Pass-Remarkable

Pass-Remarkable

Have you noticed how some people are very pass-remarkable?
On whatever catches their attention they must have something to say
The clothes we are wearing, the books that we are reading
Into our topical discussion they must inveigh

These self-appointed experts never fail to comment
No restriction to the issues on which they pontificate
Their encyclopaedic knowledge is rapidly paraded
Erudition they feel compelled to demonstrate

Of course there is a risk that these pundits sometimes overlook
One of their hearers might actually know far more
And when they lay forth with the mantle of a guru
They are then perceived as a frivolous bore

On the other hand we sometimes meet the strong silent type
Each thought considered, every utterance measured
From their lips no unhurried remark will ever pass
Each precious nugget by the hearers to be treasured

So is there a happy medium, to comment or abstain?
There must be some conversation, some social intercourse
Afterall it’s speech which separates us from the beasts
By our friendly chatter our humanity we endorse

Ken Fisher

Summer Solstice 2022

Summer Solstice 2022

A glimpse of sunshine warms our heart
Flowers and leaves reflect the light
The gentle rays caress our brow
Our lips widen with a smile

For now the daytime stretches out
Filling each hour with gentle light
Dark days of winter long forgot
We rejoice in life outdoors

From this ‘crows nest’ of the year
We scan the horizon fore and aft
Behind, long hours of winter gloom
Then spring pregnant with promise

Ahead the prospect of summer warmth
And autumn’s gold and russet tints
But winter’s spectre lurks beyond
Vaguely threatening summer’s calm

Ken Fisher

Truth Decay

Truth Decay

It seems to me the current malaise of our day
A persistent invasion of Truth Decay
But the dental profession is quite impotent
To provide a cure for our predicament

You see Truth Decay is a virulent bug
There is no use just responding with a sigh or a shrug
This disease requires much more radical action
To prevent its spread throughout our nation

Truth Decay starts with little white lies
Inventive stories that we might devise
Sometimes involving exaggeration
Bending the truth or some obfuscation

But as the disease’s progress is unrelenting
The imagination continues inventing
And any true facts become quite obscure
Of reality we can no longer be sure

Pointing the finger may be irrelevant
But Truth Decay seems particularly prevalent
Among used car salesmen, and property dealers
Retailers of ‘snake oil’ and charismatic faith healers

But perhaps the prime example where Truth Decay abounds
Is displayed by politicians as they do their rounds
Promises of bounty from their cornucopia
Give them your vote in exchange for utopia

So my advice is don’t wait for a sixth monthly check-up
Dismiss all those claims, they are just a frame up
Expose all those charlatans who promote Truth Decay
On their false claims shine the bright light of day

Ken Fisher

See also: Post Truth Society

A Little Patch of Defiant Beauty

A Little Patch of Defiant Beauty

Amidst all the gloom and doom
Of a fretful world, fearful and overwrought
A corner of an urban garden
Yields a little patch of defiant beauty

When ugliness abounds
And peace seems to have defected
Wild flowers and elegant cultivars
Blend together to restore the mind to health

When hearts are heavy laden
With all pervasive angst
Nature’s nostrum, a ready elixir
Light and shade and colour bring relief

No matter what the trials that would assail
A small parcel of the earth grants its reward
Against the adversary of inward peace
This little patch of beauty remains defiant

Ken Fisher

The phrase ‘A little patch of defiant beauty’
is quoted from BBC Gardeners’ World June 22

 

Almost Buggered It Up

Almost Buggered It Up
[A sequel to my earlier poem Don’t Bugger It Up]

Boris wins the Vote of Confidence 6/6/22

It couldn’t last is what they said
But Boris proved them wrong
It’s not yet quite buggered up
Is his triumphant song

You thought Houdini was pretty fly
The famous escapologist
But Boris surely proved to be
The smartest self-apologist

In Biblical times it was Lazarus
Rising miraculously from the grave
But our blonde hero showed his worth
Fleeing from that narrow shave

He lives to fight another day
Defeating every rival
Who cares what anybody thinks?
No threat to his survival

So love or hate we’re stuck with him
He’ll bask in unending limelight
And we’ll just have suffer it
For the last thing Boris is, is contrite

Ken Fisher
Previous Poem on this theme
Don’t Bugger It Up!

Long has She Reigned

Long Has She Reigned
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Much more than just a figurehead
Her Majesty has reigned
O’er the far-flung Commonwealth
Our allegiance she sustained

Since post war days in ‘52
Upon her father’s passing
Her rule faithfully discharged
Earlier monarchs all surpassing

Fourteen Prime Ministers within her reign
Consulted on matters of state
In weekly palace conversations
Informed of the debate

To Acts she gave the Royal Assent
Upheld the unwritten constitution
Symbol of Parliament’s authority
The Crown’s firm resolution

At home endless new hospitals and unis
Unveiling plaques commemorative
Acknowledged by that neat gloved hand
Midst applause appreciative

Ceremonial duties have filled many years
As nations gained independence
Flags lowered and raised to trumpet calls
Colourful displays resplendent

In these 70 years her offspring she has nurtured
Among all the joys of family life
A supportive rock to all her own
In years of trial and strife

Her love too of animals
Is well known and admired
The corgis taking pride of place
Even horses once retired!

As our Head of State
Her whole life dedicated
Faithful commitment to us all
Now duly celebrated

So now she comes to the Platinum Jubilee
Assured of our goodwill and admiration
Even those not quite monarchists
Acclaim her long service to the nations

Ken Fisher