Anne Rainbow

Blog day 469: Still loving you

Anne Rainbow — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:28:05 +0000

Have not written anything for a while, but woke with a couplet in my mind. Tried to turn it into a poem ...

Still loving you

Today’s miracle is tomorrow’s old news
Today’s heartbreak, tomorrow’s blues

The sun rises and the dawn breaks through
While we recall what we already knew

Golden slippers turn into worn-out brogues
Knights in shining armour morph into rogues

So the day is unwritten, unscripted too

And I'm still loving, still loving you

Blog day 468: Send her flowers?

Anne Rainbow — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:40:25 +0100

In some quarters, I have a reputation for a stony heart. I can appear so efficient, the assumption is that 'I have no soul' I was once told by a colleague. Just before leaving that particular establishment, someone asked me if anything made me cry. "Oh, yes," I said. "Christmas carols." That was a long time ago and, at my leaving do, the more creative members of staff composed a ditty to sing to me, to the tune of an unmistakable carol. It had the desired effect.

Many years later, quite soon after I had walked out on my first husband, I was asked to give advice to four men: "What should a man do to stop his wife leaving?" To cut a long story short, I suggested the man should (a) buy her flowers (not so often as to make it a habit and not so rare for it to become suspicious) (b) take her out for a meal, a show, whatever, not just because it was her birthday and (c) tell her he loves her every day. I still think it's sound advice, but if truth be told, it's the flowers that win the day, for me.

One astute man of that foursome asked me if, had my husband bought me flowers would I have left him. He is now my second (and, I hope, my final) husband and today he bought me flowers.

Send her flowers?

If you've screwed up so bad
That she won't even talk
If you think maybe today
Is the day she will walk
Never to return ...
Send her flowers?

Your silence is not strong
It just amplifies pain
So beg her to stay or
Risk never seeing again
Your true love ...
Send her flowers?

Now if someone can set that to a Christmas carol, we can all have a good weep?

Blog day 467: Nothing

Anne Rainbow — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:23:37 +0100

I broke my ankle nearly five weeks ago so I have been confined to quarters for far too long. I do escape occasionally thanks to the kindness of my driver but, mostly, I am trapped, here inside my head.

Nothing

Do you know: nothing beats a public hanging?
Watch the crowd as they bay with delight.
Feel the surge of joy as he swings
And witness the rhythm of his dangling feet.

Who tried this man? Was it you?
Who heard the evidence against?
I heard that the finger pointing out his misdemeanors
Was attached to the hand that handled his defence.

It's too late now - the excitement is over.
The beating has left his wounded heart.
Gone is the victim of your misunderstanding
And nothing will revive his love-bearing spark.

Blog day 466: Long odds

Anne Rainbow — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:59:32 +0100

Been a long summer and not much sun. I am better off than I was: blessed with two beautiful granddaughters. On the flip side, I have a broken ankle which, three weeks after the event, is now on the mend. So, things have been tricky and I've not been in the mood to write ...

Yesterday, I took up a challenge and this is what I wrote for the MoreWriting Poetry Flash - in 15 minutes. It is flawed but then so is life?

Long odds

They forecast long odds
I see only short returns
And a heart at stake
While the money burns

The vampires smile
Revealing a toothy grin
Jaws snaps into place
And suck the blood within

They call it interest
What you have to pay
Monthly, they promise
But it compounds every day

You’re never out of debt
Not while the bankers bleed
The life out of the economy
And leave the poor in need

Then they dish out bonuses!
For a job so badly done
Losses, off the balance sheet
By gamblers having fun

They forecast long odds
I see only short returns
And saving is now a joke
Just like the interest it earns

Blog day 465: Closer

Anne Rainbow — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:31:18 +0100

Today's poem is another one of the four I wrote the other day from the MW Poetry Flash prompts. I've added just one word to clarify one aspect of the poem: it's a two hander, as I discovered on rereading, 24 hours after it had emerged from somewhere deep within.

Closer

Listen little girl
I’m nearer than you think
You should watch your step
Bringing me to the brink
Is not the way it’s done
It’s not playing fair
But come a little closer
And see how much I care

See if I give a damn, sir
Whatever you desire
Will become second nature
In this carnal fire
When you have tasted love
Supped till you’re done
You’ll wish I were closer still
Once your fun’s begun

Blog day 464: Out of control

Anne Rainbow — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:53:47 +0100

I have days when poems slip in and out of my mind, but I don't write them down. I just let them flutter by, like butterflies. Then I do a flash and out comes goodness knows what!

