Poems By Mary

The heavens opened ‘ rain bouncing as it fell
Espied large umbrellas ‘ cheap and cheerful
Standing side by side in a wired basket
At the entrance of a well known store
A must have ‘ just under a fiver’
What could go wrong ‘
No wind ‘  late afternoon’ boarded my bus
Rain stopped  ‘ as if a tap in the heavens
turned off ‘ giving us mortals ‘ a sense of relief
Entered my home ‘ in the vestibule’ a niche ‘
Pleased with my purchase ‘ cheap and cheerful
A month goes by ‘ no need for brolly
The day came ‘ heavens above
Tap turned on ‘ impossible to venture
The day had come to ‘ use my brolly
Cheap & Cheerful ‘ sleek and powerful
Halfway from house towards the shops
Snug under my brolly ‘ cheap & cheerful
The wind whipped up ‘ with a vengeance
Turning my dream into a nightmare
Turned inside out ‘ the drama unfolded
My brolly ‘ collapsed
The network of spokes ‘ large & small
With a crack’ snap ‘ and a pop ‘
Disengaged themselves ‘ from the canopy
No longer snug underneath
With wind at my back ‘ and a brolly no more
The large refuse bin ‘ my only respite
To rid myself of ‘ this mish mash of metal
A mangled network ‘ of shiny new spokes
With wind at my back ‘ no chance of me ’ off ‘ flying high ‘ looking down ‘ as l battled along
the respite from this ‘ looming ahead
Did not take much ‘ brolly it was not
A mish mash of broken shiny shards
Beyond recognition’ with a sturdy handle
Poking out ‘ the shiny material ‘ stretched!! begging to be released ‘ to flap and fly
upwards and onwards ‘ to pastures new
With the wind at my back ‘ crushed with a grip
with a vengeance ‘ a crack ‘ snap and pop’
reduced ‘ my daytime ‘ nightmare to a pulp
The respite drew near ‘ wind whipping up
‘ battled to force with ‘ handle attached ‘
A network of broken tiny shards ‘ of what ?
Recognisable by’ its sturdy handle ‘ poking out ‘ binned ‘giving respite ‘ from this dilemma
An umbrella ? It was not ‘ with the wind behind
Struggled on regardless ‘ my goal drew near
My newspapers’ milk and rolls ‘ satisfied
With the wind in front ‘ two bus stops on
The haven at home ‘ coffee ‘ and a read
The Alphapuzzle’s my fix ‘the daytime ‘ nightmare over
The trees on front lawn ‘ battling against ‘
The winds so fierce ‘ yet standing firm ‘
This tale not yet’ at an end
Soon after ‘ an umbrella arrives ‘ oblong box big ????
Enclosed within ‘ a gift ‘ of an umbrella
Five foot plus ‘  the day arrived ‘
Ventured forth ‘ moral of this story told
Make sure have handy ‘ a pocket large
Venturing forth ‘ with umbrella protection
Handle stuck in pocket ‘ my left arm handy
wrapped round umbrella ‘ opened up ‘
The heavens’ above ‘ will someone up there
turn off that darned tap ‘
Off l faced the journey ‘ two stops to shops
As l walked ‘ passed a hedge ‘ the umbrella
With a twirl and a birl ‘ did a wee dance ‘
My left arm tucked round ‘ hand up top
Steady gait ‘ l made my way. ‘ to and from
Shops to home ‘ wind and rain ‘
Ventured forth ‘ with the protection above
As passing winds ‘ with a twirl and a birl’
The hedging on my left ‘ as l walked down the Lane ‘ on the final stretch home. ‘
Indeed a large pocket ‘ an essential item
Me and my umbrella’ with a twirl and a birl’ wind to my back ‘ or in front ‘ with the rains ‘
Heavens above ‘ to and from shops-  to -home sweet home
Thanks to the gift from the East ‘ of where l live.
Out of adversity’ comes good ‘
A sensible choice ‘ heavy and large ‘
Between the ears ‘Probability Theory applied
Saved the day ‘ with a twirl and a birl ‘
a pocket large’ armed ready’ for the journey
Two bus stops ‘ onwards ‘ and beyond
Thanks to the gift from the East ‘ of where l live.
Mary G. Douglas

