Readers' poems

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 19, 2009

ELIZABETH JOAN Sometimes in life you feel nothing is right Then from nowhere a ray of light so bright Maybe the flowers, trees that God sent Dawn to dish, insects, animals and us We are all one fighting for life Spoken words can hurt, other words can heal Only ourselves, have within us The power and wisdom to feel Once this leaves our mind we are nothing A journey in time, first: adventure, second: too busy to think, third: where and who Alas, we trek, we plod, a never-ending millstone All other problems fall on your step But on deaf ears, or even listen to yours Only then too late we realise They are not interested in my life Only spies.

FRANK WHILLIS, Newcastle..

STREAMS OF THOUGHT I lie awake in my bed Streams of thought flood through my head.

I try to sleep count one, two, three The thoughts flow on, won't let me be.

I right the wrongs of all the world The thoughts march on, flag unfurled.

The reel rewinds on years long past My thoughts are sad. The die is cast.

As kids we'd play out far and wide No thoughts of being supervised.

Our minds were free our bodies strong Our thoughts well knowing right from wrong.

Now guns and knives, fearless thugs With thoughts of only self and drugs.

Our land, our industry: all seems lost.

We're left with thoughts "Who'll count the cost?" Families split. Some left these shores With thoughts of better times of course.

Hearts are torn. It's for the best.

These thoughts bring tears. There is no rest.

The greed, the lies of those in might.

Do thoughts of conscience break their night? Do they lie awake in their beds? Do streams of thought flood through their heads? SHEILA PLATT, Springwell Village..

SUMMER HEAVEN It's a beautiful morning, on a beautiful day As the sun rises, and the mists fade away The clouds are all smiling, and everything's right The blue sky shimmers, and everywhere so bright People seem so happy, they just seem to shine As the sun warms the air, the atmosphere is fine It's just so good to hear birds sing See the leaves on the trees, and life has a zing The aroma abounds of new mown grass Optimistic thoughts, as through the day we pass A picnic by the river, a trip down to the coast So much to choose from, of that we can boast Spectacular scenery, everywhere abounds Architectural magnificence, and big city sounds A river to be proud of, the old coal Tyne A place steeped in history, and it's yours and mine So let's go and enjoy what we have inherited Such a wonderful place, our love it is merited This is my homeland a place I adore A Geordie so proud, I can say no more.

BOB WILSON, Gateshead..

GEORDIES AND THE WEATHER 50 degrees People in southern England turn on the central heating.

People in Newcastle plant out bedding plants.

40 degrees Southerners shiver uncontrollably.

Geordies sunbathe on the beach at Whitley Bay.

35 degrees

Cars in the south of England refuse to start.

People in Newcastle drive with their windows down.

20 degrees Southerners wear overcoats, gloves and woolly hats.

Newcastle men throw on a T-shirt and girls start wearing mini-skirts.

15 degrees Southerners begin to evacuate to the Continent.

People from Newcastle swim in the North Sea at Amble.

Zero degrees Life in the south grinds to a halt.

Newcastle folk have the last BBQ before it gets cold.

Minus 10 degrees Life in the south ceases to exist.

People in Newcastle throw on a light jacket.

Minus 80 degrees Polar bears wonder if it's worth carrying on Boy Scouts in Newcastle start wearing long trousers.

Minus 100 degrees Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.

People in Newcastle start putting on their longjohns.

Minus 173 degrees Alcohol freezes.

Geordies get upset because all the pubs are closed.

Minus 297 degrees Microbial life starts to disappear.

The cows on Newcastle Town Moor complain about farmers with cold hands.

Minus 460 degrees All atomic motion stops.

Newcastle folk stamp their feet and blow on their hands.

Minus 500 degrees Hell freezes over.

Sunderland quality for Europe.

JAMES C MADGIN, Durham