5273 - HBJB

Happy birthday 🥳 to Josephine Baxter!

What a relief that I didn’t forget!!

She’s 18 and I’ve just spoken to her 

Also picked some old pics on Facebook- got

A few to choose from, but she doesn’t let 

Me take them very often - and posted

A message on there for all to see. Bet

They’ll be impressed! Memories of when we did

Milan and Lake Como back when Covid

Wasn’t a thing, Italy in summer

And then Lisbon last February, not yet 

A year ago, one month before it hit

And travel was rendered pointless, a year

Ago, almost! HBJB, my kid x 

5272 - Guitar star

Tonight I was a rock n roll guitar 

Star, playing in my flat and for no-one

My ability’s still going very far

But still further to go - I journey on

Gerard was here though, so he heard me strum

Apart from that, my second Joan of Arc 

Film this week, and starring Ingrid Bergman

Read a bit more Daniel Deronda, book

Strangely doesn’t include him much, the talk

Is all of Gwendolen. Finished vodka 

From last night, watched The Dig and then watched some

Videos on YouTube and those kept me hooked

Til almost 5am. Good weekend for 

Films so far, and still time for more to come!

5271 - More films about this and that

Watched Wild At Heart after work, just finished 

It in time to discuss with Pearl my views 

On it and other of her faves I’ve rushed

Through this last week, a visual pleasure cruise

Also some stone cold classics that they used

To tell you about in books and classes

But people don’t normally see, refuse

To sit through silent black and white pictures 

Too much like hard work, too much mental stress

To concentrate in that way. Now they dish

Up action ‘movies’ with superheroes 

Mere heroes aren’t enough for audiences 

Got to be super duper bosh and bish 

Dispensers flying dressed in reds or blues

5270 - Films films films 🎥

Yes I’m passing lockdown in this great way 

Bit bored of Netflix now, instead loving 

Watching film after film day after day

Usually in the evenings, but finishing 

Earlier today, with no hesitating 

I sat on the sofa, moved the cushion 

So it was a nice comfortable feeling 

And paid two fifty to rent a film on

Amazon Prime - Face Off proved just the fun

My tiredness needed to get through and stay 

Awake, given that Gerard is coming 

And going, impossible to get some 

Snoozing done on the sofa or to lay

On the bed. Vampira’s next - necks will pay!