I was three years old
Too young to understand
Father could not go to war
A mixed blessing ‘ poor vision
His left eye ‘ owing to an accident
He stood there ‘dressed in his uniform
One of  many ‘ during the forties
Home Guard ‘ on duty that evening
One boot lying on the floor ‘ the other
Vigour-sly  being polished ‘  inspection !!
I stood there ‘ warily eyeing ‘ the ritual
On those evenings  ‘ when on duty
The atmosphere ‘ young as l was
Mother ‘ she stood ‘ looking worried
Father spoke ‘ Mary fetch my other boot
I stared down ‘ the boot lying there
All l had to do ‘ was pick up the boot
I gave it a push with my foot ‘ No said l
My parents stood ‘ not understanding
I did not like those evenings ‘
The atmosphere’ the ritual ‘ the silence
War touched the minds of children
War touched the minds of adults ‘
Father stood ‘ then repeated his request
Mary ‘ my boot ‘ l want to give it a polish
I gave it a push ‘ with my foot ‘
Not in his direction’ with another push
boot went flying ‘ away from my father
Mother stood ‘ father stood ‘ on their faces
Puzzlement ‘ the great divide between ‘
The adult world and ‘the world of the child
Neither understanding ‘ my sullen behaviour
I not understanding’ why l felt fear of this boot
Them not understanding ‘ my odd behaviour
I still recall ‘ happy to comply with a request
fetching ‘ items ‘ liked to help ‘ felt grown up
The boot ‘ as it lay there ‘ l feared it ‘
Not knowing why ‘ it was just a boot ‘ but ?
not any boot ‘ it was an army boot ‘
On the evenings ‘ the ritual of father
Preparing his need to wear a uniform ‘
Changed the atmosphere’ the unknown ‘
Somber moods of adults ‘ affecting the child
The ritual ‘ the uniform ‘ the silence ‘
creating a tension ‘ where normally none ‘
My home ‘ my parents ‘ my sense of security
gone ‘ with the appearance of father dressed
this uniform ‘ and the boots ‘ changed all
The night was dark ‘ my parents mood ‘
Mother walked towards me ‘ what is wrong ‘
Give daddy the boot to polish ‘ No’ said l
I spread open my fingers ‘ palm facing down
Making it clear ‘ l was not touching this boot
Children by nature ‘ eager to help’
feels good ‘ feeling useful ‘ out of character
Father picked up his army boot ‘
There l stood ‘  not understanding’ my fear
I knew ‘ l did not like those evenings ‘
Father dressed in uniform ‘ the atmosphere ‘
The great divide ‘ the mind of the child
The World ‘ my world ‘ was being upset
It was the ritual ‘ the uniform’ the boots
Robbing me ‘ my security ‘ now affected
Only now ‘ realisation of why l feared the boot
A threat to my sense of security ‘
The Pandemic’ is not World War 11
The child today ‘ not understanding why ?
Know naught of why ‘ and not understood
The child of yesterday ‘ within me now knows
Why l feared the army boot ‘ symbolic ‘
My world then ‘ felt threatened ‘
The child today ‘ during the Pandemic
sensing a threat ‘ affecting their world
For me ‘ an army boot ‘ for the child of today
The mask ?  who knows ‘ the child of today
When the adult of tomorrow ‘ will know .
Mary G. Douglas

