Author Archives: thebardofkelvindale.com

Public Intellectual

Public Intellectual

Acknowledged for their lofty thoughts
From whom doubtless we can all be taught
Critical thinking, deep reflection
Hallmarks of such an esteemed person

Legions of experts proffer solutions
How to save the planet from pollution
No problem beyond their power to solve
When brilliant minds become involved

The public intellectual, wisest of all of these
Fame gained through demonstrated expertise
Consulted on perplexing issues of the day
Never reluctant to have their say

The luminaries are nothing if not highbrow
Common knowledge they simply disavow
On higher thoughts is built their reputation
To exercise our minds is their great aspiration

The influence of public intellectuals is widespread
Their quality of mind that of a thoroughbred
Thus we lesser mortals may feel second rate
Our simple musings made to seem lightweight

But in our world so complex and diverse
It would undoubtedly appear perverse
If in the realm of discourse and debate
Thoughts high or humble we can’t accommodate

Ken Fisher

Keep on Keeping On

Keep on Keeping On

Keep on keeping on! What do we mean by that?
Perhaps the persistent griping of a little brat
Enough to drive a parent to distraction
Prompting a less than generous reaction

Keep on keeping on! is often no bad thing
When by perseverence we find it brings
The fruits of hard work and determination
An end product yielding great satisfaction

When we are tempted to throw in the towel
In the heat of play, to simply cry foul!
Keeping on amidst dark discouragement
Casting aside all that brings impairment

In days when life seems to have no point
When things conspire to disappoint
Try not to give up midst the gloom
Keep on,  surely change must come soon

So what is the value of keeping on?
Hoping the victory can be won
Those who persist until the end
Justly deserve a dividend

Heed the message of that hare and tortoise
Tenaciously just hold that poise
Consistent all the way along
The prize assured for keeping on!

Ken Fisher

It’s No Longer Retire But Retyre

It’s No Longer Retire But Retyre

Someone has suggested that the twilight years
Which in days gone by were deemed unattractive
Are no longer filled with impending fears
As pensioners to day are quite hyperactive

For decades liberation from drudge was the worker’s prayer
And although many are still able to make their escape
Active pensioners would be wise to beware
Lest they are sucked into the ‘voluntary’ landscape

For this is the territory with which they may get embroiled
And wherein  many might well be taken advantage
The unsuspecting retiree could simply be foiled
Finding their planned freedom has rapidly vanished

Some have invoked a motoring analogy
To keep us on the move simply all that we need
Is a  new set of treads to  avoid any lethargy
Thus equipped nothing will our progress impede

So forget the word retire and think of retyre
A new spring in your step as you sally forth
There’s lots of mileage to go before you expire
But don’t let all those others discount your true worth

Ken Fisher

The Man on the Clapham Omnibus

The Man on the Clapham Omnibus

Why can’t we all be like the model so sublime?
Upheld by the courts of law that shining paradigm
The man or women whose every action moderate
Ensures his deeds and words are always temperate

It seems reasonable to assert that such a canny being
Demonstrates an attitude which we should all be seeking
And an appeal to the virtue of that patent common sense
Requires no explanation or elaborate defence

The problem seems to be control of our emotions
So when provoked our mind succumbs to wildest notions
Thus our rational thinking simply evaporates
As blind zeal or passion begin to dominate

Of course it is true that the Clapham bus passenger
For sensible conduct is a fine ambassador
On decency and convention his reputation’s built
But the judiciary’s appeal to it increases our own guilt!

Ken Fisher

X Marks the Scot

X Marks the Scot

 

X Marks the Scot

 

I saw a chap today quite proudly besporting
A tee shirt indicating whom he seemed to be supporting
But I may be mistaken in making such assumption
Perhaps about his politics I have made a wrong presumption

Emblazoned on his chest like cattle being branded
The saltire sign displayed quite heavy-handed
But that white cross simply marked the spot
Which contained the ample torso of a plucky Scot

For it seems to me that the Nats have no real monopoly
Of what constitutes Scottishness as defined by anthropology
When you are casting your vote X might mark the spot
But surely not the totality of what we mean by Scot

It has been said that a true Scotsman can be identified
By up-skirting him when he wears his kilt with pride
But I doubt if this dubious procedure would really prove conclusive
And in these PC days would be considered most abusive

So the marks of the Scot, of either sex or none
Are not just a flag, however it’s homespun
It’s about an attitude of openness that welcomes all the world
Symbolised in that white cross when our flag’s unfurled

Ken Fisher

 

Roller Coaster

Roller Coaster

 

 

Like a roller coaster ride life’s full of ups and downs
Some days our face contorts with smiles at other times it’s frowns
The trick is learning how to cope with these undulations
Not allowing all those dips to drive us to frustration

When we are on the upslope and everything is fine
The world seems in our favour our future quite benign
We reach the top of the loop feeling so elated
As we start the steep decline we then become deflated

Thus we progress along the line by many fits and starts
The carriage lurches back and forth shaking all our parts
At one time we find ourselves completely upside down
Excitement enough to induce nervous breakdown

And then at last the coaster slows down towards the station
Our beating hearts cease their rapid palpitations
But suddenly it’s all gone flat the thrills are dissipated
We yearn once more for such delights unanticipated

As with the roller coaster ride, in life we seek excitement
For although tranquil days may bring us much contentment
But lest dull boredom should become a constant feature
We pray the twisting spiral will recoil early in the future

Ken Fisher

A New Version of Yourself

A New Version of Yourself

Perhaps what we need to do is something really radical
Reject past history, forget all that’s done and dusted
Boldly initiate change, don’t say that it’s impractical
With firm resolve our life can surely be adjusted

Why the need for planning such a revolution
With our daily lot are we really discontent?
What is the problem seeking a solution
Urging us to consider the need to re-invent

The style gurus and life coaches have written their prescription
The old self has got to go, its habits and obsessions
A need for a new version of yourself is their firm conviction
A rebirth, a new start,  new image, absolutely no concessions

Thus if we really want to follow that advice so ‘wise’
A complete make-over of all we are, appears to be imperative
Like that ugly ducking or caterpillar we then will metamorphasise
But can we ensure contentment after all this change restorative?

Ken Fisher

So Much Depends

So Much Depends

Are we free to act as we alone would choose?

Born an individual, but not a solo act

Imprisoned by our genes, brainpower and physique

Blessed and blighted by our up-bringing

Constrained by society, race and opportunity

Our health, wealth and security governed by others

So much depends on this past inheritance

How can we break free from the marionette strings?

Dare we defy the puppet master?

So much depends on self-belief and confidence

Self-belief in our own chosen path

And confidence to pursue that course

So let’s shun a robotic determinism

Thankful to those on whom erstwhile we have depended

We cast aside all shackles and excuses

Accountable to ourself alone

 

Ken Fisher

Silent Sentinels

Silent Sentinels

 

Silent sentinels strewn across a barren moor
Giant windmills, blades turned towards the flow
Of air which thus provides the driving force
Breath converted into mechanical energy

Human intervention made redundant
In this inanimate workshop in the hills
Unattended machinery, autonomous devices
Whispering their subservience to mankind

Some protest against the presence of these sails
Scarring the skyline by their whitewashed towers
Others claim they are the enemy of birds in flight
Their mighty flails threshing them to early death

Advocates of green energy laud their contribution
To saving the life of our fragile threatened sphere
Renewable resources much more environmentally friendly
Sustainability is the watchword of these zealots

And as arguments rage and debate seethes below
These tall structures quietly spin their magic spell
As long as they have breath their duty to perform
We can live and work and play as they gyrate

Ken Fisher

 

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