Month: May 2014

Locked-in here

On By jovisgoesIn Illness, PoetryLeave a comment

Locked-in-syndrome-image

he could see the nurses moving round
as they fussed about his bed
he could hear each word they spoke of him
as if he was already dead
and yet they knew he was alive
or why would he still be there
he’d already be burnt to ash and dust
and been stuck on a mantle somewhere.

it was odd the way that it started
he was walking home from work one day
his legs just started to feel very strange
then he collapsed as they both fell away.

he was rushed to the emergency hospital 
where his condition had got better each day
but suddenly he went into a spasm
that ended with him lying here today.

locked-in syndrome he heard one doctor
say to a colleague talking over his bed
and while they were wondering about him
he silently screamed in his head.

all the things they were saying were scaring
and he couldn’t tell them what he knew
he felt lost and alone and so frightened
but about it there was nothing he could do.

he’s been lying like that for six months now
they’ve assisted his breathing as well
but they don’t chat as if he’s not there though
and to him that now feels worse than hell.

he stopped breathing

CRASH

they started his breathing this morning
but they’re worried that he’s getting frail
and inside his head he’s still screaming
and weeping though no-one can tell.

 

©Joe Wilson – Locked-in here 2014

A love of Beethoven (a sonnet)

On By jovisgoesIn Music, PoetryLeave a comment

Beethoven_edited

 

I’m resting and listening to Beethoven
His Eighth Symphony to be precise
He called it his ‘Little Symphony’
But that doesn’t do it justice to me
It soars in such magical splendour
T’would be an insult to call it nice.
The majesty of the individual notes
Joined from such exactness of intent
Each note climbs up to heaven
Exactly as it was meant
I cannot match such beauty
And neither will I try
For when I listen to Beethoven
My eyes are rarely dry.

 

©Joe Wilson – A love of Beethoven (a sonnet)2014

Drunk in beauty

On By jovisgoesIn Poetry, Point of View, wisdomLeave a comment

I‘m drunk
I’m drunk
I’m drunk on the possibilities of life and those that choose to live it
I’m drunk with the goodness of some and how they shine out like a beacon
I’m drunk on the wonders of good books and the pleasures they bring to the reader
I’m drunk with the beauty of music and the excitement and peace it can evoke
I’m drunk by the way a thought can just pop into my head and allow me expression
I’m drunk by the beauty of nature and how it can beguile me in its diversity
But I’m captivated by the person who would take the trouble
To see another struggle and ask if they might help in some way.
That is far more honest than any of our politicians or most celebrities
It is one person at the basic unspoilt level of humanity
that we sadly rarely encounter, and much less embrace in our busy lives.

©Joe Wilson – Drunk in beauty 2014

Consequences

On By jovisgoesIn Anger, Betrayal, PoetryLeave a comment

9915036-concept-diagram-wordcloud-illustration-of-domestic-violence-abuse-international

As he staggered through the door drunk
so his wife knew she was in for a beating
she could forgive him the anger he felt
she was the one who had betrayed him
she was the one who had been unfaithful
what she could not forgive were the beatings
he had no right to do that to her, he had no right
she had never imagined him to be a violent man
but since he felt the betrayal he had drunk
he had drunk so much he could often barely stand
but still he had no right to beat her, he had no right.

One night he went completely crazy and broke both of her legs
he broke one of her arms too but with the other one
she stabbed him to death with his favourite knife
she stabbed him so hard they couldn’t get the knife
out of his stomach till they did the autopsy
now everyone’s life is ruined, his, hers
the children’s, and his parents
and her parents, and their friends
and their neighbours, their work colleagues
and everybody they knew in some small way
has been affected and altered in some way.

She was wrong, he was wrong, everyone suffers
none of us are perfect and there are always

consequences!

©Joe Wilson – Consequences 2014

 
My wife and I have had a lovely marriage that is still beautiful after forty-two years.
I just wish, rather naïvely perhaps, that others could be as fortunate.
Violence is no answer. ❤

Angie called…again

On By jovisgoesIn Illness, PoetryLeave a comment

angina

Angie called again this morning
that’s angina to you and folks
she called around about half past two
she beat me hard, please, no jokes.

She calls around from time to time
I suppose she always will
and though I’m very used to her
she scares me rigid still.

The by-pass eased the problem some
but of course it is no cure
and when Angie knocks upon my door
the pain she brings is pure.

©Joe Wilson – Angie called…again 2014

‘WALTER’ – a sticky end

On By jovisgoesIn Fun, Poetry1 Comment

In the bowels of the busy city
Where the frightened never show
Still hearing that sad and haunting song
Walter struck yet again some nights ago.

Cities often breed men like Walter
For it’s where the vulnerable stay
They’re poor and defenceless and easier meat
For people like Walter to steal them away.

But life’s full of irony as Walter found out
And to a sticky end he did come
For he picked on a man who was much worse than he
And his end was far from humdrum.

His end had come, he was no more
His crimes had caused such grief
But none of Walter’s victim’s friends
Felt anything but relief.

RIP  Walter

©Joe Wilson – ‘WALTER’ – a sticky end 2014

 

The Muse

On By jovisgoesIn dance, dancing girl, Love, PoetryLeave a comment

dances-every-gentleman-should-know-1088086-TwoByOne

He saw her sitting and took the chance
Of asking if she’d like to dance
She looked at him and he understood
This dance would be special, and then she stood.

And so they danced the light fantastic
Glides drew gasps at their gymnastic
For each had found their special muse
And dancing made their bodies fuse.

For hours they spun around the floor
And with each step they wanted more
All other dancers seemed to fade
As they danced on in their masquerade.

But when they finally stopped their whirl
There was no sign of his dancing girl
She was in his dreams as she was before
He suddenly woke and she was no more.

 

©Joe Wilson – The Muse 2014

She Thought It Rained Today

On By jovisgoesIn Loss, Love, old age, Poetry, Point of ViewLeave a comment

old lady

She thought it rained again today
But the rain was in her mind
The frailty that now struck her down
Was so brutally unkind.

There were some times when it felt so bad
And others when it all came back
But just for a fleeting moment
As if she was peering through a crack.

Her senses were leaving her slowly
Her eyesight was failing her now
And when she needed the lavatory
Well, the bag on her wheelchair was how.

She remembers she thinks she’s a burden
Or is her memory playing tricks on her too
She just wishes that it would all go away
Or does she, she’s forgotten that too.

 

©Joe Wilson – She Thought It Rained Today 2014

The European Elections

On By jovisgoesIn Competition, Poetry, Point of View, politicalLeave a comment

EU_Flag_blowing

I’m minded today we have a choice
to make our mark and raise our voice
but there are those, it’s very funny
who’d tell you how they’d spend your money.

All over Europe pundits gather
getting themselves in quite a lather
giving opinions on issues political
trying to make them sound so critical.

Skeletons found in many a cupboard
the found out grimace, some have blubbered
and later when all votes are counted
disappointment follows campaigns mounted.

In Germany too they’ll do their thing
as seats stay put or make a swing
France and Italy, Ireland too
votes for Europe are quite a to-do.

Votes are counted on Sunday of course
and Dimbleby brothers roll out in force
the great Swingometer comes into play
as seats are won across the UK.

After all the dust has settled
new MEPs all keen and mettled
all take their seats with po-faced pride
personal pleasure they try to hide.

And so to business for some it’s new
there are many and various things to do
like getting claims in for their expenses
the sitting places – the search for fences.

Alliances to make are the next big thing
who’ll vote with you on anything
but represent those who for you voted
or you’ll be out next time, I hope that’s noted.

 

©Joe Wilson – The European Elections 2014