tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14016073346204800462024-03-12T19:37:10.697-07:00 Alex YorkAlex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-65298963323464824182016-11-25T13:18:00.001-08:002017-01-25T12:05:46.478-08:00IN RECOGNITION<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;">TOO LATE?</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We knew that the war was over - when the BBC told
us so. We knew that our father had survived as a prisoner of war - when the BBC
had broadcast his name in their lists. But, we did not know our father when he
walked towards us along the country road!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hardly surprising. We had last seen him over three
years ago when he went to war, and my sister and I had long since been absorbed
into a different way of life without him.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 2;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Our Mother had taken us to Essex when
war was declared. But, like many others, we returned to London during the false
dawn of the 'Blitz'. Fortunately, our parents guessed correctly, and my sister Sheila, and I were soon on a train to Devon. Many who stayed were caught in the
early bombing raids, and were not given a second choice.</span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I do not remember that train journey to Okehampton, Devon. As a
five-year old the experience must have been new but not noteworthy. I do,
however, recall with absolute clarity getting off the coach that had taken us
from the station to the village of Northlew. We stood apart from others, shy
and frightened - with a note on our lapels, <i>'not to be separated under
any circumstances.'</i> I believe that I tried to act the elder brother - without much inner conviction!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
To be fair, there was just as much fear and apprehension for those on whom we
were to be billeted. These were very much people of the country with
experiences which had rarely extended beyond the local town on market day. We
might just as well have been from another planet (although, I don't think planets
had been invented at that time!) - we dressed differently, we spoke an unknown
dialect and we certainly appeared to need fattening up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
To take one child would have tested the temperature of the water with the big
toe; to take two invited drowning. However, an elderly couple took the plunge
and walked us to their home. I mean 'walked' because in those days there were
no school runs - there were no cars. Even if there had been, then petrol was very much at a premium - scarce, not grade! We grew up to love this couple. We called them 'Auntie and
Uncle council house'. Within a few months their son and daughter-in-law took
over and we lived with them for the next three years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
For most of that time we had no running water except that which was hand
pumped; no light other than that from a candle or paraffin lamp; a
'thunder-box' at the bottom of the garden; no hot water other than that boiled on the
range; and definitely no mobile phones! We were blissfully happy. Uncle
Frank (the son) was a rabbit trapper so there was plenty of meat, the forty
acres small holding provided milk and eggs and vegetables. Bartering filled in
any gaps. Best of all, our Mother had joined us within a short time. This was
against the rules but was allowed when she became a rabbit trappers assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Imagine then our re-wakened fears when this stranger was introduced to us as
our Father. I recall the rather stilted exhibition of affection on both sides -
absence does not always make the heart grow fonder; it can often dull the
senses. He must have worried how best to bridge the gap of separation and had
brought some small presents as a peace offering. I remember only the boleros. I
later wondered how it could be that this stranger, who had been taken prisoner
at Arnhem and spent nine months in Germany at Stalag XIB, had obtained them.
Then I remembered that he had won his Military Medal in Italy some time before.
He had intended to survive to bring them back to us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
We moved back together and became a family again. I got to know him better, but
not as well as I might have when it became too late. He 'jumped'; I became a
pilot - which meant we could have shared experiences in the clouds. He had been
a jockey in his youth; I later had my own horse. I was beginning to appreciate
that this man that I had thought untutored had had the world as his experience
- and that was 'learning' every bit as valuable as mine. I was forty-one when
he died - in the week that he was due to retire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I miss him.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">IN RECOGNITION</span></u></b><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dad, is it too late to tell,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You did do well?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Born in London smoke, Bow Bells pealing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Little schooling. Family to feed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">France beckoned, then rejected<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Jockey too heavy for horses to ride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">So he humped coal on Brixton Hill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Gaining knowledge for taxi hire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">gave more money, status and hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then War tore family apart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Fighting and killing in far off <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">places. Nightmares tormented<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">sleepless nights, before the relief of dawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Medal for bravery could not<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">replace dead comrades, nor give you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">peace. Armistice would bring you what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No preference for heroes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bombs blitzed previous gains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nothing left. Family grows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Work too hard for cab hire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Tried shop, hospital porter. Pensioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To find that the pressure had been<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">too great. Death, retirement brought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He had no formal learning, but life itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My college taught me no better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Too late to say how your strife<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">gave me a future for my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Did as you saw his duty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No debts: no hurt: kind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">His family never wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dad, you DID do well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">NOW time to tell.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-51310312725325514812016-11-24T10:45:00.000-08:002017-01-25T12:06:27.573-08:00A LAMENT FOR LOST LOVE<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">A LAMENT FOR LOST LOVE</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He lay on the bed beside her; her breath was soft and sweet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The smile on her face as she slept, showed acceptance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Quietly, he began to weep. Then the tears poured out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He remembered the love and joy of the good times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Embraced the pain of her dying years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He could not have had it otherwise. Except to have told her,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">more often, that he loved her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">He didn't know if they would meet again in another world.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">It would be nice, but wasn't important.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All that mattered was that they HAD been together. And</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">were together now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No need for more tears. At peace with herself. She died.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Mary, I say in sorrow, you are no more. I also say in gladness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">that YOU WERE.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ukxW-zuTrC_QHFGSfL0FjM-y1l0w2ZmYsO0TgnaoNb2bNnuj5Uy4n4ukdZ_3J5NjEa7Qcz3ezxagEl_gAcPj25awVccFtwuy9IxlZ6_lSAO1U4z3ZNIX26nOAr5TIV61fydeqtVBAly2/s1600/alex+and+mary+frame.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ukxW-zuTrC_QHFGSfL0FjM-y1l0w2ZmYsO0TgnaoNb2bNnuj5Uy4n4ukdZ_3J5NjEa7Qcz3ezxagEl_gAcPj25awVccFtwuy9IxlZ6_lSAO1U4z3ZNIX26nOAr5TIV61fydeqtVBAly2/s320/alex+and+mary+frame.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-46230089496578647872016-09-19T12:33:00.001-07:002017-01-25T12:07:12.286-08:00 THE EVACUEE<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE EVACUEE</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Published in 'Voices' issue 17 winter 2009</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">As well as hearing a lot on Radio 4 about the evacuees of the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Second World War, I thought I'd send this lovely poem </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">written by an evacuee to my friends: who I met on a train</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">during the war when I was in The Women's Royal Naval</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Service. They invited me to visit them in Devon. Which I did</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">and we became great friends.