Out of control

Sinking into oblivion
Through shadows on the wall
Taking nothing for granted
In the world of forgetting all

With jagged thoughts, arrested pain
Sharp-tongued harridans cry
Completing the spectacle
Of last night’s nightmare flying by

I’m wide awake in the knowledge
Of things I’ve never known
I trip the light fantastic
And watch me dance before the throne

I feel the crowd falling on me
I take my curtain call
I am slipping through the mist
And becoming so very small

Alter ego, out of control
Bleeps off the radar screen
Gone, hooray, and good riddance
To the someone I’d never been

Blog day 463: Never again

Anne Rainbow — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:51:34 +0100

The four stages of group dynamics are forming, storming, norming, performing. I loathe the storming bit and norming's not within my nature. Much rather go straight from form to perform. Life's not like that, though, is it?

Never again

We witness so many closed eyes
Shout to ears with noise defenders
Lips that cannot be prised apart
By charitable pretenders

Hell arises without warning
Suddenly help is what we need
The reluctant heroes could win
If they were to follow the creed

But the time has passed us all by
The hour glass is devoid of sand
The opportunity trickles
Through a forgiving outstretched hand

Never again are we given
The chance to walk once more this way
To meet the challenge we are set
To live, briefly, the dream today

Blog day 462: Bliss

Anne Rainbow — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:40:16 +0100

Wrestling, unless of course it's in mud with another naked lady, is at best undignified and at worst painful.

Bliss

What bliss! To be unprincipled
To kiss the arse of the man
Who offended your wife
To move on, regardless
Of any whim and without requiring him
To apologise or show remorse
To be inured against another's pain
To sleep so sound and wake refreshed
To face tomorrow's harrowing
Disjointed, disfunctional, distance again

Blog day 461: Anger

Anne Rainbow — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:21:06 +0100

It's a shame when something bugs you so much you can't sleep for the angry feelings burning away inside.

Anger

A day can turn on a sixpence
By the simple act of one deed
The rug is whisked from beneath you
As others question your creed

Accusation is all it takes
To give root to this deadly seed
Injustice creates imbalance
Wild envy thrives on pure greed

Insecurity feeds anger
And that’s when the heart starts to bleed
The steady slope is all downhill
When fears are let loose to breed

Friction serves to stir fry our souls
Then we forget what was agreed
Can't anyone reset the clock
To the harmony we need?

Blog day 460: The Sound of Silence

Anne Rainbow — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:34:52 +0100

Can't explain where this one came from. The culprit may recognise him/herself.

The Sound of Silence

The hectoring tone drones on
And demands adherence to her rule
Silence is the required response
Bullying, her self-serving tool

When will the worm turn, I ask
When will the rebellion begin
Well, not before time, says the owl
As the pussy puts on her grin

But soon, the storm will appear
And our wanton ship will start to sink
Takes only one to rock this boat
Before the crew begin to think

The gang plank is the answer
We'll make her walk away from this group
Then we'll be rid of this monster
And can enjoy our pea-green soup

We'll sing to our hearts' content
Play wistful tunes of a yesteryear
Listen to waves that surround us
And wallow in this peace so dear

Blog day 459: Beauty, skin deep

Anne Rainbow — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:37:35 +0100

Some days are more productive than others. This is the third one I started last Thursday.

Beauty, skin deep

He's one lazy eye and a leg that limps
Past arthritic joints, a builder's bum glimpse
Simple distractions from what lies within
The joy of a life you might share with him

Breathe his expelled air and feel his presence
Hear the weighted words that speak his essence
His pock marked visage, may it shield from you
That rare breed of man whose heart will stay true

Imagination, cast ugly aside
If you answer yes, you will be his bride
He'll pucker his lips, your promise to keep
Revealing your dream: a beauty, skin deep

Blog day 458: Listening skills

Anne Rainbow — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:04:44 +0100

Another one prompted by observing an argument:

Listening skills

Close mouth
And breathe
Open ears
And please
Try to look
As if you care
Are interested in
What I have to share

I've already had
Am truly blessed
With your thoughts
Firmly impressed
On my still resisting
Under strain
Screaming, dreaming
Addled brain

Imagine, I implore!
My ideas could
Be equally good
If only you would
Start believing
I had anything
Worth leaving
At your so sure door

Blog day 457: The Put Down

Anne Rainbow — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:37:53 +0100

This poem was written yesterday while observing group dynamics first hand.

The put down

When the right of reply
Is refused, now time's out
Real debate disappears
Or is struck dumb by doubt

Then, a bullying tone
Can kill inspiration
While just one sideways shrug
Can snub aspiration

So blunt and ascerbic
Is the perfect put down
Watch it poison goodwill
Will it topple the crown?

