How to master a cat….
You can’t and that’s that!
To a Child
Not now, see, I’m in such a rush
Not now, please, again, do shush
Not now, you’ll simply have to wait
Not now, I’m running rather late
Another time, when I’m not busy
Another time, my head is dizzy
Another time, then we’ll play
Another time, I told you yesterday
Lessons from Before
Perhaps I’ve lived ten thousand lives
As boastful husbands and down-trod wives
Rich adventurer and frail old crone
No longer called by names once known
Captain of industry, pauper and fool
Adulteress drowned by the ducking stool
Each person I might once have been
By other’s eyes now cannot be seen
Past deeds all gone like smoke in space
Of fortunes and debts there is no trace
And material things, all left behind
No longer recalled by a clean slate mind
Each new existence, once the die is cast
Denying our knowledge of times long past
No shadow of a former self
Can ere be found by any who delve
But isn’t some imprint left somewhere?
In a cosmic memory recorded out there?
With access to lessons from earlier days
This might enable us improve our ways
Then born once more to make our mark
We needn’t begin afresh in the dark
By stages the world could better become
Improved for all and not for some
But covetous claims on things once thine
Would clog the courts with writs malign
So maybe it’s best to start afresh
As innocents wearing virgin flesh
Nature’s Way
One each of countless seeds and a thousand eggs
blindly, in silent deliberate serendipity
forging mind and body to a unique, unknown patent
using eon-aged star stuff
bequeathed by the cosmos
to form a new life.
Of Gods and Men
This orb people, with animals, share
But mankind, alone, might be ‘aware’
Self-conscious and a will that’s free
Capable of kindness, having empathy
Then why the folly of deadly strife
Often using a god’s name to take a life
What god asks people to kill the same
To glorify its works or defend its name
A divinity surely would have no need
To see mere mortals do bloody deed
If such actions must take place
They cannot be claimed to have any god’s grace
Greed, power and pride are the real reasons why
Tribe against creed vie and die
A deity cares neither for war nor peace
As petty lifeforms squander their lease
Why need to be a grand puppeteer
Pulling strings to spread carnage and fear
A monotheist surely would be neutrally benign
Free, not envious, of another’s design
So when in its name you deny some god’s gift
Perverting its cause to a meaningless rift
Know true to yourself that you are to blame
And pray that others do not do the same.
Pigeonholes of Chance
ALWAYS
There will be suffering in the world.
The first cup of tea of the day tastes best.
The Pope is Catholic.
The ceiling of self-worth is fixed by your upbringing.
Triangles have three sides.
Death is the only certainty.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
SOMETIMES
Your spouse/partner can be right.
You can kick the habit.
Politicians are honest.
Lying can be for the best.
Children should be seen but not heard.
Karma feels real.
Buttered bread lands butter side up when dropped.
Lottery winners deserve what they get.
One more won’t hurt.
The benefits system works.
You can make an omelette without breaking eggs.
Age brings wisdom.
The path less travelled is better.
Love Hurts
OFTEN
You are right.
Pets are a good thing.
What goes up must come down.
Entropy increases.
Little, but often, is better.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Kindness has its own rewards.
Up to half the clothes in your wardrobe don’t fit anymore.
Your queue is slower than the others.
There is light at the end of the tunnel.
NEVER
Our minds can comprehend the universe.
You will be younger tomorrow.
Someone knows EXACTLY how you feel.
There are some victimless crimes.
St Swithun’s day works.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Inspired by recent news
You’re damned if you do….
Poor old Tommy on that foreign street
Armed to the teeth, like some he’ll meet
How does he tell public from foe?
The courts back in England say he should know!
It’s the generals’ job to decide how and when
To train and deploy their brave fighting men
But when it goes wrong, poor Tommy’s to blame
Not those who sent him to fight in their name.
2/1/2016
