Ornery:

Man and boy I have tended this land

wept when it was barren and bare

cheered when it was ripe and giving

walked corner to corner

and gazed upon furrows long

Ive harvested in sun golden and pure

toiled in cold sleet and rain

without beg or demand

then that given

I'am but a simple man making his means

asking for nothing 

that cannot be gained by hand alone

led my steers to plough on

awaiting the planting season

with great expectation

when the river ran dry

or the rain fell to hard

I picked myself up 

and dusted myself down

fought the odds 

held the tears

but bled into this soil

clutching the leather reins so tight

to make it another day

were I my family lived 

in Gods free land

and yet lurking was the farmers friend

awaiting to foreclose

whilst smiling all the while

diversify change the way you work

hire this buy that

whilst plunging debt upon them all

back then the banker was the farmers friend

but now he preys like the crow on the wing

for the showing of that first corn ear

to be fat and fed

upon my hard work and toil

things have changed and no more our say

but none the less through it all

we have each and everyday

our own slice of heaven

and the pride of knowing

we grow for us

not for you

~X~

Drapped In You:

Held fast in my arms

our lips pressed as one

the touch of skin on skin

as the flames roar behind us 

embers glow lighting the passion in your eyes

I crave for you too see 

this moment was for you

stare through my opaque walls

and look beyond sinuous and tissue

knowing this beating world

is for you

sliding my hands up and around 

your naked shoulders

laying you back and trailing my lips

down your neck to your chest

hearing you gasp 

as I slide further down

your body a sense of electric

urging me on as your flesh responds 

to the minute touches of ecstasy

in this moment and for always

you are mine and I am yours

candles flickering

making shadows on the walls

as we rise and fall as one

your moans driving me deeper

to find the core of what is you

voices unspoken

words unsaid

just eyes on eyes

speaking the language of the things

for so long both of us

wanted always to say

beads of sweat trickle down our bodies

as if crystal drops

adding to the senses and smells

of our love making

as outside the wind blows

and the rain falls

whilst the moon peers her light

through the curtains ajar

as we fall to the floor

wrapped in sheets of white

holding each other close

as shooting stars fly past

with each others dreams and wishes

for another tomorrow

~X~

Golden:

Oh to feel the sun on ones face

the gentle warmth caressing the soul

shining its way deep inside

as if a firm fire in the stove

to walk under trees of shade

as the light plays its games

making the kind of shadows

only seen by candle lite 

on walls of night time

to turn and turn

held in this moment

to lazily drift away to places on high

and here the summer birds sonnets

as they sing their chorus

as if to announce your arrival

to dip hands in cool waters

as you float on down stream

under willow trees

as they part their limbs 

to allow you by

to close your eyes and forget

all that is for that instance

and be a part of a beating world

that lives inside

and outside 

of the very essence that is you

to smile and laugh

to hear the sounds of nature

as it lives and breathes

flowers a bloom

colours regal

fit for king or queen

smiling and bowing

as you walk past them so

this is the beauty of life

wrapped up in a single

quality street yellow wrapper

filled with the rapture and joy

you surely deserve so

~X~

Held:

What is but this thing
that I hold so precious
that allows me to see
all that is
for there in
lies the beauty
of it all
everything I touch
all that I feel
that I desire
want and need
in this here world
all that resides
and yet seems
to just pass me by
here today
gone tomorrow
leaving me with a sense
of welcome and hope
an utter glory
filling my mind body and soul
with
faith and belief
clutched tightly to my heart
for there is always
the promise
of another tomorrow

~X~

Harp:

Oh green seas of grass

rolling on through the mind

filling my eyes with the rise and fall

light dances upon your surface

shades a many here and there

a walk one will take

to the top of the lines

were a view down or across

reveals the bigger picture

of a opulent summers day

nothing but blue skies

surely shining on me

laughter and joy faintly caught

on a breeze so

walkers walking far and wide

exploring the hidden depths

of this here world

larks on the wing

trilling their sweet summers song

the uplifting breeze

gently sways the hair

of the girl whose hand you hold

as you stand and gaze

oh in this moment

I can reach out and touch heaven

I am part of God 

and he is part of me

as we surely stand

under the mighty majestic oak

a carpet of bluebells spreads a through

the cooling glade

were one can rest awhile

and pause the still life

that is this wonderful view

shared by you

with me

~X~

Fortitude:

Birthdays come and go

all in the blink of a eye

years passed minds aged

along with bodies

and yet

memories afore refreshed of now

a time to pause to reflect

to accept realise 

that though perhaps

slightly more seasoned

we are but so much wiser

an have touched the skies

and flown as if birds 

nay a eagle on the wing

we have crashed into oceans

drowned and wept in despair

but always surfaced

to face another day

people changed left and joined

and left us so much more

richer stronger

in the promise of a better moment

soon to come as we turn older

wisdom an fortitude

a constant reminder

of the love we have

within us all

given freely regardless

of age looks lines 

devotion 

wrapped up in a silk bow

with as many a candles 

as needed required to mark

the day you came to be

all and everything

to those who love you so 

always

an

forever

Happy Birthday

~X~