A Mind's Eyeview: A Collection of Poems from the Heart

By Jan Pike

By writing this book I experienced a freedom to express my emotions and feelings. To communicate freely without the restrictions that my impaired speech places on me. My parents ignored advice to put me in an institution when I was young and I have dedicated my life to honour them in an attempt to make them proud of me.
When walking, I stagger; when writing I fly

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Jul 14, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503506596

Jan Pike

I have been living with cerebral palsy for 63 years and now share my life with my beautiful dog Marley in Sydney Australia. One of my greatest achievements was winning two medals at the Paralympics whilst representing my wonderful country in Para Equestrian Dressage. I have had the honour of competing in two Paralympic Games and many International competitions overseas. I am a proud Australian and a fierce advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. I am blessed by my many friends, both four and two legged. I love horses, dogs, in fact all animals and am often rewarded by their unconditional love in my life.

Book preview

FOR THE YOUNG OF HEART

36511.png

NO COLOURS FOR JACK

Come meet a little gnome whose name is Jack

He sits all alone in the yard down the back

Cunning is Jack cause he’s there all day

Not a movement or a solitary word will he say.

Birds fly around him, butterflies too

But Jack knows exactly what to do,

He continues to smile and holds his head high

As his garden visitors pass him by.

He watches caterpillars, bees and worms

As each in Nature have their tasks to perform.

He stands in the sun and in the rain

Ignoring Honey, the dog, with quiet disdain.

You may think Jack has a pretty poor deal

But this garden gnome another life has to reveal!

In the evening as the sun starts to set

And the light of day hasn’t quite gone yet.

Amazing things start to happen to Jack

His exterior coat usually tight not slack,

Starts to soften and becomes like ours

And Jack develops magical powers.

The change is slow and can’t be done,

Until moonbeams replace the rays of the sun.

In the dark of night by the light of the moon

Jack has a stretch and very, very soon

He can walk, run and jump and even talk

So now he begins his nightly walk.

He gathers nuts, berries and leaves

A veritable feast you must agree

Safely stowed inside his sack

He takes his loot and trundles back

To a favourite spot beneath a big white gum;

Sets a toadstool table and just for fun

Uses a bright sunflower as a table lamp

And a maiden hair frond to keep out the damp.

Jack enjoys his evening meal

But knows