5269 - Every minute counts

Not every second - that’s going too far

But maybe every minute, or mostly 

Time seemed to speed up towards end of year 

And the new year is going the same way 

After work, the rush starts immediately 

The pressure that’s just like work but different 

It’s more self-imposed, it is voluntary 

It shows I test myself although I don’t 

Have to - a new maturity that won’t 

Tolerate inaction of brain, high gear

Always these days, it seems, feels best to me

Rarely bored, time runs out before I want 

Maybe it’s mainly that I now procure 

Any film I want, or any TV

5268 - One hundred thousand

One hundred thousand Covid deaths was passed 

Today - what a total, what a disgrace 

This country seemed to do everything last 

With u-turns aplenty. Yet to save face 

The leaders duck and dive, they just debase

Their status, frequently uncomfortable 

In facing questions, squirming in their place 

They say everything was done possible 

They maintain that they’re so respectable 

They assert, sympathise with the huge cast

List of victims, including those outpaced 

In the NHS by cases, wards full

Staff tired or absent, upset or depressed 

And so it’s now a vaccinations race

5267 - Enjoyable Monday

Yes, you read right, enjoyable Monday 

Partly I think because the sun shone bright 

Eventually went out to Sainsbury’s 

But not til the dying of the daylight 

The moon high in the dark blue sky looked great 

Said to my manager this afternoon 

Sian, some pink and fluffy work might be right 

For me, after my career’s been consumed 

By technical stuff so far. There is room 

To expand into people matters, play 

A role my personality would suit

A big change of that type would be a boon

So pleased I mentioned it, talking today 

Also chatted about travel and flights

5266 - Filmfest

I’ve started watching old films, all classics 

Netflix is disappointing on that front 

But I’ve begun ticking films off my lists

Thanks to Amazon Prime, although I can’t 

Find the Murnau film ‘Sunrise’ still I don’t 

Rule out its being on YouTube. Nevertheless 

I saw Nosferatu late last night and

Caligari, but that impressed me less 

Friday night, City Lights (Chaplin), and first 

On Thursday, The Blue Angel, which didn’t 

Have subtitles, but soon the film script was

On my phone, and I could follow its

Plot. What to watch tonight? Classic film hunt!

5265 - Fine day

Decent sleep, read my book in the morning 

Had soup for lunch and went out for a walk 

In the sunshine, round the Quays, and buying 

My first takeaway coffee for months. Took

A walk round the Quays mall. It had the look 

Of lockdown, parts were inaccessible 

Non-essential shops, shutters down and locked

Up. Costa was open, I was able 

To use their loo, then an enjoyable 

Mocha with cream as I walked on, going 

Through the Blue Peter garden, grassy nook 

Outside the TV studio, memorable 

Back in the 70s for me, watching 

John, Peter, Val and Lesley laugh and talk!

Sat 23 Jan

5264 - Don’t feel like drinking

The good news is it’s Friday, and I don’t 

Feel like drinking, although I’ve some vodka

Left from last Saturday. Feels like I won’t 

Finish the bottle, or if I do, the

Point of it’s to get rid of it, not for 

Me to get drunk because it’s Friday night 

No drink or cigs for 6 days. I should pour

This vodka down the drain really, too tight 

To do that, waste my money, it’s not right!

Meanwhile the Covid death toll will still mount 

For the next few days, so they say, still a

Result of Christmas get-togethers. Quite 

A new year’s downer. They are losing count 

Stay home, watch old films, we’ve got time to spare 

5263 - So much at steak

Just ate a truly enormous rump steak 

That’s my main achievement I think today 

Pleasant afternoon, so I thought I’d take 

A walk before the sun set. First nice day 

Of the new year. And walking round the quay 

The sun still visible, after work, well

How good is that? Patches of snow still lay

Here and there, fading snowmen cry farewell 

And where last year’s have gone, well, who can tell?

Time flies these busy days, when can I make 

Some use of it? Comedy is one way

Got new hub (router), plug that in, I shall

Been here a week now. Time for me to shake 

Things up, including me, without delay!

5262 - Rain here, sun there

There’s been a downpour here in Manchester 

Even worse if you live in a valley 

Flood alerts here and also in Yorkshire 

The rivers flow so fast, cold and muddy 

Add the virus, where to go for safety?

Thank goodness on the third floor, I don’t think 

There’s any risk to my own property 

Even though the Irwell does top its brink

Occasionally when it’s had too much to drink 

And it’s a short walk away. America

By contrast looked sunny there in DC

Biden’s inaugural speech was just the thing 

They always say when elected. Let’s share

The work from now on. Love and unity!

5261 - Louis’ birthday 🥳

Today is Louis’ birthday, 31

It’s getting hard to work out my kids’ age

They’re now decades old, so doing the sums

Is hard for a maths struggler. The big page

Was turned from easy to hard at that stage

Known as the millennium in 2000

I’ve struggled since then in my mathsless cage

Known as my brain, to cope with sums I can’t 

Do since it’s a new century. Beyond 

That point my consciousness will slowly hum

As all my thoughts focus on the passage 

Of 20th to 21st, despondent 

Of my ability to know my son

Not by his personality but age

5260 - Birthday 🥳

It’s me birthday so it is, Blue Monday 

Best date to have a birthday on, no, not

First of all, it was a normal work day 

Sort of busy but no work up of sweat

In fact the cards and greetings were a treat 

Now watching old videos, and to follow 

It’ll be The Beatles film, Hard Day’s Night 

A fun, relaxing end. And tomorrow 

Is something that never dies, never knows

Now it’s showing that song Instant Replay

By Dan Hartman, one hit wonder, but what 

A fun pop song. Time for one more then go

To the Moptops to complete my birthday! 

