Don't Smother The Fire Mother

DON'T SMOTHER THE FIRE, MOTHER

Don't smother the fire, mother
we all of us feel the cold
Don't smother the fire, mother
you need its warmth when you're growing old
Don't smother the fire, mother
its cheery flame dispels the gloom
Don't smother the fire, mother
let its warmth invade the room
Don't smother the fire, mother
but let it burn up bright
Don't smother the fire, mother
for it is our only light

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ackworth, 12th December 1969

Publications

1981 DADDYCATION (Ashton under Lyne, New Hope International)
1993 The Affiliate (Canada)
1997 8 (Internet)

Paradox

PARADOX

The passed-on have not passed on
the living are not alive
soon the time will come
when time will not be
and the complete will be incomplete
the end has begun
continuance is discontinued
the truthful lie
the lying prove true
they are coming
but they won't stay long
soon be gone
and what is this heaven
which men call hell ?
it is the life we live
the death we die
the future is past
the past not come
and as for the present
it is absent
and all is nothing
nothing is all
love is a hateful thing
the straight is crooked
the crooked straight
and the real paradox is
that there is no paradox

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Glasgow, 1st September 1966

Publications
1966 POETIC SEQUENCE FOR FIVE VOICES (Glasgow, St John's)
1994 International Poetry (USA)
1997 8 (Internet)
2001 SECOND INTERNATIONAL ANTHOLOGY ON PARADOXISM (Romania, Anotimp & Abaddaba)

Ballade of Confusion

BALLADE OF CONFUSION

It's raining harder than ever before
and I left my umbrella on a train
The sun hasn't shone for a week or more
I sometimes think that I'm going insane
The one-way system is taxing my brain
and my seven-year car is far from new
I think my health is going down the drain
I'm so confused I don't know what to do

The policeman said that I broke the law
when I overtook on the inside lane
and the hefty fine really hurt me sore
It makes me wonder if the law is sane
The man who stole all that fish up in Tain
got off without paying a single sou
The whole affair's put me under a strain
I'm so confused I don't know what to do

My life is becoming a dreadful bore
From tobacco and beer I now refrain
but whenever I close my eyes I snore
It really seems to go against the grain
I am losing sleep so my wife Elaine
is planning to buy some drug that is new
for the last lot I've taken them in vain
I'm so confused I don't know what to do

ENVOI

Any advice at all I'll entertain
Please help me, Prince, won't you give me a clue ?
Tell me what will remove this wretched stain
I'm so confused I don't know what to do

© Gerald England

Composed: Glasgow, 1st March 1966

Publications
1987 The Old Police Station (UK)
1997 8 (Internet)