no let up from the scorching bat
the flogging is a bit too thick
where the fielder gets laid out flat
due to its fervent canning stick*

the flogging is a bit too thick
we've been struck by the boiling heat
due to its fervent canning stick
every day this is on the beat

we've been struck by the boiling heat
downed in a sixer's knocking hit
every day this is on the beat
which drains our energetic pit

downed in a sixer's knocking hit
due to its fervent canning stick
which drains our energetic pit
*the flogging is a bit too thick

some poets take copious hours
to perfect a poetic line
their pens ever ruminating
on what they'll opine

a piece polished with lustrous gleam
having the silken flow of a dale's stream
an insight into nature's beauty so rare
portrayed by the pensive mind of care

word craft the knowing
where to place that descriptive
figure of speech
a nuance articulating the sound
in the car brakes
sudden locking screech*

every part of the verse
well thought out
to present a verbiage
*of artistic sprout

the ******* up brigade
the ******* up brigade
are
pros
in
the
trade
the ******* up brigade
the ******* up brigade
enjoy
the
goodly
*******
up
lade
the ******* up brigade
the ******* up brigade
possess
lips
of
a
fawning
shade
the ******* up brigade
the ******* up brigade
recite
this
rhyme
so
fine
in
grade
the ******* up brigade
the ******* up brigade
do
flatter
with
the
nicest
wade
the ******* up brigade
the ******* up brigade
it
is
now
time
for
an
outro
fade

these last few days have been so hot
one seeks a retreat somewhere cool
bathing the skin in a blue water spot

the sea's touch an ideal locale of lot
feeling the splashing waves curling spool
these days few days have been so hot

steeping one's frame parched of knot
gladly partaking with the soaking fool
bathing the skin in a blue water spot

as the thermometer rises to high trot
one hankers for the appeal of a pool
these last few days have been so hot

how divine sensing a refreshing plot
covering the fever with an ocean's tool
bathing the skin in a blue water spot

December's sun is relentless of mot
where one must escape its sool
these last few days have been so hot
bathing the skin in a blue water spot

the pages of our New Year book
shall plot the course we all took*
these stories beginning in a short while
they'll be part of our day to day profile

unfolding the annual cycle's narration
on each leaf a personal explanation
happenings chronicled as memories
that are written in our autobiographies

2017 fast approaches on the clock
a period of celebration and of shock
is fortune or misfortune to be ours
*as we await those fresh time hours

Hello Poetry is a blue place this calendar year*
for we have seen many a good poet disappear
their inspiring words not around to delight in
of this expression the site is somewhat thin

Hello Poetry has experienced a considerable loss
gone all of that imagery so beautiful in gloss
the colors they deftly painted faded as they left
which makes the heart feel palpably bereft

Hello Poetry members those of excellent ink
missing from our writing fellowship's rink
we'll not forget the contribution they made
as each one of them showed the finest parade

Hello Poetry our brothers and sisters of the quill
departed us with yet more stanzas to spill
their individual styles we'll not sight again
*truly a thought which is so downcast of refrain

the brightest star
in the sky
lead the shepherds
to a swaddled babe
he born of
the holy trinity
of parents poor*
was he
praise be the one
of humble birth
sent as the savior
to this our earth
Hosanna on high
at the right hand of God
Christmas our joy
shall be everlasting
in the sight
*of his wondrous love

the craftsman bought
his piece of clay to life
but ye mold was one that
would bring much strife

the clay just didn't behave
in the appropriate way
always it acted like
a grotesque monstrous play

on discovering the clay's
fault ridden side
the creator flung it down
******* a curbside

never again did he use
that model of mold
as its unsound traits weren't
ones he'd behold

elm branches dance*
to the tempo of the wind's pace
elm branches dance
their leaves caught by its light trance
which has the daintiness of grace
swaying like a whisper's embrace
*elm branches dance

within the campsite's closed up enclave
a general kept many a trooper slave
on hearing strident orders being spoken*
they'd jump to the commands that did sound
as these strict directives were oft around
each servile soldier was at this behest
doing what the big man would so request
but they tired of the marshal's token
a revolt put well in train there and then
they'd not be yoked to the despot's pen
their bid for liberty's run was a victory
on catching the tyrant whilst fast asleep
through an ajar gate ran the muffled sheep
*whereupon their freedom became history

this but a nightmare tale
for the adopted child
he'd not been treated with
a meekness so mild

raised by parents
who were sick of mind disposition
they abused him
without having any contrition

the boy utilized by deviant grown men
for ****** gratification
there was no human decency
in this fornication

their child's photos
shown to online perverts
who'd drool at the sight
of these lewd adverts

as a mere babe the lad
was groomed for paedophiles
of his parent's wickedness
they'd be placed on criminal files

