Magpie Tale # 47



Daddy please don't leave us. Is it something that we've done?

We have heared you shouting often, during arguments with Mum.

We"ll try hard to stop the calling out, "Damn kids" we've heard you say

And stop fighting with each other, if it means that you will stay

Mummy says we're being silly and that it's really not our fault

You and she, she says, have grown apart, that's why you want to bolt.

Is it true that you don't love us any more down in your heart?

Cos we still love you Daddy, and that's the silly part.

That you want to go and leave us now "to find yourself" we've heard

  But you found Mum and you have us, that's why we find it quite absurd

That you'd want to walk away from this and leave us on our own

After all Dad it's just another bill, for the silly phone.

Magpie #46

Take off your gloves now and rest them right here

I'm so glad that that's over, at least for a year

Surviving that lot, well it is quite a feat.

I'll go put the kettle on, you take a seat

Now I don't want to sound like I'm chewing your ear

But I really am glad, that it's all over Dear.

I know they're your family, But, all in all,

As I've said all along, they're not my type at all

Old Aunty Mabel, sits there holding court

Oh the look on her face, at your "Shock Her" retort

When she asked you "Now David. How are things at work?"

You so quick to respond with, "My Boss is a jerk"

The twins. They have grown. Sadly, not up, but out

And when doesn't rude cousin William not shout?

I don't blame him though,  Putting up with those two..

Well...  and married to her... I'd be shouting too...

The dinner was nice,  though, the turkey was tough...

Such a shame that Maud's pudding, was not quite enough

Your Mother was crafty this year don't you think?

Having all of the men washing up at the sink.

While the rest of us sat there, and watched the kids play

I thought to myself , "David take me away"

And sitting and scheming of ways to depart

A feeling of dread settled here, near my heart

For tomorrow it's my turn, I'd almost forgotten,

Family gatherings with us go from dreadful to rotten,

Thank goodness it's only for one day a year

Think I'll skip on the cuppa, and get us a beer...

Magpie Tale #45

She holds the child... protecting

Surrounding candles lit... reflecting

Earnest prayers their words... inflecting

Of sins... rejecting

Magpie Tale #44

Lovingly crafted from rough hewn wood

Saw, plane and sandpaper, Gee Dad was good

Hours he spent in honing this craft

Knowing each of his children and how we would laugh.

Sitting atop to await being towed..

by Dad, all rugged up.. along icy road.

Finally locating the hard frozen pond

Then building memories for years and beyond

With a big push from Dad  off we would go

Flying over the pond, surrounded by snow

With the wind in our hair and the ice rushing past

Holding on for grim death.. this ride could be our last.

With Dad keeping watch, making sure we were fine

The blades cutting crisply clean ice in dual line

But the craft would soon slow and then pause to a halt

And we three would all beg for another assault

"Go faster this time Dad"  for we are not scared

 "Hold on tight then" he'd cry.. as if we'd not dared 

With another great push we'd soon be in full flight

skating over the ice almost way out of sight

 And again to a gentle stop soon we would come.

Looking round spotting Dad and then spying Mum

 Watching Mum pour the thermos, we'd all shout with glee 

Hot chocolate! For "me" and for "me" and for "me"  

Magpie Tale #26

Mates...

Watering me garden's meditation for the soul,

Standing quietly sprinkling water, well it makes it makes a man feel whole

To wach the little seedlings, all burgeoning with life

Helps to rid the dramas of the day, and a welcome break from wife  

I tend to sense the gratitude, as water trickles down
Giving tired roots a soaking 'neath a heated sun kissed ground
 My reward is in their blooming, every single one.
Lifting heads in pride, to show off colours in the sun.

Though my can is old and rusted, it still holds it's water well
Though the paints all chipped and peeling off,  look close, and you can tell
Family offered me a new one, for a gift a good while back
I scratched me head and thought a bit, and then I answered back

"What would be the point of that? Old can and me's just fine
We've grown together over years, best mates at watering time
Why the youngsters we have grown together, germinated all from seed
Seems a shame to break tradition, No. A new one I'll not need"

 In the evenings you will find me down the backyard till it's late
 Meditating in me garden with me trusty watering mate.
And when our watering days are over, well here's the funny thing
I'll put me mate back in the garden shed, at least until next Spring.

