Poetry Thursday 155 - Twilight Zone

 As I age, I see a difference in the way people look at you and treat you. I'm not talking 'with respect' or 'contempt' it is actually closer to suspicion. They seem to be suspicious that you are going to do or say something that will require support. 

The Twilight Zone

 

Used to be tales of mystery and imagination,

 designed to thrill causing the heart to flutter,

now it’s more about causes for exclusion,

and hazards making steps that stutter.

 

Disturbing bumps in the night,

inexplicable sounds cutting through sleep,

another reason to turn on the light, 

watching the hands of the clock creep.

 

Hardly surprising when you don’t work anymore,

that sleep is no longer a priority,

  need other purposes to dip into the energy store,

while searching for life's clarity.

 

Seems sleeping light encourages dreaming,

strange dreams of people and past,

the brain not just reflecting life and living,

creating new visions on which nothing to hang fast.

 

So having moved from working situation,

to a grey transitional state,

partly evidenced by friend and relation,

we are now in some place to wait.

©David L Atkinson July 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 154 - Control

We like to think that we are in control of our own lives. People take years out to 'find' themselves, which I didn't, so it has taken a little longer for me to complete the process. The poem below should be several verses longer and may become so in the future, but I think you'll get the idea. 

Control

 

If you work hard all your life,

if you save hard for your future,

if you stay straight as a knife,

and are never an aggressor,

you may have some control.

 

If you pay all of your taxes,

refuse to fall into debt,

fit in with expected agendas,

treat others with respect,

you may have some control.

 

If you make your political choices,

and demand reasonable requests,

listen to authoritative voices,

always polite to the guests,

you will have little control.

 

If you go off to fight their wars,

suffer the outcome in silence,

knowing the choice wasn’t yours,

conned to duty in their defence,

you have no control.

 

Don’t step outside your circle,

maintain the status quo,

do nothing that’s abnormal,

stay steady as you go,

Still no control.

©David L Atkinson July 2026 

A hint of what may be possible occurred on Christmas Day 1914 

during The First World War.

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 153 - Commentators

 The World Cup will end next Sunday, Wimbledon ended last Sunday, and cricket matches have started and ended in the last week or so. Many other sports are active or have just ended in the last few days. Associated experts and commentators are temporarily, or will be, unemployed. I could give a cheer for the relief that the English language must be feeling. 

Commentators

They are there from whenever you view,

football, cricket, golf, and more,

expressing experiences from history they accrue,

experts on techniques and sporting law.

Their knowledge is frighteningly vast.

 

Formed from the retired player body,

they may have not even been the best,

believing they articulate in no way shoddy,

until viewers say, ‘C’mon give it a rest’,

Their hubris is almost boundless.

 

It was not always thus,

games were played with minimal chatter,

in ’66 Wolstenholme spoke with minimum fuss,

the game won without expert natter.

No talking heads back then.

 

It’s good to receive informed support,

but not at the expense of the action,

I enjoy the succinct sports report,

rather than nattering distraction,

Silence is golden.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless

Poetry Thursday 152 - I Swear

 My father was a very principled man, and if he was with my mum and someone was swearing in their vicinity, he would ask them to stop, stating that there was a lady present. 

I swear

 

Cursing is a common thing

it’s linked to the emotions

it comes out when you stub your toe

or suffer other abrasions.

 

When your team does it’s best but then still loses,

or when the lights go out at home and you have no fuses,

then your language discipline goes south,

and all sorts of expletives escape your mouth.

 

 There are times when usual words don’t just cut the mustard,

you need embellished ones like apple pie with the custard,

you remember forbidden words dredged up from your youth,

that mam said made you sound vulgar and uncouth.

 

Sometimes letting rip a barrage of invective,

can, as a de-stressing tool, be remarkably effective,

but casual swearing as part of normal conversation,

is negative socialisation.

 

It happens with younger people on ego trip,

seen as an alpha sign when you let rip,

too much of the swearing makes it hard to detect,

whether or not they deserve any respect.

©David L Atkinson July 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 151 - My Precious

 The following has often been said by older humans, probably in every language in the world. However, I'm saying it again as we bid farewell to another much-loved performer, Penelope Keith. Each death reminds us older folk of our own fragile humanity. 

My Precious

 

Whoever said life is precious stated the obvious,

must’ve be running short of time,

watching grandchildren play oblivious,

observing some political pantomime,

the fact is there is only one chance in life

and every moment of it is precious.

 

Turning down opportunities is a sin,

take every chance to wear out your smile,

begin every new day with a grin,

and ensure all your activities are worthwhile.

 

Marvel at the endless beauty of nature,

do all in your power to offer it protection,

wallow in pathetic human efforts of recapture,

then look on its truth with reflection.

 

Prepare your children and extend your life,

you can’t make happiness but can provide the chance,

cut through their naughty problems as a knife,

bask in the contentment of their advance.

©David L Atkinson July 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 150 - World Cup's back

 It's back and with accompanying controversy - World Cup. Taking place across Mexico, USA and Canada in a number of different cities across the continent. 

World Cup Woes

 

In ’66 the world was ours,

nations tried to do their worst,

to defeat England using all their powers,

but they never reckoned on striker Hurst.

 

Then I was 16 the Beatles were great,

pizza, a new addition to your plate,

curry was not yet an option,

yoghurt a liquidy, puddingy concoction.

 

But at football we soared on eagles’ wings,

defeating countries with amazing skills,

enjoying what success brings,

giving supporters tangible thrills.

 

Since then there’s been ups and downs,

some promise but more flops,

fans faces full of frowns,

new players, many drops.

