Lord have mercy on us

"Lord Have Mercy On Us"

a poem by Pete Marshall

Darkness falls on cobbled streets

That lead to doors of deep despair

The bell is rang for those that died

As wafts of death pollute the air

A heavy cart that trundles on

Collects the love that fell away

As Royals feast in silver halls

And chew the fat of life’s decay

The fires roar and warm their bones

Whilst bells are tolled and paupers roam

And streets are paved with others gold

Who hike the rates beyond two fold

A weary beast that pulls his load

As master sits with whip in hand

Is led beyond the outer walls

To bury hope amongst the damned

The petals fall from flowered stems

Of roses sung in lullaby’s

The pits are filled from broken homes

And dreams that lived and slowly died

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Originally posted at One Stop Poetry 25th Sep 2010

7:25 by pete marshall

7:25

by pete marshall

The 7:25 was always late

as heels would click upon the path

that led past booths and open gates

and gents would fold their Telegraphs

and brollies sold a blue chip name

as brogues would splash in puddled rain

for Mondays were a weekend draft

that blew through minds and rumbled past

The 7:25 was always late

as heels would rush and clatter by

in A line skirts with seams so straight

that caught a flash from anxious eyes

and some would take a last long drag

and girls would rummage through their bags

for Mondays were a weekend draft

that blew through days and rumbled past

The 7:25 was always late

as heels would scuff and take the strain

for office clocks would never wait

and empty desks would cause complain

as woollen suits brought heavy sweats

whilst being late showed no respect

for Mondays were a weekend draft

that blew through hopes and rumbled past

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

Originally published at One Stop Poetry 28th August 2010

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

The Wreckers by pete marshall

The Wreckers 

by pete marshall

The bells would chime as lowered heads

would march in line to pay their debts

but coppers weighed on ravaged hands

as wolves would bay in greedy clans

And nights would close on darkened rooms

where paths were chose that led to doom

and on the beach from tunnels deep

the ships would breach as wreckers meet

Among the brine the cries of men

that took to crime to feed their bairns

whilst sailors drowned in torrid seas

and booty found beseeched by pleas

They climbed the rocks and journeyed home

as hope would mock their tired bones

but death would lay upon the cliffs

when state would claim their laden gifts

****************** 

originally published One Stop Poetry 14th August 2010

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

Storm by Pete Marshall

Storm

by pete marshall

As darkened skies begin to close

storms have gathered in the bay,

 winds that whip, that swirl & sway,

boats that rock upon the waves.

I felt like shit upon the pier,

my hate would spill from deep inside

to spew out forth on your denial

where dreams were thrust through ones desire.

You bitch, you whore, you brazen slut

that played my cock and left me sore,

and licked those lips where once I spent

just left me quivering on the floor.

The gulls have flown as waves still rise,

the cracks, the roar within the skies,

 pain that grabs between my eyes,

dreams are hate I now despise.

Beneath the waves still crash and spray

as I would ride a freakin whore,

who knew the game, who screamed for more,

who stroked my arse to sell her cause.

The boats still float on ravaged seas

as lightening strikes a figure head,

a bolt is cast that strikes her face 

that leaves me short in angered breath.

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

I haven't been around lately, and life has had a few downs for me too! Today's poem is the first poem I have written since I last posted on my blog, about 3 weeks ago! Things haven't been too good on the unemployment front, everything is starting to catch up, not just the unsecured debts but also the mortgage! A long story that perhaps I will relate some other day.

Today's poem is an angry scream that spits venom at lady luck and the hand she has played.

Its also been a while since I have been involved in One Shot Wednesday, mainly because things had taken such a turn for the worse at home that I just could not face being involved.

All the best.....Pete

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

The Carvery: by Pete Marshall

The Carvery

by pete marshall

Pride & dreams were laid upon

a smorgasbord of shattered souls,

yet dude was smooth and played his tune

as time would pass and pay its toll.

Hope was breathed as clocks would tick

whilst stifled air would fill the room,

faces strained in summers heat

to force a smile beyond the gloom.

Silence fell on nervous smirks

who doubted all their wasted years

that lived a life beyond respect

whilst hiding from financial fear.

Cards were played upon a desk

as jokers tried to pass the time

looks were glanced with eyes ahead,

the scythe was splayed across the line

and all were left with mouths aghast

as blood would flow across the floor,

The Carver claimed these wasting souls

then licked his lips, their life no more.

*******

This is my poem for the award winning One Stop Poetry and their weekly poetry fest, One Shot Wednesday.

Last night One stop Poetry were the proud recipients of winning a Shorty award in the categorary Art. Well done to everyone who helped make this possible...thankyou

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/

Homeless: A Poem by Pete Marshall

Homeless

by Pete Marshall

Water soaks through shredded news

That’s wrapped around a hungry heart

And as I walk in heelless shoes

I wonder forth around the park.

The nights are cold and days are long

My mind replay’s where I went wrong

And rain will soak and wash my tears

Where strength resolves to show no fear.

And last nights meal was found in bins

Of salad tossed in throw out things

And smokes are found upon the floor

The stubbed out tabs I barter for.

The children stare as mums walk past

A school runs joy a nervous laugh

That sees no soul as thoughts are cast

Their eyes look down and cross the path.

My callused hands and grubby nails

Grip plastic bags that hold my life

And heelless shoes pace endless trails

That tread beyond this bitter plight.

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

This poem has been written for the One Shoot Sunday picture prompt challenge

image courtesy http://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosimoes7/3148834712/

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.

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

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/

Lord Have Mercy On Us: A Poem By Pete Marshall

"Lord Have Mercy On Us"

Please join me over at One Stop Poetry to red my new poem.