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Olfactory
A poem about smells Glory be to God for all we smell – For blossom’s balm born on a springtime gust; For oven-odours – crusty,...
Do Your Worst!
The worst possible title for a poem followed by the poem on that title An Odd Ode upon Odoriferous Odious Old Odours Sometimes I sniff a...
That's Life
The facts of life explained by a well-known character from a novel. “It’s a doddle, dear,” said the White Rabbit, “more a matter of bucks...
It's All Relative
A poem about a relative In Cornwall my cousin, dear Daisy, did dwell, Sing Summer-slow, barleymow, indigo haze! And as soon as we met I...
Ghostwritten
A Shakespearian soliloquy delivered by the ghost of Richard III reflecting on the discovery of his bones in a Leicester car-park An ‘R’,...
Voyagers
A feature a travel supplement as it might have been written by a well-known novelist, alive or dead Though few, unlike me, can afford to...
Excuse Me
A schoolchild’s quick and clever excuse to escape punishment Please sir, you gave us all such pleasure When you taught us Davies’...
What The Donkey Saw
A poem reflecting on the Nativity written from the point of view of the donkey or the ox An ass’s tale I have to tell, Aye, have to tell,...
The Trees (Ashes to Ashes)
An elegy on the death of the ash tree The ash tree, how daunting! How haunting your swan song Whose plaintive refrain from the woodlands...
Remaking History
An extract from the diary of a well-known historical figure that startlingly reverses received ideas about history and the person in...
Matchmaking
The profile for an on-line dating site of A Shakespearian character Dismiss my vice, ‘tis virtue that in verse I tender, offer, proffer –...
Parting Shot
The famous last words of a well-known character Come, friendly bombs, and fall on me (John Betjeman)
Taking Fright
A poem about a phobia I have no need to dig or dive or delve Into the root or cause of my malaise, The legacy of London 2012 Will mar...
Astrological
A horoscope written by a well-known literary figure past or present Poor cancer, the claw of the crab bids you nothing but ill in all...
Oh! What A Terrible Morning
An unwelcome note of reality introduced into a song from a musical. Let’s skip to the terrible ending, A very sad place I know, When you...
Scandicrime
A contribution to the booming genre of Scandinavian crime fiction Olga Strom, crossing the frozen farmland, approached the derelict...
Country Music
A new National Anthem for Greece From Mount Olympus, mighty Zeus, Your fearsome thunderbolts let loose And spare us from the wretched...
Jubilee Lines
A poem for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as it might have been written by a previous Poet Laureate Oh wondrous Elizabeth, heir of George...
Misleading Advice
Snippets of misleading advice for tourists visiting Britain. Engage with the British wry sense of humour in airport queues with such...
Shorts
An encapsulation of a well-known poem in 4 lines These addled musings point to nothing much: A railway Halt, a cough, a hiss, some trees,...
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