I have chosen this day of July the 4th, 2025, to post this last blog, because it is our (Me and Pete’s) 55th Wedding Anniversary; and because it’s possibly our last anniversary together.
Post 70 will be a fond farewell to all of you who have been following my odes and opinions. I will probably be repeating myself on various subjects, for the last time as, ironically, as soon as I decided to cease from blogging, I felt the urge to comment on so many seismic world events!
I WANT . .
I want to write a poem but I don’t know what.
Should it be descriptive frenzy, or a clever little plot?
Maybe humorous or luminous; Could I settle for posthumous
But I cannot find a subject that exactly hits the spot.
That therapeutic muse has turned her face from mine.
Inspiration will not grant me one memorable opening line
Something witty; even pretty, all I ask is just one ditty
But of mind expanding stanzas I’m afraid there is no sign!
I think that poem, written in 1994, is very appropriate for this post; which will be the last contribution to the blog Forward to the Past; started in 2021. These last few months have been completely taken up by family health matters; which have made the realisation of our mortality ever present. Poetic inspiration has taken an almost permanent back seat.
As just stated, my main reason for calling it a day are circumstances regarding the health of my nearest and dearest, which have focused my attention away from distressing world events; to concentrate on the personal and more immediate needs of my closest family.
And, having read through all the 69 posts written since 2021, I have come to the conclusion that any further posts on this blog would only cover the same well trodden ground.
I’m giving up on old fashioned assumptions
That there’s any interest in this granny’s presumptions
And I’m taking on board that I’m being ignored
Which is partly down to my choice
Of the window I use to give voice
No ChatBot, or WhatsApp or AI will be
A replacement for musings or poems by me
And so . . .
A reminder of poetry shared on past posts
That reveal how I feel; and stick with me the most
I’ve rhymed about people enslaved and abused
I’ve rhymed about refugees; always ill used
I’ve railed against bigotry, blinkered with hate
And mourned that our saving of climate’s too late
I’ve rhymed about people, so gutted with greed
I’ve rhymed about vast populations in need
I’ve rhymed about wars that create more division
I’ve rhymed about schisms caused by tunnel vision
But I’ve rhymed about hopeful and happy times too
Of meeting with friends,so loving and true
Of gatherings and parties and great celebrations
Of talks that give meaning to deep observations
I’ve eulogised nature, which forgives and revives
Despite human actions it lives and survives
In the peace of my garden I’ve pottered for hours
Enjoying anew all the plants, trees and flowers
I’ve mused on belief and the human condition
And how we could influence global transition
And I hope that our children and grandchildren see
A world that can change to the best it could be
That their eyes have been opened to the danger of hate
That the world comes together before it’s too late
For I am still hoping that community
Will show us the way to set the world free
But now I must bring this last ode to a close
This reminder of five years of poems and prose
Farewell to you all and thank you for sharing
This journey with me, and possibly caring
A bit for the content, as I finish at last
This end to the blog Forward to the Past
BUT! one last poem that’s been posted before . . .
INDIGENOUS
We are all indigenous
Wherever foot touches this earth
We are all indigenous
Whoever’s foot touches this earth
We are all indigenous
And all of equal worth
Together we could be
Wholly indigenous
A global entity
Beautiful poems that bring tears to the eyes, and a smile too.
Sad, and all true. But as we become brittle, and a bit withered, and too bloody tired, there are young ones and little ones coming up. You have together made your garden a place of beauty and productivity, a haven too for wildlife which feeds both you and the bugs and birds.