Image: Thom and me sharing a slot on Koop Radio fior teh return of a programme called writing on air, it went well, one of many events for National Poetry Month. thow was equally determind to do 30 open mics in 30 days whether zoom or live.
30.03.23 – 30) Sure was a delight, meetin’ up with Thom again last night
An event not to be missed, he said “get your name on the List”
I do, wait, soon it’s my turn an’ I’m called
Introduced as the guy that’s come all the way today from the UK
The Yorkshire chap back after a three year gap
So I read poems about what would have been had in not been for Covid 19
Then I’m done an’ shortly after I’m away
The perfect end to departure day
Drivin’ back after openin’ night and think “yes it really did go alright”.
31) It was still dark so I slept a bit more
Thinking about my next poetry score
Then day breaks an’ I’m out of bed
Showered dressed an’ ready for the day ahead
Things to do people to see, an’ a workshop for poetry
32) Couldn’t shave, no shaving foam so an early shopping roam
While out, get other things I’d come without
That done to T Mobile I run
Get a sim card today to ring my friend in the USA
T Mobile closed, no need for dread, for the library I’ll head
Come back later but for now I’ll use the time
To upload album an’ blog, with photos an’ rhyme
32) Some updates done, back to T Mobile I run
Mention last year and like as not, the good deal I got
Wasn’t in vain, I got the same deal again
A deal exuded, one price, texts and calls included
Called pre-pay, made my day
All errands done away I run an’ can’t help but feel I got a really good deal
33) Drivin’ along I think time for a song
Get the radio to play, lyrics hit me straight away
“Tail California Heads Carolina” I’m thinkin’ there’s nothing finer
I know than when I got Country Music on the go
When I’m doin’ a roam of my spiritual home
An’ to my delight I’m thinkin’ “Alright”
Then along comes Rascal Flatts singin’ Life is a Highway
I think “It sure is an’ I’m gonna drive it my way”.
35) So continues the day as I make my way
Hopin’ it’s not folly, to a workshop run by a gal called Mollie
I thought it was the first time we met but she said “no”
She’d remembered me from when The Full English was on the go
Of subjects there were seven an’ we’re away in an inspirational heaven
Poems 36 – 42 at Mollies Lazy Daze Workshop
36)Colours running, no longer looks stunning
As before when people stood in awe
Colours burning, mixing churning, what is it all for
Colours breaking, people quaking, scared they’ll see it no more
But did they care when it was there
Answer could be No, hence The Angry Rainbow
37) Do I want a ticket to Outer Space, a visit to a faraway place?
Book it now while it’s still unspoiled, before it’s commercialised
While there’s so much to like, before a price hike
Big business and greed for all it’s worth will screw it up, just like the Earth
38) You think you know but you don’t you think you will but you won’t
You expect me to give but I can’t you expect me to respect you but I shan’t
Your expectations and demand of me, prove you don’t know me
39) Enjoy silence, enjoy hush, enjoy not having to rush
I enjoy silence without fears, because silence never hurts my ears
40) Who is good who is bad, it’s easy to find out
There are those that’ll drown us, those that’ll pull us out
That’s a must, we need to know who to trust
41) There’s no better teacher than your enemy
On the take form your every mistake
There’s no better teacher than your enemy
Looking to win form your every sin
There’s no better teacher than your enemy
Making a dance and song about your every wrong
We all should know, There’s no better teacher than your foe.