Let's not play this war game
We're wasting precious time
Stand up and be counted
While we still want to rhyme

Blog day 456: The demon

Anne Rainbow — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:04:35 +0100

What's worse than knowing? Not knowing?

I started writing this poem a month ago and its half finished status blocked me from writing anything else. So, today I've finished it.

The demon

Fear eats into the heart
Chomping through beating tissue
Till eyes that are red raw
Doubt that she can trust you

Watch the darkening cloud
Sadness settling on her brow
What was a steady path
A blind man's stumble now

Hear the pain of her cries
As your vows evaporate
As the demon strolls in
On time, but far too late

Blog day 455: That unconscious step

Anne Rainbow — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:16:58 +0100

Morbid thoughts, I feel them approaching like a veil, a cloud across the sun.

That unconscious step

So, yes, unconscious
I must surely be
As I slip away
Across the sea

Know the ferryman
He has no change
My leaving date
I must rearrange

A ticket to pass
A farewell kiss
Release the life
That I will not miss

And yet, my mentor
Ever, it seems
I may return
To weep in your dreams

Blog day 454: Comedy Club

Anne Rainbow — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:15:43 +0100

Members of MoreWriting are taking part in NaPoWriMo 2009 and here's what I wrote for today, promoted by a Flash Poetry title supplied by parisDramaqueen24.

Comedy Club

Ho ho ho! Ho ho ho!
Panted red-faced Santa Claus
But in the Comedy Club
There was no applause

Tell us a funny one
Some wag shouted from the back
And hand clapped poor Santa
As he emptied his sack

No presents for you lad
Santa boomed across the hall
In fact, the joke is
I’ve no presence at all

Blog day 453: Time times three

Anne Rainbow — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:34:26 +0100

Today is our second full day back home. Yesterday, feeding the washing machine took priority. This morning, we had a Tesco delivery so lunch was our first 'real' meal in a fortnight. I went line dancing this afternoon while my better-half waited in for Debenhams to bulk delivery our wedding gifts. We now have a lot of Denby pottery and even more bubble wrap.

Time times three

Watch as time disappears
You cannot pin it down
When it is whistling through
On its way out of town

The clock was put forward
Only one week ago
So what is the great rush
Why not live this life slow

Capture precious moments
Crystallize for all time
Remember forever
One ring, your hand, on mine

Blog day 452: Light

Anne Rainbow — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:13:15 +0100

Just returned from honeymooning in Madeira. The roads there are amazing: weaving in and out of mountains, one tunnel after another.

We went on one of their famous Levada walks - to Rabacal and the 25 fountains - and this involved walking through a tunnel. It was a great relief to see daylight ahead of us after some 800 metres of darkness.

Light

It is not until you see
The bright light
That you realise
It was ever night

It is not until you hear
The birds sing
That you realise
What joy love can bring

It not until you taste
Perfection
That you realise
Your true direction

Blog day 451: Lopsided

Anne Rainbow — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 22:53:41 +0000

Been a funny old day. Some ups and some downs. The world is ...

Lopsided

We don't care, not enough
About what's going wrong
We feign indifference
When we need to be strong

Eyes averted, we walk
Glued to the other side
When we should roll up sleeves
We just crocodile cried

And now the time has come
To be counted as one
To pull out our fingers
And to get the job done

So more more excuses
And hey! No more faint praise
Let's do what we know's right
And mend our wayward ways

Blog day 450: Discord

Anne Rainbow — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:05:22 +0000

Time is measured by minutes, hours and days. The sun comes up and it goes down. We go to bed; we rise. There is a routine.

It doesn't work for me.

Discord

This chord called time
Starts me off, thinking
Traps my sad thoughts
And leaves me blinking

And yet three notes
In any which scale
First, third and fifth
Make musical ale

It soothes my brow
Dispels my despair
Recharges love
And recreates care

Will I forgive?
Forget what went wrong?
Find harmony
And sing you my song?

All that I know
Is the breath I take
Keeping strict time
To melt my heartache

Blog day 449: Emotional distance

Anne Rainbow — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:48:29 +0000

A single phrase can sear through muddled thinking, leaving a scar which will remain visible for all to see. Emotional distance did it for me today.

Emotional distance

One step back
Hackles rising
Time to leave?
Not surprising

Blog day 448: One year on

Anne Rainbow — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:25:33 +0000

When someone dies, for those that are left behind to grieve, the days that follow are a blur. We stumble through funeral arrangements, donning black clothes and meeting members of the family that we haven't seen for years.

A year later, as the anniversary approaches, the process is reversed. The numbness creeps over those that grieve, a few days ahead of what was a shocking event.