I need a fag ‘ says l ‘ Why ? says l 

That is an interesting question ‘ 

What can l replace it with 

On radio today’ why do we feel can’t 

When l can l can l can ‘ how ? can l can

Tomorrow is a new day ‘ today soon will be

Yesterday ‘ 

Dentistry is expensive’  with mutual respect ‘

for oneself ‘ and one’s health ‘cheap and cheerful

Lacklustre skin: eyes : hair and the ego ‘

The ego to consider you will get away with it 

I was a sugar addict ‘.  Had to stop ‘ 

Feed it ‘ it rears its ugly head ‘ 

Heard today ‘ the world is not against you 

Also on radio ‘ Ego can have you judge ‘ 

It does not matter ‘ if someone you meet 

Have little to show ‘ money in pocket ‘ 

Apparently ‘ we can all have this trait ‘ 

and it is narcissistic.  Judge the worth 

the decency ‘ the inner qualities ‘ worth more 

Does not matter if poor in pocket ‘ as 

majority are ‘  money can hide the true worth 

Working together with a mutual drive 

The age you are ‘  on the cusp ‘ of change 

Look after your ‘ means’ for promoting ‘

Liking it to “ money in the bank ‘ with interest 

Healthy life style ‘ and read if you have ‘

Before retiring ‘ a piece of chocolate ‘ 

immediately after ‘ clean your teeth ‘ don’t rinse with water soon after ‘ as washes away the neutralising effect of the brushing of teeth ‘ with a little toothpaste ‘.  the cleaning with a toothbrush with water neutralises the sugar .

If smoke ‘ might work with ‘ after smoking ‘ similar effect .     

When feeling all against you ‘ the world eg 

It is not the world that is against you ‘

it is your ego ‘.   That it is not your fault ‘

it is because the things you want or the person you want ‘ it is their fault ‘ not yours ‘

The counsellor expert on the why me ‘ 

It is our own Ego ,    We have to look in the mirror ‘ change our respective attitude to people and life .

The person matters ‘ even if not in a high profile career .   

Once said to me by a friend in her fifties  

Mary ‘ majority of people ‘ have the needs met ‘ goals ‘ income. ‘.stability’ by the time ‘ reach fifties ‘.   On reflection ‘ she is correct 

Ego ‘ is not looking at how you can change ‘ it is expecting the world to change ‘ to suit you.

We all have this ‘ and humility kicks in.  When one realises ‘ it is us that have to change ‘ to suit the world ‘ and what can be achieved’ by changing ourselves  

When listening ‘ reflected back ‘ indeed it is up to us to change ‘.   

Mary G. Douglas

On honeymoon in Innsbruck
The Alps amazing ‘ a sight to behold
Let us go on the cable car ‘ said Bob
not dressed for such an event
Dressed in city clothes’ high heels ?
Not appreciating’ one gets out and about
On reaching the top ‘ naively thinking ‘
A platform awaiting ‘coffee and cake ‘ in cafe
The journey ‘ a mite scary ‘ the higher it got
Inside a locked box ‘ suspended on cable
slight swaying ‘ slightly unnerving
We reached our destination ‘ have we ?
As we stepped out ‘ no platform’ a slope ?
Skiers ‘ lying on their skis ‘ sun shining
sunbathing ‘ on a snow covered slope
It was an electrifying experience ‘
All skiers  rose off their skis ‘ as one ‘
mouths open ‘ staring at the sight of moi
Standing on a ski slope ‘ not yet at top
Wearing 2” heels ‘ and ‘ smart city clothes
Bob in smart suit’ collar and tie
Shoes more befitting ‘ the city streets
We made our way onward & upwards
Our destination ‘ the platform uphill
The skiers yet ‘ sitting upright ‘ mouths open
eyes fixed on our ability to remain composed
Arrived at the top ‘ unscathed ‘ heels intact
Coffee and cake much enjoyed
As we looked out ‘ over the vast area ‘ on
Snow covered Alpine Mountains
I dreaded the downward journey
A voice heard ‘ cable car ‘ ready to leave
High Heels ‘on thick snow ‘downward slope
The skiers as l passed ‘ upright on their skis
Eyes wide ‘ mouths hanging open ‘
In city clothes ‘ high heels with a steady nerve
I made it ‘stepped up onto cable car ‘
Once on top step ‘ turned ‘ surveyed them all
A smile and’ regal wave ‘  met with’
A loud cheer ‘ a round of applause ‘
The crowd of skiers ‘ sitting upright on skis
made my day ‘  with their admiration ‘
Our final day ‘ before returning home
Our first ‘ having yoghurt ‘ thought ice cream
from a cart ‘ on the street ‘ not yet reached UK
Duvet on bed ‘ yet to reach the shops In UK ?
Train station restaurant ‘ cloth on table
Waiter serving ‘ a beautifully presented meal
Far cry from Paddington Station ‘ with memory Both ‘ of many in the queue ‘ order given
When our fry up ready ‘ a voice ‘ so  loud ‘
Bacon & egg for no 6, along counter it slid
The experience of ‘damask table cloth’
with a waiter hovering ‘ service to perfection
British Railways had a lot to learn
62 years later ‘ a memorable fortnight ‘
Has British Rail caught up ‘damask table cloth
Waiter serving’ a meal beautifully presented ‘
In Train Station restaurant???  No need for comment???
Mary G. Douglas