no Christmas Dreams
only a lasting memory of buggery
the child was deprived
of innocence in his infancy

spring has finally made her entrance
blooms unfurling with colour to show
we've waited for the delayed appearance*

pinks yellows and purples on stems dance
in the warming breezes of the North's trow
spring has finally made her entrance

tiny leaves on elm branches balance
gardens now blossoming by the row
we've waited for the delayed appearance

even paddocks are flush with green stance
along the river flats they do smarty glow
spring has finally made her entrance

eyes taking more than a passing glance
the landscape tied in life's sprouting bow
we've waited for the delayed appearance

somewhat late her arrivals enhance
she adds glistering hues in pretty throw
spring has finally made her entrance
*we've waited for the delayed appearance

them Tennessee mountains
live in his marrow's core*
them Tennessee mountains
are the place he'll always adore

it's time for that Tennessee boy
to get on back to feel its welcoming air
he so wants be amid
the mountain's wilderness of peachy fair

there his roots do belong
grounded in every splendid furlong
he's been away from this homely hearth
roaming an unsated path

Adaline his sweet gal
waits in Tennessee
she'll greeting him with a kiss
under the crab apple tree
in her arms is where
he'll ever stay
cause she's the darling
who abides in his heart's cay

he's been dreaming of returning
to hear a blue jay's refrain
that calls in the mountains
with a sunlit twain

them Tennessee mountains
beat in his *****'s emotion
their soulful essence
*so blissful of devotion

due to me reaching
that post menopausal age
there's a hirsute carpet
growing on my chin's stage

a goatee  beard adorns
in such distinguishing tone
it's envy of my neighbour
Russell John Stone

over the years he's tried
to cultivate an abundant hair tress
but alas his bare cranium
has borne less and less

since my whiskers
are so prolific in sprouting
I could shave them off
for his wig's touting

closed fists did much damage to her face
a bruising doled out in his drunk state
this domestic scene not a pleasant place
battering was the wife's horrid night fate
thumping her around at a violent rate
without exhibiting any compassion
nor having the concept of softer pate*
his harsh blows weren't loving in their ration
so zealous these bashings by her hubby mate
*there was such brutal force which didn't equate

due to the power supply
being interrupted yesterday
very little light shone
in my long hallway

the electricity company didn't care
that I was in a darkened space
where I couldn't find
the umbrella stand's trace

it was a most inconsiderate
power outage
which did leave me
in a thorough outrage

there I was looking around
about the dark
without an iota of a luminous
lit spark

the next time the electricity provider
decides to flick off the switch
I trust it will send me a notification
telling of the shadowy pitch

members you'll note
a new event on the club's blueprint
which was so cleverly devised
by the committee's mint

all entries are to be marked
I really crave popularity
so ensure you write this
in letters of clearest clarity

the most original piece
shall garner the prized first place
those that are too **-hum
won't receive any grace

the council of jury
want to see
compositions stating
look at only me

they should have
a bragging tag
with the lionization
of unique flag

it's time to get
your submissions in
as the competition
is there to win

Amid the restlessness of a blood enthused crowd
Stood two gladiatorial practitioners both battle proud
From the inner arena a barking summons rang out
Calling the combatants to engage in battle's bout

The blood lust crowd wanted sport without delay
No quarter was ceded in the gladiator's display

Slashing lashing swords flayed high then to the midriff
Shields clanged and clinked in alternate shift
The foot-work of battle was magnificent of flair
Both took the onslaught with a disdainful air

Around the arena walls went a deafening cloud
The performance of the gladiators intoxicated the crowd
While in the bowels of the arena lions and tigers roared
Battle fervour rose to the gladiators they who are adored

Striking like a lightning bolt the victor's sword kills
His opponents chest dies in blood's gushing spill
Enthused by the spectacle of blood the crowd cried for more
Other combatants offered themselves to the gladiatorial floor

Battle Gods gathered at the celestial fray
Sang songs of battle to the arena's clay

an errant pirate has been active
in the copying caper
naffing off with other poet's
scripted draper

this person was seen to be doing
some stanza reproduction
using a falsified form of title
introduction

as bold as brass
pinching what takes the fancy
not caring about the original
Nancy or Clancy

those who think that stealing
other writer's material is okay
have need of gearing
their scruples the right way

sing the words
of love's
touching bower
sing the words
of love's
emotive power

sing the words
sing them to the soul's core
sing the words
sing them till the evermore*

the strains deep
of plenty's well
so timeless the sound
inside its bell

sing the words
of love's
textural tone
sing the words
of love's
feeling zone

sing the words
let them express a heart's thatch
sing the words
let them be of melodic catch

embrace the accord
of love's tempo
a oneness to the
*song's combo