for MIDDLESBROUGH MAGIC SHIP 284 (D)

PLEASURES OF KNOWING
I've had the redhead,
the brunette, the blonde.
Yes of the young ladies
find I am most fond.
I've had a wild time
with Thai-girls (Siamese);
the "Hellos", the "Goodbyes",
and the "Sawadees" !
But somewhere inbetween
I have aimed to please !!

A SOUL SEARCHER OR  SEEKER SHE ?
Within a wall of books
to divert a devious mind,
maybe seek a male-student
with whom to bind,
or a colleague even
with whom to unwind
and speak of the man
could have been her mentor,
the man with some fame,
a more mature lover,
a being within books,
her financial saviour
back at the Public Centre,
had she been thoughtful,
trustworthy and true,
had she seen the soul
behind his eyes of blue,
had she not lacked soul
or hid it from his view.

for MIDDLESBROUGH MAGIC SHIP 284 (C)

WAR WOUNDS
Some say forgive
and forget.
Some burn red-poppies
with no regret
for the hurt caused,
nor do they care.
We must remember
the scars of war.

THE RED-POPPY DAYS
Red are the poppies
for red was real
as the very flower
in the fields
where real soldiers
dead there lay.
Real as red blood.
Live-on Poppy Day.