BENEATH FLANDERS FIELDS

Ypres, Flanders Field... courtesy of Pixabay

BENEATH FLANDERS FIELDS

Beneath Flanders Fields, so many lay

their dreams all turned to dust

young men, and old, gave all they had

for what they believed was just.

As others wander o'er the land

they feel the lost ones's pain

they offer up a silent prayer

'Never let this be again.

Let there be peace, for all mankind

in that we must believe

Dear Lord, help us to understand

might it be possible to achieve.'

So much love lies beneath the soil 

whether it be friend or foe..

so many families incomplete

as they tearfully saw them go.

Please think of them this special day

and remember all who've passed.

Enjoy this life they saved for us

..if only that war had been the last.

©Crissouli Nov 11, 2017

FAIRY DOOR AND MORE

 FAIRY DOOR AND MORE

Down through the brambles

where most folk never go

you'll see a crooked path

leading to a secret place I know..

It's not a place for mortals

at least not any more

but if you're very lucky

you'll see a magic door.

You have to tread so carefully

and be gentle with each footfall

or you'll never feel the magic 

or see a soul at all..

Just sit quietly by the wooden gate

looking at the wise old tree

you may just be the one who's lucky

and fairies you might see.

The door's not always open

for the fairies come and go

but be patient and believe

and maybe then the door will show.

For it's within this tree of wisdom

that the fairies do appear

but only on occasions

and for those without all fear.

'tis said that wishes may be granted

if a secret you can keep

and you never tell a soul

where the fairies often sleep.

We all do need our dreamtime

it's such a lovely state

..but did I really see some fairies

or was I reading books too late.

©Crissouli Sept. 30, 2017

Image: Pixabay

TEMPTATION

I'M NOT TOO BAD AT ALL...

I'M NOT TOO BAD AT ALL...

No, I'm not too bad at all today,

no, not too bad at all

the plaster, oh, I got that when I had a fall

but I'm not too bad at all.

Don't worry about the bruises there

they're from a cricket ball.

They might be black, but they're very small

I'm not too bad at all.

What's that you say, can't hear too well

I never can, not since I fell..

it was only from a ten foot wall

but I'm not too bad at all.

No, the ankle doesn't bother me..

it happened when I was small

it's just that I didn't realise

that the tree was quite so tall.

I'm really feeling fine today,

I'm not too bad at all.

I've felt much better since the op I had

did you know they took my gall?

Well, they had to

it was full of stones

enough to make you pall...

but really, I'm not too bad at all.

Oh, the pimple on my nose?

It's alright, I've got lots of those

but they're not too bad at all!

My finger, oh, it's okay

I only broke it yesterday..

but I'm not too bad at all.

Hypo - chond - ria? 

No, I've not that had at all

I've not felt better that I recall...

©Crissouli April 1983

THE CAST

THE CAST

Where do they come from,

these faceless people who sit

in lounge rooms every night,

munching happily, many of them,

while they live their lives 

within the rays

of a pulsating box..

Do they have lives 

of their own?

Or do they simply

live in dreams

written and directed

by characters unknown?

The world passes them by 

unknown to them..

their whole existence

is that of an audience.

© Crissouli Feb. 1985

 Image by Pixabay

FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS

FAREWELL TO OLD FRIENDS

 We said "Goodbye" to you today..

for so many years you'd been a part of our lives.

We'd had a long and happy association

but your time had come, I guess.

Because of age, you'd outgrown your usefulness.

You had welcomed others, so many times

but somehow, their presence worried you now.

You seemed to creak a little 

and groan upon their arrival, not very polite.

It didn't seem to matter who they were. 

You began to treat all and sundry

in exactly the same manner.

 They'd all been so kind to you

and had come to visit often,

but you didn't exactly show them your gratitude.

In fact, you usually fell apart regardless.

I kept hoping you'd mellow as you got older..

perhaps you did, in a way,

but your behaviour got too much for us.

I'm afraid we could stand it no longer. 

The friendship simply couldn't survive.

You became unglued just once too often..

