A store full of clocks, each one keeping time,
The seconds go by with a tick and a tock.

The clerk stands there waiting, biding her time,
While the customer muses on buying a clock.
The street outside bustles with buyers and sellers,
And storekeepers worry if they have enough stock.
Second by second and minute by minute,
The time oozes by, until with a shock
The shopper realises that an hour has passed,
Gone by forever, while she stood like a rock,
And she’s still undecided, her mind in a whirl,
She shakes head and shoulders, then chooses a clock,
And chides herself firmly for waiting those moments,
And pays for her purchase, and walks off down the block.

written 7/18/17

The moon is shining above the cloud

Casting a silvery light.

The music floats out over the crowd,

as the singer sets the moon.

His love is glowing in his eyes,

He stands, hands clasped, he is so proud

Of her success this night,

watching his daughter’s debut bow.

 

Mommy, where’d the fairies go?

Her blue eyes looked so sad.

How I could answer I did not know,

But give her an answer I must.

I let my mind drift, ideas grow,

Then I remembered a tale I’d read.

The fairies have gone to a world below,

Where they live and are very glad,

Their lives long and  healthy in magic’s glow.

 

Written for my dear sister who left us on May 6^th, 2016

Come little sister, come with me,

Down to the seashore, down to the sea.

We’ll search and find some pretty shells,

And hear the stories the wavelet tells,

Tall tales of ships that sail afar

Finding their way by the leading star.

Perhaps, if we’re lucky, we might find

A Selkie child, who wouldn’t mind

Joining us in some happy play,

While he stays a human child all day.

Or maybe we’ll find a treasure trove,

Hidden by pirates in a secret cove.

We’d choose some jewels for Mama dear,

‘Twould make her happy, bring her cheer.

That would be fun, but, it’s just a dream.

But in shallows, where small things teem,

There just might be a pretty starfish.

We can pretend, and each make a wish.

I don’t what wish I’d make, do you?

You’d wish for a kitten that says mew?

A fluffy grey kitten is what you’d like?

Oh, now I know, I’d wish for a bike!

Ha ha, little sister, isn’t this fun?

I am so happy, I want to run!

Let’s run, and see how far we can go,

Splashing the water with heel and toe.

Oh, dear, little sister, look at the sun!

It’s setting, and that’s an end to our fun.

We must head back to Mama and home,

But maybe tomorrow we’ll once more roam

Down to the seashore, down to the sea,

And play again with the young Selkie.

Black as a raven’s wing,

Darker than midnight,

There is a fearsome thing

Taking away all light.

Moon behind clouds hiding,

There is no starlight;

Alone, to myself I cling,

Cow’ring in fright.

 

What is that distant sound?

What’s coming near me?

Oh, how my heart does pound!

Will something hear me?

Huge trees are all around;

And ‘neath every tree

Bush covers all the ground

Cover to hide me.

 

Hark! there’s a well known voice,

Soothing away all fear.

Now does my heart rejoice,

My Mother is here!

I made an ill thought choice,

And did not stay near.

Harked not to her sweet voice

And ended here.

 

Now safe in her arms I rest,

Trusting in her love.

I know in her I’m blest

By our Father above.

Treasure by far the best

Is my Mother’s love.

Peace now pervades my breast

Soft as a dove.

 

Safely at home once more

With my heart aglow,

I’ve learned a lesson sore;

Now I surely know,

I’ll never again ignore

The words “Do not go”!

I’ll ask if it’s safe before

Wond’ring I go.

Inspired by three black cats in snow

Sneaky-paw and Singing-purr,

She loved him and he loved her.

They had four kits, three girls, one boy,

Who filled their lives with love and joy.

They lived in peaceful harmony,

They’d chase a mouse or climb a tree,

 

They’d roll and fight, but just for fun,

Then chase each other at a run.

Alas one day, the girls they ran

Right out in front of a moving van.

Then Paw and Purr sat down and cried

For Tabby, Gracie and Messy died.

 

Poor Paw and Purr, their hearts are sad

At the loss of the darling girls they’d had.

Now all their love and care they give

To the handsome boy who still does live.

He’s growing brave, and wise and strong,

And we hope that all his lives are long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Little Jack Horner,there in your corner,

Waiting to fight Fearless Lynch,

You lost the big fight that terrible night,

When he tore ff your head in the clinch.

 

inspired by a picture of  two glowing creatures, one white one black, the white standing over the fallen black

Listen, mo ghra*, and you will hear

A tale that I swear is true.

It happened to me, at this time of year;

Take heed, lest it happen to you.

*= muh hraw = my love

 

 The Samhein* fire was burning bright,

The red flames leaping high,

I’d eaten my fill of the food all night,

Topped off with bilberry pie.

*= Sahwen = end of October Celtic celebration

 

A strange young man with ebon mane

Came up and stood by my side.

He smiled, and asked if I’d tell my name,

And my heart it swelled with pride.

 

He was the most beautiful man in our land,

And he chose to speak to me!

