January
The mosquito dance I did last night
Swiping at shadows and lamenting my plight
It's really not an ideal situation
Chasing such a critter for a prolonged duration
It's the sound that gets me, such an ugly sound
On and off the light goes as you flounder around
Belittled, defeated, I hopped back into bed
At least the bastard would remain unfed
The band pulls the strings and we move
We sway and collide with no point to prove
Everyone's lost in their own little dance
Spinning, jumping or holding their stance
Some feel the tune of the sax lift them up
Others jam out to the gat, raising their cup
Me, I let the drums stir me to life
It's times like this where magic is rife
The humble bowl of cereal
Must surely be the tastiest meal
It gives and gives, without asking much
Except for more milk or perhaps blueberries and such
But I think it's most outstanding quality
(Which can lead to immense pleasure and frivolity)
Is that cereal is not confined to breakfast alone
Be it afternoon, post-dinner or just when you're in the zone
I like going through old bookshelves
They give us different shades of ourselves
I'll see a book I used to devour
And another I threw out for being too dour
I'll see a series I was hooked on for years
And another that played on my deepest fears
Each book resonates through the chambers of the past
I could sit here for hours, having a blast
Tennis is no game for people who worry
Thereby not suitable for my mum or Andy Murray
Andy seems like a nice enough bloke
Until he steps onto the court and his rage begins to stoke
Pointing and muttering and dragging heels round the court
Andy, Andy, I think that you ought
To get a grip, mate you're living the dream
Chin up, find new ways to let off your steam
Eight lines sometimes seems a long way off
When I'm grovelling for words like a pig in a trough
Snorting and grunting and wallowing in mud
Only to find that the result is a dud
And then on occasion it all starts to build
My heartbeat quickens and my warm beer feels chilled
I'm flying now and the prose writes itself
Then eight lines are up, these aren't good for my health
Lists, endless lists to complete
I could list the lists but that would leave you listless and downbeat
So I won't, I shall not, I'll stop right there
I'll turn this poem around, never you fear
It will be one for the ages, the bards will memorise every word
The idea of a poetry book without it will be simply absurd
In his final breath a dying man will turn to its eternal wisdom
How do I know this? Why, because I quizzed him
Hours flash by in a whir of tar
The heat from the road seems to attack the car
Air con is no good, I prefer the fresh air
A man pulls out in front and his reward is a stare
Nothing moves in this viscous heat
My thoughts become circles as I shift in my seat
Solace is found when a banger arrives
On the radio, a real treat for such drives
A postcard day at Lake Taupo
Our day, our mates, our lake, our home
A day I surely won't forget
We were far too drunk and forever wet
Fitzy starred in a shoddy game of cricket
We managed four guys behind a dinghy on flimsy sea buscuit
A few beers later we were playing footy by moonlight
And to top it all off, a skinny dip into the night
Stumbling, squinting, navigating the walls
Cosiness lies behind but fresh water calls
Ahead looms the stairs, I hadn't factored them in
Concentration falters and a chair leg finds my shin
Pain erupts, but I must push on through
I grasp the stair railing, my sherpa, with the end in full view
Cracks fill the air as my breath becomes ever shorter
The shower at last, but of course, no hot water
The set rolls in, shit I'm too shallow
These waves are big enough to make a bold man mellow
I've taken a battering and many a tumble
My surfing prowess has quickly been humbled
I make it through the first, paddling frantically as I go
I'll spin around at that back one, that much I know
The monster looms, two meters of liquid wall
Yeah nah, might just make my withdrawal
A spring clean in summer, imagine that
Chucking away dusty shirts, ties and a hat
Ruthlessness is key, there's no room for the weak
Memories gone, items no longer matching physique
It's funny how quickly such attachments can sever
Harden your mind, and hand it over to whomever
Now the room is clean, neat but too square
Messiness will undoubtedly follow to be fair
Iceblock, it's quite the treat
Combining a stick and something sweet
Perfect when your feet are burning
There's sand in your hair, and you've got the yearning
For a magical snack, but is it more of a drink?
This is a topic upon which I must think
But for the time being let's eat/drink this block of ice
Perhaps one day I'll do a poem on rice
Crack two eggs, then another
Add some ham and a touch of butter
Cheese and tomato next of course
Stir it up with unrelenting force
Pour it into a sizzling pan
Keep the egg moving if you can
Remove from heat and season to taste
Lap that shit up, leave nothing to waste
Keys tapping, tap tap tap
This daily quest feels like a trap
I was in full noise, off with a bang
I was swinging and yelling and roaring like a mustang
Now I've hit a bump, a wall if you will
My words aren't quite there and my tone is shrill
Perhaps tomorrow might surface a gem
Or maybe I'll be struggling again
Sweat streaming, thighs burning
Sun blasting, wheels turning
Look, a tree, twisted at the trunk
Sitting there, a contented monk
I wonder how it got that way
Did it sit still while the Earth turned away
More gravel now, push on and on
The tree remains and I am gone
Summer haze it's all a blur
Work for you? No thank you sir
Time for fitness, food and drink
It's too hot for work I think
Strip off, jump in, the water's cool
Days go missing by the pool
And there it goes, another gone
And still the sun, it shone
Long time no see, let's have a few
A square table and many-a-brew
Don't mess up or you'll be early to bed
Don't let the puzzles mess with your head
Call a cab, screw walking home
Mike's gone and lost his phone
Let's have a nibble, crack open the chips
A taste explosion when they hit your lips
Onemana, it's a hell of a ride
Take a step in or step aside
It's beach has the flow to make you shiver
The bread man will never deliver
So grab an umbrella it's about to get steamy
If you're lucky you may find your Mcdreamy
If you blink you'll miss it, so lap it all in
Sit down, relax and finish your gin
Onemana what a place
Filled with drinks and things to taste
There are walks that take you by surprise
There are rays to burn your inner thighs
Speaking of rays, there's life abound
Turn your phone on silent and listen to the sound
Of the birds, these words aren't doing it justice
So come along, and bring mates (plus piss)