Magpie Tale #27

The Plumbers Lament

"Hand me that there wrench boy" said the plumber on his knees..

'And hurry up about it... what you waitin' for... a please"

"In my day you'd anticipate... or the boss would cuff  your ear"

Young blokes these days just arn't keen ya know... I must be gettin on in years

Oh they're right to stand round textin' to there filly or their mates

But when it comes to learnin' trade... they're busy standing round in wait

Yet they all line up on payday... real quick holdin out their hand

Can't remember much of weekend.."Got too drunk"...Well aint it grand 

Well  I do feel like a mother with a spoon held in me hand

 Feedin' babes me pearls of wisdom... but they just don't understand.

And as for gettin dirty on the job well heven knows..

 I laughs them running round in panic when there's crap all on their clothes.

And half ain't got the stomach for the job... or so it seems.."

"Wantin' water pipes and taps... or... lofty airconditioned dreams"

I hate to think the outcome when called to clear a blocked up loo"
"I can see 'em now.."Call a Plumber mate" 'cos I don't know what to do"

Magpie Tale #43

It Begins...

Cold chills stone with lowering degrees

Ice creeps silently into mortar making it her glassy home

Snow settles inconsiderately on unsuspecting roof. Interloping and burdensome.

Wind blusters southward in her seasonal dispatch, happy to serve cold

Steps disappear shivering under layers of hardening white nuisance

Winter settles smugly, surveying her frosted realm



Magpie Tale # 20

The tale of the toothbrush

"Grab another toothbrush and come help me with this grout

If we work 'em both together then the stains they will come out

And your father well he'll never know how bad I tipped the paint
Took him years to get to groutin' quite the craftsman... well he aint"

"Well the argments I had with him to get this tiling done
All the carping and the sniping hell it wern't a lot of fun
But your Old Ma here... she has her ways... of getting him to do.
Though the last time I employed them... well..we ended up with you!"

"Funny how time passes... you forget the little things
Holdin hands and walking in the park... and sitting on the swings
Oh your Pa, he charmed me silly with his funny little ways
Oh heck there's so much water passed ... since we had them salad days"

"That's right just scrub it up and down and wipe it with the cloth
With a little bit of elbow grease... the paint... she will come off
And your Pa well he'll be drunk.. again... from pub when he gets in
And if I don't have his dinner set... you know he'll make a din"

"Now you keep scrubbin there me love... just like your Old Ma showed
Your a good help to your mother.. oh my goodness how you've growed
And your Pa, he'll hardly notice when he comes in through the door
That both of us spent half the day... with toothbrush on the floor"...


I'm slowly working my way through older Magpie Tale Prompts and posting them here on my blog.
Please feel free to check them out and offer your feedback, because as a "newbie" to writing Poetry I appreciate any feedback or tips that you might offer.
Thank you again Steve...

Magpie Tale #28

Ah to feel 'ot water it really is a treat

Makes ya feel just like a lady, laying back to soak ya feet

What things I can get up to, while the Mistress is away

And though she's such a pussycat,  mice still come out to play..

So of'en I have dreamed about, while laying on me bed

That I could play the Mistress... be all lah de dah instead..

All them laces and them petticoats the powders an' perfumes

  'er pretty frocks and bonnets worn... in fancy halls and rooms.

 I'd 'ave such a grand old time, I would be "Lady" Geraldine...

To all the lords an gentry... likes of me they never seen

I'd be 'oldin out me hand...  to wait for all of 'em to kiss

 Then 'ead for all the feast an drinkin... Oh 'ow it would be bliss

But the likes of me a lady... well that just aint gonna be

No...I laughs meselve's just thinkin... till I nearly has to pee

Well this water's gone all cold now and a chill's come in room

And the Misstress will be 'ome soon... and I'm wrinkled as a prune.

