Winters Blues by pete marshall

Winters Blues

by pete marshall

Leaves still cling upon the trees

as cloudless skies embellish rays

of sun that hovers low beneath

the Winter blues that shorten days

Breath encircles worried minds

that hang from spiders silken threads

that shimmer bright in morning light

yet in the shadows harbours death

Damp that settles on the ground

where grass & weeds are mulched as one

that sees the snakes go slither by

whilst Summers work is left undone

A child’s bike lays on its side

left alone to play no more

its wheels entwined with Winters grief

abandoned, broke, upon the floor

A veil is drawn passed waiting eyes

that looked beyond these changing times

where man once walked the beat of life

yet turned his back, we missed the signs

Where hope is lost to those that deem

when Winters wrath sunk Autumn dreams

and storms have battered withered souls

who slip from life before they go……

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Elements in the news this week rekindled the pain of losing someone close. Depression is an illness, something that should never be taken lightly, something that is very close to my heart.

A Hidden Truth

A Hidden Truth

by Pete Marshall

A spider clung upon its web

and held onto its social thread

that snared the very soul of life

and danced and spoke of wanton vice

A cuckoo found another’s nest

and there she lay her precious egg

whilst others fed her growing brood

she thought not once of gratitude

A magpie spied a shining prize

and with her tricks and masked disguise

she sneaked on in through open doors

and there she scratched and there she clawed

A wolf would sniff and paw the ground

whilst others rushed and run around

and licked her lips at fat to chew

upon the backs of those she knew

A bat would suck the heart & soul

that gave all hope then let life go

where off she took into the night

to seek out more upon her flight

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A Hidden Truth is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, part of One Stop Poetry, a platform to help promote & share your poetry.

One Shot Wednesday opens every Tuesday evening at 5pm EST (10pm UK)..come and join in the fun

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

A Christmas Wish: Poetry by Pete Marshall

A Christmas Wish

Darkened nights have come too soon 

As daylight saves the winters day

The wind that blows and rocks the trees

Its branches dance a frantic sway.

The spiders webs have disappeared

As rain has washed them all away

And hope is lost as candles burn

To save the lights of yesterday.

When hope will ride across the sky

And bring the joys to all who’s good

Your children’s eyes will open wide

And feel the pain that neither should.

For Tuesdays child is full of grace

Yet dares to ask what angers me

As wind blows through those hidden gaps

And chills the souls of all who flee

From truth that waits on Christmas morn

When roots are shown beneath the tree

And children's tears are all too real

As gifts are passed from you and me.

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Every now & then I receive an email, or a Twitter, thanking me for my collection of poetry about My Struggle With Unemployment. This is a collection of work that is very real to me, and the comments that I receive are very uplifting...because these comments aren't praising my work but actually thanking me for writing this series as it has helped them come to terms with their own struggles. Although it doesn't help my situation it does lift me to know that somehow, somewhere, my words have made a difference.

I haven't written something for this series for a while, thankfully I have had One Stop Poetry to keep me busy as I threw myself into its creation, but yesterday I received another kind email which in turn inspired me to write A Christmas Wish.

We are now into November, the nights are longer, the rain is falling heavily and there is a serious chill in the air, yet Christmas is coming and as I am still unemployed money is even tighter! This poem is a reference to my hopes, that I am able to give my children a magical Christmas and bring them the presents they so deserve for they are wonderful people that I love dearly.Yet in their innocent eyes they will gauge their gifts on whether they have been good or not...and I so do not want them to think they haven't. I will struggle through Christmas and I will make it special for them...but at what cost? That's the bitter pill that unemployment brings.

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I have entered this poem into One Shot Wednesday, a special day that unites poets, every week, from around our globe at One Stop Poetry. Opens 10pm UK time, 5pm Est, Tuesdays and open for submission all day Wednesday.

Image courtesy creative commons flicr http://www.flickr.com/photos/joel_r/

Trick or Treat: A Poem About Halloween by Pete Marshall

Trick or Treat!

The clouds would float across the moon

upon a breeze that blew so cold

a howl was heard from distant shores

and clocks would tick for stories told.

A scratch upon a pane of glass

that sent a tingle down your spine

a blanket pulled up close and tight

the hour struck as bells would chime.

And in the road a car would pass

to circle round the neighbourhood

you sat alone and watched the time

as Michael preyed on all that’s good.

The creak of pipes and chilling air

and flickered light from TV glare

a child’s laugh, a withered stare

impaled your mind, alone and scared.

You heard the gate that creaked at night

but never feared its eerie squeak

the footsteps trod on gravelled paths

and knocked on doors for trick or treat.

The lanterns glow shone through the glass

as shadows loomed upon the drive

you felt the hairs stand on your back

as life would flash before your eyes.

And as the door was gently pulled

a face grotesque would stare askew

his mask that came from silver screens

would hold a bucket out for you!

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Halloween is fast approaching which gives me the chance to celebrate! Join Dustus & I this weekend as the mischief takes over at One Stop Poetry!

The Pier: A Poem by Pete Marshall

The Pier

I walked along these wooden planks

as wind would lash and tear my face

the seas would crash beneath my feet

and rain would strike my inner faith

my eyes stared down as feet trod forth

my coat was buttoned, drenched but warm

the gulls would screech and ride the storm

as depths were dredged and hope reborn

upon these planks that Satan swiped

who’s bombs would fall in darkened nights

but seas would swirl and hold its strength

as planks were walked and centuries spent

A tram would pass and catch my eye

as lovers kissed a mile goodbye

A child waved through misty glass

the planks were heavy, wooden paths

and blackened skies and cloudy greys

that hid the shores of Kent’s parade

would mark a time when boats would rise

and clouds would clear from weeping eyes

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In the Thames Estuary stands the longest Pier in the world, Southend Pier, reaching out to 1.34 miles. There are times in my life when my mind needs cleansing and there is nothing more refreshing, whatever the weather, of a walk along this Grade II listed landmark. 

The Pier has a history dating back to 1830. It has been spoken of by Sir John Betjeman, mentioned in the Hitch Hikers Guide to The Galaxy, and thwarted Hitler's plans as a major landing stage during World War II, serving over 80,000 ships. To me however, the Pier is and has always been part of my life. As a child my parents would often taken me on weekly walks along this landmark and today I still enjoy and celebrate its beauty.

This is my poem for One Shot Wednesday, run by One Stop Poetry, a fast growing site dedicated to poets & writers of all genres.

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

In Search Of Albion: A Poem by Pete Marshall

In Search of Albion

I wandered down a beaten track

That led to paths no longer seen

Where once we walked in years gone by

But covered now by fallen leaves

The ancient paths can still be found

Beneath the concrete thoroughfares

Where rowan grows by roadside cafes

And thrushes sing in Autumn air

The frogs will always find their home

Where once the streams ran wild and free

Beneath this land of brick and steel

Where people fought to own our green

The signs are there on roadside names

That tell of tales from long ago

But life is led at such a pace

The past has gone before we know

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History is all around us but in our fast lives do we ever stop to notice? The UK is steeped in history, our street names, pub signs, the list is endless.....perhaps, just once, we should stop and pause for a few moments and wonder where we are and what it was once like....

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

Amen: My Poem for One Stop Poetry

AMEN

Please join me today at One Stop Poetry for my poem Amen

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