Lockdown Coffee

15th May 2020


It's Friday again. I know the weekend is coming mainly because there is no Writer's Hour on Saturday or Sunday. So what happen's? Well, what happens is I do no writing,or very little. I might do some morning pages, but that's about it.

And I miss it , I really do. Some mornings I wake up and think shall I stay in bed for a bit longer and not do it this morning, rest my tired bones,  but then something compels me to get out and get at it. It's my great motivator and one of the blessings of being in lockdown. This morning a friend from Buckinghamshire ( you know who you are) joined us and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Coffee

She sits at the dining room table,

 her computer set up,  notebook and pen,  

a mug of instant beside her

 and it gets me to thinking...

I miss the aroma -  exciting, enticing, inviting 

I miss it wafting around me, witching it's way 

into my dna,

It lures  me in, it says: 

 I'm here for you, we have a date you and I

you know you love me

I'm here, waiting for you, 

 I'm dark , I'm rich, I'm strong,  come on. 

I miss the steps, I know them well 

that take me  through the green door

I miss the welcome awaiting me  

the laughter, the din, music  on low, 

I miss the view from the window

the pier head sitting on the horizon, 

I miss the young girl, Cara, 

who is at uni, lives in halls

has left a boyfriend at home 

two hundred miles away

I miss, all this, 

my favourite place, 

For coffee.

No weak Aldi granules here,

 poured into one lonely mug
no sitting behind  closed doors,

 staring sleepily into space

hollow blank face, 
wondering what the hell's  going on

what is it that's so wrong,

 out there in the world. 

Are there people who  are happy, 

in another distant place?  

Have they found a cafe open for,

A coffee






 





I miss those days when I'd take my book

find my nook,

 in the corner by the window
position myself so I could see the 
 people passing by,  

turn my shoulders just a little 

so the sun warms me from the outside in,

Then, when perfectly relaxed,

I'd 
 drink my coffee

delicious Cappucino,


I miss meeting friends for a catch up 
when we'd all have our different requests

always latte for Di, with a slice of cake,
"A slither of cake with my coffee," she jests 
A Mocca for Mary
Her coffee

I miss those days before lockdown 

when a frown, 

didn't bring you down 

When getting together, put back your smile, 

and all this while, you enjoyed a coffee.

I miss those days , in so many ways,

meeting friends, was a normal thing
But Mr Corona Virus  has been hard at work
 has us all tied up, dangling on the end of his string
Until cafes open, no
Real coffee

We do have a percolator and some coffee beans to go with it.
But it's not quite the same as making arrangements to go out for a cappucino. 

What do you miss in the lockdown?

Elevenie - Sun /Goldfish

23 rd April

The challenge for napowrimo today is to write an elevenie poem. Eleven words. Here's my double elevenie, which now makes twenty two words.

Sun / Goldfish

Sun

shining brightly

in clear sky

caressing earth and bones

warmly



Goldfish
circling around
lily pond chasing newts
swimming

Past Bones

3rd April

Day 3 - poem a day:
                                                 

                                               Past Bones

Keep hold of that thread,

Let it hang form those past bones

Giving meaning to who we become
Every movement has its reason,

The flower, growing its timely season,

Where what has been

Has come to this,

And this is the softness
of the present
The delight of now

Hold on to that thread,

Though not too tightly

For each moment inform's the next,

Each thread must be broken,

Left behind 

To free the mind

Five

23rd September


My writing hands are itching to get words down, but the inspiration is a bit weak. Will keep trying. Going to try the poem a day through October though and just flexing my muscles a little to prepare.

 Five 

Three more sleeps, I will survive,

Come on baby sleep now.

Yet no matter how hard I strive,

There's always all to do.

It's not that I've forgotten the way,

To care for  children, no,

But  my old bones are weary today

Out of the habit and slow.

Cooking every day for seven not two,

And one that can't eat dairy

It takes all my time to organise it's true,

But clean plates remain.

Up at six to get them all ready,

One for big school, leaving at seven.

Oh, and is it the day to take  teddy?

Yes, it's here, found, thank heaven.

Back to the house baby and toddler,

what shall we do all day,

Let's clean out a cupboard or two

Let's put some clothes away.

And let's play dressing up, you be queen,

let's tell a story that's ours,

The best adventure there's ever been

It could take for hours.

And in the evening when all are ready for bed,

Let's read a story before you go,

Quiet going up be careful where you tread,

The baby is asleep, so be slow.

And when the week comes to and end,

And mum and dad come back,

Grandma and grandad retreat to their home

And immediately hit the sack...

Day out in London

On Tuesday we went, my husband and I , to London for the day. We both had meetings in the evening, so went up together to enjoy a few hours mooching. We had been promising ourselves an outing together for a while. We didn't give ourselves a necessary itinerary being more than happy to decide as we went along what we might do next. For me this was just what I needed and finding a bench while strolling  through St James' Park was an absolute delight. 

As I sat drinking in the atmosphere, the warmth of the sun caressing my tired bones, I just melted into the present moment and relaxed. Not what you expect when in the big city. It felt like the official first day of spring bringing up a collage of memories of other days like this in the past. The queen's swans, spotted through the blossom heavy trees, glided  majestically on the water in front of Buckingham Palace looking for all the world like proud owners of their home. 