42) The troubles you brew today, you’ll drink tomorrow
Such a waste, a bitter after taste
The troubles you brew today bring grief and sorrow
Yet warnings are in vain, you’ll still do it again
The troubles you brew today, you’ll drink tomorrow
43 Workshop went well a good time had
By four from Austin an’ a Yorkshire Lad
An’ my blog an’ album brought up to date
Yes today’s gone alright, an” I think I’ll have an early night
31.3.23 – 44) Still dark but the day comes alive it’s just gone five
Garbage truck in the parking lot, am I getting up I am not
Gonna stay in bed some more
An’ reflect on what could be today’s first poetry score
45) I’m showered, dressed, ready an’ away at eight
Don’t want to be late, cos’ t the AWR it’s my first day
An’ this year’s motel’s further away
GPS set, the way sought, it took me the way I thought
Called for hot dogs an’ coffee on the way try somewhere else another day
I always enthuse, plenty of eatin’ places to chose
An’ soon I’m there to give the animals love an’ care
An’ in the main it feels good to be back again
46) I walk in they got a new client, he’s a crow
They tell me his name’s Russell I say, “Is that so”
Then it’s time to get stuck in,
Get the possums an’ squirells changed an’ fed,
Always a treat to watch ‘em tuck in
The day’ swell on track and I’m thinkin, “It’s great to be back”
47) When I’m done, to a library I run updates to do and try, to find out why
I could only on mu usb get music by Pachelbell
Hopefully the computer will tell, it does, I feel down and defeated
When I see the other songs have been accidentally deleted
No need to see red I can always listen to the radio instead
So whenever I’m drivin’ I can always find music to suit the mood I’m in
48) Time for afternoon relaxin’ in the sun so the route I take To Travis Lake
A favourite place where I can unwind and be
At one with nature and nature at one with me
NaPoWriMo
01.04.23 – 49:1) April 1st a new month starts, a month for the poetry arts
New ground to be broken, hopefully more new poems to be spoken
Before I begin today, I reflect on yesterday
AWR not many animals I could see
I was told they had a big release and many were now free
But there was still quite a range includin’ a possum with mange
I’m in the mammal room it’s passin’ by
He stops looks up at me as if to say hi
I look an’ smile it’s gonna be here for a while
But it’s the best place to be
Plenty of TLC before t last it will be set free
Like the Lone Ranger ridin’ off into the setting sun
An’ staff thinkin. “another job well done”.
50:2) Breakfast over I’m away to Mayfield Park for NaPoWriMo’s opening day
An event that like as not Thom’s got a slot
So I’ll purport to give him moral support
I go, we meet an’ then, he tells me he’s not on while ten
Suggests I go walkabout find something to write about
So I’m away to the fore, in Part of Austin I ain’t seen before
51:3) First thought a photo of the Peacock Consort
Then under the Texas sun, I wander the trails and with nature feel at one
Listenin’ to the birds in the trees singin’
An; from a distance baroque music on recorders ringin’
A choice of trails to take, Taylors Creek, Bluff and one to Austin Lake
Wanderin the trails and snappin’ away hopin’ inspiration will come my way
But for now let tranquillity exude an’ I enjoy the solitude
52:4) Through the ornamental garden I make my way
See what the signs got to say
About invasive species they don’t need
Preventing local planes for taking seed
A continuous fight to keep things right
Keep local growth alive help it thrive
For our children and others to look upon when we are gone
And more fore ever and ever and ever more
53:5) by Lake Austin lost in thought is when I realise Thom’s on at ten
So I make my way back to hear what he’s got to say
I find I got to wait for is first score
Cos’ the recorder group was asked to do an encore
I thought it was right they should, they were really good
An’ were I still in radio would have loved to have had them on my show
54:6) The event hasn’t come alive but I see Wendy arrive
How nice to meet once more an’ capture it in a poetry score
Then it begins we listen to poetry, music an’ get to know
How to make certain plants grow
We let the morning flow an’ all too soon Thom closes the show
But before we start rushin’ away they say
“One final song with percussion, we got maracas,
An’ one thing more have we any volunteers to play the garden shears”
As impromptu, as could be I thought that someone is me
I clip let the music play, I keep my fingers out of the way
I’m thinkin’ “a different way to be heard and another to keep Austin weird”
55:7) We’d finished out poetry and song,
Then I realised I’d got things wrong
I had been there before on my 2012 poetry tour
I’d passed that way on my second full day
Facebook album shows me, doing my bit for ecology
Replacin’ a frame on a newly planted tree, an’ makin’ the most
Of what to see before headin’ for the coast
So in the main it made even better to be there again
Written in San Marcos as part of a project
56:8) Water rises from San Marcos Springs
Flowing down through San Marcos Town
Said to have begun to flow well before humans came over 1200 years ago
Clear life giving like life giving blood
There has been drought, there has been flood
Sometimes things haven’t looked good
But with the springs being the third largest in Texas it’s probably why
In recorded history it’s never run dry
57:9) Fragile environment at the whim of man
Takes from the river what he can
Payin’ no mind to the damage left behind
Payin’ no heed to Fauna an’ Flora’s need
Causin’ strife for the different wildlife
Habitat gone, the endangered species list they’re on
Let warnings be heeded, good management needed
Not getting worse but more biologically diverse
58:10) It runs through the town bringing people down
For recreation an’ fun all year round.
