Poetic Reflections by Mr. Nobody: For Better or Verse

By James H. Tait

I have not included any other details ref synopsis or aimed at a particular readership as it should speak for itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456796884

James H. Tait

Specialist magazine editor 1998–2008. Writer of fiction and nonfiction and verse. Born of working-class parents in the South London borough of Dulwich, England, in 1930. Motherless at twenty months, lived with grandparents in deprived Thameside area of Bermondsey until four years of age, when father remarried. Evacuated to Folkestone, Kent, during the outbreak of the war in 1939, then to South Wales. Qualified for grammar school education 1941. Returned to London when father died in 1944. Left school in 1946, worked briefly in London City office until joining Thames pleasure paddle steamer as steward. Thereafter served on cargo freighters until 1950 when called up into Royal Air Force. Served twelve years as aircraft armaments fitter. On demob, joined the insurance industry until retirement in 1992. Postretirement, began horticultural business while writing as a hobby. Married for fifty-five years. Now widowed. Have four daughters and countless grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Now living in Hertfordshire, England.

Book preview

ODE TO THE BARD

To write, or not to write?

That is the question.

Whether it is best to unleash the mind and let the reader suffer

the slings and arrows of inflated egos or open up a can of worms

and let them die so as to avoid the heartaches; or suffer more calamities and make us bear those ills we have

against others we do not know.

Thus conscience does make cowards of us all.

Discard all doubt, dear friends, let not your resolution

be sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought.

Take quill in hand and with staunch heart

let words and thoughts spill out

so that we may share your history

and heap praise upon your memory!

WISHES FOR A BEAUTIFUL YEAR

I WISH YOU Happiness, a year without care

The sun on your face, a soft breeze in your hair

A perfumed garden full of bright flowers

Camellias and pinks, and rose covered bowers.

A leafy glade with gold glinting through

Soft grass underfoot, a sky coloured blue.

Meadows of buttercups and sweet smelling clover

Visions of England, and the white cliffs of Dover.

Barefoot strolls on a soft sandy beach

A sail on the bay, a iced drink within reach

A glass of champagne, Chablis or brandy

A Pimms No.1 or a lemonade shandy!

A creamy ice cone ready for licking

Plump juicy berries just right for the picking

Ham off the bone, a rich chocolate gateau

Smoked salmon and oysters, eaten al fresco.

Trees like umbrellas, rain like warm dew.

Lingering sunsets of red orange hue

Bright starlight nights, with the moon climbing higher

A cosy armchair, a crackling log fire

A symphony orchestra playing Gershwin or Greig

A best selling novel you just cannot leave

Hobbies and interests to pass time of day

Satisfaction at work, and pleasure in play.

WISHES FOR A BEAUTIFUL YEAR (cont.)

Friends and companions to confide in and trust

Knowing their words will be unbiased and just

The joy of a baby, lying soft skinned on a rug