Poems for special events and occasions
Heat Wave
Dire warnings have been issued
Temperatures unprecedented
Desperate need to find some shade
By sun’s merciless rays tormented
It seems there may be no escape
From this mighty solar onslaught
Although Scotland’s hiding in the shade
From this not quite all-pervading sunspot!
Ken Fisher
Political Beauty Parade
The contest to fill the post of PM
Has produced a formidable list of contenders
Each determined to prove their own peerless merit
Of their great track record worthy defenders
Their talents rehearsed like a beauty parade
Even exceeding the charms of the present incumbent
Hoping to gain the Number 10 keys
As soon as Boris can be ousted redundant
It is a pity to watch the emerging signs of
in-fighting
Past peccadillos revealed while digging the dirt
Who knows the truth of these unworthy disclosures
As long as your rivals it will assuredly hurt
Each of the entrants in this beauty parade
Displaying their talents to best effect
Promises almost matching utopia
A perfect future devoid of defect
All I can say is may the best contender win
Let’s hope that victory will bring its reward
And when the contest is eventually over
Internecine strife replaced by accord
Ken Fisher
[Picture from Sky News]
The Ship of State in Stormy Waters
On the ocean of this world’s affairs
The ship of state near overwhelmed
Politics in deep travail
The creaking barque all but unhelmed
Wherein lies the problem that so besets
The government of our nation?
Could it be the captain bold
The source of all frustration?
Not just the ship but truth itself
All but lost at sea
From deceit, duplicity and denial
Pray set this vessel free
The master quite unwilling e’r to drown
Resolved his crew to outflank
Holds the wheel with iron grip
Nor will he walk that plank
Some of the crew driven by integrity
Jump ship guided by morality
The captain with the motley residue
Held firm in their venality
The ship sails on in stormy waters
Its destination quite unsure
The world looks on incredulous
At this political grand tour
Ken Fisher
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
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
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
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
The Next Big Thing
Do you ever stop to consider
The next Big Thing in your life?
Be it joy all the way
Or trouble and strife
Perhaps you’re content
To let things take their course
Accept as they come
Events simply endorse
Or feel reassured
By having a plan
Just for next week
Or all of life’s span
Or are you happy-go-lucky
You can go with the flow
Even under dark shadows
You catch the rainbow
Well I have no prescription
As to what may be best
Quite free and easy
Or future obsessed
But whenever you discover
The next Big Thing you need face
Accept that’s just life
With resilience embrace
Ken Fisher
Mission Statement
Catchy slogan
Or something more
Let’s you know
Our inner core
Defining the why, the who, the what
Who we are and what we’re not
Mission statements
Encapsulate our brand
In lucid terms
Use nothing grand
In simple claims
Divulge our aims
Mission statements need not only be
For mega-corporations
Multi-nationals
The United Nations
Charities can also find them useful
All should ensure that they are truthful
Churches try to be ‘missional’
Concerned for justice and compassion
Reaching out to those in need
Ensuring they receive their ration
Of the world’s bounty they deserve
Willing help without reserve
And what about an MS that is personal
Declaring my purposes and my goals?
A guiding principle to follow
My words and actions to control
Emblazoned in my life’s CV
Lived manifest for all to see
Ken Fisher
Easter Morn 2022
The empty tomb, that Easter morn
Resurrection of the Lord has come
By faith a living hope we find
Salvation given for humankind
Ken Fisher
Maundy Thursday
On Thursday of that Holy Week
The Saviour washed disciples feet
In humility we might imitate
His divine example replicate
Love one another His command
Responding to their outstretched hand
Turn not away what e’er the need
With listening ear the stranger heed
On Maundy Thursday the sovereign’s gift
May loyal subjects’ souls uplift
That they in turn show their compassion
In kindly deeds in similar fashion
On Holy Thursday the commemoration
Of our Lord’s supper the foundation
Henceforth recall His life and sacrifice
For human sin He paid the price
Ken Fisher
Silence!
Silence!
What can be said
When so many are dead
Cityscape laid bare
To our horrified stare
Silence!
All our words fail
Amidst such travail
Souls under siege
Unuttered rage
Silence!
Save the rumbling of shells
Midst Ukraine’s living hell
Whence might come release?
From dictator’s caprice
Silence!
Mute blessings craved
When no longer depraved
Peace be restored
Ne’er justice ignored
Ken Fisher
Another angle on Silence:The Sound of Silence
thebardofkelvindale 