Spring Springing

A lifeless twig or so it looks 
All brown and dry and looking dead 
But no it’s sprouting little sprouts 
Bright green and furled and bursting buds 
Nature springs from cold dark days 
To seek the sun and warmth and air 
That heralds new days and weather fair 
And then the frost falls harsh and cruel 
Snipping off those too tender shoots of promise 

Inspired by the inevitable arrival of Spring

8/4/19

Mr Robin

Delightful flutter scarlet breast

Alights beside me as I dig

Fearless friendly brave and bold

Mr Robin a friend of old

Trusting innocent and daring do

Reassuring chirping song

Sharing worms as we both dig

Such trusting friendship his to give

Originally written on Christmas Day 2016 inspired by the occasion and the time of year. But I am publishing on my Blog, Easter 2020 because in the last couple of weeks, Mr Robin has become an important part of my daily routine in the garden. We have a chat, well I speak to him and he listens, and when I am digging he is never far from the action ready to dive in for a wiggly worm. Thank you friendly Mr Robin who graces my garden the year-round for your friendship in these troubled times.

Written: 25th December 2019 Updated: 10th April 2020 

To Shed a Tear - An Emotion Unexplained

To shed a tear 
Is nature’s way
Of telling us
Of something we don’t understand
The sound of music
A kindly act
The show of caring
A poignant act

To shed a tear 
Comes, from deep within 
We can’t control
The tear that starts to roll
Down one's cheek
At special times
That touch the heart 
Some-thing within
Just, wells up

Nostalgic moments
Lost in thoughts
We think of those
No longer here
Of those too frail 
We have to care
For those alone
No one to care
No one to care

Intake of breath
Almost a sigh
You feel the… 
The tear form 
In your eye
Those times 
When you can’t help but
shed a tear 
An emotion unexplained

Alistair Parker
2nd January 2015

Inspired by an increasing tendency to find myself tearing-up on the most unlikely occasions, often the result of a simple act of kindness. 

UPDATE 9th April 2020: Although this was written 5 years ago it is even more poignant at the current time. There are so many occasions when one feels emotionally overwhelmed. I had to renew my Car insurance a few days ago. I thanked the young lady who dealt with it on the phone for her kindness and immediately burst into tears and had a good sob! I am tearing up typing this…

No Knead Bread

No need to knead the bread I’ve found.
No need to stretch and knead and knead.
Mix the flour, the yeast and water.
No need to knead them like you aughter.
Just mix and turn till good and mixed
You need to wait a while to rise.
A while I wait just overnight.
Turn the oven right up hot.
To heat and covered cast iron pot.
Not long now, just need to turn it out.
On floury top no need to knead.
Turn it over tuck it shape it gently make a ball.
Take the pot all nice and hot.
Lift the lid and pop it in no need to knead.
It won’t be long, it’s rising up.
You need to wait, take the top off
Crisp the crust all brown and cracked.
Turn it out it needs to cool the no knead bread
A simple treat that’s great to eat.
You need to wait is nearly there.
Your no knead bread is crisp and round.
It's simple wholesome just what you need
You’ve found the bread, you don’t need to knead.

Alistair J Parker
14.2 2014

The poem was inspired by my success at making bread. After a number of failures, I
discovered the “No Knead” method. Not a good one for a Dyslexic, I desperately want to write Kneed! If you want to know more, Google it.