University

Tall, grim blocks of flats rise high

Above the seeing vision leaving

The view beyond entirely up to the imagination

Of the mind.  The mind is so young,

So impressionable, unable to appreciate

Situations above and beyond that known rises

And falls as it tries to reach goals.  Goals that

Seem unattainable, seem beyond the scope

Of an immature, unstretched being.  University?

A University that teaches, not the subjects

Deemed to stimulate, designed to cram

The brain full of information useful

Only in the passing of exams, obtaining a degree

That’s use beyond is negligible, but,

A university who’s education develops men.

Graduation in life, a person that can reach

The very depth of his souls, the very depth

Of his personality.  A mature, useful mind

That into the world can survive, so the view

Above the flats can be seen.

14^th November 1991, West Ealing, London, England.

-Richard

Trapped

A motorway seems endless,

A constant mirage eternally running

In front of your eyes.  Endless streams

Of cars emitting fumes, obnoxious gases,

Circling, swirling, choking the life

Out of the air, out of the lungs.

Polluting, poisoning, endlessly

Mile by mile.

                        I look into my life

Ahead all I see is endless chains

Of days going on and on, no end in sight

Everything the same – Work to survive

To be able to eat and drink and play.

Work to kill every ounce of freedom

Left inside my body, the last vestiges of youth.

5^th November 1991, North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

Why, oh God, Why?

In the countryside

Away from the city

A new life he found.

A step unknown

Where it would lead him,

Where he would go

Or end up.

The small, a raucous odour

Cows, sheep and hens

Made his nose turn

And his stomach wrench.

Why? was the question

He so often asked himself

Being a man to whom animals

Bore no delights, or, if anything

Fear!  “I could have had a nice job

Nine to five in the office”

A simple carefree life.

Oh, God, why?

In the city

Away from the countryside,

Away from the peace, the quiet

Into the bustle

People everywhere,

Noise, pollution cars.

No one can stop,

No time for anyone else

Surrounded, yet lonely.

Does anyone care?

Why here?

Where’s the peace,

The calm, the quiet?

“How I’d love to be in the country

Surrounded this time by nature.”

Why here, oh God, why?

26^th October 1991, Leeds, England.

-Richard

Fighting

The towns are fighting

Riots in the street

Fire’s lighting

With a bass drum bear

Of stones being thrown

At anything breakable.

Through the noise a drone

Is heard.  Police trying to make things stable.

The nations are fighting.

Bombs are stockpiled

Armies are marching

However mild

The problem seems.

Panic ensures

As each leader dreams

Of holding all the cues!

The earth is fighting

To stay alive

As pollution is creeping

In a relentless drive

To deprive its natural resources

To destroy every living thing.

It seems that all courses

Can only terror bring.

Every person is fighting

An inward fear of turmoil

A dormant fear no longer sleeping

A peaceful existence to spoil

Emotions are all mixed up

From hate to love and back

As if everyone has a full cup.

The only way out – attack.

God is fighting

To save man

From all the evil feeling

The hatred that began

When Satan dropped to Hell.

Through all the work he’s done.

Many fell –

Until there came God’s “only begotten Son!”

12^th September 1991, West Ealing, London, England.

-Richard

John Drummond

I say, jolly good show –

An image the north believes

Of those who live below.

However, no one can

Really be so pretentious

I thought as my life “down south” began.

Unfortunately I had to find

How true it is.  Snobbery does exist

But, also by me and my narrow mind.

6^th September 1991, London, England.

-Richard

Love and Hate

Every day we can see pain.

Just turn on the tele –

War, famine or torrential rain.

Yet you cause problems and hurt

From a slip, lustful thoughts

Or wishful thinking.

Can’t you forgive, make up?

Work together in happiness

Enjoying life, people and work?

  

30^th August 1991, North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

Natural Cathedral

The cathedral rises,

Rocks jutting above

Heathland – descending form a congregation.

For the services

The hills climb

Ascending into Heaven

Where the choir is that of Angels.

18^th August 1991, Staffordshire, England.

-Richard

Desert Music

I can see the values

So long cherished

So long held dear –

Evaporated.

When life was gentle

Security the key,

Time enjoyed –

Harried?

There was once harmony

Tunes so clear

Melodies so fresh –

Dissonance.

7^th August 1991, London, England.

-Richard

Petrushka

Snow falls

Tree towers

Balalaikas call

Love flowers

Cossacks dance

Tolstoy writes

Ponies prance

Northern lights

Music dreams

Audience clap

Russian scenes

Reality back.

7^th August, 1991, London, England.

-Richard