What's the Pointe

Sunny Sunday PM
Should be scoffing roast
Instead we are out shopping
Turning the credit card to toast

It's smoking some already
At just the very thought
My wallet's got a fever
It's upset, aghast, distraught

This could take hours
A midday malady
All in the name of dancing
No booze to set me free

Perched on the arm
Of a sofa made for two
Watching as they try on endless pairs
No chance to say adieu

The life of a dance dad
Played out loud and clear
I didn't choose the best time
To take a break from beer

In the end it will be worth it
That's what I tell myself
Let's hope she doesn't need to try
Every damn pair on the shelf

Finally with her new shoes
She does herself anoint
Try to tell me all you like
I'll never see the Pointe

Not a poem from the train

Avid readers, if any there are

Will know this situation well

I'm aboard a train heading north

And normally here I'd tell

Something of the journey

Or the people surrounding me

Tapped out in rhyming verses

By your good friend Mr Three

But today's a little different

And I'm not quite sure why

Find myself watching grassy fields 

And clouds racing by 

No need for rhyming dictionary

Or rattling my brain for words

So I'm watching the sunlight

Bounce off the wings of birds

The carriage is empty anyway

I'm alone in my disbelief

But pulling in to Derby now

Might bring some light relief

Alas, nothing to report at all

In solitude I happily remain

Might start on my lunch, yes

That'll make me smile again

And that must be a record

Didn't eat my lunch for an hour or so

Barely lasts ten minutes in the office

Can't help being hungry you know

Hello overcast Chesterfield

What will you bring to my view

People, beards, but little more

Ah well, bid enthusiasm adieu

And that's the crux, I guess

Enthusiasm gone astray

Meh in my very mehness

It's all I can do and say

The words will flow on the return trip

I'm sure you'll find

May be now I'm just taking

A holiday from my mind

Insomniac Interview

I hear the tick tock tick

Of some ungodly hour

Soft breaths either side of me

Mask the dark and dour

The house hums endlessly

A companion for my mind

Talks to me, softly chides me

But can't release me from this bind

News read, tweets checked

No idea what comes next

Save for irritation, consternation

With myself I'm truly vexed

Surprised I shouldn't be

Not like this is something new

Three then four, four then five

The insomniac interview

I'll put my phone down now

Pretend to doze a while

My sighs give me away, I know

Sleep, you do beguile

Direction of Travel

Choose your seat reservation

Or hope for the best

Make sure you get your preference

Or jostle with the rest

What is your preference anyway?

Indulge me, do

How do you like to travel?

What's your desired point of view?

Does facing rearwards

Make your stomach churn?

Or does having something to look back on

Make you truly yearn?

Watching it all fade away

Till it's a distant memory

But recall always brings a smile

So easily

Prefer to look for what lies ahead

And have it approach you in a rush?

A glorious blur of uncertainty

That's your crush?

Focused only on the next

Embrace the fresh, the new

Eyes fixed firmly forwards

That's the only view 

Concentrate on what has passed?

Or only in future do you confide?

You think I'm talking about life, right?

Nope, just about this long train ride

Commute

Headphones on

Random Spotify songs play

Can't quite drown out the train hum

On this travelling Monday

Woman opposite

Dozes fitfully in her chair

Possessions laid out before her

Pretty blue top and blond hair

Lady on my left's

Laptop goes tap tap tap

I'm not nosey enough to take a look

It'll be some boring crap

Ways to pass the commuting chore

People watch, then watch some more

Animated conversation

On the table across from me

Gesturing arms and harsh expressions 

What could the content be?

Most though

On their phones persist

Talking to others many miles away

As if the journey didn't exist

The handsome man

Wakes and stretches out

Kicks my leg under the table

Ouch, ouch, ouch

Ways to pass the commuting din

Get someone to kick you in the shin

Someone's got Burger King

This won't be a lot of fun

The air here is heavy with the stench

Of just one little bun

I don't mind commuting

It gives me lots of time

To sit here people watching

And then to write in rhyme 

Ways to pass the commuting time

People watch and write in rhyme 

Ode to Owen

It was sometime in 96, I think
When you moved in on the 5th floor
Helping to set up our new home
With Procurement just next door
In our little office
We had a lot of fun
Worked hard, and then drank hard
Never to be outdone
With Scotch eggs for breakfast
Smothered in hot pepper sauce
Always and ever true professionals
We were HR, of course 

Trying to escape from Anthea
Was a daily chore
She could talk for England
And then she’d talk some more
Playing basketball with waste paper
Used to get on Jenny’s wick
But then she bought us a proper hoop
Man that did the trick
Then you left to go procure stuff
While off on adventures I went
But no matter where I was
Hot pepper sauce was my supplement

When I returned last year
It was as if time had just stood still
We had banter, laughs, and lots of gripes
Until we’d had our fill
We shared lots of good times
Others I’ll never mention again
They’re between you and me, buddy
Thank god I’ll never have to explain…
And now, you’re on an adventure
But I know you’ll be Owen, just you
I’ll catch you up one day mate
And we’ll share a beer or two

bj

#TrainLife

Sit and read the metro

But your attention wanes

Research anal sphincter injury

And all its glorious pains

Make a call to the office

But the signal won't get connect

Review your important presentation

And then simply reflect

Tap away on the laptop

Waiting for the trolley man

Review the company vision

And plan, plan, plan, plan, plan

I'm surrounded by activity

But in a world of my own

In touch with those closest to me

Via my little phone

Listening to a playlist

Feet tapping all the while

The contrasting style of others' #TrainLife

Always makes me smile 

Coffee and sandwich ordered

To be truthfull, it bloody stank

Pity he's sat beside me

Now I feel dirty, rank

He's put me off my snack now

Breakfast of Jaffa cakes

Look, to survive the trip to Leeds

You do whatever it takes

I'm surronded by activity

And endless suits and ties

Emerging from a long tunnel

The sunlight blinds my eyes

The contrasting style of others' #TrainLife

Will surely never change

We'll just play it out in future

As the seat reservations arrange

I'm surrounded by anticipation

As the journey comes to an end

Off to meetings, lunches, anything

Another challenge to contend

But for me, it's the reverse

People watching makes me smirk

Please don't bring an end to #TrainLife

It's more interesting than work

Empty

Gather in what belongs

Settle the routine

Find a way for each and everything

To mean

Keep that special belonging

Cherish regularly

Spend some time and energy

And just be

But nothing lasts forever

One day that day will come

When the once truly treasured

Fades in to the shadows of hum-drum

May be there's not enough space

To hold everything in your heart

Slowly, sadly, inevitably

Some things must depart

Gather in those that belong

Chat and laugh and smile

Bask in the glow of companions close

All the while

Work at the bonds of togetherness

Cherish every day

Spend your time and energy

Frienship will find a way

But nothing lasts forever

One day that day will come

When the once truly treasured

Fades in to the shadows of hum-drum

May be there's not enough space

To hold everyone in your heart

Slowly, sadly, inevitably

Some peole must depart