Now I best be gettin back to playin, just plain old Geraldine

I am the Mistress' chambermaid... to be spoken at not seen...

But I does enjoy me sneaky times of dreamin in ers' bath

"Lady Geraldine" Gawd 'elp me... Don't make me ruddy laugh.

Magpie Tale#17

All the worlds a stage...

Project! Project! Miss Dunlop

Oh It's really Quite absurd

How you've set your mind on Broadway

Though your voice, it can't be heared!

They must hear it in the Gods my dear 

And carry to the stalls

If only you'd project my dear

Your voice could rattle walls

Although it's quite appealing

 But too quiet I'm afraid

For a mouse with lofty longings

Well, your plans will be waylayed

And although you crave the limelight

I do fear it must be said...

Miss Dunlop learn projection dear

Else all fame's in your head.. 

[via]



I'm just working my way at random through some of the Past Prompts from

Magpie Tales...

Feel free to continue to leave a comments
Best Regards Steve

Magpie Tale #42

***Warning this verse may contain just a smidgen of vulgarity***....

(If you are offended I appologise in advance....)

"My cup runneth over" said the Spider to the Fly

"It has been such a long time since a dinner guest called by"

"What is on the menu?" asked the Fly of the Spider

"I'd like a piece of carrot cake and perhaps a mug of cider?"

"Cake and mug of cider" laughed the Spider to the Fly

"You'll be getting none of that... Though 'tis a meal for which to die"

"It wont be nothing fancy then?" enquired Fly of Spider 

"I guess I'll leave it up to you, I'll have what you decider" 

"There are many things" the spider chimed  "On which we both could feast".

"The rotting flesh of carrion" or "Five day old dead beast."

"There may be fruit gone moulded or sandwiches left waste"

"But I'm a rather descerning spider of very perculiar taste"

"You're  a very welcome diner" said the spider to the fly

"So many choices on the menu, now that you can't deny" 

"And while you've sat there patiently, well here's the funny thing"

"I've decided that for Luncheon we'll have someting on the wing"

"My minds made up" the Spider cried a dancing on eight feet

"You're on the menu Darling! It's you I'm going to eat."

A look of horror crossed the face of fly, now truly stuck.

I'm on the menu?... You cant mean? Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Oh fuck...

[via]

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Magpie Tale #41

Lest We Forget

The eleventh hour  The eleventh day

The eleventh month

I hear you say

Age shall weary us... Not they 

I hear you say... I hear you say

A poppy lay on marble tomb

Remembrance to fruit of womb

Of lives short lived... So that we may

I here you say... I hear you say

So many souls fall where they lay

I hear you say... I hear you say

No chance to greet another day

Yet in the dawn of this new day

We shall remember ...

Remember them... I hear you say

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MagpieTale #40

The Necklace

Hillary stood before the window of the local drapers admiring the display of latest arrivals from places she could only imagine. The pretty French Silk prints immediately caught her eye... I have a new frock in mind and that fabric would be just the ticket she thought to herself...

"Oh.. what a lovely necklace" her ears suddenly assulted by the grating gushing voice of Audrey Pennington-Smythe. Her hyphenation disguising through assumption, a long lonely and resented spinsterhood.

Startled by the sudden interruption to her reverie, Hillary looked up and greeted her assailant through a clenched teeth smile. Sad, sad meddlesome woman she thought, don't give her and inch...

 "Hello Auldrey, how nice to see you. I'm sorry, I was quite lost admiring that beautiful french print in the window for my next frock. What was that you were saying?"

"I was commenting on your necklace Miss Nightingale. It must be new. I've not seen you wear it before. Was it a gift perchance?" she chimed oozing insincerity. "Another trinket from one of your, if I should be so bold as to say, many, gentleman suitors?" Her pursed and virginal lips formed into a thin line of derision.

