Tag Archives: Monty Edwards

A Christmas Question by Monty Edwards & Old Technology by Louise McCarthy

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A Christmas Question

What have we done with Christmas?

It doesn’t seem the same

Now fewer sing the carols

Or mention Jesus’ name.

And though we think of giving,

Does getting matter more?

I far prefer the Christmas

We used to have before:

 

A Christmas that was simple

With family, food and fun:

A time for feeling thankful

That God had sent his Son.

A Christmas that was joyful

And love was at the core.

I far prefer the Christmas

We used to have before.

 

Not Christmas just for rich folk

And those with cash to spare.

It need not be expensive

To show someone you care.

The faith and hope of Christmas

Are free to rich or poor.

I far prefer the Christmas

We used to have before.

 

Yes, I am getting older:

My hair now turned quite grey.

I cannot count my wrinkles,

Or hear all people say,

But seeing stressed-out shoppers,

Rush round from store to store,

I far prefer the Christmas

We used to have before.

 

For Christmas has a history

I fear we may forget:

Events once clothed in mystery,

Which fascinate me yet.

The Gospels which describe them

Were written to ensure

We grasp the point of Christmas

As once we did before.

by Monty Edwards

 

Old Technology

The wise men they travelled so terribly far;

With their camels and gifts,

They followed a star.

And how did they know just where they should go?

That the Christ child was born; who told them so?

‘Twas a Hark! From an angel!

An angel from high.

Not a tweet from the internet

While using Wi-Fi!

 

By Louise McCarthy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Fish to Dish by Monty Edwards

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 When you eat a seafood dish,

In it there may be some fish,

These fish must have left their schools,

Since they failed to learn school rules:

 

Rule One

 

“If you see a baited hook

Do not take a second look.

Even if the bait looks yummy,

It will never reach your tummy.

You will, on the other hand,

Reach a tummy on the land.”

 

Rule Two

 

“Do not swim into a net:

That’s as far as you will get,

You’ll be hauled up to the air

And you’ll wish you were not there.

Frozen first, then fried or grilled,

Soon a stomach you’ll have filled.”

 

Monty Edwards

 

 

 

 

 

The Dreamers by Monty Edwards

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Once a waddling goose and gander

On a search for something grander

Left their farmyard to meander

Down a stream.

Now the goose was named Cassandra

And the gander, Alexander,

With a new home by the water

As their dream.

 

They had found the farmyard boring

With the crows’ incessant cawing

And the sleepy dogs all snoring

Through the day.

While the river looked appealing

And it gave the pair a feeling

In their new home by the water

They would stay.

 

But the farmer had been boasting

Of the geese he planned on roasting

At a dinner he was hosting

For his friend.

So he searched in haste to catch them

And he speedily despatched them.

Thus the dreamers by the river

Met their end.

 

Springtime by Monty Edwards

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When people say: “Spring’s late this year!”

They must be wrong – that’s seems quite clear.

It always starts on one firm date,

So cannot possibly be late!

At school I’m sure that we rehearsed

That Spring begins September 1st.

If every year that does not change,

To say: “Spring’s late”, seems very strange.

 

But if you’re north of the equator,

Spring for you is six months later.

That would mean you are not here,

But in the other hemisphere.

September there’s not Spring at all:

It starts their Autumn or their Fall,

When trees’ green leaves may turn to brown

And from above come floating down.

 

Should someone say that Spring is late,

I do not start some great debate

And tell them what I learnt at school

And treat them like a silly fool,

Since change, for seasons, can be slow.

It’s warmth they want: their plants to grow,

Their flowers to bud and birds to sing.

Till that time comes, it won’t seem Spring.

 

Lying on the Beach by Monty Edwards

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One day I saw a bottle that was lying on the sand.

I asked: “Why are you lying?” Then I grabbed it with my hand.

The bottle made no answer and it gave a glassy stare:

It clearly felt it had a right to spend time lying there.

I saw a drip form on its lip and thought it was a tear,

Which seemed to say: “Just go away and leave me lying here.”

But I’d been taught that lying was a serious sort of sin,

So straight away, without delay, the liar went in the bin!

Monty Edwards

 

Secrets by Monty Edwards

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My brain must have some spaces

Where secrets can be stored

And though I keep them hidden there

They cannot be ignored.

I think about them often,

Though no one else may know.

They come with me when I leave home,

No matter where I go.

 

I sometimes have to let them out –

They can be hard to store,

But when one secret is revealed

There soon may follow more.

To share them brings me great relief,

Since truth is hard to hide.

How special is a trusted friend

In whom we can confide!

 

Monty Edwards

Brave? by Monty Edwards

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Brave?

 

Brave?

Be brave!

Be brave because . . .

Be brave because boldness . . .

Be brave because boldness brings . . .

Be brave because boldness brings benefits.

Be brave because boldness brings bigger benefits!

 

Monty Edwards

The Snooze by Monty Edwards

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The Snooze

 

When Dad’s at the seashore,

This bit he likes best:

After all the swimming,

Take a well-earned rest.

Once lunch is completed,

This is what he’ll choose:

Lying on his towel,

He will have a snooze.

 

Soaking up the sunshine,

Lying on the beach,

Seeking for a suntan,

Drink within his reach,j

How long he will lie there

None of us can guess.

Asked if he’s still snoozing

He just mumbles:”Yes”.

 

We return to swimming,

Wait for him to come,

When it doesn’t happen,

We send back our Mum.

Suddenly Mum wakes him:

“Dave, you’re getting hot!

You look like a lobster,

Lifted from the pot!”

 

Monty Edwards

 

Monty says: “I considered calling the poem “Redback!”, but in order not to confuse, chose “The Snooze”. Although the poem ends as above, one or both the following verses may be added for didactic purposes.”

 

Dad forgot to sunscreen:

Didn’t slip, slop, slap;

Left his head uncovered:

Didn’t wear his cap.

Now his back is blistered,

Face is sore and red,

He will struggle sleeping

Even in his bed.

 

We all learnt a lesson

On the beach that day,

Sunshine is a blessing

When you want to play,

But the sun can hurt you,

If you don’t take care

Best to have protection

With you everywhere.

About Elephants by Monty Edwards

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About Elephants

 

An elephant has a very long nose

That’s sometimes used like a powerful hose

And once that trunk has been exerted,

Anyone close may well be squirted.

 

Note this elementary fact:

Eggshells won’t remain intact

If an elephant’s massive legs

Place his feet on a poor bird’s eggs.

 

It’s OK if you feel hesitant

Every time you’re near an elephant.

Watch that trunk – you could be washed!

Mind those feet – you may be squashed!

 

Monty Edwards

Monty says: “I didn’t get far with rhymes for the key words, but eventually was able to compose a couple of verses which included all the words and then added a final verse to tie it all together.”

The Rule by Monty Edwards

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The Rule

 

My mother’s voice was loud and clear:

No use pretending not to hear!

I knew the words that soon would come.

They always left me feeling glum.

 

“No, no, no!

I said you may not go.

Unless you clear up all your mess

You will not hear me answer ‘Yes’.

Now pick those clothes up off the floor

And put them in their proper drawer.

Then, all your toys must be away

And after that, yes, go and play.”

 

Mum’s tone of voice left me no choice,

But task once done, meant play and fun.

 

Monty Edwards

Monty says: “Despite some changes in parenting styles over the years, I suspect many children (and parents) would still be familiar with a rule of this kind and its benefits.”