What is a Man?

A man is but a man
If not what is he but a man
He fights a lonely war with himself
For truth and beauty
He is but a man
And what is a man but a man
Who can he be?
This man, why, he is me.

An Ode to Andy Cole circa 1996

Quick counter attack
Two defenders back
Long punt to Cole
Who's short on goals
The ball at his feet
One defender to beat

Facing goal he attacks
Defender backtracks
Turning in and out
The poor fullback in doubt
Which way will he twist?
He plays like he's pissed
Urged on by the boss
Fergie yells, "Andy, CROSS!"

Commiting his legs
Andy nutmegs
The poor lad's been skinned
Andy knows it and grins
On he goes running
With craft and with cunning
Still Fergie calls
But it's all Andy's ball

Ten yards from the net
And a million you will bet
He won't score or pass
He'll just fall on his arse!

Wonder

I wonder what you're feeling
I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely or is someone loving you?
Last night when you were crying
I really felt like dying
Said silly things that made no sense

But since you been gone, I'm out of my head
Could I be wrong?
But since you been gone you got the spell
So please come back here and break it

An Ode to Class

Today we have an ode to class. Yesterday,
We had laughs for fun. And tomorrow,
We shall have exams to glum. But today,
Today we have an ode to class. Come what may,
Go or come, today we have an ode to class.

This is the fine old dame. She
Is our sagely saint, whose shine you shall see
When you are lost at sea. And this is the wise young head,
Whose gray and white in hues of age
Silhouette against lovely dews of six.

This is how our music sounds, to crescendo
With a lift of the arms. And please do not hasten
To cover your ears, A songbird is ready
To soothe your fears. Guitar strums and
Piano plays to mood, There is even a Ham
Whistling on the flute!

This is the basketballing man. He sits on the bench.
He warms the bench. These, you can see,
Are the football fans. With a swish of the legs
We're flat on our pants. Table-tennis, too a fancy
A serve, and return, the ball a whit
A smash, a whack, and it's into orbit.

They call it the spirit, so what is it
That warms the chills and heals the ills
Diverged now we may be, But togetherness we'll still try
And though some may have flown the nest
We'll still keep the flag flying high
For today we have an ode to class.

Supper

Garlic bread, and creamy soup to drink
That is the finest of suppers, I think
When I'm grown up and can have what I please
I think I shall always insist upon these

Ode: Intimations of Immortality
by William Wordsworth

There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,
The earth, and every common sight,
To me did seem
Apparelled in celestial light,
The glory and the freshness of a dream.
It is not now as it hath been of yore;
Turn wheresoe'er I may,
By night or day,
The things which I have seen I now can see no more.

The Rainbow comes and goes,
And lovely is the Rose;
The Moon doth with delight
Look around her when the heavens are bare;
Waters on a starry night
Are beautiful and fair;
The sunshine is a glorious birth;
But yet I know, where'er I go,
That there hath past away a glory from the earth.

Flowers for Life

Balm brings you sympathy and Marjoram joy
Sweet Woodruff augurs well for health---
A blessing far richer than wealth
White Lavender means deep devotion
Herb of sweet omen, Rosemary conveys
Affection and remembrance all your days
May Heaven and Earth and Man combine
To keep these blessings ever thine

Untitled

Bright black eyes
A smile that shines like a light
A spirit so full of delight
I see you and my heart takes flight
Into cloudy skies

'Cause when you are near
Still seems like you're miles away
And nothing that I do or say
Will ever make you feel the same

Oh~~ all day
I spend my time thinking of you
I live my life living without you
I can't go on feeling this way

Oh~~ all day
I live for the moment to see you
I hopelessly wish to be with you
The sight of you brightens the day
Can't go on this way...

If you were mine how could I still be sad?
I'd gaze in your eyes and be glad
That this world isn't as bad
As bad as it seems

But these will stay dreams
'Cause now nothing seems to go right
Now my eyes will never catch another sight
And I feel like quitting this fight
Can't keep up the fight...