The sights you see

Tonights poem’s after a painful morning shopping in the Trafford.

The sights you see

Our shopping trip, but it’s all changed

The Trafford Centre, it’s re-arranged

Waiting, watching, some hurry, some slow

Busy people, all with somewhere to go

All shapes and sizes passing by

Some fashion trends that hurt the eye

Most are ‘beige’, a few you need to laugh

With weirdness totally off the graph

With grown men strut like peacocks

Please, please, no sandals and socks

Ladies leaving nothing to the imagination

Their hips swinging with dislocation

Tattoos of all sorts, even the kitchen sink

So many there’s a shortage of Indian ink

Entertainment, who needs the TV

Ordinary people, but not like Sue and me

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

Using dark pencils

Tonights poem’s about the local elections.

Using dark pencils

One night this week we all went to vote

A litmnus test, not proxy or remote

Using very dark pencils to place the cross

For councillors and the mayor who’s boss

Across the country, four corners and all

A range of candidates all standing tall

As results come in, some surprises all round

Some of the usual suspects lost their ground

There’s now politics to excess on TV

Be it red or blue,

they overcharge, don’t you agree

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

All the gear, but no idea

Tonights poem’s for the new Co-op Live venue.

All the gear, but no idea

Cancel, cancel, postpone, delay

Opening nights are going astray

All those seats with no bums to sit

It’s sounding like it’s a money pit

A white elephant as the Co-op’s not Live

It better hurry up, or it’ll not survive

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

Blue domes

Tonights poem’s for Napowrimo day 30.  Today’s prompt is to write a poem and identify with, or compared to, a character from myth or legend. But I haven’t.

Blue domes

Lost down endless pathways swirling through my mind

Fragrant lemon trees and olive groves entwined

Far away deep azure sea surrounds all sides

Steep passageways zigzag past daily high tides

Donkey rides shooting past whitewash walls

As freshwater trickles over marble waterfalls

Blue dome roofs, for shelter from the heat

Oranges dropping to the floor, juicy and sweet

Hustle and bustle of a fresh fruit market place

Endless streams of visitors touching heads saying ‘Grace’

Below humming sounds echo across the bay

As cable cars rattle up and down from top to bottom all day

Throbbing sounds as more people hold on

Anticipating the daily setting of the sun

Tourists swarm engulfing each day

Cruise ships sailing in and then sail away

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

A swift one

Tonights poem’s for Napowrimo day 29. Today’s prompt is to write a poem based on a selection of words from Taylor Swift. I’ve picked up a few.

A swift one

Open mouthed I sit, watching, on the dock of the bay

Respect, I think, as an ALBATROSS glides away

Fishing boats arrive, moored like a CLANDESTINE sight

These cold early hours under INCANDESCENT light

Let’s work together, surely we can work it out

One day you’ll come back to me, no doubt

It will never be over for me, as I wait for the dawn to come

Time will pass you by, as I sit wearing a warm CARDIGAN made by Mum

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

Questions, questions

Tonights poem’s for Napowrimo day 25. Today’s prompt is to write a poem based on a series of questions.

Questions, questions

Questions, questions, a lengthy form

Strict guidance how to transform

Who, when, what, how and where

Some info I don’t want to share

Lots more to go, there’s only 10 pages done

At this rate, I’ll be here till the rising sun

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

Real Superheroes

Tonights poem’s day 23 of Napowrimo. Today’s prompt is to write a poem about a superhero.

I’ve chosen to write about a group of local runners who dress up as superheroes.

Real superheroes

Just ordinary people out for a run

Their alter-egos bringing such fun

A daily run when lockdown began

An idea maybe, or even a plan

Marathon runners making you smile

Never giving up going mile after mile

Raiding the cupboard to bring some cheer

Their transformation into superhero gear

All across town, down roads, and avenues

With birthday wishes, their request list grew

One by one they arrived with style

Wishing happy birthday, making children smile

There’s Captain America, Mr Incredible too

And Batman and Robin to name but a few

Superman, Spiderman, Cat Woman’s there

So many superheroes, it’s what they wear

Wonder Woman, Anna from Frozen and even Thor

I’m losing count there were so many more

Then they were famous and on breakfast TV

And all for charity,

and they did it for free

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

Things you’ll never miss

Tonights poem’s for day 22 of Napowrimo. Today’s prompt is to write a poem in which 2 things have a fight. Hopefully, I’m almost there.

Things you’ll never miss

A gadget for this, a thingy for that

Rolling pins and a butter pat

Spare cutlery and measuring spoons

Some items that I need a clue

A Scottish spurtle and plastic clips

Strange protectors for your finger tips

A cleaver last used I don’t know when

Pie cutters and dried up marker pens

Jostling for places, clamoring to be used

Got to take care or I’l get skewered

It’s overflowing with clutter and bits

Our kitchen drawer, things you’ll never miss

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

And the colour is….

Tonights poem’s for Napowrimo day 21. Today’s prompt was to write a poem about a colour. Mine’s about the primary and secondary colours.

And the colour is…..

The days of the week, each one has a hue

Don’t care what you say, Monday’s always BLUE

Tuesday arrives it’s so brightening with vivid RED

YELLOW is Wednesday, the hump you want to put to bed

Thursday is a PURPLE, the week’s almost been

GREEN brings in Fridays, starts of the weekend scene

Saturday’s BLACK or WHITE, or so some may say

Maybe an ORANGE on Sunday, it’s your special day

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue

Christmas 1969

Tonights poem’s for day 20 of Napowrimo. Todays prompt is to write a poem about something from history. I chose my history

Christmas 1969

Darkest days 55 years ago

The scales of life to me bestowed

Hospital bound on the the surgeons knife

50-50 chances of keeping my life

Christmas ’69, no presents to unwrap

My parents worrying while fingers tap

Hours of surgery my brain tumor cured

The side effects I’ve since endured

I’m here today, 64, or there approx

Occasional hospital trips to see the docs

My epilepsy, it’s not the end of the world

I’m very fortunate as my years have unfurled

Good health and the working life

A wonderful family and Sue my wife

Two arms and legs and retirement ahead

How could I ever thank the doctors and nurses who rescued my head

By Phil Tongue 2024
©PhilTongue