Black Bess - Mess

I have a Royal Enfield, I call her Black Bess
She’s getting old and her wirings a mess
She has become a large part of my life
But this comment I always get from my wife
“I think that you love her much more than me”
When I explained she just could not see
That I love you both in equal measure
For you both give me so much pleasure
And in some ways you and my bike
Are so similar, so very much alike
It is here I must have had a mental block
For I expounded, mentioning the miles on the clock
And that in the mornings she needed a few kicks
Words like “temperamental” “stubborn” I added to the mix
And like her colour, your moods can be black
In these periods you’re both prone to kickback
By this time my wife was getting overheated
“Familiar” I thought as I slowly retreated
All this, on my part was a mistake I guess
Because my wife blew a gasket and so did Black Bess

© Ray Gorringe 2010

I’m no hypochondriac, but how can I sleep at night
When the worry of catching insomnia gives me a fright

Computer Dating

I met an old friend the other week
Still single, always the Geek
Thick rimmed glasses and an Elvis quiff
A little too proper and decidedly stiff

He said that he has trouble getting a date
Thought perhaps it was getting too late
He said Ray “what can I do?”
I want to be married and happy like you

I said Dave you’re the computer guru
Try computer dating that’s what you do
You could meet the girl you desire
Better do it now before you retire

So that night he made some Bournvita
Logged on and Googled, hoping he’d meet her
He found a site that could work out fine
“Mega Bit Dating Agency” here for you, all the time

He signed up and paid with his plastic
Fifty dollars was a little drastic
But what the hell, if it works for me
I’ll give it a try we’ll see what we see

He had the obligatory form to fill in
Age, occupation, earnings that sort of thing
There were quite a few questions like these
But when it came to sex he answered yes please

Now I must help you and shorten this tale
This site worked and he contacted a Gal
They arrange a time and a place to meet
A cyber cafe just down the street

He arrived with plenty of time to spare
And was quickly ushered to a waiting chair
In front of a computer, he turned it on
Thinking what’s going down here is this a con

He stared intently at the monitor
Welcome to “Mega Bit” my name is Monica
And I will be your date for tonight
It wasn’t so bad after the initial fright

I met him again the very next day
He shook my hand saying thank you Ray
I was confused asking how was your night?
“It was good, in fact it was a delight”

She had a mainframe to die for
She even had a modern duel core
Said she would like a little more Ram
Showed me what she could do with her inbuilt web cam

In her memory there’s so much to be explored
Next date she’ll introduce me to her Motherboard
I truly can not wait till next week
“Oh well! Once a Geek always a Geek”

© Ray Gorringe 2010

Breadline Blues

Poor people privately pleading
Often openly obscured outcasts
Visually valueless vagrancy victims
Earnestly economically eking earnings
Restlessly resisting raising resentment
Tirelessly trying to thrive
Yesterdays yield yesteryears yells

Just a Purrfect Day

There in a puddle left by the rain
A bird washing, taking such pain
Wet and bedraggled far worse than before
Too heavy with water to leave the floor
A cat on a wall a distance away
A lean and dirty local stray
Sees this bird and realises its plight
Knows that it’s incapable of flight
In his hungry head he sees his chance
And without as much as a second glance
Pounces from his wall with intent
An opportunity like this is heaven sent
This bird still unable to fly
Sees the cat in the corner of his eye
He screams and franticly flaps his wings around
This catches the attention of a nearby hound
The dog thought, a cat verses a bird well that’s not fare
I know, I’ll give this cat a really bad scare
So the dog drew a deep deep breath
Barked like hell, and scared the cat to death
The cat wisely ran a mile
The dog gave a satisfied smile
Now the bird had dried, he was able to fly
He swooped down to his saviour from his perch on high
He landed on the dogs back without any fear
Climbed on his head and uttered these word into his ear
Thank you kind hound, I owe my life to you
Tell me please is there anything for you I can do
“Don’t mention it” but seeing your asking, do you see that tick in my ear?
Without hesitation the bird got to work and pecked the whole dog clear
They became friends forever that day
Helping each other in every way
The dog clear of unwanted pests
And the bird had hair to line its nests
Now if like me you have regard for every living thing
Regardless of species, creed or colour of skin
You will have a concern for this cat abruptly separated from his meal
And you think that perhaps he was dealt a rotten deal
Do not worry as it appears it was indeed his lucky day
For in his hurry to escape he went a different way
He ran into a fisher lady sitting gutting fish
She took pity on this cat and filled for him a dish
Life goes on, sometimes in a strange way
But all in all for these four this was truly a purrfect day

A Prayer for Haiti

The cruelty of nature has once again shown its hand
As an earthquake has stuck an already troubled land
We must now forget their past atrocities
And bear no more animosities
We can not be the judge and jury
Can not compete with natures fury
Our hearts must go out to the survivors of this devastation
And we should offer a prayer for every single Haitian
For so many who have lost their lives, may their God accept their souls
And the kindness of others throughout the world fill the survivors bowls
May the power of their belief
Offer them some relief
May the outcome of this tragedy give them a better future
Heal the wounds of the past with a golden suture
Please give them the strength to rebuild their land
The strength of unity, with all hand in hand

Careing Sharing Pairing

He lays his head upon the pavement
Where he will spend his night
In his head he holds no resentment
He is tired from his existence fight

His sleep merely a restless slumber
On his hard and filthy bed
Just one of a vast number
But this is not in his head

First light, comes the bustle of activity
As sleep is wiped from his eyes
Yet another day in this uncompromising city
But he’s still grateful for the sunrise

He sifts through the garbage of the night
For a crust of bread, a few grains of rice
But he is still content, he knows that it’s right
To share this meagre breakfast with the multitude of mice

During the day he doesn’t wander far away
Accepting the occasional coin laid at his feet
Joined by a bedraggled dog, a poor mangy stray
His alms buys just enough for both of them to eat

This dog and he, together in their plight
He picks the fleas from the dogs dirty hair
The dog guards, keeping him safe at night
And supplying warmth from the cold night air

A lesson here for us to learn
From this unfortunate pairing
That life gives richness in return
For unconditional sharing

Is it easier to give, with half empty hand
Or with our hands half full
Will we ever learn, be able to understand
Let this thought remain and at our heartstrings pull

© Ray Gorringe 2010