POET’S CORNER

Ruled By Numbers

Into this world with a slap and a yawn

Then details to file the day I was born

First numbers in life, weight, time and date

Relief for all, just two days late Numbers in abundance for everything in life

Numbers for emergencies to help us through strife

Numbers on the blackboard and on the bus

Numbers on the census, they’re counting all of us

Numbers on the car and on the garden gate

Numbers on the parking fine, just five minutes late

Numbers on your pay slip with the boss to thank

Numbers for your blood pressure after visiting the bank

Numbers for our appetite, yes here in Hull

Numbers to be counted to see if we are full

Numbers for fried chicken, also for the dips

No numbers for the salad only for the chips

Well three-score and ten plus a few Have been around the block a time or two

Enjoyed many numbers, lived a lot of life

With two kids, three grandkids and just one wife

Welly.

Grandad’s Lament

Where oh where did our grandkids go?

What did we do wrong I’d like to know.

I’m sad to say something’s taken our place

It’s a jingly thing stuck to our grandchild’s face.

From morning to night it’s stuck to their ear,

And the little tiny child you once cherished so dear

Gives you fierce looks if you dare

talk at all

You may as well watch telly or talk to the wall.

It’s so sad that the teen years don’t involve grandparents nowadays So their only recourse is video replays.

Gone are the days of a walk in the park,

Or a little cuddle with your grandkids when they were afraid of the dark. You’ve been replaced by a monster of noise and of light,

And if you interrupt it I’m sure it could bite.

So I’m afraid you just have to face facts and retire,

To your slippers and armchair and sit quiet by the fire.