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Poems

The Poppy

Look at the poppy, and it flaming red,
It is the symbol to our wounded, and our dead;
It grows on the land, torn up by war,
Hoping it wouldn't happen, never any more.

There were no markers for those brave men,
But that red poppy always flowers again;
Not like those young brave men, who gave their life
In a war of hate, torture and strife.

When a red poppy is seen growing in a field
Your memories return - what war does reveal,
But those young brave lads, who did never return,
Feel no pain, but left a lesson for others to learn.

Those who returned, blind, limbless and with pain,
But you never ever hear them complain;
They were proud to have one their part,
And held their memories and that poppy deep down in their heart

The poppy which is sold, just once a year, by volunteers
Helps to protect those who were disabled, and allays their fears.
Employment, Independence, Love, and some joy,
That's what they fought for when they were just a boy.

Making that poppy employs those same men,
Whose body grows old, but their memories never forgotten.
They want no medals, or money, just one thing to retain:
Their pride and their honour, added to their name.

The blood-red poppy is precious to a soldier's heart,
And to the Royal British Legion for doing their part;
But to see what is done, behind the scenes
Would make other nerves tingle, even cry and scream.

A poppy is not scented; the beauty is in its red,
For us to remember our disabled and our dead.
The poppy will always flower once a year,
And so will the pride of those lads who had no fear.


The Wansbeck And I

Ah, Wansbeck flowing ever serene,
A little known river, but to me you're a queen.
Out of the west hills, you come flowing down,
Till you reach Morpeth, my grandparents home town.
You bend round High Stanners, where the wild bird sings,
There as a child I played on Maypole and swings.
Now on the stepping stones, your course running true,
There I'd catch tiddlers, 'tween the stones as they swam through.
Then around Stoney Island and over the ridge,
Until you reached Oldgate's old footbridge.
There once I stood, your waters up to my knees,
       Calling up to the trippers "Hoy oot a hap'ny please."
Where I spent many hours as happy as a lord.
Then on round Paysland, there was no promenade then,
T'was the home of the wild duck, the haunt of water hen.
At the end of Castle Woods, where I learned to swim,
While swallows with graceful swoop, over your waters skim.
Now you flow to the waterfall, where you drove a wooden wheel,
For the miller to grind his corn and meal.
At the outlet of the millrace, you'd form a wide pool,
You wen'd your way down Middle Greens, then flow out of town.
Scenes around you may change, as the years come and go,
But you, dear river seldom change, as on your way you flow.
Myself, I've now grown old, the hills are much harder to climb,
That's something that happens to humans with the passing of time.
Now Wansbeck I'll say Goodbye, and thanks for the memories,
While you flow on forever, down to the rolling seas.

Dripping Bread Sandwiches

Today it is now Thursday afternoon
Time to go in and get my tea
Will it be something really exciting
The answer, what is to be will be

As soon as the front door opens
A burning smell catches my nose
I can guess the frying pan is on
But that is how life sometimes goes

Dad is cutting up some fresh bread
A door step is their each and every size
When it comes out of the frying pan
It brings happiness to your eyes

The bread is lobbed on to a plate
Time to just dive in and help yourself
It is no good being a slow eater
Or you will be left on the shelf

With the first slice of bread
Just let your teeth sink straight in
You will never see any left on the plate
For that would be a mortal sin

Once Upon a Time

Cambois, Stakeford, Bedlington Station
All little dots in our great nation
Bomarsund and its great pit
Ashington greyhounds also a hit
Blyth Spartans football team
Once had an F.A. Cup dream
Matinees at the "Fret"
Where courting couples often met
Dancing at the Arcade Hall
Pit chimneys standing tall
Pitch and Toss in hidden places
Me and Dad at whippet races
Identity cards and ration books
Not much meat on butchers hooks
Buses that ran on time
Steam trains on railway line
A pint of beer for a "bob"
No problems finding a job
Phone boxes painted red
Clippy mats on the bed
Sunday school trips to the beach
Newbiggin within easy reach
Taking part in school plays
Memories of happy days
Life has changed in many ways
Gone forever the good old days
This was once upon a time
We are still here and feeling fine.

D. P. Allison

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