5259 - New morning

When’s morning ever old? Think that it means

A new start, blank slate, and I felt okay 

A bit dry from the vodka. Needed beans

To go with crumpets and fried eggs, that way

It would’ve been tastier, I have to say 

Quiet day really, another walk, some rain

These Sainsbury’s trousers dried quick though cos they 

Aren’t jeans. Once more those joggers act insane 

They must all be insane in the membrane 

Jogging past from behind, vapour unseen 

But who knows, it could be deadly. Gyms they

Need to reopen pronto, get these pains

In the ass off the pavements. Human beings

With no thought for others. Gym scum are they

5258 - Fright night

Not the best evening, not by a long chalk

But vented my spleen, got resolution 

Grievances aired through a pretty frank talk

Enabled me to get more drinking done 

And listen to some music, that was fun

Stayed up til three; rarely, I’d bought vodka 

And at a late hour, saw that I had run

Out of fags, so at the garage, bought more

Bad, since I’d smoked a whole packet before 

In the daytime I went on my Quays walk

As usual, annoyed by people who run

Or even cycle on those paths. It’s poor

How they pass so close by; I need to look

Behind all the time. Here another comes....

Sat 16 Dec

5257 - Sleep deprivation

This week’s been terrible, tired all week long

No exercises done, two nights got drunk

Tuesday and Thursday after work, went on

A mini-binge, some beer and some song

It’s not been a healthy week, but not strong 

Enough to get through the workload without 

A celebration afterwards, hoping 

The drink would help me sleep, lager or stout 

Perhaps no evening meal didn’t help fight 

The tiredness or fuel the next workathon 

But somehow I managed not to debunk

My growing reputation that I get

Things done no matter what obstacles come 

And despite challenges I do not flunk

5256 - Lager lout

Can’t recall why, decided to drink beer

After work, think it was cos I was tired 

But pleased with what I’d achieved, so that’s fair

While drunk, got messaged. A group has conspired 

To hold a Zoom quiz Saturday, enquired 

Who was up for it? I was not at all

Didn’t reply, because I was too scared

To say whether I’d attend the group call 

Part of the reason was Zoom isn’t cool

Everyone talks at once, picture’s unclear

As it zooms around from face to face, fired

Up by the need to be heard, act the fool 

The invite made me tense. Would I appear

Unfriendly if I declined? Maybe would...

5255 - Now work’s done

I’m tired now work’s done but so grateful that 

I have my job that can be absorbing 

Without it I just can’t imagine what 

I’d do, especially with lockdown forcing 

Us to remain indoors, isolating 

And repressing normal activities 

The job provides focus, purpose and zing

Propels me through the day like a strong breeze 

Wafts leaves through the air, waves lashing beaches

I’m the jetsam or flotsam, not sure what 

Maybe both! But these dark days carrying 

Me on the current of work seem to ease

The frustration and stagnation. I’ve got

This demanding job to thank. Thanksgiving!

5254 - Music Night

It’s a music night on Tuesday evening 

I played guitar but still I needed more

Playing is one thing but still listening 

Is necessary when once again more 

Is needed to fulfil my soul when poor 

Return is received from the folk I know 

They fail as badly as me. On the floor 

I could be, were it not for songs that show 

That better predecessors couldn’t go

Anywhere but art for company. Things

Make sense, it’s not just me wondering what for 

It’s that way, always has been since you flow 

From previous suffering and flawed being 

Look after yourself, treat life with humour 

5253 - Munchin’ Biscuits

I’m munchin’ biscuits left right and centre

They’re meant for my mum but Christmas fell through 

So here I go getting fat sitting here

My belly will resemble that of Pooh

But I don’t care, if I’m honest with you 

Who gives a damn goddam, my mum’s present 

Is heading for my belly fast ‘nuff to

Make my throat smoke like car tyres on pavement 

I hope there’s no-one on it, as I meant 

No harm or to alarm 🚨, oh hell no, yeah?

