1758 - Two strikes and we're out (Britain and Greece)

The strikes are back again, see them increase
As workers' benefits and jobs are cut
Not only here in England but in Greece
Where it's far worse due to that state's huge debt
The crowds are gathering, somehow they'll get
To Syntagma Square, maybe by Metro
Since the strike's affecting other transport
Glad I'm not flying there this year. To go
To the airport to be told there are no
Planes would be maddening. The PCS
(My union) and the teachers' NUT
Are both out on Thursday, so I will throw
My lot in with them and strike, take my ease
At home, but also give them my support

1757 - The Seven Years' War

In '57 the Seven Years' War
Was in full swing, between Britain and France
Inevitably, both competing for
Colonial spoils, domestic circumstance
Improved at another's cost, the Indians
Of North America, most certainly
The Prussians also fought the Austrians
The Prussian Hohenzollerns under the
Great Fred, against the Habsburg family
With its huge army. War was all glamour
In those days, pretty uniforms, cannons
No wonder little boys pretended they
Were battle heroes. Dying was just a
Fun game, and worldwide travel a bonus

1756 - Wolfgang bang

That great player and composer, Mozart
Was born back in 1756
He was composing soon as he could fart
His dad Leo taught him some nifty tricks
On the violin, but his fingertips
Seemed most at home roaming the keyboard's black
And white hills and plains. So they went on trips
Father, son and older sister, went back
And forth to Italy, England, some dark
Times, learning, writing, improving his art
Settled in Salzburg, not feeling he fits
So to Germany, then Vienna. Took
A post there at last, popular concerts
Overspent, sickened, died at 36

1755 - Lisbon and Lichfield loom large

In 1755 the main two
Events I think are of interest are first
The Lisbon earthquake, dispatching up to
90,000 poor souls. A great wave burst
Upon the shaken shore just like the last
Big one in Japan this March. Also that
Far-off year, Samuel Johnson had released
His great Dictionary, erudite and fat
Like Sam himself, the Lichfield boy who'd got
Himself noticed in London. Boswell, you
Preserved much of his bluster and his thirst
For tea and lack of sympathy. And that
Was not all. David Garrick also grew
In Lichfield, then acted in London, too

1754 - Calm down, calm down

These last two months and more I've lived healthy
Cutting right down on booze and fags and stuff
It's beneficial economically
My bank account's not looking quite as rough
Even when I go out I rarely stuff
Much grog down my neck, so that I can drive
Lots of the poets round here are quite soft
Anyhow and don't drink; they just arrive
For the readings and then shoot off. I'll strive
To continue this course. More recently
(This week) I've found a way round quite a tough
Elbow strain threatening to wreck plans for live
Guitar performances. Practice can be
Done if kept brief and focused, which I love

1753 - The God profusion

I'm nearing the end of that massive book
'Gargantua and Pantagruel,' and next
Up is 'God Collar' by Marcus Brigstocke
A new-published, anti-religious text
In a comedy vein, so more relaxed
Than 'The God Delusion' (Richard Dawkins)
Although I've not read that, not seen pole-axed
The idea of deities, thrown in bins
Held up to scorn, though I've seen many times
Professor Dawkins on TV, that look
Of disdain for the superstitious sects
And their defence of faith along the lines
That science is a belief too, and stuck
Behind, not having answers that are fixed

1752 - Beware of Greeks receiving gifts

There could be more riots soon in Athens
Like those last year in May when they went mad
Since then it's had to be the government's
Policy to impose this really hard
Austerity, buy what they can afford
And no more, pay off all their creditors
In the eurozone all must keep their word
And balance their books, collect their taxes
These EU bailouts are hurting voters
Especially in Germany and France
Let them go bust is the cry, even heard
In Greece itself, the nationalist voice
Rising against those lending billions
But imposing conditions from abroad