South Park

South Park, a splendid park of parks,

With varied ancient trees

A gentle river flowing round

Bears ducks, moorhens and geese.

The flowers smile brightly from their beds

And blossom trees blush pink.

A fragrance fills surrounding air,

From wallflowers, I think.

The bowling green's a pleasing place

At which to eat ice cream

The park is just a magic spot

To walk or sit or dream.

Margaret Corner, Darlington.

The Heron

So near the small beck

Which tumbled along,

His attention mesmerised

By its movement and song.

He stood there, so regally,

Completely serene,

On a small area of grass,

Close by the stream.

Immaculately groomed

His feathers all in place,

A neat blue/grey and cream,

Unabashed at the pace

Of the passing traffic,

The oohs and aahs

From the children

Whizzing by in cars.

Unaware of his beauty,

His elegant pose.

The backdrop open country,

Yorkshire moorland he chose.

Those who saw him

Were so privileged

To glimpse this handsome bird,

Who chose to rest upon the verge.

Betty Robertson, Hipswell, Catterick Garrison.

My Mother

My mother used to say

If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well,

And I find it's true enough,

To see a job well done.

My mother used to say

If anything on a job needs doing,

Don't think about it, do it now,

Especially if it was a job we used to hate.

My mother used to say

There's always another day

To catch up on housework,

If one does not feel well enough

To do the job today.

Has anyone such sweet memories

Of what their mothers would say?

I think of mine with kindness in my heart

Just like mother used to say.

Michael Clarence, Peterlee.

Zoo

I sit in my cage,

In the middle of the zoo,

Feeling rather bored,

With nothing to do.

The people pass me by,

Some even stop to stare,

Some pull funny faces,

Most others don't care.

Some stand there eating,

But I have to wait for mine,

I have to wait till they're gone home

Before I get to dine.

And on cold winter's nights,

When I begin to tire,

I think of all the people at home,

Sat round their raging fires.

Then I watch the sun go down,

At the eve of the night,

And the arrival of the stars,

All twinkling there so bright.

Then early next morning,

After a night of unsettled rest,

I get up and wash and groom,

For I must look my best.

Terry Stockill-Owston, Rillington.

Just For a Little While

The well is dry. Long live the well.

Dear reader, I'm in for a very dry spell.

You may ask what on earth is this all about

Listen carefully, I don't want to shout.

I'm afraid this is far as I can go,

Poems must not be more than two-double O.

My remaining poems are in one-hundred multiples of four five and six,

Which leaves me in a bit of a fix.

I'm happy to tell you I have acquired a fan club.

I meet them while shopping, or having a meal in a pub.

There's the postmaster and postmistress, two charming people,

The rector who lives alongside his church and steeple.

The friends Ladies Circle, the Methodists of Carrville,

Sincere folk who know of God's will.

Vivacious ladies of Belmont WI,

On reading my Valentine poem - not a dry eye.

I have some fans in Australia, the land of the sun,

Going poetically around the world, has been lots of fun.

I am given extra Echo cuttings from Julie and John,

I guess I could go on and on, ad infinitum,

I'll close for the moment, it's getting late,

G'day, God bless, (one hundred and ninety eight).

Olga Ramshaw, West Rainton.

My Tree

I saw in the gutter there

As I was passing by

Two tiny leaves, a tiny stalk

All of two inches high.

With gentle hands

I plucked it forth

And placed it in a tin

I will find a place

In my garden bare

To plant that tiny seedling in.

So to my garden I went hence

And found a spot

On the bottom fence.

Through summer's sun

And winter's snow

I watched that tiny seedling grow.

And now my years have come and gone

My mighty tree

Will still grow on.

So to all with garden bare

Plant a tiny seedling there

And with lots of love and tender care

You too, a tree will leave there.

WJ Sinclair, Darlington.

A Gift Of Nature

Peeping.

Peeping shyly.

Hiding, peering slyly.

Sleeping, awaking, stirring slightly.

Swaying, rocking, stretching, shining brightly.

Straining, shimmering, brightly through the grass.

Waiting patiently for the morning to pass.

Feeling quite safe in its secluded grassy bower.

It peers out on the world, hour by hour.

The shyly peeping celandine is truly a most wondrous flower.

Frank Watson, Barnard Castle.

In Control

I ride my bike

At a speed I like.

Enjoying the journey with each hour.

Growing stronger through pedal power.

I drive my car

Travelling many miles, going far,

Lovely views as I journey on.

The radio plays a happy song.

I drive my train

Down the line again.

Moving along at great speed

Helping people, supplying a need.

"Wake up," I hear someone say.

"You will be late for school today."

In the mirror myself I view.

Sometimes dreams can come true.

Thomas Conlon, Kirk Merrington, Spennymoor.

Personal Responsibility

The wildest seas are quelled

Upon a peaceful shore,

The strongest gales die out, and

Become a summer breeze once more,

The lightning flashes to the earth

Its deadly power spent,

The Earth groans, and heaves, and spews,

Then settles to be silent.

But, the ravages of man

May never be repaired,

As his senseless greed for more

Continues unimpaired,

Will the last words that are spoken

As the Earth's cinder melts away,

Be: "There is no proof" or,

"My shares are up today"?

Noxious chemicals infest the soil,

But, profits have been good,

Woods and forests have long gone

For pulp and fancy wood,

The greenhouse heat has melted,

Every plant away,

But: "Rejoice mankind for all is well.

"My shares are up today".

Ken Beetham, Newton Aycliffe.

www dot

I have another address,

I want the world to know,

With a mouse and a keyboard,

I have put myself on show.

My new fancy address,

Is on a visual monitor,

Helped by modern technology,

And a fascinating computer.

I became computer crazy,

Swore a time or two,

All of a sudden it clicked,

Guess what came into view.

My own personal website page,

Was there on my set,

After I slowly typed with pride,

www.coaldust.net

Please visit me on the web,

It only takes a click or two,

then send me an IT e-mail,

I'd love to hear from you.

Mary Bell, Easington Colliery.