A Jolly Holly Time

Darkness dims the chilly days,
Christmas street lights lighten the way,
Bringing cheer to all that see.

Crowds hustle and bustle along the streets,
Hands filled with swinging plastic bags,
From the lining of their purses do their pennies leak.

It's a jolly holly time,
A time for giving to all those in need,
Charity, forgiveness and love that shines.

Nativity plays that pride the hearts of parents,
Christmas parties, drinks and celebrations,
What a most wonderful time of year.

Together with family to seal the bonds,
Treating others, and indulging gluttonous galore,
An annual tribute and singalong to the song of praise.

Children trying their best behaviour,
Fears of elves scribbling their names on the naughty list,
Mothers patience they do test.

Present wrapping, bows and string,
Baubles, lights, tinsel and paper chains,
An angel guarding at the top of the tree.

Listen out for the bells in the night,
The rooftop thump and chimney soot,
Father Christmas plants his delights.

Waking up joyous and full of glee,
The most happiest day of year,
Presents piled high under the Christmas tree.

A prayer to God for the feast we eat,
Big or small, we thank the lord for our sweet soundness,
Our house, health, warmth and happiness.

Please help those who are not as fortunate,
Let's take a minute to ask help for them,
Count our blessings but lest not forget.

Such a jolly holly time,
Merry Christmas to one and all,
May the new year bring you all that you wish.

L.J.B

Reach for the Moon

Ever feel that there's something that you've been longing to do. Your insides filled with determination, but as you try to go forward the grasp of reality ends up pulling you back?

 

Here I am trying to smash through the walls,

Taking each daunting step at a time.

My heart is running away,

Waiting for me to catch it up.

But my brain just laughs and drags me back to the harshness,

Why can't I just break through.

I peer through a small chip in the bricks in the wall,

A small slither of silver light shining through.

One day I will get past, 

One day I'll be able to reach the moon.

L.J.B

Little Lady Bird of Hope

Little Ladybird

Wrapped and sent down to earth so delicately,
Specially chosen and webbed with the fate of hope,
Gruesomely exploded into this world,
By a lazy and selfish heart, whilst the other half sits helpless.

Cruelness, spiteful trickery engulfed this little ladybird,
Only her wishes lifted her from her hurt.
Forces of wickedness dampened the sensitive’s spirit,
I must keep wishing and fly one day she thought.

As the years went by the little ladybird grew bright,
Red and spotted dots that shone for miles.
Sweet and kind with the softest of heart how unfortunate,
This brought her no help, it only brought more pain.

I am soon to fly said the little ladybird,
Soon I will be free to flee from these evil clutches.
They continue to curse and torment her,
Wrapped in their life long stupidity.

They shall see one day what they've done to me,
The little ladybird shall keep quite until then.
One day they'll see me soar up high,
My wishes shall be seen.

Pretty little ladybird now with wings of steal,
Rusty red with shattered spots that have been indented.
Fire flows from within her bones and belly ready for release,
Melted chains you she scorched, ascending high into her dreams.

L.J.B

City Cat

City Cat

Every day I prowl through the bustling hot streets,
Rumbling sounds of cars, trams and loud horns hoot.
People flood the cobbled dusty long paths,
And seagulls caw from up above spying for stolen bread.

The beautiful Ezan sings out making the streets more serene,
Spiritual, peaceful, and exhilarating the atmosphere does seem.
Sometimes I get chased at, kicked or spat on,
But still I continue, proudly purring to those with kind hands.

I have no particular aim in life,
I hunt for food daily, thankful for the odd tit-bits.
I see and hear lots of things every day,
And it’s these street secrets that keep my smug face lit.

Wild dogs bound around impishly, flea-ridden and thin,
Their quite tame but just like to act like silly fools.
I don’t need to give thought to them,
Independently I live and breathe without a care.

Colours astonishing rainbows delight,
Smells that make your stomach twist in pleasure.
Grilled, freshly baked or delicious sweet perfume,
Warm sun that bleeds your skin and fur to health.

Glittering sea sprinkled with exportation ships,
Islands and green mountains line the horizon.
Over the high bridge is one of my best places,
The men in their hats, raising and drawing in their rods;
Quick and fast I must be to jump on a fresh catch!

Oh, there could be no better life,
Living on the free wild side,
No worries and woes,
Trekking through my favourite busy city.

L.J.B

When the Penny Drops

When the Penny Drops

My jaw drops
As my eyes pop,
I'm in a complete state of shock.

My heart drops
With a thud down to my feet,
Still pumping but weak.

Realisation drops
With a plop,
At the reality of the scene.

Fear drops
Running ice through my veins,
Please keep fighting I scream.

Suddenly his eyes drop
Droopily along with his fighting arms,
And his neck flops over to one side.

The penny drops
The air silently still,
We squeeze hands as he passes.

Tears drop
From our red veined eyes,
Freshly ripped wounds in our hearts.

