Friday, 14 October 2022

A seed of a dream  

 

My dream, it started very small

A seed inside of me.

I thought about it every day,

And wondered what would be.

 

My dream, it seemed so far away

But still that seedling grew.

I thought about it every day,

And hoped it could come true.

 

My dream, it is in front of me

It’s a journey I must start.

I’ll work towards it every day,

To achieve what’s in my heart.

 

For Lita and Mumu, and all the young people I've met and taught in China. 

I hope your dreams come true.

Friday, 12 March 2021

Miss Cooper


 

I’d like to introduce you to someone you never knew,

Someone we’ll miss, someone we miss,

The girl who became you.

 

As old as the Queen but with more than twice her class.

The queen of her own household

With us, for us, our last.

 

Sister to two, mother of three

Grandmother of five and greater two more.

Perfect? Like no-one, but good like no-one else,

She did her very best, and in her presence we found awe.

 

She endured more than she should

A fairytale wasn’t hers to tell;

But with strength she moved as life evolved

And she never ever fell.

 

With fingers green as grass, oh how her garden grew,

And to her flocked exotic crops, birds that saw her paradise.

A place for luncheon without the boating party

Recharging her anew.

 

Retired in comfort, a good life not denied.

A brandy in her left, something missing from her right.

Piano concertos and flute sonatas -

Wilbur Smith and Grisham piled at her side.

 

She sat with heartbreak beyond recognition

And led by example her head tilted high.

In time this Lady moved on as she could,

Took us all away as a loving mater would.

 

A tree of solid roots with branches reaching far

Her influence, her legacy, her stock continues to rise

Enquire over here, and an Oxford engineer

From the very start of Meantime, to far and foreign skies.

 

Miss Cooper I’d like to introduce you

To someone you never knew

Someone quite spectacular

The person into whom you grew.  

 

Saturday, 26 October 2019

A poem from two of my favorites

Yo, Caro
How does your Marrow Grow?
 

By Marrow, of course we mean brain
Because your lyrical skills are insane.
We hope you had an amazing Birthday,
Sorry it’s late but these words we say ...
 

Thank you so much for being a star,
It’s a little sad that we can only say this from afar.
But distance is just a measurement,
And you are a key part of our new regiment!
 

Although we’re not with you all of the time,
Just remember us when you read this rhyme,
Even if we wait another two years,
Before you know it, we’ll be raising our glassses and saying CHEERS!


By Allison Garoghan and Simon Garoghan

Sunday, 20 October 2019

Oh be Joyful (for that complicated third drink)


Oh be joyful for today we smile.
Two loved ones, so in love,
Celebrating their union with an army of friends.

A rainbow of happiness: every shade of love a promise.
Laughter rings and echoes out,
In-decision put aside.

Walking, running, stumbling together,
Miles behind you - marathons to go.
A world of places to travel to as your world grows.

Exciting and passionate with the strength of a canon,
Nurtured by family; watching, smiling on.

Blunt as a spade, honest, real and fun,
Looks in rare found silence speak embraces for years to come.

An artist with flare, an organiser of hearts and minds,
Stronger together, building a home.

So, oh let’s all be joyful, for blind dates and third drinks.
For all the love we share with you.
For your hearts joined as one.

Thursday, 8 August 2019

Another day


It’s Thursday the 8th. (1)
6 am wake-up call - magic on the way.
A day of laughter, happiness
And the deep love of a beautiful friend.
Cheerful tears from windswept eyes. (5)
Hugs with childhood friends,
Fairies, foes, princesses in castles.
Adulthood forgotten; drowned out by fireworks
Home by the stroke of midnight.
The clock strikes….it’s Friday the 9th.  (10)