Poems By Mary

It is my ambition ‘ to one day have a garden ‘

a garden with an aura of peace 

Vegetable plot ‘laid out with precision’

Carrot : turnip : onion : potato : peas and cabbage ‘ the food from the soil ‘ of the land of my birth’

The hut ‘ with the tools of trade ‘ the spade ‘ the fork ‘ the hoe and the ‘ lawnmower 

The image of ‘ this garden ‘ stemmed from the photography in the pages of

magazines ‘ 

Packets of seeds of flowering shrubs ‘ flowers for scattering here and there ‘ a background of tall proud daffodils ‘ a sea of yellow ‘ with a myriad of colour ‘ bedding close to the soil ‘ 

Watching my dad ‘ he had the basics ‘ the garden ‘ the hut ‘ with ‘ tools of the trade ‘ 

He tackled the area for relaxing ‘ grass green and immaculate ‘

Halfway to the right ‘ the hut ‘ the hub of all the ‘ tools of the trade ‘ 

He then tackled the plot of ground ‘ from the hut ‘ to the fencing ‘

This was the point of separation ‘ a lane with the passing of neighbours ‘

The earth was rich’ top soil ‘ ideal for a vegetable garden’

His enthusiasm was wonderful to survey ‘

hours of work ‘ at nights and weekends 

He cleared the plot ‘ of all debris ‘ including stones ‘ big and small ,

Proudly surveyed all his hard work ‘ the family would not have to dine on ‘ shop bought ‘

self sufficiency’  the dream 

There came a point of change in weather’

The rains overnight’ as we all slept ‘

A common occurrence’ in the land of my birth 

The sun rose ‘ bathing all in warmth ,

Saturday morning ‘ no school ‘ hurrah ‘

Up and about ‘ washed dressed and fed ‘

The rear garden’ out’ our  own private play area ‘

Plimsoll’s’ ideal footwear ‘ for comfort ‘

I ran over the area of grass ‘ onto the rich earth ‘ awaiting planting ‘

I sank to my knees ‘ truly believing ‘ l was being swallowed ‘ never to surface 

The drama unfolded ‘ passers by ‘ our neighbours’ 

stopped in their tracks ‘ staring with horror 

my screaming alerting ‘ no doubt the whole neighbourhood .

Within seconds ‘ l felt my whole being ‘ being dragged upwards ‘ out of the sludge of earth 

turned into a mini swamp ‘ owing to dad’s ambition’ 

To clear the area for planting ‘ a winter of contentment ‘ a table daily offering ‘ the fruits of his labour ‘ sitting beaming with joy ‘

surrounded by us ‘ mum and kids ‘ 

waxing lyrical on the marvels of his hard labour 

A dream becoming a nightmare’ as he frantically dragged me out of the man-made swamp ‘ 

his second attempt ‘ of producing the efforts of labour ‘ the hut ‘ with tools of trade stacked neatly ‘ on hooks on the wall ‘ a workbench ‘ saw ‘ hammer and nails ‘ 

As dad carried me into the house ‘ covered in sludge ‘ minus plimsolls ‘ 

Mum ‘ made a comment ‘ to lighten the mood ‘

Your dad takes wood into his hut ‘ and all that comes out ‘ is a pile of firewood ‘ keeping us warm ‘ burning in the grate ‘

His passion for ‘ growing ‘ food for the table 

by removing all ‘ leaving behind soil without support ‘ 

Never mind ‘ this is Saturday ‘ the sun is shining 

Dad will gather you and others ‘ for a game of rounders ‘ on the field ‘ 

A huge area opposite our house ‘ a playground for us ‘ and the neighbouring kids 

Dad was not a ‘ joiner of wood ‘ neither a gardener ‘ with an understanding of the soil ‘

Dad was an amateur athlete ‘ a miler and half miler ‘ who knew ‘ how to win a race ‘ 

He gave us children ‘ his own and others ‘ the joy of playing a game of rounders ‘ an open field ‘ the joy and laughter ‘ 

Time ‘ moves on ‘ decades pass ‘ the music of the ‘ voices of us children of the neighbourhood ‘  with dad encouraging us ‘ on the technique of how to use the bat ‘to hit the ball ‘ on how to take off ‘ and run the circuit ‘ 