People fishing, for the big one wishing
Paddle a canoe with strength, navigate its length
But use it with care so it’s still there
Do not destroy but leave for future generations to enjoy
59:11) Species in peril, there’s a alack, protect them bring them back
Simple solution cut down pollution warnings heed take only what you need
Activities well meant, fragile environment
Keep it alive help it survive, make a start play your part
Don’t let it end in tears, think of future years
With determined mind, be proud of what you’ll leave behind
60:12) Time at San Marcos Library well spent
Got poems for tonight, written as it went
Decide to call it a day and be away
See a guy at the counter standin’ there,
I think “I know him form somewhere”
Familiar flat cap worn from front to back
I passed looked then was taken aback
Then I said “Hi” to my friend Magic Jack
61:13) I decided to take a time out
An’ walk by the river I’d written about
San Marcos treasure people use it for pleasure
Tubin’ canoein’ paddle boarding by givin a wave an a smile an sayin; “Hi”
I’m snappin away and I say
“You’re gonna be famous in facebook in the UK”
The smile, we chat they float away
An’ I’ll long remember our conversations on the river that day
62:14) I’m watchin’ the river flow
Lookin’ at the little fish swimmin’ below
So clear, so clean, with teh sunlight giving a glistening sheen
Showin’ it is our wealth; let’s keep it in good health
Our best investment ever, with us forever
63:15) Wake the Dead done, back to Austin I run
Set the GPO to tell me which way it will be
Which way will I drive to get to I-35
The way it tells me I head, soon I-35’s ahead
I’m on it an’ the drive goes alright so it’s soon back an’ an early night
02.04.23 – 64:16) This morning I’m found, Gonzales bound
GPS skills honed , arrived to find the Pow-Wow postponed
Site under repair, it wasn’t happening there or elsewhere
Stay a while my best bet, thought “I ain’t had breakfast yet
Come and Crepe it across the square, thought “I’ll nip in there “
Crepes an’ omelettes to savour, add your own flavour
Thought, “A crepe’ll suit me, four toppings for free”
Bacon, sausage, mushrooms an’ monterey jack
It’s eaten an’ my days back on track
Photos taken to show where I’ve been, an’ what I’ve seen
An’ friends can look at my album on Facebook
Then a surprise, visit to the local fireguys we chat a while, joke an’ smile
Then I’m away to carry on the tour
Palmetto State Park for a few hours or more
Lookin’ for inspiration for my next poetry score
One of many I find designed with the family in mind
To get away, relax or play, plenty for exploring, never boring
More pictures taken history learnt it’s gone alright
Then it’s back to Austin for downloads an’ updates
But most of all poetry at Kick Butt tonight
65:17) Downloads an’ updates done, to Kick Butt I run
Some of the same old crowd, ready to speak out loud
An’ some newbies come along to share their poetry an’ song
Running order made, lights fade music intro then it’s go
Each in turn an’ it’s a delight
As always at Kick Butt on a Sunday night
03.04.23 – 66:18) Another day grey but the winds warm
Point the car to AWR always a great way
To start the day, with breakfast on the way
Find out what’s to be done, an’ try to make it fun
For the li’l critturs that’s in my care
An’ it don’t hamper my work as they scamper
Wantin’ to play, getting in the way
An’ there’s som as might, try to bite
It’s all good fun, then it’s done
An’ I’m away to enjoy the afternoon sun
An’ tonight, new ground will be broke my poems’ll be spoke
At a new venue Fredos on Congress Avenue
The stage I’ll be on thinkin’ “Bring it on”
67:19) Last night an event generated humour
It seemed with my name I’d made a bloomer
Mistaking the V for a U, I was announced as Treu
Soon corrected so they would know it as Trev the Road Poet
A brief explanation for my recitation
Tree poems, pause, take the applause
So between Treu or Trev when my poems are heard
Trev is always preferred
68:20) Took myself away for part of the day
Solitude again chasin’, this time at Wild Basin
A nature preserve to keep things undefiled
Their motto “Keep it Wild”
Birds singin’ in the trees, a gentle cooling breeze
See what there is to see, relax an’ have some time for me
69:21) Before day end, look in on a new fried
Make plans to do what we like, struttin’ our stuff at an open mic
Decide the time to set of for our evenin’ of rhyme
Then back to the motel the winds blowin’ warm,
There’s talk of a thunderstorm
But for now I’ve done for the night
Let’s see what happens in tomorrow’s daylight
05.04.23 – 70:22) To the car I’m strollin’ can hear thunder rollin’
Rain comin’ down as I head downtown