Goodbye, old chairs, you served us well!

©Crissouli May 1983

Image courtesy of Pixabay

THE DONKEY'S TALE

THE DONKEY'S TALE

  

There was once an old donkey, who lived near the sea

all day long, he went hee haw hee

 I didn't meet him till he was quite old

but I listened carefully to the tale he told.

He was so happy when the children came round

for he'd give them rides, all about the ground

but it hadn't always been that way

and I took lots of notice of what he had to say.

A long time ago, before my time,

even before there was a town hall chime..

he'd been very popular, as a weekend treat

when the parents came down, with their children, so sweet.

The kiddies sat on his back, so tall and strong

and he carried them proudly, all the day long.

The people came, from near and far..

some came on foot, some came by car.

Then one weekend, there appeared near the beach

a great big machine, too tall to reach.

It was bright and shiny, and oh, so grand

and played bright music, just like the town band.

The children no longer came to ride

the poor old donkey and that hurt his pride..

for they all flocked to the merry go round.

It was far more exciting, than him, they found.

He was so sad there, standing all alone, 

and sometimes, softly, you would hear him moan.

Then one bright day, the machine wouldn't go

and the children were crying, as they do, you know.

Till one little girl, in a bright red suit, 

said "Look at the donkey, I think he's cute!"

Then lots of children came over and cried..

"Please, Mr. Donkey, can we have a ride?"

The donkey stood, so tall again 

puffed his chest out, and looked quite vain.

He felt he was useful and was proud once more

this is what he'd been waiting for.

After that day, he was always there

and stayed so important, at the seaside fair.

If you go one day, just look over the hill..

I'm sure you will find him, giving rides still.

 ©Crissouli August 1983

Images courtesy of Pixabay

MISSING

MISSING

Why, when I call your name

do you not respond?

Why when I reach out

is there no one there?

You have been so much a part of me, 

of my life..

Did I depend on you too much?

or was it you, on me?

Was there ever a time that it mattered?

For though two, we're one

in so many ways.

Now, I feel divided

between past and present

then... and now.

I miss your laughter, your smile

your tears..

but mostly, you.

Maybe in time, the pain will lighten..

though I doubt it.

I long for your presence

will I ever be whole again..?

©Crissouli January 1983

WANDERIN' DUO

WANDERIN' DUO

They went 'a'wanderin', round about four

down to the 'rubbity', to have one drink, or more..

They still weren't back when we did need to go

where they had got to, we really didn't know.

The children went one way, we went t'other

but still couldn't see them, this man, and his brother..

A cranky wife was hopping, first one foot then the next

she said she wasn't worried, but she really seemed quite vexed.

Then the two of them came back again, each with a sheepish grin

holding out a peace offering, that one of them did win.

"Pity I didn't win one" the tall bloke was heard to say

"I tried very hard to do so, but luck was not my way."

They stood, both still grinning, like a pair of naughty boys

and just like all the Swadlings, they tried their charming ploys.

I suppose all will be forgiven, when the steak is cooked for lunch

you cannot help but love them, this bloomin' Swadling bunch!

©Crissouli1982

LOGICAL ATTRACTION

LOGICAL ATTRACTION

What is it about hot water that attracts

the incessant ringing of the phone?

Have you ever noticed that all can be quiet

till that longed for cuppa is about to be poured,

or the tub is hot and foamy, 

just crying out for your aching body 

to soak in it's depth?

And what is more attractive to the jangling monster

than a freshly mopped floor,

preferably one on which you've lavished

lovely hot suds.. and have just stepped over..

always to the opposite side to the phone!

Surely then, it is only drawing a logical conclusion

to say that hot water is attracted to the telephone!

©Crissouli 1983

 Image by Pixabay

A CHILD'S PRAYER

A CHILD'S PRAYER

 Sweet Jesus, hear my prayer

and take me in your arms

this pain is now more than I can bear..

Please show me the promise of your Psalms.

You promised you'd be my Shepherd

that you would lead me all the way

Please, Jesus, let me come home to rest..

let this sickness go away.