 

Here we are 60 years on

overcoming weaker teams again,

after barren years matches won,

is the cup ours to regain?

 

Knockout stage an undoubted lottery,

only one chance to win,

nerves definitely jittery,

who will Tuchel pick to begin?

 

The key is in our own hands,

our lads must believe,

relying on their own brand,

the dazzling crown to receive.

 

Now at 70+ music is strange,

Quinoa apparently is good food,

phones - no wires - with huge range,

winning again would be good.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 149 - End is Nigh

 The first incarnation of this poem occurred 4 years ago and was written for a UK audience. Well, now it is easy, with a slight adjustment, to apply more globally. 

Beginning of the End

 

As in all beginnings they start with an end,

the end of major conflict, act of God or plague,

a time when resources had a major spend,

when populations are totally drained,

unscrupulous leaders are minority maintained,

and solutions to shortages are purposefully vague,

then empires begin to crumble.

 

It happened to the Romans and to the Greeks,

revolution in Russia, England and France,

happens when government no longer speaks

to the populace with any understanding,

but only in tones distant and commanding,

ignorant of the possibility of a refreshing chance,

maybe society will begin to stumble.

 

Has the revolution already started?

The ruling party is in confusion,

rich and poor are well divided,

industrial unrest is on the increase,

civil disobedience a tension release,

the people are suffering crippling inflation,

what is next for these teetering nations?

 

Revolution usually begins with violence,

social media is playing a mega role,

political success is not a licence,

to play games with the public reality,

and line political pockets with liberality,

winning votes elects into a service role,

a state to be embraced with serious intentions.

 ©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 148 - News or Not News

My father read the newspaper daily. He watched the news on TV and listened to it on the radio. In our present world, where the newspapers, TV and Radio stations can be bought and sold on a whim; where the owners control the stories that are delivered; where news can be generated by AI; and, where the internet is supposedly many peoples' source of news. I wonder if he was alive today, what he'd think. 

News or Not News

 

So you believe you are important,

that your life is significant,

you go to work and pay your tax,

you watch the news and hear the facts,

and believe that you’re a part,

right from the very start.

 

But just think on a bit,

how much control have you got of it,

when you get to work they tell you what to do,

in the news you find what’s good for you,

but feel safe because of democracy,

you can always vote for another party.

 

Will it make a difference,

is the news unambiguous,

who bought the news this week,

what truths are they telling you to seek,

how do you make choices,

when facts are controlled by different voices.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 147 - Not Funny

 A couple of offerings today of a lighter nature. 

Funny

 

After all the words and sentences I’ve learned something about me,

and I’ve been writing stuff for 15 years or more,

I’m not the slightest bit funny.

 

It doesn’t matter how hard I try,

after all the metaphors, similes and so on,

my jokes are the sort to make you cry,

 

Dad jokes but without the punchline,

the intention to amuse is present,

but the skill is not really mine.

 

But writing is the drug of choice,

no wish to go cold turkey,

just hope that someone hears this one small voice.

©David L Atkinson June 2026 

Remember the Emperor succumbing to a grifter's tale that he had a fine suit of clothes, when he was in fact naked. Well, art is open to that sort of grift. 

False foods

 

Had a slice of science training,

learnt a bit of human anatomy,

a smaller chunk of plant biology,

I might sound like I know what I’m saying ,

 

Green stuff is not that good for you.

cell walls contain cellulose,

defined as roughage is close,

appendix no longer able to do what it is meant to do,

so the final outcome is just more poo.

 

Then the fallen one jumps on the green band wagon,

adds a plant to his artillery,

pungent, stringy and full of water,

good for you is celery.

 

Like the emperor’s suit of clothes,

taste is in the eye of the beholder,

each mouthful is no gastronomic rose,

celery needs a cold shoulder. 

 

Speaking of taste, consider the oyster,

who decided this would be good to eat,

in fact a starvation buffer,

now a delicacy to the elite.

©David L Atkinson June 2026  

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 146 - Ivory Towers

 Another announcement that the energy cap for UK citizens is due to rise. I'm pretty sure that the excuse will be that the cost of buying gas has been increased by our suppliers. I always thought that a cap was supposed to stop unfavourable rises. I'm also pretty sure that the CEOs' bonuses and salaries will not be capped. It would be wonderful if they would refuse their extra salaries and share dividends to help protect the customers. (Just me being naive.) 

Too Many Ivory Towers

 

CEOs of water, fuel and power,

climb down from your glittering, ivory tower,

consider those who are less fortunate,

those who you often manipulate.

 

Academies and Trusts Chair,

is what you’re paid truly fair,

when so many people you employ,

need benefits to bring life a modicum of joy.

 

When asked about your ill-gotten gain,

blaming a committee for what you obtain,

meekly accepting such gross largess,

as a right to your opulent ivory address.

 

Backed by sycophantic politicians,

circling for crumbs to further ambition,

is there a conscience about all that power,

providing your exclusive ivory tower.

©David L Atkinson August 2022 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 145 - This History

 Every day that comes and goes becomes part of our history, so we are making history daily. Taking that fact into mind, how will we be seen in 100 years? 

Historical

 

One hundred years from now,

how will life be remembered?

Who was driving the nations plough?

How was the populace respected?

 

Will this time be known as the age of technology?

Will it be for entrepreneurship?

Perhaps the worship of oligarchy,

or the increase in personal hardship.

 

Maybe this time will provide the spark,

to level the living playing fields,

elevating man from the industrial dark,

consolidating too many equality shields.

 

Did Magna Carta teach us a lesson?

Have we learnt from the middle ages?

What was the point of Victorian tuition?

What great mark left on history‘s pages?

©David L Atkinson May 2026  

God Bless