‘ winners and losers ‘ who cared ‘

Sitting quiet ‘ the memories of those Saturdays ‘ decades ago ‘ closing the gap of the years ‘ today ‘ filling my thoughts ‘ a few moments ‘ then ‘ put to rest ‘ as l prepare for the day ahead . The garden ‘ of my home ‘ dreams and reality ‘ takes hard work to achieve ‘ 

One of Life’s lessons ‘ on our journey through Life ‘

Mary G. Douglas 

Being ethical ‘ takes being stoical 

Stoicism ‘ is a road ‘ not easy to travel 
One pays a price ‘ uncomplaining’ with 

fortitude 

A cross to bear ‘ a sense of paralysis 

deprived of the power of action ‘ 

owing to the actions of another ‘ devoid 

of compassion for others’

Over the years ‘ it is one of life’s mysteries.

what it takes to achieve the wisdom ‘ 

to accept the yoke of fortitude ‘ when faced 

with resignation ‘ winner takes all? a misnomer 

A lack of conscious awareness ‘ is the cowardly act of a weak personality 

Transparency is defeat ‘ not to be endured acceptance is a measure of responsibility ‘

achieving the outcome desired ‘ retribution is a pill ‘ hard to swallow 

A bereavement’  is broken into sections’ can take weeks ‘ years or a lifetime to reach acceptance ‘ 

If one does not achieve the point of acceptance ‘ there is no peace or contentment 

Life is for living ‘ not for spending grieving 

stoicism is not an easy road to travel ‘ 

Holding back tears of regret ‘ a painful experience 

Retribution ‘ is not the panacea to all ills 

if achieve by hurting in the process ‘ 

robbing the innocent ‘ 

A lifetime of understanding’ that not all outcomes achieved’ is a prize to covet 

The bigger picture ‘ analytically presents ‘

not all outcomes achieved can offer peace and tranquillity’ 

Solving one problem ‘ creating another 

less palatable’ one that affects the innocent 

the selfish in society ‘ only see the image in the mirror 

pointless exercise to attempt conciliation’

If all one achieves ‘ another situation 

not all problems ‘ are solved to satisfaction 

if creating another ‘ 

actions speak louder than words ‘ 

words more cruel ‘  least said soonest mended 

an error of judgement’ made by a person

who is without conscience’ 

those of that ilk ‘ found in walks of life 

a thief ‘ unsettling another ‘ by stealing their ‘ peace of mind 

Time heals the selfish acts of others ‘ 

moving on with one’s life’ is essential 

Life is too short’ to recall past events of another ‘ 

taking a hundred pounds out of the bank ‘ 

placed on counter of a shop ‘ removing a twenty to pay for an item bought ‘ only to find ‘

the person standing close by ‘ had disappeared’ with the eighty pounds ‘ 

the owner of the shop ‘ was unsympathetic 

his comment ‘ your carelessness has lost me a customer 

Left speechless ‘ left the shop 

the uncaring of society ‘ are not worth the act of bereaving ‘ as unproductive 

the point of acceptance a ‘ fact of life 

on reflection ‘ the selfish in life ‘ can be left paying a price ‘ the point of being ‘ alone and being lonely . undesirable 

being alone ‘ but not lonely ‘ 

 with ambitions to achieve ‘ one being ‘ having my book published for Christmas 2022 and ‘ achieving a level of competence ‘

with modern technology’

a family of four ‘ two grandchildren ‘ it would be a mountain climbed ‘ proudly announcing 

now able to communicate via the laptop ‘

born in the Forties ‘ a telephone was a luxury ‘ now on the verge of being obsolete’ 

does present a conundrum’ is society today ‘

more content ‘ than those of us ‘ born in the Forties ‘ now the ‘ senior citizens ‘ ??? 

Mary G. Douglas 

It is my ambition ‘ to one day have a garden ‘

a garden with an aura of peace 

Vegetable plot ‘laid out with precision’

Carrot : turnip : onion : potato : peas and cabbage ‘ the food from the soil ‘ of the land of my birth’

The hut ‘ with the tools of trade ‘ the spade ‘ the fork ‘ the hoe and the ‘ lawnmower 

The image of ‘ this garden ‘ stemmed from the photography in the pages of

magazines ‘ 

Packets of seeds of flowering shrubs ‘ flowers for scattering here and there ‘ a background of tall proud daffodils ‘ a sea of yellow ‘ with a myriad of colour ‘ bedding close to the soil ‘ 