My Mummy and Daddy cry a lot

I hate to see them so very sad..

Please, Jesus, if I lived with you

Maybe they wouldn't feel so bad.

You said "Suffer little children

to come unto me.."

Jesus, please take me home again

and then I would be free.

I have no fear of Heaven..

I know it will be a warm and loving place

Let me farewell my loving family

and enter your sweet embrace.

© Crissouli April 1983

Image by Pixabay

NATURE'S JEWELS

Image by Pixabay

NATURE'S JEWELS

Softly, gently, they floated down

Shades of red and golden brown

Dancing, prancing, upon the breeze

Forming carpets with the greatest of ease.

This way, that way, over there

Till nowhere is a space to spare

Crunching, rustling beneath my feet

Piling upon the garden seat.

Crisp, fresh breezes touched my cheek

As if warmer places they did seek.

Winter can't be far away

When autumn leaves come down to play!

©Crissouli May 2007

BUT FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD

Image by Pixabay

BUT FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD

Precious though it is

We take for granted

The love a child has to give.

We brush aside

Their tiny hurts and bruises

We do not see their quivering lips.

Other things take over

Adult worries multiply

Till all the world seems at war.

A child does see

Much more than you and I

For he can see the games we play.

He understands

When all seems blue

That it really isn’t so.

A little pat

A moistened smile,

The sky turns blue again… and all is well.

(c)Crissouli

HANNAN’S FIND

HANNAN’S FIND

’twas but a simple Irish man

Paddy Hannan was his name

he’d left his home in far off Quin

to find his fortune and his fame.

First he went to Melbourne

then to New Zealand he did go

but then the call of Western Australia

was too tempting as we know.

He fossicked close to Southern Cross

with no great find at all

along with Shea and Flanagan

he answered Coolgardie’s call.

Many miners scraped the land

yet their dreams were not to be

seems success was left to others

like this lucky Irish three.

Gold, they found, some ounces..

when fossicking near a hill

they named this place Mt. Charlotte

it seemed to fit the bill.

In this dusty outback land

‘Hannan’s Find’ was all the go.

The mates had found some treasure

the riches sure did flow.

It’s now known as Kalgoorlie

close to it’s aboriginal name..

to all, not just the outback,

it’s the place of gold discovery fame.

(c) Crissouli February 14, 2017

Image courtesy of Pixabay

This verse was originally written as a Guest Post for 

Outback Family History..

http://www.outbackfamilyhistoryblog.com/2017/02/14/hannans-find-verse-crissouli/

O, MY VALENTINE...

O' MY VALENTINE...

Wilt thou be my Valentine

for now and for all time

wilt thou sup with me

of life's delights, sublime?

( Oh, quiet the children, 

they are so loud..

and how my head does ache..)

Wilt thou stay close by my side

as we traverse through life's pathways

wilt thou hold my hand in yours

through dark nights and sun kissed days?

(No, I can't, there're dishes to be done..

of course you go

you must have your fun..)

Wilt thou truly be my Valentine

we'll live such a life of dreams

wilt thou share a life of bliss

it should be ours, it seems.

(ok, then, no more Mills and Boon

I promise you, I'm sure

oh, sweetheart, that is so cute, 

a pink rose on the door..)

 (c)Crissouli 14 February, 2017

 Image by Pixabay

I'M HAPPY TO KNOW...

I'M HAPPY TO KNOW...

Whether they came, with shackles or chains

or whether they came and were free

I'm happy to know that they came at all

for if not, I wouldn't be me!

Some came from England and Ireland and Greece

some came from I do not know where

I'm happy to know that they came at all

for Australia's history is what we all share.

There were convicts and weavers, sailors came too

and those who had lived off the land

I'm happy to know that they came at all

this new country they helped to expand.

Celebrate with a barbie or a day at the beach

with friends or just relaxing awhile

I'm happy to know that they came at all

We're Australian, hence our permanent smile.

(c)Crissouli 26 January, 2017

Happy Australia Day!