It was so interesting to hear the many different tongues, chattering like seagulls, as so many nations of the world passed us by, all busy with their plan for the day. We felt like onlookers , not really part of the play, just viewing from outside. 

Eventually we walked off , but before leaving the Park I spied a Heron brazenly lunching on the picnic food that small groups of people, seated on the grass, were happily throwing his way. I was fascinated by the fact that he was going so close to them that I thought I'd take a photo of him. Hurriedly, because I thought time might be against me, I got my phone working on camera mode, which , as any one of my children will tell you is a miracle in itself, and took a couple of pictures. He didn't move. So I went in closer and took a few more. He didn't seem at all bothered, so I thought I would get as close as I could and when it was too close for him and he took to flight I would get a great picture of him taking off. But before that could happen I took flight after noticing his knfe like beak that just might pose a threat to my own  safety/life. I laughed at his audacity and my own cowardice. That's put paid to my dream of being a "Wild Photographer"  - the only wild now will be the grandchildren. Wild enough for anyone you might be thinking. Mmmm...

The next pleasant surprise was going to the exhibition at The Mall Galleries, where, because Peter is a member, we got in free. We spent a long while looking at the artwork, most of which didn't impress me a great deal. I did think that a lot of Peter's work is better than quite a bit of what we saw. There were a couple of pieces that really moved me though , one of which was this one of a mother and baby ( refugees). Beautifully done, it spoke a timeless message of reality to me, reaching in to my heart . I absolutely loved it.

From the Mall Galleries we walked to Trafalgar Square and "no," I said "I don't want to go into another gallery( we were standing in front of the National Gallery), not today" . So we walked into Leicester Square , where, unknown to us they were preparing for the premierre of Batman v's Superman or some such nonsense.

There was plenty of activity , with the red carpet and everything.

By this time we were a bit hungry and for once I hadn't brought lunch with me, so what to do. Not sighting any Kentucky Fried chicken outlet, my favourite "safe choice" ( you know how much, and it's not usually a lot, that you're going to spend) and also wanting really to be a bit more daring I looked around for another bargain sign , which turned out to be the Angus Steak House at the top of the square. Their lunch offer was reasonable :

Smoked chicken on a bed of salad which included walnuts (which made me jealous, momentarily) for Peter,

Loin pork chop topped with Mediterranean veg all on a base of mashed potato for me,

And a pot of tea each - such good value - two and a half cups per pot.

And all for just £20. I thought that was a great deal for lunch in the city.

The staff were brilliant too, making jokes and bantering with us. 

We really enjoyed it and promised ourselves we'd do it again soon.

Our next meandering took us to another place I'd not been before, China Town. I closed my eyes, imagining I was in a far off place, scents and aromas helping with the dream. What an amazing delight to the senses. Then , looking around and seeing all the culture of China on display to feast the eyes. The few pictures here do not do justice at all to the pleasure I found in soaking up all the sights, sounds, and smells , touching a colourful  kingdom tasting delicious adventures. It reminded me of my time in China with my mum and sisters.  I loved it all and I will be back. 

We both went on from there to our meetings and met at eight thirty , exhuasted, but happy ,at Victoria to take the train home to Kent. 

Thread / Winter 2020

10th Feb 2020

A couple of pieces from 2016 . I've altered them slightly.

Spent some lovely time yesterday playing with the grandchildren. We played fast moving, competitive card game which I found I was way too slow at. Oh well ... Thoroughly enjoyed it though. It made me think how good it is too play.


                                              Thread

Hold on to that thread,

Let it hang  from those past bones

A day of purpose

Where every movement has its reason,

The growing flower its timely season,

Where what has been

Has come to this,

And this is the softness of the 

Song of delight.

Hold on to that thread,

Though not too tightly

For each second signifies the next,

Each gossamer strand shall be broken,

Left behind 

To free the mind

Winter

That crisp morning:

The grass wearing a light cover
 as of icing sugar,

Icy pond still - reflecting 

The chill,

Of my nose.

And you with your story,

Made my bones shiver.

How to unthink,

Unlink,

From memory.

How to box in,

Within.

How to warm through ,

the blue.

I Love Living by the Sea

18th Sept 2107

Something I wrote three years ago. Since then we have walked many times for many miles along the coast.  I can't believe I felt my body wasn't up to it, but that was then . It's not so easy now to go for that cuppa on the beach as it's fifteen minutes walk away . Then it was less than a minute - just a few steps between us and the shore . I do miss that .

14th Sept 2014
A post that should of gone out in July:

A nice memory, especially as the summer is ending.

There are so many good things about living where we do.
So we were up early this morning and out for a walk at 7.00am.
there is the possibility of going for miles along the coast
with the view constantly changing , giving new delights.
The balmy sea breeze brings seeps its magic into a willing  mind
With each breath a memory captured , held for future
fantasies.

But the many seasons  have aged  the bones of this
once agile body, giving it cause to go steady
 legs, once eager to stride out in adventure now complain,
seeking respite.
So we curtail the long walk,  ignoring  its promises and turn
for home,
decide to sit on the beach with cup of tea and enjoy
 the rest of the hour we've allotted ourselves .
waves, in timely motion,  bring in the tide and plenty of seaweed
the vast expanse of ocean claims our spirits,
 energises, refreshes.
Then he goes for a swim, while I look on and think
I should have worn my costume
and joined him.
Back for breakfast.