A piece of soul drops
From ourselves we have lost,
An amazing piece of our family.

The coffin drops
Down into the ground,
Prayers and memories we share aloud.

Now our heads drop
Staring at our beloved photos,
Oh Granpa how we miss you.

L.J.B

Dickie Boy

Dickie Boy

Cheers blast from the radio,
A celebratory roar.
Crooked smile and self-mutterings,
Livid daydreams that his heart wept for.
Then comes the sharp smack,
Of the reality of his life.
Physically trapped chained inside,
Lives a dream within an old man..

Body half fragile and thin,
Left limbs scrunched stiff.
His mind is only a few years behind,
Living in a body with cerebral palsy.
Everyday he gets ready for work,
Picking up swung golf balls on the course.
Limping home to his lunch,
To waste away in his fabric armchair.

Inside his head he lives his dream,
Pocketing winning snooker balls.
Batting the ruby red cricket ball,
Or even striking down the bowling pins.
Champion gripping golden trophy,
Lightening flashes of the cameras.
Dickie! Dickie! they would all chant,
Sports championship that was hidden within.

Out for a day with his younger brother,
A football match that they watched together.
Exciting building blocks towered,
He can't help but commentate through the hour.
Intent ears following the words from his foamy lips,
The footballer sprints, aims then kicks.
Up into the air the ball sails high,
Gliding down into the winning net.

Goal! is screeched from every fan,
Earthquake shuddering as they all jumped up.
He punched air with his only open hand,
Suddenly approached by an important man.
How well you did reporting this match,
Everyone was gripped by your words.
Dickie boy had now been offered his dream,
Unaware his self-muttering had even been heard.

L.J.B

Pearl the Mermaid Gives a Gift

Pearl Gives a Gift

One warm sunny day, Pearl was getting ready to go and visit her best friend Coral. Pearl had planned an adventurous day out. First they would swim over to shipwreck cove, a small cave where lots of lost objects lay fallen from the big ships that sailed high above the ocean. Pearl had a small shiny collection of lots of shipwrecked treasures laid out prettily on her dressing table. There was a rose pink hand mirror, a couple of china tea cups, cutlery, and a large golden bowl. Pearl and Coral loved to go out exploring, but they'd always have to be extra careful near the cove, as Steve the shark like to lurk at the bottom. You would never hear a swish of his tail or a bubble swirl, but before you knew it he’d be right behind you gnashing his razor sharp teeth, trying to bite and tear at their tails. Then they'd find the perfect spot at star park to sit and eat their favourite cherry crystal cakes, whilst they looked at the pretty objects that they'd collected.
Pearl finished combing her long wavy silver hair and clipped the front of her hair up with a pretty pearl flower clip. Singing happily to herself Pearl swam over to Coral’s house. Colourful fish swam around flashing their bright colours making the sea glitter and glimmer in the sunlight.
KNOCK KNOCK!
Pearl tapped on Coral's front door. There was no answer. Pearl tapped the door again this time a little louder. There was a strange squeaking noise that came from inside. Pearl opened the door and let herself in.
“Coral!” She called out. Again she could hear that strange squeezing noise. Pearl followed where the noise was coming from.
“Coral, it's me Pearl. Are you ready to go out exploring?” Pearl asked aloud.
Coral wasn’t in the sitting room, nor in the kitchen. Pearl swam up to Coral's bedroom and found her friend looking very pale and wrapped up in blankets in bed.
Coral squeaked whilst giving a meek smile seeing that Pearl had arrived.
“What's the matter Coral? Are you ill?” Pearl asked concerned for her friend.
Coral nodded sadly and pointed to her throat and head, she tried to speak but all that came out of her lips was yet another squeak.
“ My poor friend, can I do anything for you?” Pearl asked sadly swimming to her side.
Coral just shook her head, her red glittery hair flowing around her. Coral had a sore throat and a very bad headache.
“ I'm so sorry Pearl, I won't be able to come out with you today.” Coral said in a very small whisper.
“ That’s ok Coral, we can go another day don't you worry. You need to sleep now and rest to help you feel better. I'll come over to check you later.” Pearl said as she stroked her best friends forehead checking for a temperature. Coral smiled meekly and closed her eyes to sleep.
As Pearl swam home she tried to think of a way that she could help make Coral feel better. Once she got home she rang her friends on the shell-phone. Pearl told her three friends about Coral being poorly and asked if they'd like to do something to help cheer her up.
“ I’ll paint a pretty picture.” Said Marnie.
“ I’ll make a pot of seaweed tea.” Said Nexie.
“ I shall bake some sugar-salt buns.” Said Jewel.
“ Thank you everyone I shall meet you at Coral’s later.” Pearl replied closing the shell-phone.
She smiled happily knowing that her friends gifts would help Coral to feel better.
It was so kind of her friends to make these gifts for Coral, Pearl thought. But then Pearl stopped, a streak of panic filled within her. What was Pearl going to make for Coral? Her friends already had brilliant ideas. Thinking hard she swam up and down in her bedroom trying to come up with an idea for a gift to make. Pearl suddenly smiled and swam over to her chest of drawers. She pulled out a glittery pink box with large letters glued on the lid that spelt friendship. Taking off the lid, Pearl look through the contents. There was lots of photographs of all her friends. She smiled remembering the fun time that they'd all had at the seahorse fun fair. There was one where Coral was laughing happily as she was eating an ice cream. Pearl took out a photograph where Coral, Marnie, Nexie, Jewel and herself all posed in dressing up clothes at a slumber party that they went to last year. Pearl placed this photo on her bed. Next she took out a beautiful purple braided bracelet with small pearl beads. Coral and Pearl had made these friendship bracelets when they first met at Mini Maids kindergarten. Pearl placed the bracelet next to the photograph, she then continued to place other small trinkets and papers and cards. For a good while Pearl worked hard cutting, sticking and glueing. Finally Pearl placed her arms on her hips and with a wide smile she twirled around in happiness. She had made Coral a beautiful friendship scrap book filled with friendship fun and memories of their laughs and adventures. Pearl hoped that Coral would like it. Wrapping her present in a pretty ribbon Pearl got ready to meet the rest of her friends.

