Le plus dur

Un soleil jaune Dans un ciel bleu Une tache jaune Sur un fond bleu Boum ! l'orage éclate Un éclair rend le sol écarlate Adieu Temps radieux Ajoutons du gris Pour figurer la pluie Un coup de vent Et vlan ! Le dessin par terre Quelle misère ! Face à l'adversité Il faut persévérer Sur l'œuvre inachevée Laissons le pinceau vagabonder Mais à la fin Il faut bien S'arrêter Ultime difficulté Car décider Que c'est terminé C'est le plus dur En peinture. — Gérard Miro

Norse Inferno

Converting frozen ice, Into molten lava, Requires a wizard’s wand, Or mere tricks of your camera. Alpine glaciers, dirty white, Be Pacific’s ring of fire. Clicks of adobe genius, Creates hell to admire. — Philip Wood

Sleepy cat

I have had such a hard day, Chasing mice and birds away. I think I will have a nap, And dream of a juicy rat. Mum lets me sleep on her chair, So I will be safe and not have a care. When I wake up, mum gives me a hug, then I have my tea, After tea, dad lets me sleep upon his knee. — Gillian Reid

Night fall

Dad, Dad, the little boy cried, Come quick, the sky is on fire. Calm down, said his dad, It is only the setting of the sun, Lets go inside and have tea and a bun. We went to the window but the sun had gone, Suddenly the moon light shone. Come on, his mum said, time for bed, You need to rest your sleepy head. — Gillian Reid

Precious Moments

Precious moments we can but borrow, Remember today is purely yesterday’s tomorrow. Hoped aspirations are memories yet to be hewn. We all return to mere stardust far too soon. — Philip Wood

On the way to the sea

We went for a walk along the promenade, We stopped at a cafe for a cold lemonade We saw this little man sitting on the fence Looking out to sea I should have asked him if he would like a cup of tea. — Gillian Reid

Home sweet home

We are saying goodbye to our lovely house it's been a home to birds and bees , lizards butterflies even a mouse. We have enjoyed you every day tending the garden for insects to play, drinking wine from our vines, crushing the grapes with loving care, inviting friends to come and share. Barbecues on long summer nights , dancing under the fairy lights, now we are getting older no more can tend the weeds, we need to find a new family like fresh new seeds. We are going to retire by the sea and sit by the beach drinking tea! — Gilian Reid

Oh moon so bright

Oh moon so bright, you looked beautiful last night; the corona around you was eerie and bright I thought about the astronauts In the space station Looking down on a colourful nation I went to bed, my hert full of glee The show felt it was just for me. — Gillian Reid

Golden glories

Swinging and shining in the sun, these lovely flowers of spring, there golden glow is a lovely show for birds flying on their wing, waving their heads and dancing in the breeze attracting butterflies and bees I love my garden every year, for its beauty and cheer God created gardens for us to take good care and makes our garden lovely for us to share. — Gillian Reid

Lilian’s Garden

This tree is so stunning; it has had love and care When people pass by, they stand and stare She has a special talent to make things grow Her garden is always a spectacular show Vegetables are also her delight; if she could she would nurse them all night. — Gillian Reid

The Corona virus

Here we are once again, A new virus to cause us pain. Its moving all around the world, No-one going out, Only  for food, round about. We need a miracle, People dying, children crying Animals left alone. Old people living in fear, just sitting at home, We never learn from the past, we just live from day to day, Hoping the viruses keep away. If only we took more care, Washing often, keeping clean, Covering food, brushing teeth every day, And, maybe, the bugs will keep away. — Gillian Reid

A new spring

It is getting warmer in the garden, Flowers popping up all around, Colours shining all along the ground. Birds singing, bees buzzing, Insects rushing to make new lives Making sure the earth revives. New leaves appear on the trees, Blossom, pink and white, When you walk around, it is a wonderful sight. I love spring, it is a new beginning A start of a fresh new year, I walk amongst the flowers, With my heart full of cheer. — Gillian Reid

Papuan Struggle

Through Third World eyes, First World lies. Tormented cries, Humanity dies! — Philip Wood

Out of Season

Travelling during winter brings its own memorable rewards, In addition to evading the sun-seeking hordes. Blood red, oceanic sunsets which otherwise you’d miss. Great bridges of the world emerge from their February dawn mists. Barren, windswept beaches, refreshingly healthy. Migratory bird flocks maintaining nature’s balanced harmony. Moorland and mountains where only the hardened tramp, No fair weather tourists who daren’t risk a little damp. Exploring empty cathedrals, chateaus and forts. No need to pre-book at all the must see resorts. Parking’s never a problem, simply stop where you want. There’s always an available table at your chosen restaurant. Witness seasoned fisherman at their wharfs, free of ice cream stands. Local folk doing normal business, supplying local demands. Merge into the background, minimise your alien impact. Leave the place as you found it; its integrity intact. — Philip Wood

Photo Lisbon, Portugal.

The millenium 2020

Winter is here, bringing the blues Swapping sandals, for Wellington boots. Sitting in front of a nice warm fire Watching the flames, getting higher. Suddenly, the children shout Mummy its snowing, can we play out. You wrap them up, put boots on their feet Outcome the sledges, what a treat. Soon they come back in the warm Hot chocolate, cakes to calm. Suddenly the church bells ring Welcoming people to enter in. We put on our coats, and off we go Down to the church, through the snow. We all join in, with hymns and a prayer Welcoming the new year, for all to share. — Gillian Reid

Here comes Christmas

Here comes Christmas once again, no snow yet, but plenty of rain. Tinsel shimmering, lights aglow, Children waiting for Santa to show. There is excitement round the fair, here comes the parade with horses, and a dancing bear. Reindeers pulling Santa’s sleigh, With dots of presents on display. Pipers piping, maidens dancing, Young couples romancing. Christmas time is full of cheer, Every-one so happy, to be here. Merry Christmas. — Gillian Reid

The little orphan

When I was born I was given away, adopted some people did say but my new mum fell ill so I lived with her sister I wasn't old enough to miss her, Aunt Eva was so loving and kind but as I got older, Mum was on my mind. Suddenly Mum passed away, once more it was a sad day. Aunt Eva looked at me with tears in her eyes, she said ! I'm sorry to say, but once more you will have to go away. You have two aunt's who live near your dad, Live near my Dad, I was really glad. My aunt's were happy to have me, they made lovely cakes for tea. I had to go to a new school, and soon made lots of friends I'm Loving living near my Dad, and that's how my story ends. — Gillian Reid

The proud peacock

Once we saw a peacock with love on his mind he noticed a peahenlooking for food, that certainly put him in the mood. he opened his wingsand began to dance shimmering showing he wanted romance suddenly he engulfed her with his wings. romance over, he strutted away maybe she will have babies one day. — Gillian Reid

Days to remember

Times where hard in those days people were poor and set in their ways, children played in the street many with no shoes upon their feet. Older children had to work for only tuppence a day many became too weak, and sadly passed away. then war broke out, young men had to fight walking for miles, day and night. When the war was over sadly few came back. wives heartbroken, children a father did lack. new towns rebuilt lives starting anew good schools, hospitals, parks to view. The soldiers  and the many we lost, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM. — Gillian Reid

The crooked house

We came across this very old inn, And pondered a while, before we went in. I thought we had got onto a boat, Not able to stand, when it is afloat. People laughed at the look on our faces, I clung on to my husband braces. We ordered two drinks and went to sit down, And old man looked at me, with a frown. I had spilled my drink on his head, We both drank up quickly, then fled. — Gillian Reid