Watching my dad ‘ he had the basics ‘ the garden ‘ the hut ‘ with ‘ tools of the trade ‘ 

He tackled the area for relaxing ‘ grass green and immaculate ‘

Halfway to the right ‘ the hut ‘ the hub of all the ‘ tools of the trade ‘ 

He then tackled the plot of ground ‘ from the hut ‘ to the fencing ‘

This was the point of separation ‘ a lane with the passing of neighbours ‘

The earth was rich’ top soil ‘ ideal for a vegetable garden’

His enthusiasm was wonderful to survey ‘

hours of work ‘ at nights and weekends 

He cleared the plot ‘ of all debris ‘ including stones ‘ big and small ,

Proudly surveyed all his hard work ‘ the family would not have to dine on ‘ shop bought ‘

self sufficiency’  the dream 

There came a point of change in weather’

The rains overnight’ as we all slept ‘

A common occurrence’ in the land of my birth 

The sun rose ‘ bathing all in warmth ,

Saturday morning ‘ no school ‘ hurrah ‘

Up and about ‘ washed dressed and fed ‘

The rear garden’ out’ our  own private play area ‘

Plimsoll’s’ ideal footwear ‘ for comfort ‘

I ran over the area of grass ‘ onto the rich earth ‘ awaiting planting ‘

I sank to my knees ‘ truly believing ‘ l was being swallowed ‘ never to surface 

The drama unfolded ‘ passers by ‘ our neighbours’ 

stopped in their tracks ‘ staring with horror 

my screaming alerting ‘ no doubt the whole neighbourhood .

Within seconds ‘ l felt my whole being ‘ being dragged upwards ‘ out of the sludge of earth 

turned into a mini swamp ‘ owing to dad’s ambition’ 

To clear the area for planting ‘ a winter of contentment ‘ a table daily offering ‘ the fruits of his labour ‘ sitting beaming with joy ‘

surrounded by us ‘ mum and kids ‘ 

waxing lyrical on the marvels of his hard labour 

A dream becoming a nightmare’ as he frantically dragged me out of the man-made swamp ‘ 

his second attempt ‘ of producing the efforts of labour ‘ the hut ‘ with tools of trade stacked neatly ‘ on hooks on the wall ‘ a workbench ‘ saw ‘ hammer and nails ‘ 

As dad carried me into the house ‘ covered in sludge ‘ minus plimsolls ‘ 

Mum ‘ made a comment ‘ to lighten the mood ‘

Your dad takes wood into his hut ‘ and all that comes out ‘ is a pile of firewood ‘ keeping us warm ‘ burning in the grate ‘

His passion for ‘ growing ‘ food for the table 

by removing all ‘ leaving behind soil without support ‘ 

Never mind ‘ this is Saturday ‘ the sun is shining 

Dad will gather you and others ‘ for a game of rounders ‘ on the field ‘ 

A huge area opposite our house ‘ a playground for us ‘ and the neighbouring kids 

Dad was not a ‘ joiner of wood ‘ neither a gardener ‘ with an understanding of the soil ‘

Dad was an amateur athlete ‘ a miler and half miler ‘ who knew ‘ how to win a race ‘ 

He gave us children ‘ his own and others ‘ the joy of playing a game of rounders ‘ an open field ‘ the joy and laughter ‘ 

Time ‘ moves on ‘ decades pass ‘ the music of the ‘ voices of us children of the neighbourhood ‘  with dad encouraging us ‘ on the technique of how to use the bat ‘to hit the ball ‘ on how to take off ‘ and run the circuit ‘ 

‘ winners and losers ‘ who cared ‘

Sitting quiet ‘ the memories of those Saturdays ‘ decades ago ‘ closing the gap of the years ‘ today ‘ filling my thoughts ‘ a few moments ‘ then ‘ put to rest ‘ as l prepare for the day ahead . The garden ‘ of my home ‘ dreams and reality ‘ takes hard work to achieve ‘ 

One of Life’s lessons ‘ on our journey through Life ‘

Mary G. Douglas 

The Alphabet is a word ‘ split in two ‘ 

The Alpha is the first or brightest star 

of a constellation’  a bet ‘ can be a prediction ‘

an abbreviation of between ‘ 

A’ a musical note ‘ can B’ a road taken ‘ leading towards C ‘ the speed of light’  sending one hurtling into a state of an electric flux ‘ towards the base of the natural system of logarithms’ with F ‘  symbolising ‘ a Force to be reckoned with G ‘ the factor linking force with mass and distance ‘ g ‘ a symbol ‘ acceleration due to gravity ‘

