A walk in Wales

A glinting moon through cloudy night
Reflecting sea so dark a sight
Waves whisper, rumble and mumble ashore
Sharp rocks, rhythmically washed, cutting a crest so sore
That Manorbier night, with Lisa, my friend, so right
A Pembrokeshire coastal walk tonight
Then night moves to day, the views what a sight

Bosherston lilies, fronds floating a carpet of huddles
This chlorophyll cuddle, green beauty and bubbles

Fish hidden, fly dancing, silver backed leaping ,snap with a crash
Side stepping away glides the monster in lake with some speed and a dash
A bridge walk or two, expansive o'er water the vista brings joy to the heart reflecting a scene so peaceful there waiting
Through trees, sun dappled bark, this leafy wood joy ,framed for many to see as a painting

ALAN HANFORD
Updated August 2013

GARY SPEED

Shock tears and sadness at the death of Gary Speed

Why, oh why, we cry, the loss and grief reported papers plead

So young with fun, talent, drive when alive now passed

Country wide from club to club emotional silence, then applause that last

As football families mourn from Wales to Leeds and clubs country wide

For Gary speed a football legend, player, coach, Welsh manager, he stopped the slide

We send our love compassion to his wife, both sons and Garys dad as life did cease

So goodbye, Mr Speed, husband, father and son, from a fellow Welshman, Gary, May You Rest In Peace.

Alan Hanford

November 2011

A Christmas Past and PRESENT - DECEMBER 2011.

One

A Christmas day lunch, with all of the bunch and also a secret Santa

Food n pud a laugh and a drink not arf, combined with the Christmas banter

Remembering school play, Joseph and Mary with baby and shepherds, stage fright!

With folks in front row, some tears as they flow, sing carols this candle lit night.

A festive film story, of Scrooge and theres Marley in chains, some sadness now that hes past

3 ghosts as the future, present and past, a moral now learned, Tiny Tim happy at last.

Two

Imagine a scene, a dream so serene, 3 wise men some gold, spice and star

Who started the story of Christs birth so holy may peace be upon you so far

Turkey, and presents, hang stockings o fire, imagine a sleigh bell that night

Whos the red guy on roof with a Reindeer aloof, whose nose is so red and so bright.

Use the door not the chimney a risk, Elf & safety, says Mary to Santa, his wife,

With snow roundabout, so deep and so crisp, also so cold and so even,

This lookout king Wenceslas twas moon filled relentless the day then the feast of St Stephen

A mince pie and sherry for us oh so merry, champagne, the chocolate we pass.

Some chocolate liquor, fruit, are you sure, some nuts, so demure, or even a Christmas Mass

Then home straight to bed and sleep well its said of Lapland in dreams as they pass.

Three

Its Christmas day now with flashing tree bough, the turkey in oven now cooking

Spuds, Sprouts, and the Swede, long boiling indeed, and the gravy so festively looking

Roast spuds and peas, Cranberry and cabbage a vegetable baggage so tuck in with glee and delight

Then presents old spice some brut, splashed all over, or bubble bath, soaking tonight

Some socks book or pen more chocs, there again a monopoly board or a game

200 pass go as the dice now you throw buy a hotel or street house of fame

As you travel around, this board game so sound with that silver whats its name.

Four

The lunch now is served with turkey and veg - thats a sprout I think its well done

Pull a cracker or two with jokes far and few its Christmas, so lets have some fun

Custard and pudding, brandy splashed spirit, the flame, lit a bright Christmas past

Merry Christmas is sung, by all and the young, the carols that obviously last.

FIVE

Monochrome vision, channels decision the choice we had then was just three,

Queens afternoon speech or a royal hello for family and friends or just thee

A sleep for us all, no snoring the call, another flat out by tree.

SIX

Bing Crosby is dreaming of a Christmas so white

Let it snow says Andy with family on TV tonight

Candles now lit the perfume it flows a sensory memory in head

Cinnamon, citrus, this Christmas aroma, a great ambiance indoors it is said.

SEVEN

But now its x box, game boy, all electrical and zapping, not charades in wrapping

Needing power, for guns, bombs, flashing on screen, eyes focused as cars crashing at speed when their lapping

Interacting with headphones, on screen an explosion or even a gun

This Christmas on screen may not be serene, but the family this yuletide is fun.