Marnie, Nexie and Jewel were waiting for Pearl outside of Coral’s front gate. They all swam over to greet one another.
“ Ooh that looks like a pretty present Pearl, what did you bring to cheer Coral up?” Jewel asked interestingly.
“ You’ll have to wait and see.” Pearl grinned linking her friends arms as they all went into Coral’s house.
“Coral, it's us we've come to visit you.” Nexie called as they swam up to Coral’s bedroom.
As the mermaid friends entered Coral’s room they saw Coral smiling their way. Pearl noticed that Coral had a bit of colour to her cheeks than she did this morning.
“ How are you feeling now?” Marnie asked holding Coral's hand.
“ A lot better now that I've rested.” Coral replied quietly.
“ We’ve brought you some gifts.” Said Nexie as she poured some seaweed tea.
“ Drink this and it'll make you feel much better.” Nexie said as she handed Coral a steaming cup.
“ Thank you so much Nexie that was really thoughtful of you to bring me this tea” Coral smiled meekly. Nexie grinned and waved her hand to say it was nothing.
“ I painted you this.” Said Marnie as she produced a beautiful painting of Coral's favourite animal. The frame was a sparkly red that matched Coral's hair, and inside there was a painting of some aqua blue and pastel lilac shelled baby sea turtles on a white sandy beach.
“ Oh Marnie it's beautiful!” Coral couldn't believe her eyes.
“ I baked you some yummy sugary-salt buns to make you feel better too.” Said Jewel as she gave everyone a plate with a yummy bun on.
Coral took a bite of her bun and sucked her lips in delight.
“ These taste so amazingly good Jewel!” Coral exclaimed taking more bites of her bun. All the mermaids drank their tea and ate their buns happily chatting away. Slowly it seemed that Coral's voice was getting louder and louder rather than the small squeaked it was.
“ Looks like my tea has helped your throat.” Nexie mentioned to Coral.
Coral nodded her head in agreement.
“ Yes it seems to have taken away the dryness and soreness of my throat.” Coral agreed.
“ Thank you all so much for your kindness.” Coral said happily looking at all of her friends.
“ I still have my gift to give you.” Pearl said as she handed Coral her ribbon wrapped gift.
Coral's eyes widened in surprise, and carefully unwrapped her present. She opened it up carefully to see a beautiful pink book with a picture of all her friends on the front cover. Coral smiled happily. She turned the book open and looked at each page. Coral's eyes started to fill with tears as she looked through such happy memories with her friends.
“ Oh Pearl what a beautiful friendship book! I can't believe that you kept all of these things. And now here they are in this book so that I can look back on them whenever I want to.” Coral said as she hugged Pearl tightly.
“ Your welcome Coral, you've been an amazing friend to us all. With the gifts that we've brought you I hope that we have been able to return some of your kindness that you've given us.” Pearl smiled.
“ Yes it's true, do you remember the time you helped me comb out all of my sea-tails in my hair! It took forever but you combed my hair until it shimmered and shined.” Reminded Marnie.
“ And the time you held my hand the whole time that I had my teeth looked at by the mer-dentist! I was so worried and scared just like a silly baby but you held my hand all the same. Thank you Coral.” Nexie joined in.
“ Oh and not forgetting the time that you wiped away my tears when I was upset when my sea-horse Shelly got lost. You gave me a big hug and sat next to me whilst I cried.” Jewel said a little shyly.
“ You’re my best friend Coral and we all love you so much. I hope we've made you feel better today.” Pearl said.
“ Oh my friends what would I do without you! Best friends forever!” Coral declared happily her voice back to normal.
“ Group hug! Let's promise to always be best friends and to always be kind to one another.” Pearl said as they all enjoined in a big best friend hug.

L.J.B