Poems by Laura Sanders

The Halloween dance.

I once woke up in the middle of the night,
as Midnight struck, late, late at night.
I came downstairs feelin' kinda sick,
I saw creatures dancin' to Halloween music!

At the dance, at the dance, at the dance, at the dance...


There was a witch doin' a broomstick dance
and ghosts of local graveyards, prancing in a trance.
There was an ugly werewolf, howling on all fours,
and Dracula with his cape, tangoed to the scores!

At the dance, at the dance, at the dance, at the dance!

A she -monster she did a gay Foxtrot,
while Frankenstein gave it all he'd got.
Bat people were doing a paso doble,
whilst a black cat, with green eyes, glowered my way,

At the dance, at the dance, at the dance, at the dance!

Pumpkins were doing a strange kind of waltz.
I had to scream, call it to a halt.
They were jumpin' and  a  jivin',  with twists and turns,
completely unaware, whilst the candle- light burns......

At the dance, at the dance, at the dance, at the dance!

The spooks and creatures didn't fade away,
when I drew back the curtains and let in the day.
So I knew, I  just could  not win,
so I danced with a were -wolf and I joined in!!

At the dance, at the dance, at the dance, at the dance!!

Tell me,
what do you think, when you look into the sad, pleading eyes,
of those who go hungry and cold?
What do you think, when you look at the man shuffling about in the street,
limping, tired and old...?
Carrying a bottle of booze, grimy , worn coat, holes in his socks, and
his shoes.

What do you think , when you look into the big eyes, of the African kids,
pot-bellied, desperate for any food?
What do you think, when you see an abandoned dog, tied up,
by the side of the road?
Or a donkey crippled with overgrown hooves, can't walk, let alone carry
any load?

What do you think of those orphaned, alone, wishing they had family?
We are so lucky, we have friends, and family, someone to look after
you and me.
Just think of the hungry and abandoned in this world, as the time goes ticking by...
These are the things that we should care about, or we may as well, just sit
down and cry...!

Seems like only the other day, you paddled , in that hol' seaside rock pool.
Only the other day, you fed us lunch, when we were kids at school.
You packed our hol' suitcases into the car boot, so they snugly fit.
At Christmas you danced with vigour, to some Abba disco hits!

Parties, weddings, get-togethers, meals seems we did it all.
Relatives and friends came to us for company, you really had a ball.
But time moves so slowly, then faster, now you've reached the end.
You're left wondering where everyone is, Where are all your friends?

The egg-timer is running out, but the sand is still flowing through...
Reaching your final furlong, what else is there for you to do?
Long Summer times have passed, you've watched seasons come and go.
Now only sadness seen in your eyes, realising it may soon end you know.

How quickly a lifetime passes, it seems like ages when we are young.
Thinking we have all the time in the world, before our time is done.
But we must grasp the nettle, cause life can end any time.
Just enjoy our visit, either short or long, make it meaningful and fine!

Magical March comes limping in, bringing the mad wind and the rain,
but eventually the sunlight brightens the day, and we're all happy again!
Slowly the flowers spring to life, dancing Daffodils, sunny Celandines.
Its a taster of what is heading our way, beautiful Summer time!

The fairies flutter again, in the forest glades, as does the woodland Leprechauns,
the rabbits, gaily hop around, deer and foxes smile to see sunshiney morns!
Spring's bounty is on it's way, when buds open and lambs are not so forlorn.
Nothing is so drear and dark again, the magic of Spring is born!!

After the snowfall.

The snow flakes fall like soft, downy feathers from the sky.
Soon it drifts and piles up, as I look outside.
The landscape transformed, looks clean and bright,
hills and lanes, seem fresh and white.
The virgin snow, beckons me to come outside and play.
Already visitors have been, as I make my way.
Bird prints, a cat's paw marks, dog tracks, galore-
have impacted the snow, more and more...
Seems I am not alone, in this winter landscape,
where crystals, has fallen, from an ice maiden's cape.
Soft caterpillars of white snow, cover objects in the garden.
Elsewhere, water has frozen, and like tough glass, has hardened.
As I crunch about ,in my snow boots, hat and warm scarf,
I feel once more enlivened, as I make a foot print path...

Like a golden fanfare of trumpets, they herald entrance of Spring.
Appearing on warmer days, when happier the  birds fly and sing....
As yellow as the gold sun, that shines, they sway in the breeze,
Daisies, Buttercups cannot compete, attracting passing bumble bees.
On banks along garden edges, brightening up landscape stark,
sunshine flora laps up the sun, hating the wet and dark.
Elegant long stalks, looks attractive in a vase.
Seen in houses, gardens and out of windows of our cars.
To see Spring flowers and beauty, I needn't venture, too far.

All I wanted was to be loved by you,
but instead you told me, you and I were through...
How I longed for that tender, special kiss,
It's like being without sun, your warmth I miss.

Like a flower longs for a rainfall shower,
how I needed you, every day, every hour.
Like a bird on the wing, without a nest.
I miss you so much, 'cause you were the best!

I'm a desert, of loneliness, with windswept sand.
I thought you knew me, would understand?
But now it seems, you overlooked, my heart,
when you said goodbye and you did depart.

Now I yearn for life like a forest deer,
'cause being alone is what I fear.
But all I wanted, was to be loved by you,
Now I'm  , tired , disillusioned  and blue.

Rows of creeping, tangled, knotted runner -bean Vines
twist and turn, growing up netting and poles in lines...
Tiny, red flowers attract bees and insects to visit and pollinate.
"Come enter and taste before it's too late !"
Elsewhere, lush lettuces appeal to any Beatrix Potter character, utter temptation !
Delicious carrots, with fine leafy tops protrude, without hesitation .
Swathes of potato flowers plants, surge over the veg plot -
where compost manure and organic soil lies, in humus and then rots.
Neat lines, measured out by string and rusty iron poles-
Growing tasty fresh veg, the ultimate goal!!
Fruits, picked by hand from plant. to box to crate .
Satisfaction and reward , for" growing your own " is great!

Gran- what is it like to be so old?
This, may I ask and to be so bold!
Do you ache and pain like me,
or do you still feel lively, energetic, free...?

Do people really respect your views?
Or do they secretly laugh at you?
Or do they marvel at your age?
Or is it like turning the same old page?

Do you long to be young again?
To relive your  time, in life's short game?
Would you do things differently
and someone else, you would rather be?

Gran, smile, put on your happy grin,
even if it is difficult within.
You'll fool them all with all those years,
you will reduce them all, to smiling tears!

A benchmark, you have now surpassed,
You're best years, have now since passed.
You've now lived through, your hope and fears,
You've reached your golden years!

Mum, thank you for all the little things you did,
down on earth, for us all.
The things, we never saw.
The things mum's really are for...
Hugging and talking to us,
looking after us, when we cussed,
showing us the side, that cares.

When life was too much to bear,
Mum, we couldn't see everything
you went through,
but we really do appreciate you.
Life wouldn't have been the same too,
without you.
So thank you, for all you did,
for us all.
Giving us advice,
making us Pilchard curry and rice!
Going to church with us both,
helping us to cope.
Sticking up for us, in our hours of need,
lots of things indeed...