Hillary recognised the thinly veiled envious wanting in the tone of Audrey's enquiry as she continued. "They all seem very keen to leave an impression on the coveted Miss Nightingale. Surely one of them  has stirred your interest by now. As it is, there are no doubt, any number from which to choose". Fetching in looks, well groomed and from a fine pedigree and very well moneyed little strumpet that you are... I've seen your type before, just like the harlot that took away my Christian. My love. So many years past. I shall cast a line here and see what I can hook. 

" I should think the caller that bestowed that fine, if not, a little ostentatious to my mind, accoutrement upon you would be well ahead in the stakes to gain your hand in marriage. What, with freshwater pearls and such a large and beautifully engraved pendant gold, catching the light and drawing ones eye to your ample bosom, It would surely have cost him a Kings ransom one would imagine."

Imagine away Audrey..thought Hillary don't give the old crone an inch of the truth lest unleash further the jealous and hurtful beast of thwarted love. "Yes. It is quite pretty Audrey. Thank you. And so as to allay your curiosity and  obviously compassionate concern regarding my state of being as yet un-wed. It was a gift from Father on his recent return from the Far East. He says he picked it up for a song at one something he called a bazaar.  I think that is what he called it.

 He says he had a marvelous time haggling with the vendor over a mutually agreed purchase price. It sounded such fun in his retelling. He had us all  in such fits of laughter. We were, all of us, quite positively exhausted by his conclusion."

"Oh." sighed Audrey. "What disappointment. I was hoping that it may have been form that lovely Marchinson Boy. He's grown into an outstanding young gentleman. His Father I happen to know, is frightfully proud of young Jeremy's foray into the business arena trading with companies based in the Far East. Such a coincidence...He too, like your Father, has only recently returned. I have seen him on several occasions, you know, riding out toward Nightingale Mannor.

She's snooping. The sly old busy body. I'll not give her an inch... "Why, Audrey, you are astute in your observations. Mr Marchinson has been a regular face at the Mannor since his return from the East. He consults with my Father in matters of business I believe." Hillary, averting her eyes as she embarassingly felt the warm sensation of tell tale colour rising to her cheeks. Oh no, not now she thought. Don't colour and give away your secret Hillary. As thoughts of the night before flooded her senses. Moonlit Jeremy. Standing beside her their hands entwined as they looked out toward the lake shore. Jeremy. Confessing his deep love for her. His preoccupying thoughts of her, of this very moment of asking for her hand. Of dreams they would make together as Mr and Mrs Jeremy Marchinson. The very thought  now filling her with further desire for him. Oh... don't give her an inch. Jeremy giving her the necklace. How her body seemed filled with tiny exquisite tremors as he fastened the clasp, kissing gently her nape as he did so. And then their embrace. Jeremy. Feeling his firm muscular body as he drew her into it's shelter. His warmth. His scent fueling her growing desire. Oh please she thought. Not here. Not now. And definitely not in front of Audrey Pennington-Smythe. 

Of all people.

 "I'm sorry Audrey" Hillary flustered. "It has been such a pleasure to see you, but, I really must away. Charles, my Brother is awating in the buggy and will be by now concerned about my whereabouts. Good day to you Audrey" and with that abruptly turned on her heel and hurriedly walked away in the direction of a waiting Charles.

 Audrey Pennington-Smythe remained quietly standing outside the Drapers. She turned slowly to her reflection mirrored in the glass and smiled smugly. "Well Audrey my dear. I do believe you got one"

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The sky is falling...

The sky is falling? I think not...

In all my life never heard such rot

When clouds are hung and passing by

Many things fall but not the sky

Try rain, or snow, or hail, or sleet

Try leaves all landed round my feet

Try blossom falling from a tree

The sky don't fall, you can't fool me!  

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Magpie 38

Once tangible proof, now shaddow shrouded relic

Solitary desecrated stone of aging distant memory

A life past lived, perhaps loved, then lost...

What stories you hold within your marbled casing

Secret tales yet no one hears the whispered telling