I lay there in my bed ‘ wide awake 

Filled with apprehension’ knew not why 

My Parents were sleeping’ all was quiet 

Today felt different ‘ neighbours popping in 

Whispering voices ‘ not the usual 

Something was happening ‘ too still 

The shutters on the window’ darkening the room 

But for a small circular shaft of light ‘ 

I knew it was the moon ‘skies that night clear 

The Leerie ‘ had passed ‘ snuffing out the light 

The night sky was clear ‘ with stars twinkling 

The moon shone bright ‘ God’s blanket 

To keep us safe ‘ and the birds asleep 

I lay there in my bed ‘ why tonight ‘ fully awake 

The air was still ‘ not a sound to be heard 

But for my sister asleep ‘ quietly breathing 

I lay staring ahead ‘ noticed a circle of light 

too dark to realise ‘ the circular hole l knew of 

On the shutters ‘ hiding the night sky 

The circular light looked suspended ‘ not 

understanding hitting the wall opposite my bed 

Awake when normally asleep ‘ now in bed 

My eyes wide open ‘ robbed of sleep

This circle of light ‘ size of a farthing ‘ 

my gaze fixed ‘ l lay there ‘ fear held me still

as l lay still ‘ eyes fixed ‘ staring at the light

felt a shudder from my head to my toes 

the circle of light ‘ was growing in size !!

As l stared ‘ my heart filled with fear ‘

aged five ‘ the child ‘ now  frightened 

The circle of light ‘ grew in size ‘ eyes fixed 

bigger and bigger it grew ‘ in shock 

I saw the figures in the circle of light ‘ 

I could see their eyes ‘ cold and staring ‘ 

holding guns ‘ ready to fire 

The circle of light ‘ huge ‘ the soldiers 

they were nearly upon me ‘ bolt upright 

I sat on my bed ‘ screams pierced the night air 

As it was about to swallow me up ‘ with 

Soldiers with cold eyes ‘ unsmiling ‘ 

guns ready to fire ‘ the bedroom door opened 

Two heads shot through the open door 

Faces shocked ‘ not knowing what to expect 

I screamed the soldiers have guns ‘ 

The circle of light ‘ about to swallow me 

Drama unfolding ‘ wrapped up in minutes 

Light filled the room ‘ mother hugging me 

father ‘ stood by ‘ neither understanding ‘

between sobs ‘ told my tale 

father left the room’ returning with a hammer 

He plugged the hole in the shutter ‘tiny in size 

sitting here ‘no recollection of my sister ‘ 

lying beside me ‘ did she sleep through it ???

Nearly five ‘ she was three ‘ all was well 

Tucked up ‘ and settled ‘ with door left open 

I settled down ‘ soon fast asleep ‘ as morning 

found me ‘ still asleep ‘ soon wakened 

The day arrived ‘ church bells ringing 

Knew not ‘ of World War 11  ‘ yet knew  ‘

of soldiers with guns ‘ outside on street 

often stood at the window ‘ staring down 

watching them standing ‘ with guns at ready 

guarding ‘ men digging the road ‘ 

would stop to offer ‘ the men working 

a cigarette’ ‘no conversation ‘ then once smoked 

Soldiers holding their guns ‘ at the ready 

the men ‘ resumed digging ‘ repairing the road

Knew not of war ‘ yet knew of soldiers ‘ 

There role to take care of us ‘ keep us safe 

The night ‘ my imagination ‘ set the scene 

all because’ the full moon shining bright ‘

low in the sky that night ‘ a tiny round hole ‘

a sense of adults ‘ moods changed ‘ that day 

A kid aged five ‘ with a sharp mind ‘ knew nought ‘ but knew ‘ grownups’ knew a lot ‘ 

yet knew little of the mind of a child ‘ 

filled with dread ‘ but knew nought of why ? 

