Monthly Archives: March 2019

Clocks Go Forward

Clocks Go Forward [Sunday 30 March 2019]

 

The days are getting longer, more light to bring us cheer
Threats of dark stormy winter nights, begin to disappear
Spring has come, our clocks must be advanced
At 2AM we lose an hour that our daylight be enhanced

The loss of that hour surely will be compensated
Afternoon pleasures not so readily truncated
Hobbies and pastimes in the great outdoors
Twilight no longer threatens, more leisure time is ours

As we follow the command that we all now Spring Forward
Just as in October we duly did Fall Backward
Let’s welcome the prospect of summer days ahead
And not regret the loss of one cosy hour in bed

The cycle of the year to our life brings order
Each season occupying its own allotted quarter
The changing of the clock part of that settled plan
Pity they don’t seem to tell our friend the Weatherman!

This year, despite the movement of the clocks Brexit has not advanced
And our politicians continue to wrangle and to rant
Will increased daylight from tomorrow shed more illumination?
And somehow bring consensus to this much fragmented nation

Ken Fisher

The Cumbernauld Clock

The Cumbernauld Clock

I remember well this iconic clock
When strolling past on a lunch-time walk
In the centre of town in Cumbernauld
Whose architecture some critics appalled

I was teaching there in the shiny new college
Hoping to increase the residents’ knowledge
At that time the clock became the locus
On which much attention would then focus

Gregory’s Girl provided worldwide renown
And in Jubilee Year the Queen came to town
The clock features in both these events
As of course did many proud residents

Cumbernauld in the beginning tried to ensure
That pedestrains from traffic were kept quite secure
Converging paths from suburbs approached the top
To then pay homage to that venerable clock

Now the clock is the subject of a tug of war
Twixt the townies and others who would it restore
And move it away to a quite different location
To keep time in newly renovated Queen Street Station

So whatever the fate of this worthy time piece
Of horology no doubt a great masterpiece
I hope it will continue to tick quietly away
As it measures the passing of each welcome new day

Ken Fisher

The Promise of Spring 2019

The Promise of Spring 2019


[for the vernal equinox]
 
Is it too good to be believed?
Windows still recovering from March gales
When hailstones stung our cheeks
Dark clouds shrouded the lowering sky
New shoots fighting for life
Ground yet sodden by endless rain
At last a brighter dawn emerges
For today is the equinox
A twice-yearly event
When night and day are of equal length
The day when the sun’s centre
Passes through the equator
The promise of more light and warmth
But above all this it is
‘The First Day of Spring’
Creatures stir from hibernation
The rebirth of flora and fauna
Perhaps new hope arises
In our weary souls

KEN FISHER

 

Scunnered

Scunnered

Scunnered with Brexit
Why can’t they fixit?
Scunnered with the News
It just gives me the blues
Scunnered with food
That may do me no good
Scunnered with pundits
Who expect all our plaudits
Scunnered with tradesmen
Who defect when I need them
Scunnered when buses fail to show up
Then three arrive, only one can pick up
Scunnered with prices that keep on rising
Especially for things I find appetizing
And so it goes on, scunners without any end
Surely there is something I can still recommend!

Ken Fisher

 

Happy 60th Birthday Barbie

Happy 60th Birthday Barbie

Barbie might now earn a pension
Although that she may not want to mention
For today’s the day to celebrate
At 60 she’s still looking great

Her boyfriend Ken is not so old
Much less glamour to behold
But Barbie’s fame stretches worldwide
Plaudits come from every side

Throughout the years she has evolved
To hold the limelight she resolved
Come change of fashion or of taste
No opportunity did she waste

Following trends where ‘ere they led
Barbie’s fame became widespread
Responding to the social mores
Her style part of the nation’s story

In dress Barbie sought to respect
A world not devoid of flaw or defect
Equal choices for the sexes
In working clothes were soon reflected

Barbie dolls have weathered every storm
Aware of what now is the norm
Through every challenge secured survival
Gaining success over every rival

So congratulations Barbie on this your day
Sixty years no one can gainsay
You’ve become a national treasure
In that success we all take pleasure

Ken Fisher

Anything Can Happen and Probably Will

Anything Can Happen and Probably Will

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Some say that life is full of surprises
Surely that is one of its greatest blessings
Where would we be if every day was predictable
And the element of surprise completely absent?

A heritage radio programme – Take it From Here
Used the catch phrase – anything can happen and ……..
The comedy show then showcased lots of skits
Where the unexpected added spice to the scripts

Mind you, there are those who would prefer a life
Where surprise was kept to a minimum
Perhaps they have lived through too much uncertainty
Their smooth passage interrupted by many incidents

Recently we moved house and are settling in
To our new home.  Quite a stressful transition
We had planned it quite well, but did not escape
Unpredicted collateral damage!

Often the best way of coping with the unexpected
Is to be prepared in advance for eventualities
Then when something springs up it is less of a trial
More an unexpected pleasure, something of serendipity

Sometimes we can deliberately seek out excitement
By exposing ourselves to the unknown, even the dangerous
From a simple mystery tour to a trek into the wilderness
From tourist to pilgrim, to nomad or adventurer

So why don’t we attune our minds to the possibility
That in life anything can happen and probably will
Because things do happen, no matter what
And our reaction may bring us grief or joy

Ken Fisher