Words by A Wensley

  For Mike, on what would have been your 70th A smile, That's what I remember. A smile, Laughter, cheekiness and fun, A joker in the pack of Higgs'  As we sat around the table playing cards Each Boxing Day, In-laws and out-laws altogether, Your wife Sue an out-law like me, Wedded to a Brother of a Brother of a Brother of a Brother of a Brother, A sister-in-law of a Sister of a Sister of a Sister, Such a big family, But we were all welcome at the table. Cold meats and pickles  Bags of coins, drinks and giggles, Grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Billy the Bulldog, All sharing gifts and Playing on the rug. The years go by so quickly, Young ones with their own young ones, Elders gone, Sue and a year or so ago you too, But the smile, I'll always remember that of you, I hope you knew how much it meant To all those in that Sydenham semi's rooms. And how, just like your Brother Ant Celebrated his 70th, when we last saw you in '22, You deserve to be remembered dearly On wha...

They say water holds memory   He began in the salt-watered reflection where  His father saw his heart knotted like rope in his Mother's eyes. She who had mended fishing nets, Dorset-dumpling-legs dangling gaily over the harbour wall at West Bay. He, an evacuee from the banks of the Thames.   She began in the milky reflection where Her father saw his heart skipping like a shiny 12" Vinyl in her Mother's eyes. She who had sold the sounds of the seventies From behind the counter in Minehead's Woolworths. He, a dairy-hand of Somerset's green pastures.   She, and she, began in the murky reflection where Their father saw his heart swirled like a paint-water jar in their Mother's eyes. She who had studied nudes at the college along Bridgwater Bay In the early stages of a Foundation Degree. He, a mature student, a wood-turner by trade.   The years they pass But the waters remain, glinting within, Mixed by the tumultuous tides...

Imagine This… A white piano in a white room. The first bars of ‘Imagine’ rousing hope, A bearded white Englishman With his Asian bride, Imagining all the people living life in peace. A bed-in of love, Yet, assassinated. Imagine This… A Tibetan monk in his bright kasaya robes, A smile as wide as acceptance should look, Spreading the word of Buddhism, Peace and love. Elderly immigrant; Seeker of refuge,  Exiled. Imagine This… A black South African man Nurturer of equality, Apartheid activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, President. Yet silenced, Imprisoned. Imagine This… A black American man who had a dream; Proud, in full colour, A King among men, Speaking up and speaking out Against racial injustice, Also an activist. Another assassinated. Imagine This… A white (fake-tanned) American man; Gun-totin’ news-dominator,  Vindicator of alleged Christian values, Divisive not inclusive - Seeking justice for the average white guy, In the land of the free He sets the precedent. President. ...