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Poetry

I Wish . . .

3/10/2023

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I wish I’d taken more time to listen.
I wish I’d taken more time to see.
I wish I’d taken more time to talk,
before things changed for you and me.
 
I woke one beautiful autumn day
to find you’d suddenly gone away,
without a chance to say goodbye.
The years had gone in the blink of an eye.
A little child that held your hand
and traced our names upon the sand.
You laughed as waves licked our toes,
then brushed the ice cream off my nose.
 
When I grew up and moved away,
you never said that I should stay.
‘Go see the world without regret.
I’ll be right here so don’t forget.’
I wish I’d taken more time to show you.
I wish I’d taken more time to touch.
I wish I’d taken more time to sit
and tell you I love you very much.
Picture
Photo by Pixabay

I Wish © Kerry Gittins 2024. All Rights Reserved.

​

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The Small Boy by Kerry Gittins

12/7/2022

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PicturePhoto from Pexels by Dominika Roseclay
I am a small boy that much is true They say I’m mischievous. Do you think so too?
A mischievous boy - am I really or not? What does the word mean? I hear it A LOT!
This very big word that some people say. It’s one that I hear almost every day,
whenever I go to climb up a tree to try and search for that fat bumblebee,
or go to the garden to find a green frog who’s ribbeting, robbeting under a log.
‘He’s up to something’, says my sister. Then Mum says ‘Now just remember mister,
DO NOT put that bumblebee onto a spoon and shoot with your slingshot the bee to the moon,
for though you may think he knows how to fly  
he’s not really built to fly up so high.’
‘DO NOT bring the frog from outside to in to stare at me out of the biscuit tin,
for though you may think he likes TimTams the best, he really likes flies and insects and pests.’
And while both my mother and sister stare, I shake my head, ‘No never – I swear!’
I don't understand how they would think I’d do such strange things. I stand and blink,
with eyes all wide and innocent, then, I find in my pocket my ballpoint pen,
and decide then and there that I should write, what a good boy I am. That I'd NEVER 
invite
a frog to come into my mum's biscuit tin to eat all the Timtams – who’d do such a thing!
I 
NEVER would try to shoot to the moon that fat bumblebee with a slingshot and spoon!
I look from my note as I finish and see my mother and sister smiling at me.
“He's got that mischievous look in his eye”, they say as they wink at each other and sigh.
Later that night as I go to my sleep, I keep one eye open and see mother peep
her head round my door and blow me a kiss. ‘Sleep well and sweet dreams and always know this -
you are much loved and bring us such joy, and really you are a good little boy’.
I am a small boy - that much you knew. I’m a little mischievous. Yes that is true!
But one thing I know I will never feel blue, because I'm much loved and I hope you are too! 
​

The Small Boy © Kerry Gittins 2022. All Rights Reserved.

​

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A Perfect Pair

6/4/2022

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One partridge in a pear tree is a lonesome sight to see,
and though the bird can fly away he sits and stares at me.
He watches as I sing about the twelve fine days to come
but as the song continues, the sadder he becomes.
 
He twists his head from side to side, blinking small black eyes.
Then he chirps, ‘Don’t sing that song. Please don’t make me cry!’
He ruffles bright red feathers from his head down to his toes,
pruning each one carefully, tweeting as he goes.
 
Once he’s done he stands up straight and sighs a mournful sigh.
His beak begins to quiver and a tear forms in his eye.
He starts to tell a tale that’s full of misery and woe,
of sorrow and of heartbreak, as he paces to and fro.
 
‘You’ve no idea how hard it is to see the doves and hens
all kissing and canoodling. It seems to never end!
Then there are the calling birds, the geese and all the swans!
They prance and swim and lay their eggs and proudly sing that song.
 
And do not get me started on the lords and maids and ladies
The pipers and the drummers wake up all the sleeping babies!’
I listen as he tells me of his wish for just one thing -
to find another partridge who will make his sad heart sing.
​
I ask him to come closer, wipe away his tear and say,
‘No need to be alone for look who flew in yesterday!’
He turns his head to where I point, his eyes full of surprise.
His little heart now bursts with hope and to her side he flies.
 
He hops a little closer, pecks her gently with his beak.
She fluffs her wings and then she lays her head upon his cheek.
Together with their heads entwined, the future’s bright and fair.
No longer lonely but instead a perfect partridge pair!
Picture
Image © Bridget Ackerman 2022. Used with permission.

A Perfect Pair © Kerry Gittins 2022. All Rights Reserved.

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