1699 - Much ado about Wenlock

Woke up at six and got up soon after
Perhaps I was excited, or nervous
About missing the coach down to Shropshire
Due to leave Birkenhead around ten, thus
I couldn't get back to sleep. Tremendous
Sunny day, lovely country lanes in spring
Brought us to Much Wenlock. Got off the bus
Quick cup of tea with the poets, briefing
Then off we all went on the streets, reading
Our work to passers-by, even diners
In pubs and cafes, none safe, all of us
With loose or bound sheets of verse descending
Trying to keep it clean for kids, mothers
Poetry festival goers, Brummies

1698 - Pomp and circumstances

Like millions, I watched the royal wedding
That joined Prince William and Kate Middleton
Now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, holding
Their reception, a right royal carry-on
So much for the big day down in London
Up here I've now got to think of myself
I said I'd play songs tonight in Bolton
Then I must get back home quickly, or else
I'll be too tired tomorrow, which won't help
Me drive to Birkenhead in the morning
Get on a coach of poets going down
To the Much Wenlock Poetry Festival
Where in the streets and shops we'll be reading
I'm feeling tense now but it should be fun

1697 - The reign in Spain

The build-up to the wedding's built up high
In London, cameras pan from all over
William and Kate, as one kite, soon shall fly
Instead of two, and there'll be no bother
There is bother elsewhere - Barcelona
Are discussing legal action since the
Bad-tempered game last night, when Madrid were
Too rough, but too much diving by Barca
Meanwhile, it's kicking off in Syria
Their ambassador's uninvited by
The royal couple. Bahrain and Libya
Are likewise snubbed, as are both Brown and Blair
Maggie Thatcher's too ill, her end is nigh
And me, I've got the day off tomorrow

1696 - Songs and football

This evening's been about songs and football
I'm planning on playing some songs Friday
(After the royal wedding) and I fall
Down, usually, in the lyrics that I say
Or rather, sing, when finally I play
In public, so practice should make perfect
Perhaps not perfect but perhaps okay
It's true, I can't achieve perfection yet
So tonight I knew I had to select
Two songs at least for Friday. Looked at all
My song lyrics and covers I can play
And chose two of my own and one that's not
After repeated run-throughs, ate my fill
Then watched Madrid and Barcelona play

1695 - Running on empty

I've not drunk much this month, hardly at all
I've turned it round from almost every night
Since I bought booze on the first of April
It's now the twenty-sixth - I'm doing alright
The only other time I drank was quite
Forgiveable - a works meal out in town
I had four pints but I managed to fight
The urge, borne out of habit, to compound
The drink's effect with cigarettes. The pounds
I've saved this month mean my wallet's done well
Nearly a hundred and fifty - not slight
I've run a few times on the grassy ground
Of Heaton Park, cleaned and tidied, and filled
Free time usefully, when I read or write

1694 - Song without words

I forgot the words, I forgot the words
Why is my memory so full of holes
If only I could sing just like the birds
I wouldn't miss all those destroyed brain cells
An autocue would suit me very well
Maybe it would help me come up with lines
Not only when performing but to tell
Me what to say to you on the next time
I can ad lib a bit, it should be fine
Mixing what's thought before with what's occurred
Just now, so well-woven that you can't tell
Which bits I made up and which I spent time
Rehearsing. When your synapses get furred
When words get blurred, when time has finally told
Mon 25 April

1693 - Run in the sun

Today I went for a run in the sun
Even though my knee wasn't quite better
From Thursday afternoon's run in the sun
Fancied running in Lyme Park, thought better
Of it, my knee needed respite, better
Heaton Park, mainly fairly flat, and near
Unlike far-off Lyme Park, far hillier
Because it's the Peak District, and I fear
My knee would have needed some extra care
So Heaton Park it was, although Heaton
Itself is not round there, north Manchester
It's more round Stockport way, there's Heaton Moor
Heaton Mersey, Heaton Chapel, Heaton
Norris...I know, cos I used to live there