Traffic slowin’ heavy goin’, patch of blue sky, I pay it no mind
Cos there’s more heavy grey cloud behind
71:23) I’m at the AWR workin’ away for the first part of the day
Squirrels sure is fun, round the cages they run
As if frantic, to them it’s one big antic
An’ they don’t mind a stroke form the poetry bloke
Soon they’re done an’ it’s outside it’s now sun
An’ I hope it don’t scorch cos’ I’m in the porch
Animals soon fed, an’ given towels for a clean bed
The photos with lovin’ feelin’ of porcupines in stages of healin’
In my facebook albums they’ll go far
Keepin’ people informed of the love an’ care given at AWR
AWR done to the library I run
Update done I gotta go I’m meetin’ Thon at KOOP Radio
While there we feature in a “Writing on Air”
A programme of great conception, we meet in reception
I get to know, Mindy who’s presenting the show
I learn it’s making a welcome return
Promoting poetry art and I’m really proud to be playi’n my part
06.04.23 – 73:25) Rain’s comin’ down sky’s grey
Looks like it’s in for the day
Motel not much fun can’t get my laundry done
Cash fee download an app pay on line Wi-Fi don’t work so it ai’nt fine
Adding to the gloom, yesterday they forgot to clean my room
Things are getting’ to be a joke for this travellin’ bloke
Cos’ yeaterday there was a bit more sorrow not an iron anywhere to borrow
Goin’ out for breakfast get me some foosd
An’ see if this afternoons workshop puts me in a better mood
74:26) Sittin’ in the car listenin’ to the rain, at the library once again
Suits me fine, opens at nine
Over breakfast had a phone call from Connie so I’m knowin’
In Lamesa how things is goin’ we chat a while I smile
Hope when here I’ll have a relaxin time an’ do more rhyme
Drivin’ there I’ll not be lurkin’ but hopin’ her washin’ machine’s workin’
Come sun wind or rain drivin’ across the Panhandle Plain
Well now to get things up to date an’ just so
Cos’ its nine-o-clock an’ time to go
Poems 75:27 – 88:40 at Lazy Daze Workshop
75:27) Children a blessing
Today and everyday
Hope for the future
76;28) Fall colours turning
From green to brown leaves drop
Winter on its way
77:29) Nothing on tv
Worth watching, soon I’m
Asleep and snoring
78:30) Had rain all morning
No sign of it stopping, hence
Rain this afternoon
79:31) Rain, tears from the sky
From clouds weeping and sobbing,
Drop on earth below
80:32) Sun rain fog, frost, Snow
Warming wetting, eerily
Freezing, enchanting
81:33) I love the spring when the year is young
and the flowers have sprung
I love the summer when flowers yield their colours in garden and field
I love autumn when leaves turn from green to gold
The year slowly getting old
I love winter, the ice and snow, making my nose and fingers glow
It melts and then, spring comes round again
82:34) Knowledge to be had
Self learned or taught by others
Knowledge there for us
83:35) I can live without
Hypocrisy, greed and more
But not without love
84:36) There’s life on this world
And others who may have seen it
Don’t want to visit
85:37) Meditating, relaxing
Contemplating, drifting away
Finding inner peace
86:38) Let me be at one
With myself and myself be
At one with me
87:39) Mt art written word
Then spoken out, loud and proud
Written word my art
88:40) Art, being able to write story of fable
Write a song to sing, joy to bring
Picture painting, drawing, sketching
Sculpting, carving and fetching
New ideas to the fore, going on for evermore
89:41) A text from Chris said “can I join you for Wake the Dead”
“Sure” I said “a lift I’ll give text me where you live”
The address was sent, on the gps it went
Time to go we set of but didn’t know
All along I’d put the address in wrong
Tp our cost me an’ Jojo were lost
A call to Chris, directions sent, this time on paper they went
Got to where we should have been where was seen
I realised I should have checked better I’d added an extra letter
A u that shouln’t have been there, almost got us nowhere
It happened before when v was mistaken for u
I thought what do I do to make it plain u doesn’t cause problems again
90:42) Chris’ directions couldn’t have been better followed to the letter
To his house then away down the interstate We knew we’d be late
But never mind google told us how to find
Wake the Dead, soon we were there our poems read
It really was great to be back
But I thought “Where the hell was Magic Jack”.
07.04.23 – 91;43) Raining now two days in a row
Once more to the AWR I go
Pouring down as I head out of town
As usual breakfast on the way, usually a good part of the day
Baby possums bedding changed. Food an’ formula given
Nose dippin. Soon some of ‘em’s sippin’
In one cage an empty bowl, possum lookin’ on
Maybe thinkin. “ Where’s it gone?”