The bridge between ‘ brought on by silence 

 laced with the whispering voices ‘ 

The World of adults ‘ not in sinc with the ‘ 

The World inhabited by children ‘ yet 

closely linked ‘ day by day ‘ year by year ‘

Born 1940 and now 1945 ‘ World War 11 ending ‘ knew not what this meant ‘ except ‘ 

sweets & biscuits rationed ‘ and with an

imagination’ left to slumber ‘ til’ the time 

The silence ‘ with whispering voices ‘ 

disturbed the mind ‘ of knowing ‘ yet 

knowing nought ‘ except of sweets and 

broken biscuits ‘ a rarity ‘ and a luxury . 

Mary G. Douglas

Once upon a time 

One shut one’s door 

Turned the key ‘ with a sigh of relief

Home sweet home ‘ one’s privacy 

Did not require a label ‘ guaranteed 

Shoes kicked off ‘ kettle on ‘ 

No phone sitting on a cradle ‘

Telephone box ‘ a five minute walk 

Fridge ‘ not in every home ‘ 

Bottle of milk freshly delivered that day 

Sitting in a pail of cold water 

Bread kept in bin ‘ square ‘ enamelled 

box with lid ‘ shelf life guaranteed 

In them thar days ‘ jeely pieces ?

School lunches ‘ picnics in summer

The miner’ a wife ‘ with her purchase 

A board of bread ‘ delivered by the baker 

With a miner ‘ head of the house ‘ or so 

he thought ‘ and their five sons ‘ 

down the mines ‘ toiling underground 

digging the coal ‘ using a pick’ ironic ‘

to bring home the bread ‘ tucked up 

on a weekly basis ‘ in a wage packet

taken home sealed ‘ Friday night ‘ 

ceremoniously ‘ it was handed over 

The woman of the house ‘ given the honour 

she would take her share ‘ the bulk ‘

after all ‘ she held the purse’s strings 

survival of the home ‘ roof over their head 

clothes on backs ‘ and food on the table ‘

all relied on that wage packet ‘ signed for 

sealed ‘ and homeward bound ‘ a ritual 

every Friday ‘ home cooked meal ‘

then off to the pub ‘ for a well earned pint ‘

or off to the bookie ‘ to scan the blackboard 

what’s the favourite ‘ will do a double 

or a treble ‘ up the anti ‘ it was an art ‘

studying form ‘ the track ‘ weight of the jockey 

added to the weight of the horse’ 

name of trainer ‘ owner ‘ it’s pedigree ‘

Underground ‘ or in the jute mills ‘ or in the cotton mills ‘ the daily chore of keeping 

the treadmill going ‘ mainly women in the mills 

What era ‘ was that ‘ says the child today 

Grannies nowadays ‘ not found sitting ‘

In a rocking chair ‘ knitting ‘ plain or fair Isle 

Out and about ‘ dressed to the nines ?

booking a cruise ‘ for many ‘ and if not 

learning new skills ‘ how to use a laptop 

or hogging the front seat of the bus ‘ 

Shopping trolley ‘ the wheelchair ‘electric 

deftly navigated on and off the bus ‘others 

Tramping the hills ‘ knapsack on back 

heavy booted ‘ with clothes appropriate’ or 

Collecting grandchildren ‘ from the school

Grannies and grandads ‘ of the modern world 

All have a story ‘ a story to tell ‘ and for many ‘

long term memories ‘ remember it well’

Young today ‘ those ‘ sitting in their buggy 

on buses ‘ mummy on her mobile ‘ with 

toddler ‘ sitting in buggy ‘with  eyes down ‘

the latest cartoon catch up ‘ a massive swing 

from the elderly ‘ sitting in halls ‘ with 

eyes down ‘ deftly checking their bingo card 

House???? reverberating throughout ‘ the hall

Up she or he ‘ quick step forward ‘ 

Prize money ‘ a tidy sum ‘ a cruise or what ?

Those youngsters of today ‘ sitting on buggies 

on the buses ‘ their future ‘ might include ‘

A trip to Mars ? for the weekend ‘ 

Or to another planet ‘ yet to be discovered ?

Now it seems ‘ one may find ‘ living until 

130 ???? ‘ it will be grannies and grandads ‘

booking a trip ‘ and on arrival ‘ turn to their Guide 

Excuse me ‘ which Planet am l on ???  

Mary G. Douglas