H can be a guttural sound ‘ and yet ‘ now often silent ‘

I can be electrifying ‘ a current  running or flowing ‘ combine ‘ can give a nasty shock ‘

J represents the mechanical equivalent of heat 

K can give a kick ‘ a symbol of velocity 

L a US colloquialism denoting an elevated road 

M ‘ being the thirteenth letter ‘ often considered unlucky for some ‘ 

N nth ‘ to any power , hence to an unlimited degree 

O’ can be nought or nothing ‘  a symbol of what breathes life into us ‘ on account of being the symbol of Oxygen 

P a symbol of power ‘ that can be ‘ used or abused 

Q  symbolising a measure of the efficiency of an electric component as a ratio between stored energy and energy loss ‘

R the symbol of electrical resistance ‘ a trilling of the tip of the tongue in its pronunciation’

S can be a gentle sound ‘ when voiced ‘ or denote a sound of displeasure’ 

T a symbol of ‘ surface tension’ yet ‘ when can be a friendly sound when uttered ‘ ears perking up ‘ did someone mention Tea?  yes please ‘ with milk and two lumps of sugar ‘

U if uttered in a loud voice ‘ can turn heads ‘ and aggressive’ if one simultaneously points a finger in one’s direction? 

V a sign made with the index and middle fingers in the form of a ‘V’ with palm turned outwards in token of Victory

W quite a mouthful when pronounced ‘ yet silenced as in write’

X can be the difference between ‘ going to see a movie ‘ or not ‘ dependent on one ‘s age 

Y an abbreviation: yen ( Japanese currency )

Z a symbol ‘ atomic number ( chem) or an abbreviation of zero ‘ a word ‘ silently voiced ‘ when one  checks the bank account ‘ 

The age of technology considered by many a   soulless exercise ‘ especially in one’s senior years ‘

This journey through a dictionary’ has been fun’ enlightening’ an education ‘ balm to the soul ‘

Mary G. Douglas 

Clowning around is an art ‘ as long as it is a clown with a heart ‘ 
There are politicians’ who have this gift ‘

Having no need to wear a hat ‘ the essence of a clown with a heart ‘ is the one ‘ when not 

clowning around’ when getting down to the business of politicising ‘ is a ‘class act ‘ 

The world is full of those ‘ who fool no one ‘ when clowning  around ‘ to capture the hearts of their audience’

On stage ‘ their performance is such ‘ to capture attention ‘ it needs a slick operator 

to engage the hearts of those in the arena ‘ 

North’ South ‘ East ‘ West ‘ in the Highlands and the Lowlands’  and ‘ over the border ‘ all out to capture the hearts and minds of the electorate ‘

politicians ‘ with their promises to do better ‘

than previously achieved’ 

over the years ‘ their attempt to win the hearts and minds ‘ those on the political stage ‘

if their ‘ performance ‘ has lost its attraction 

owing to the same old stuff ‘ trotted out ‘ 

Off stage ‘ lacking humour ‘ 

The clown on stage of Life ‘ if year in ‘ year out ‘ the pantomime dame ‘ the joker ‘ on the circuit ‘

with weekly performance’ lacklustre ‘ their reputation wearing thin ‘ 

Wearing a bonnet ‘ does not cover the Facts 

There comes a point ‘ the clown act ‘ covering a multitude of failures to raise a laugh ‘ 

Time to call time ‘ and take a bow. 

We all reach a point in our chosen careers ‘

when bowing out ‘ taking retiral ‘ or change direction’ 

A matter of looking in the mirror ‘ looking beyond the image’ 

The world is a stage ‘ we are all players ‘

The trick is ‘ to know when to take a bow ‘ 

The final curtain ‘ when one’s political act ‘

now lacklustre ‘

The promises made ‘ sounding hollow ‘ 

one can fool people some of the time ‘ but not 

all of the time . 