If it could speak, could I think for sure
Like Oliver Twist it would say “Please Sir I want some more”
92:44) Well the li’l critturs were done in mammal room 2
That left the bigger ones in the corridor to do
I pitched in with a smile thinkin’ I ain’t done theses for a while
I’m chatti’ away to ‘em I don’t know wht
But thought “if Doolittle can talk to the animals so can I”
Got things just so then it was time to go
Took one last photo which on facebook I’d share
To show my facebook friends how the animals get love and care
On this years tour album they’ll find it
An’ also see the volunteers behind it
93:45) I decide to be at the library
Update my album an’ upload poems to my usb
It’s done I compose another score then away I run
Can’t help but frown, the rain’s still comin’ down
But I’m gonna see my new friend Jojo an’ share my poetry
I get my book start an’ show at times I can speak slow
On demand so folks understand without dismay what I got to say
Then we go out to eat I say my treat
No delayin’ no complainin, an it’s still rainin
We decide MacDonald’s’ll do r order fish burger meals for two
She tries something new it makes her smile
It’s my English malt vinegar, Yorkshire style
Back at the house we take delight
Listenin’ to music some of which inspired me to write
Even take the chance at havin’ a little dance
An’ she don’t get blue if I sing a line or two
Cos’ that ain’t all she smiles when I sing in a Texas drawl
It was a real delight, then time to say goodnight
To my motel I’m away wonderin’ if I should sing Lou Reed’s Perfect Day
08.04.2023 – 94:36) Sky’s grey as day comes alive
They say temperature could reach 75
I go outside an’ it’s cool I’m thinkin’ are they playin the fool
Soon I’m away omn te 183 an’ it’s when
I decide to listen to variations of Pachelbel’s canon all 10
Remembering’ the time I had writers block It inspired my rhyme
Now it’s remindin’ me of home, where I’ll be at the end of my roam
But can’t be maudlin, no time for dawdlin’
Or feeling blue, I’m at the AWR an’ I got a job to do
95:37) Thought I’d get some cheap gas but things didn’t look right
It seemed the prices had gone up overnight
Didn’t seem nice, up 10 cents a gallon on yesterday’s price
An’ some gas stations seemed intent on making plenty,
Putting their prices up by twenty
So I put enough in to get me around an’ hope that cheaper gas can be found
Cos’ the low price didn’t last,
An’ I’m thinkin’ it’s shame the temperature don’t rise as fast
96:48) Once more away I’m bound, need coffee to bring me round
Coffee infusion to ward off confusion
A party outside began this morning at half past one
Over two hours before they were done
Lettin’ their music blast, gone 3:30 before sleep at last
Now down the road I run, another mornin’ where I an’t seen the sun
97:49) Li’s possum disappeared, we looked here an’ there
Couldn’t find him anywhere
High an’ low, wonderin’ where he could go
An’ it weren’t goin’ fine, of it there was no sign
Couldn’t be found, like it had gone to ground
But we couldn’t be lurkin’ we carried on workin’
An’ luck was on its side for when AJ looked inside
The litterbin she was taken aback, there it was lookin’ back
Now found, back safe an’ sound,
So we can tell all’s well that ends well
10.04.23 – 98:50) To the AWR I’m away for my last day
Still goin’ to give my best, before tomorrow I head West
Hopin’ to write many a score on the next leg of my poetry tour
99:51) Mammal room two the squirrels the first to do
Clean their cages from within
But notice one outside lookin’ in help sought, he’s soon caught
He’ll go in a cage that’s one short
In one cage should be five but only four so delighted to see him reunited
With his friends but next it was no jape
When another possum made an escape
Again we looked high an’ low, tryin’ to find where it could go
Then I have to flee an’ it’s still free
I’m told “no need to be sore it’s happened before”
An’ I’m drivin away hopin’ it’s found before the end of the day
100:52) The library then Jojo’s an’ a nice surprise
She’s done me a burger an’ fries
Then we go out an’ follow the road to Hippie Hollow
A relaxin’ afternoon break at Travis Lake
Takin’ our ease, feelin the breeze
Like soothing balm, wonderfully calm
Call for donuts on the way back, it’s gone alright
An’ we got an open mic at Freddo’s tonight
101:53) I put my name on the list so I wasn’t missed
Writing carefully so they could see, my name ended with a v
Hopefully to my delight, it would be pronounced right
An’ for a bit of fun too I wrote “Trev not Treu”.
102:54) Jojoan me’s on 7 and 8 so we don’t get back late
Cos’ tomorrow I got an early start
As we say goodbye I hope we don’t cry
Cos’ I got another friend that’ll travel in my heart
