is not just a time for children and celebration but also for reflection and remembering. Christmas is always tinged with sadness as we remember those that have gone. The empty chair, the missing presence. 

We lost somebody very close to us just before Christmas a few years back, suicide was to take him, and I dont suppose my wife and I will ever forget. At this time of year when the snow is down and the ground is frozen, the funerals are always delayed as the earth is too hard for burials. The funeral is always a comforting closure to our grieving but as these are delayed so is the mourning. 

Its also at Christmas time when suicide rates steadily increase. If you were to take a walk down any street how many homes lay in the dark? As we all enjoy the festive season let us remember there will always be someone who's life is not want he or she perceived and is struggling on their own as others celebrate, and if we can, in any small part, help them in any way then let that be our gift this Christmas.

Lastly, for all of you have have taken the time to visit my site, read my poetry, share my work and support what I do. Who have offered words of comfort as I have struggled through being unemployed. Who tweet and make me smile, who encourage me with my work, and who have taken that support and followed me to One Stop Poetry...I would like to thank you all and wish the best of seasons greetings and a prosperous New Year!

all the best, and cheers, Pete

image courtesy creative commons http://www.flickr.com/photos/luchilu/2122762150/

With Love

With Love

It snowed the night I walked you home

As snow still falls this very day

My heart would beat to whispered sounds

And woke to call your very name

The mist would pass between our lips

And carve a heart that hung entranced

That swirled upon a moonlit sky

And stopped to ask you for this dance

Our feet would glide across the ice

And feel the warmth of youthful throes

That thawed the snow and frosts of life

And held you so you’d never go

******

Today I wanted to do something special, today I celebrate with my wonderful wife 25 years together. This is my little thank you to her, for putting up with me through all these years, and for giving me my three wonderful children. And here's hoping that the next 25 years together will finally bring her all the things I have ever wished for her. Thank you...with love

I also would like to take this time to wish everyone one of you that have visited my site over the last 7 months a wonderful Christmas and to thank you for all your wonderful comments and continued support. Support that you have also taken over to One Stop Poetry which again I will be forever thankful.

This poem I have also shared with One Shot Wednesday

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/vhs_penguin/

Bedlam

Bedlam

Echo’s follow fallen souls

who drift and glide within a tomb

and arrows point to show the way

of paths that lead to darkened rooms

The corridors hold the chill of air

and darkness wait’s in perished dreams

light that flows through broken glass

and life that ends in heightened screams

Dampness spreads across the floor

and creeps upon the tiled walls

where those who once had come for hope

but died as life’s forgotten fools

This poem was inspired by the wonderful image "The Arrow Shot" by Claudio Mufarrege, who has been featured at One Shoot Sunday...check out his amazing photography and join in with the picture prompt

Fallen Dreams

Fallen Dreams

Your castle walls where built upon

A dream of gold and wondrous things

But dreams will die when trust has gone

And hope will fade when truths are seen

The friends that come will offer words

But words are all they have to say

As ego’s fight for all their worth

Whilst those that gave are left betrayed

Outside your dream the world still moved

And spun as one with life’s new threads

That passed you by whilst others fought

To live a life with hope bereft

When pinched to stir and waken thee

You rubbed the sleep from out your eyes

But all had gone with walls decayed

And all had seen through all your lies

A walk was sought through moonlit streets

That felt the cold of winters chill

Alone you paced the cobbled paths

And touched the pain that keeps you still

As fire fades within your soul

And dreams no longer rule your home

The castle walls will tumble down

And in the ruins …..you sit alone

*************

I have been in a reflective, melancholy mood and, although this is not one of my best, this was what flowed from my pen.....

Fallen dreams is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, week 24, part of One Stop Poetry. A platform for sharing and promoting poetry. Check out the latest announcement about their forth coming anthology also

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/24072855@N08/

The Return of the One: A Poem From the Darkened Tales Series

The Return of the One

In shallow graves lay withered bones

that once had walked with strength in life

but sharpened knives and broader swords

took breath with Death upon his scythe 

And stones were placed upon the mound

as heathen crowds would gather still

the clans would pray for her return

as winds blew forth a deathly chill

Delores watched from high and far

as songs were sung and blood was splayed

the throats were cut in sacrifice

whilst bodies thrived upon the stage

The Jackal pawed the sacred earth

and sniffed the lust that rode the air

the scarecrow smirked and felt his blade

and knew that life would not be spared

As mist would sweep across the ground

and hide the surge of man and beast

who flashed their teeth in maddened rage

and gorged upon a blood fuelled feast

Delores cried and felt the pain

as clans would strike and show no fear

tonight they died in spite of death

amongst the graves of yesteryear

**************

The Return of the One is the latest poem in the Darkened Tales Series.

I also share this with One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a great platform for poets to meet, share, learn and embrace, which starts 10pm Tuesday night and remains open for submissions all day Wednesday

image courtesy creative commons flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinb/