Stop, listen, learn

      ——————————–

We pass them by in the street

In our casuals nice and neat

Give them not a second glance

Sit and stare, like in a trance.

Lying in a cardboard box

Ragged clothes, mismatched socks

Cowered in a lonely corner

Welcome to the new world order.

Can we open up our eyes

See what beneath the blanket lies

A stranger we might never know

Take time a helping hand to show.

Narrow minded bigot type

Rising up the real far right

Remember history of the past

Learn, respect the lower class.

©j.black

The time has past for Halloween 

Ghouls and ghosts have left the scene

Now it’s Ho Ho Santa time

Christmas cheer and jingle rhyme.

Snuggled up into their beds

Perfect children covered heads

Elves in Lapland very busy

Parents buying presents dizzy.

Excitement laughter fills the air

Fairy lights the festive fair

Jack Frost painted window Pane

Snow has now replaced the rain.

Feelings of tremendous joy

For every little girl and boy

A family time without a care

Smiling children everywhere.

But wait what is that awful sound

Buttons clicking fingers pound 

Mobile texting what’s app now

Replace the face to face powwow.

No more playing in the streets

Sharing toys and eating sweets

Dolls, guns and fairy tales

Childhood dreams. That ship has sailed.

Life controlled by our devices

Santa, Noel no more rejoices

Computer gadgets and TV

Replace the lit up Christmas tree.

Silence in the air right now

Money now the sacred cow

Lost in our pursuit of gold

Family values out in the cold.

©j.black (wordverse.me)

        

Peel away the outer skin 

Open the atlas, drop a pin.

People stare as they pass by

Hijab covered downward shy.

Children on their way to school

A tirade of vitriol oh so cruel.

Trembling torment in their mind

Rejected maligned by all mankind.

Dare not speak in self defence

Years corralled, barbed wire fence.

Tearful tired of this tirade

Turn the corner so afraid.

Teach you now the Christian faith

Free you from your handcuffed state.

Respect the European way

Rethink Reform and you may stay.

©j.black (wordverse.me)

               Let the flag of peace unfurl

           Today let’s help our fellow “man”

           Be kind and gentle where we can 

          When we see someone in need

          Take the time, do the good deed.

          Stop, speak, Don’t turn the cheek

          Aid the needy and the meek

          Be not afraid what people think

          Unto their level please do not sink.

          Life’s too short for us to waste

          On skin or colour, creed or race

          Peace and comfort you will find

          If love’s the first thing on your mind. 

          ©j.black ( wordverse.me)

As I walked out by Arbour hill

As I walked out by Arbour hill

Sparkling sunshine, morning chill

Autumn leaves in gullies clutter 

From cobblestones pigeons scatter.

 Silence in the barracks square

 No longer soldiers marching there

 A grand museum of artefacts 

 Memories come flooding back.

Old graveyard behind prison walls

Tricolour proudly standing tall

In quick lime patriots buried all

A garden now set to recall.

UN also remembered there 

Stop awhile in silent prayer

For the Congo and the Lebanon

Our Gardai, Soldiers fighting on.

History scattered all around

Easter rising, armies sound

A place to stop and to reflect

On those who merit our respect.

©j.black (wordverse.me)
 

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                 Allay the fear

      Adulation joy and many cheers

      Not like in those adolescent years

      Standing in the shadows full of fear

      Listen to the children shout and jeer.

      Little did I know the reason why

      Hidden there all silently and shy

      Words were never there for me to say

      How I wished to mingle and to play.

      Isolated in among the crowd

      Crying tears inwardly I bowed

      In the photograph I did not seem

      Apart from any other human being.

      In music I found I could compete

      In my head I found the perfect beat

      A teacher who sat and took the time

      Said that being different is not a crime.

      Remember you are special in many ways

      Even in a world that’s cold and grey

      Stick around. I’m sure that you will find

      People are not intentionally unkind.

          ©j.black (wordverse.me)