There is dignity ‘ when accepting this fact of ‘

on the stage ‘ being judged by all ‘ in the Arena of Life 

As with the clown on stage ‘ whose act ‘ is no longer capturing’ the hearts and minds of a discerning audience ‘ 

Taking a stance ‘ lifting one’s bonnet ‘ and taking a bow ‘ 

A class act’ when one has the dignity and the insight ‘ to know ‘ 

Retiring from the spotlight ‘ and walking off ‘

In the wings ‘ taking one ‘s leave 

The burden of the yoke lifted ‘ if weighing heavy ‘ 

Onto pastures new ‘ out of the limelight’

Leaving behind ‘ the race over ‘ the baton to be held by another ‘ 

Mary G. Douglas 

One comes into this world an innocence 
Childhood filled with joyful memories ‘

Teens entering the world of adults ‘ 

Office junior ‘ shorthand typing’ bookkeeping 

Sent for a long stand ‘ after ten minutes ‘

penny drops ‘ much to the amusement of the engineers in the factory ‘

The right to dress in one’s best ‘ 

Off to the local dance hall ‘ 

Warnings’ given by parents ‘ keep safe ‘ 

home by nine thirty ‘ 

When eighteen ‘ the dance floor beckons 

A meeting of two people ‘ eyes met ‘ 

Would you like to dance ‘ 

A pleasant evening spent ‘ upstairs for coffee and biscuits 

May l take you home ? delighted to agree ‘ 

Vincent 1000cc outside the dance hall ‘

The roar of the engine ‘ my chariot awaits 

A handsome lad ‘ taking me home ‘

Not exactly dressed for sitting pillion ‘

Lightweight dress ‘ coat ‘ 2” court shoes 

Six miles of road ‘ to my abode ‘ 

Standing by the motorcycle ‘ outside the 

garden gate ‘ 

True to his word ‘ father opens the door ‘

Mary ‘ he barked ‘ it is now 9:30

Quick decision ‘  arrangement made for Sunday 

Working in a local cafe ‘ at the West End 

Finishing time ‘ 11:00pm’ will be outside to 

take you home ‘ 

A night of serving coffee ‘ soft drinks ‘ a round of sandwiches 

A favourite haunt of the GI’s stationed in Scotland ‘ 

11pm ‘ out the door ‘ expecting to find my date ‘ sitting on his Vincent 1000 

No sign of a motor cycle ‘ last bus leaving for home ‘ 

Jumped on bus ‘ sat on a seat ‘ looking out on the traffic ‘

halfway along Princes Street. ‘ there he was 

roaring past on his Vincent 1000

Accepting that our paths may never meet ‘ 

On Monday off to work ‘ thought no more of the disappointment’ 

accepting unlikely to meet again’ 

On arriving home late afternoon’ a letter by post ‘ on opening ‘ his motorcycle had a fault ‘hence the reason why too late ‘ appreciating l had taken the last bus home . 

Advised he would like to meet this evening’

and will be standing outside the GPO tonight at 6pm.

He hoped l would meet him ‘ and would remain waiting until 7pm . if 6 pm to early 

I was delighted to meet ‘ but how on earth ‘

did l receive a letter’ how did he know my address’ 

furthermore’ same day by post ‘ had a stamp ? 

It was Christmas Eve ‘ an invitation from his mother and and neighbours ‘ to celebrate the dawning of Christmas Day 1977

The old adage ‘ Life has a plan for us ‘ we don’t have a plan for us 

Sitting on a bus ‘ passing  ‘ the Palais de Dance

Edinburgh ‘ saw three friends walking by ‘

A wave from them ‘ join us ‘ leapt off the bus ‘

before it revved up ‘ on its way to next stop

Is the evening my future was mapped out ‘

I had no plan for Life ‘ Life has a plan for us’

Fate decreed ‘ l met my future on that dance floor ‘

my decision to join friends passing by on Saturday night ‘ the Saturday before Christmas Eve 1977’  

The world is going through seismic change ‘ 

Truly hope ‘ a wish for us all in this troubled world ‘ 

The year 2023 ‘ is one that heralds ‘ in 

A seismic change ‘ of a new beginning ‘ 

For thee and me ‘ and all ‘ at home and 

The world will keep spinning on its axis ‘ 

we are but ants on the hill of life ‘ carrying our respective burdens ‘ and the only way forward ‘ is to shed ‘ a burden ‘ that is not worth carrying ‘

Today ‘ will be our yesterday ‘ and today is our time to make a day to nurture ‘ with a hope that for us all ‘ Peace will prevail in this troubled world ‘

From Time began on Planet Earth conflict ‘ and peace have walked side by side 

walking side by side .

Mary G. Douglas