EIGHT

Spend time with your family in frivolity so festive

Christmas spirit, with cracker, a joke so suggestive

Thanks for the Santa, the presents and banter give and receive its just fine

So raise up a glass now the last verse I pass to you all as you sit down to dine

I wish you all well in the few words I tell with love care and humour in rhyme

Merry Christmas to you all, cheers is the call, fill up the glass with some wine

Regards to you all this Christmas the call, as we share in this festive toast

Keep happy and healthy and a little more wealthy and more gatherings with you and mine host.

Merry Christmas to you all

Alan Hanford December 2011

A Christmas Past and PRESENT - DECEMBER 2011

One

A Christmas day lunch, with all of the bunch and also a secret Santa

Food n pud a laugh and a drink not arf, combined with the Christmas banter

Remembering school play, Joseph and Mary with baby and shepherds, stage fright!

With folks in front row, some tears as they flow, sing carols this candle lit night.

A festive film story, of Scrooge and theres Marley in chains, some sadness now that hes past

3 ghosts as the future, present and past, a moral now learned, Tiny Tim happy at last

Two

Imagine a scene, a dream so serene, 3 wise men some gold, spice and star

Who started the story of Christs birth so holy may peace be upon you so far

Turkey, and presents, hang stockings o fire, imagine a sleigh bell that night

Whos the red guy on roof with a Reindeer aloof, whose nose is so red and so bright.

Use the door not the chimney a risk, health &safety, says Mary to Santa, his wife,

With snow roundabout, so deep and so crisp, also so cold and so even,

This lookout king Wenceslas twas moon filled relentless the day then the feast of St Stephen

A mince pie and sherry for us oh so merry, champagne, the chocolate we pass.

Some chocolate liquor, fruit, are you sure, some nuts, so demure, or even a Christmas Mass

Then home straight to bed and sleep well its said of Lapland in dreams as they pass

Three

Its Christmas day now with flashing tree bough, the turkey in oven now cooking

Spuds, Sprouts, and the Swede, long boiling indeed, and the gravy so festively looking

Roast spuds and peas, Cranberry and cabbage a vegetable baggage so tuck in with glee and delight

Then presents old spice some brut, splashed all over, or bubble bath, soaking tonight

Some socks book or pen more chocs, there again a monopoly board or a game

200 pass go as the dice now you throw buy a hotel or street house of fame

As you travel around, this board game so sound with that silver whats its name

Four

The lunch now is served with turkey and veg - thats a sprout I think its well done

Pull a cracker or two with jokes far and few its Christmas, so lets have some fun

Custard and pudding, brandy splashed spirit, the flame, lit a bright Christmas past

Merry Christmas is sung, by all and the young, the carols that obviously last.

FIVE

Monochrome vision, channels decision the choice we had then was just three,

Queens afternoon speech or a royal hello for family and friends or just thee

A sleep for us all, no snoring the call, another flat out by tree

SIX

Bing Crosby is dreaming of a Christmas so white

Let it snow says Andy with family on TV tonight

Candles now lit the perfume it flows a sensory memory in head

Cinnamon, citrus, this Christmas aroma, a great ambiance indoors it is said

SEVEN

But now its x box, game boy, all electrical and zapping, not charades in wrapping

Needing power, for guns, bombs, flashing on screen, eyes focused as cars crashing at speed when their lapping

Interacting with headphones, on screen an explosion or even a gun

This Christmas on screen may not be serene, but the family this yuletide is fun

EIGHT

Spend time with your family in frivolity so festive

Christmas spirit, with cracker, a joke so suggestive

Thanks for the Santa, the presents and banter give and receive its just fine

So raise up a glass now the last verse I pass to you all as you sit down to dine

I wish you all well in the few words I tell with love care and humour in rhyme

Merry Christmas to you all, cheers is the call, fill up the glass with some wine

Regards to you all this Christmas the call, as we share in this festive toast

Keep happy and healthy and a little more wealthy and more gatherings with you and mine host

Merry Christmas to you all

Alan Hanford December 2011