I gave him my name as he took my hand;

I’d fallen in love, you see.

 

Then, smiling he said “shall we take a walk?”

And drew me along the lane,

He asked me questions, and urged me to talk.

I grew tired, but knew no pain.

 

We turned from the lane to a forest trail,

And a thin mist started to rise.

As we went, it thickened, and formed a veil

Till all sight was gone from my eyes.

 

He led me on for well over an hour,

Then the mist began to thin.

“My dear, I now have you firm in my power,

Your love I’m determined to win.”

 

The mist soon cleared and I saw a land

Of beauty I’d ne’er seen before.

Yet fear gripped my heart in an iron band,

When I remembered the Otherworld lore.

 

I cried out in fear, pulled my hand away,

And I turned around to flee,

But he caught me, and said “Oh, no, you must stay,

For I swear you’ll belong to me.”

 

I cried out again and for rescue prayed,

And felt a great power nearby.

I looked, and saw one in brightness arrayed

Who spoke, “I have heard your cry.

 

“Abarta, your mischief has gone too far,

This maiden cannot be yours.

You have taken one our rules do bar,

And opened us up for wars.”

 

This being moved and took my hand,

Light flared, and then I found,

I was back at home, in my own dear land,

I stood on familiar ground.

 

So heed my warning, mo ghra, my own,

And know who asks you to go

A-walking with him, in village or town,

For there are dangers that you don’t know.

 

The Sidhe look to take an unwary child,

And lead, and coax her to roam,

And she’ll become confused, beguiled,

And never return to her home.

 

 

 

 

 

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep,

And can’t tell where to find them.

She left them alone and wandered off home,

And left them with no one to mind them.

 

Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John,

Ate and ate, he never was done;

He grew so fat his end was foregone,

Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John.

 

Little Jack Horner hung out on the corner

With Deano, Gino and Sol.

The three robbed a bank, and that really stank,

‘Cause Jackie was jailed with them all.

inspired by the picture of the corner of a saloon room. To see the picture go to http://ozlandbard.blogspot.ca/2010_08_01_archive.html

“Did I ever tell ya” the old geezer said
As he ran his hand ‘cross his round bald head,
“Of that turrible night in Morgan’s Town
When Big Bart Barker shot Ed Stanley down?
‘Twur an awful sight!

“Things was usul in Morgan’s Saloon,
Jeb at the pianer played a lonesome tune,
And LiliLou, in a fancy red gown
Was drinkin’ with Clancy, who was feelin’ down.
Jist a reg’lar night.

“When the swingin’ door opened and who walked in
But Big Bart Barker, steeped in sin.
He looked around, and loudly said
‘Where’s my money?’ and he looked at ED.
Ed froze in fright.

“Then he stuttered and stammered, with shakin’ knees,
‘I only got half, I need time, Bart, please!’
Big Bart scowled and took a stride,
He glared at Ed, feet spread wide
‘Ya had till tonight!’

He reached to put his hand on his gun,
He glared around at everyone,
No one moved, we was all too scared,
So we all just sat around and stared
Like rabbits caught in a light.

“Then Big Ben slowly drew his gun,
Ed looked around for a place to run.
Ben raised his arm and took his aim
And shot, sayin’ ‘now I stake my claim!’
And Ed fell, a sad goodnight.

Bart looked ‘round the room and sneered,
Waved his gun, looked at Lili, leered,
Then backed outside and rode away.
Lili ran to Ed, then started to sway,
I caught and held her tight.

Lili and I soon left that town,
Found us a preacher, settled down,
Raised some kids, had a great life.
Lili was a perfect Ma, and wife.
But I’ll never fergit that night!”

free verse, inspired by the picture of the lightning. Written Saturday, September 4, 2010. To see the picture go to http://ozlandbard.blogspot.ca/2010_09_01_archive.htm
He’d been sleeping, mighty Thor,
A sleep that lasted aeons long,
Nestled snugly in a fleecy cloud
Content to leave those lesser beings,
Humans, to their own devices on the Earth.
His underlings were well supplied
With lightning bolts, just to keep those
Crawling, weakling slugs reminded
Of his power. Of mighty Thor.
Hovering there, far beyond the planet,
Their petty battles disturbed him not.
And so, in peace, the mighty one slept on.
But then it came, roaring, belching flame,
A metal monster carrying a crew –
Human men and women, venturing out
Away, beyond their proper sphere,
Their place of birth. And in their
Going, audaciously they ripped away
A part of that cloud, his soft nest
Wherein he slept. He woke, roaring,
Cursing, in violent anger raged
And reached for his store of weapons.
Some he flung after that manmade dragon.
But it was gone, far beyond his reach.
The rest he flung at Earth, pelted all
As ‘round it turned below him,
Bent on complete destruction
Of all that moved. Great was the
Devastation. But other Gods protected,
Guarded this creation. And so
Thor’s Armageddon failed, and
Earth, and Man, lived on, and flourished