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Alex, the author of the poem, kept in contact and returned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">often to Devon to visit the people who looked after them. He</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">and his sister, and their mother were evacuated from London</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">when he was 5 and she was 4.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Win and Frank were only down to take one child, which was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">compulsory - but they would not part brother and sister so</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">took them both.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Doreen Cunningham</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Evacuee</span></b></u><br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You took me in, a stranger</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And loved me as your own.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Thank you.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bombs blitzed families apart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Blown to strange, far off places</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fear not.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">De-bus, queue for billeting.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You chose me; lost and frightened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Have faith.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No threat or conflict would scar.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sheltered, loved, encouraged.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grew strong.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Time soon passed; to return home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Matured the boy to the young man.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Go forth.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Exhorted, nurtured. I learnt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To try beyond any doubt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Well done.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You took me in, a stranger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I left you as your son.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Bless you.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-4255216462886018962016-09-19T12:21:00.002-07:002017-01-25T12:08:47.456-08:00A MODERN AESOP FABLE<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">A MODERN AESOP FABLE</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>He: </b>Hi, Diana? It;s Mark. Sorry I didn't ring earlier; working a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">lot of overtime. Fancy a curry?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>She: </b>Not if it's one of those red hot jobs at Veerasamys. You</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">knot i go for taste not torture.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>He: </b>Okay! Leave it for now. Ring you when i get back. Bye.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>He: </b>Diana, it's Mark. Just back from Pakistan. Busy, but </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">managed to polish off some vicious vindaloos. Strange, on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">the last night, the manager asked me if i had been to his</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">nephew's restaurant in Manchester; Veerasamys.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>She: </b>I've been to Goa. Wonderful beaches and deliciously</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">flavoured curries. Odd, the waiter told me to try his brother's</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">place; Veerasamys, in Manchester.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Together: </b>Meet you there in half-an-hour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Moral: </b>Never let a good curry come between you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-13592578567498082802016-09-11T11:48:00.004-07:002017-01-26T09:23:31.805-08:00WANNABE<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">WANNABE</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I do not want to be cool;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">conned by Party Promises</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do not want to be grilled</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">ethnic correctness. I treat</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">black and white as equal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I just want to be British.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> DAMN YOU</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't dictate good to be gay.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Let others posture their way.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't spin Europe Remain</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">for fear of isolation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No more change for more of the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I just want to be British.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> BLAST YOU</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No divorce with devolution:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nor prostitute with Nations.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Let me wean without nannying.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">To build on; not destroy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Grateful, proud of my heritage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I just want to be British.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> SOD YOU</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-7550188454934590782016-09-11T11:43:00.001-07:002017-01-25T12:16:01.257-08:00ADAM AND EVE<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">ADAM and EVE</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Women dither</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Men do</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Women ble'ed</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Men cope</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Women conceive</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Men bear</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Women we'ep</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Men veil</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Women endure</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Men die</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Would Adam want a recount</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Knowing how his rib turned out?</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Women and men, to be free,</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Cannot rest under the same tree</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-25573293689809975792016-09-11T11:41:00.001-07:002017-01-25T12:15:33.921-08:00GAMBLING<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">GAMBLING</span></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">YOU WIN - YOU GLUTTON TO PROFIT</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">YOU LOSE - YOU TORTURE TO RECOUP</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EITHER WAY - YOU FOREFEIT</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-14526011487972390712016-09-11T11:33:00.001-07:002017-01-25T12:16:52.022-08:00THE SCARLATTI SCREETCH<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Written as a thought on Richard Brautigan's short story:-</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">'It's very hard to live in a studio apartment in San Jose with a man who's learning to play the violin.' That's what she told the police when she handed them the empty revolver.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></i>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Scarlatti Screetch</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Screeching, scratching, caterwauling.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All night through, till dawning.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Donor cat still protestin'</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pretending violin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Dry bow sawing captive gut</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Desperate to rebut</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Feral untouchability.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">In vain. All San Jose city</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Made aware the massacre</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Of a mogi without pedigree</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">By man beyond aspiration.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Must want extermination.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I fired. Missed and hit cat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Meow. The end of that!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1401607334620480046.post-57581862003819231782016-09-11T10:46:00.000-07:002017-01-25T12:17:26.363-08:00THE FAIRER SEX<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>THE FAIRER SEX</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">WOMEN ARE ALWAYS RIGHT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">USUALLY</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">FOR THE WRONG REASONS!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Alex Yorkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05305616401607298428noreply@blogger.com