The fall of the Amazon

before
I used to run
while my contemporaries looked on
stunned by my energy

before
I climbed trees
urging earth-bound children to follow
but they stared and said no

before
I made long lists
completing each task and ticking it off
before the allotted time

before
no task was too great
too unfamiliar or too complicated
for my determined hands

before
neighbours gasped to see
the amount I could achieve in a day
let alone a week

before
I was an amazon
but bit by bit life chipped my strength away
and now it’s gone

©Jane Paterson Basil

Untitled – Guest Poet spot

Introducing guest poet Mark Clements.

run to the hills and hide in the skies
no more worry no more demise
see you running now see it in your eyes
we are being valued by the enterprise
the price of your life don’t think twice
you’re worth more than that take my advice
just care for nout but whats inside
gotta work hard gotta sacrifice
gotta carry on for the rest of the ride
gotta love hard for the life of your tribe
gotta keep up that high vis vibe
its not black and white it ain’t about sides
just keep loving with the turn of the tide
and reap the benefits of your own pride

Months ago, my eldest Grandson, Mark, promised to submit one of his poems. He’s finally delivered not one, but two raps. He plans to take up a career in music, and is set to begin a specialist degree course in September.