Words by A Wensley

Your last thought  If you could choose your last thought at night Before your mind flips it's lightswitch And your flight of fantasy turns it's autopilot to dream-mode, What might it be? Would you choose your favourite song, A soft melody that gently rocks you to sleep? Or a heartfelt breaking news story,  That hijacks your mind, changes the way you see? Perhaps you'd gaze at the full moon, And think of those who'd gone too soon? Or fly your thoughts to loved ones far away? Or perhaps your last thought might be of me? Your mind-switch-flipper, Your heart-hijacker, Your mystical moon-dream-beamer, Who's flying her last thought of you, to you,  On this telepathic plane called poetry. A Wensley 16.11.2024

I've never lived alone, not really I've never lived alone, not really, I moved out of home at 19 years, But not on my own, With a man's not alone, No, I've never lived alone, not really. I've never lived alone, not really, I moved house four times in my twenties, But not on my own, With a man's not alone, No, I've never lived alone, not really. I've never lived alone, not really, I had 2 kids in my own house in my thirties, But not on my own, With a family's not alone, No, I've never lived alone, not really. I've never lived alone, not really, I was left in my house at 37 years, But not on my own, With two girls is not alone, No, I've never lived alone, not really. I've never lived alone, not really, I moved out to a new life in my forties, But not on my own, With a man's not alone, No, I've never lived alone, not really. I've never lived alone, not really, I was left in my house at 47 years, But not on my own,  With two t...

Christmas Presence So the Christmas Day Schedule was published today, A merrier listing we'll never dare say, There's big shows a-plenty to 'liven' proceedings, Keep kids entertained? Don't think, it's misleading! With so much to get through, the food and the wine, Will we really be bothered if the glitterball shines? Will we really sit round, agog in delight? Or will everyone think what a load of old shi*e? It's tradition you see to all gather round, The telly is on but life's far more profound, The foil of the screen is the background you see, To laughter and chatter and gifts by the tree. So your presence this Christmas is welcomed with cheer, Pull up a squeezed-in chair, pull crackers, drink beer! There's logs on the fire and we're sweating buckets, Cliff's singing his tunes - in our heads we're like f*** it! To escape from the chaos would feel like a win, But is there room for resentment to fit in the bin? Is Christmas a time to be t...

The farm that Jack built Once upon a time  There was a farmer called Jack, He had fields full of wheat And milk-producing Daisies. He ploughed the land, Furrowed his brow, Soiled his wellies, And turned over little profit. Jack had a child Who he taught well To plant for the future And reap the rewards of good produce. Then one day Daisy was put up for sale, For beans. The tax man loomed, booming - "Where is the goose who lays the golden eggs?" And "where's my breakfast?!" A Wensley  21.11.2024

 On Council Business 'Consultation', the word jars With those who've always worked so hard To watch their colleagues on Teams marred Suffering at the fate of cards, Dealt a blow Cold as snow Governments come and Governments go Money trickles in so slow "What a bloody shit show!"* [Collective gasp, though we're on mute] Silence that colleague on the call! (The Piper's piped, too late for flute). She does not speak for one and all Respect and kindness please play ball. Tis true the messenger should not be shot As the auctioneer strikes down our lot, The public purse is wearing thin Too many potholes need a skim Too many hearts need care from sin Too many mouths need food within, When will this end and sense begin? A Wensley 24.10.2024 *This actually happened today on our Teams call - on the day the staff consultation on Council redundancies was announced https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cje02527g24o 

 Flutter I've turned my sofa, Now it's time. Time to catch the Autumn light While it still shines. Face open doors, hear the robins  While they sing. Dance with courting butterflies On the wing. Flutter. Like my heart does now, As you walk up my path... I've turned my sofa, Now it's time. A Wensley 7.10.2024

Realisation I knew in that moment, As I closed the car door That I was closing the door On the old me The one who takes the crap And makes it better. I knew in that moment, As you drove away That you had a journey to make That could only be made By the person Sitting behind the wheel. I had faith in that moment In the universe's strength To make Whatever needed to happen Happen For both of us. We were given that moment To pause and reflect. To calm from your anger, To rise from my perceived injustice, And find the path Of true togetherness. So as I reflect on that moment, 12 days ago, I realise that in staying silent I broke the cycle, Of you run, I rescue Of you lead, I follow. In that moment I had expected more from you Than to be considered weak, crazy A bad parent For asking you to stop... It was an unrealistic expectation From a heart so soft. Because in that moment That is what you saw. Because in that moment You did not see what had gone before The way she struggled with he...