One year on

I couldn’t let today go by
Without a word or two
To say how very sad I am
And that we’re missing you

A year ago, the lights went out
After your life begun
So there’s no candle on a cake
To celebrate you’re one

But one shines from within your heart
A flame for all to see
And today being your birthday
We’ll sing, but silently

Because we’ll never forget you
Precious bundle of joy
Our whisper of lost happiness
Breathtaking baby boy

Blog day 447: The pen

Anne Rainbow — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:44:07 +0000

Guided writing can reveal interesting messages. Where do they come from? Answers on a postcard to ...

The pen

Sinister thoughts traverse a page
At an optimistic slant
Descenders betray a passion
And the tendency to rant

The middle zone has lost its edge
Yet the pen reveals the word
As they say, those who remain dumb
It’s mightier than the sword

Blog day 446: Words

Anne Rainbow — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:55:03 +0000

We weren't snowed in as such today, but we decided to stay at home anyway. Lots to do. Deadlines looming.

Been thinking about what people say ... and the power of speech.

Words

Words are weapons
When you spit them out
When you raise your voice
Above a shout

Words can caress
And mind control
When whispered wisdom
Makes love to a soul

Words are chosen
For good or for ill
Before you speak them
Think on God’s will?

Blog day 445: Don’t drink and drive

Anne Rainbow — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:46:59 +0000

I've only tried to play the piano having had a glass or two, twice. I failed both times.

Don’t drink and drive

Ma’am! You must not drink and drive!
That’s what all the posters say
If you do, you’re sure to crash
And put paid to someone’s day

Playing piano’s tricky
When I’ve supped more than a few
Can’t focus on those crotchets
And the pedal’s wobbly too

I guess the blur can be blamed
On how much liquor I’ve sunk
Best I stroke the ivory
And not drive home while I’m drunk

Blog day 444: The word is ...

Anne Rainbow — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:56:46 +0000

I went to Plymouth this evening to see Cabaret. Excellent.

The word is ...

The word is
No one escapes the stain
Of guilt, of man's inhumanity

We are all witnesses
And will perish
In the gas chambers of the sky
Gold fillings will melt
Our paper money burn

In the morning
The dream of freedom
Will be but ashes
Evidence that history
Foretells the future

So why do we not learn tolerance
And live as one, in accord?
Why are we deaf to the word?

Blog day 443: A goldfingered fake

Anne Rainbow — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:04:14 +0000

Guess what I did today!

A goldfingered fake

Exfoliated, buffed on a towelled couch
Wearing only paper knickers and a smile
Soon-to-be tanned skin, silky soft to the touch
Lies a goldfingered fake, in St Tropez style

Blog day 442: Persistence pays

Anne Rainbow — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:00:43 +0000

This one is for Phots-Moll ...

Persistence pays

The man with the open cheque book
Yes, the one who never says no
Brags that, for him, persistence pays
Which, I guess, only goes to show …

You should try, try and try again
Hit your head against that brick wall
Shrug off every defeatist blow
And believe you will get the call

Dream that it can happen to you
Imagine your way to the top
Meanwhile, keep on writing because
Success is no reason to stop

Blog day 441: Never mind

Anne Rainbow — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:37:53 +0000

Some say, with me, what you see is what you get. It's not true actually.

Sometimes - no, often, almost always - I bend over backwards to take into account the sensitivities of others before I take action or react to a situation. I opt for the win-win outcome whenever I can.

Unfortunately, this desire to please - or perhaps not to displease - has to be counterbalanced by the notion that it's wrong to lie, wrong to pretend something is brilliant when in fact it's not ...

Then truth will out - or I say nothing?

Never mind

Truth is hard to take
So why be so blunt?
Diplomacy wins the day
Keeps you out in front

Praise the very best
Overlook the weak
Choose your words with extra care
Sometimes do not speak

Let him down lightly
Scoop up from behind
Massage that dented ego
Never mind the mind

Blog day 440: Reminded

Anne Rainbow — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:31:40 +0000

It's been a hectic working day followed by a fun evening, supporting the local RNLI in their 'sausage and chips' supper at the Victoria and then retiring to the yacht club with the usual Friday night crew. Lots of laughs.

I've had a few and I'm reminded that, once upon a time, I wrote poetry - mostly - when three sheets to the wind.

Reminded

Sheets to the wind?
Minimum of three
Would easily unleash
The poet in me

With a head that thuds
And a heart that bleeds
A goblet free hand
Is all my mind needs

I'm reminded now
Of so long ago
Having had a few
Enjoying the flow

Pouring out venom
And letting go grief
Confessions of love
Words were my relief