I’m relaxing, not got that much to do 

Been shopping but not all my money’s spent 

It’s surprisingly hot for midwinter 

The heat’s been on all day. It’s off now, true 

5252 - Mr Feelgood

I’m no doctor but I feel just as good 

No white coat but recovered from Friday 

Just finished on the guitar and I did

Do a great job, even myself I say

My playing’s harder than the Brothers Kray 

Gerard’s getting ready to head back down

To London. Not seen much of him today 

Or yesterday, he’s been shut away in

His room, doing a course on construction 

He pays quite a bit but he thinks you need

The qualification to make your way 

In the industry. Monday’s horizon 

Is visible in my mind, so my mood

Might be to drink, but not today, no way

5251 - Ram slam

The Rams got slammed at Chorley, the third round 

Of the Cup, on a poor pitch, teenagers 

Made up the team, Covid has done the rounds

Of Derby’s squad, our first team were not there 

Even Wayne Rooney, famous footballer

Now our manager, wasn’t there to lead

Out we went to the team from Lancashire 

At least the team can focus on the need

To escape relegation to the third

Division (calling it the first ain’t sound!)

Worst season since N Clough was manager 

So many disappointing seasons, could

Not see things immediately getting better 

Despite our history and modern ground

5250 - Friday flourish

Got beers in since it’s Friday, so why not?

Knocked back four bottles of Old Peculiar 

Gerard turned up, so admitted I’d got

It in, he’s off it for now. My thoughts were 

Life’s too short to live healthily. Don’t care

If I get drunk once a week. Least I did

Exercises three times this week- a fair

Amount, best for a month, estimated. 

Press-ups reached 90 on Friday. Still there

Is room for improvement. A hundred’s where

I should really be. Later on, somewhat 

Inebriated, American Horror 

Story on TV, have now completed 

All but the last episode. Room is not

Warm, cos door’s open, just to clear the air 

Fri 8 Jan

5249 - Trump slump

Trump’s final days as president are bad

So bad the world looks on in disbelief 

Commanding mobs to march, four people dead

Who can still say Hail, at least to THAT chief?

All he did from the start was to cause beef

Between the opposite American groups

Stoking the fires, tweeting crap, oh good grief 

His fans twist and turn through logical loops

Conspiracy theorists speaking of coups 

Temporarily it all seems so sad

Gotta hope though that now we’ll get relief 

From Trump’s mad movement not held back by troops

Allowed to run riot, politicians fled

Or hid under desks as the Chief cried ‘Thief!’

5248 - Feeling too bad

Paid the price for last night’s trip off the rails

Woke at 3:15, got up and watched TV

Went back to bed 3 hours later. Entailed

Missing a meeting this morning!  TB

Had to explain himself to boss - happily 

Explanation accepted by the man

He knows the Brexit work that comes to me 

Is all-consuming. I did not explain 

That I got pissed last night, or he’d be one

Less impressed boss, for sure. It never fails

To be economical truthfully 

Kept up with my workload and now I’ve come 

To relaxation time. No more emails 

Til tomorrow, when refreshed I should be!

5247 - Feeling too good

Sometimes you’ve ate well, slept well, been so good 

You almost feel too good, it don’t feel right!

Well that’s how I felt today, yes m’lud 

Should’ve just gone for a walk in the night 

But no, wrong decision, back to the blight 

Of beer bottles and fags, solo party 

Time, listening to music til it was late

(After work), self-medicate, on a spree

Has to be done midweek now when lonely 

As me and Ged, weekends, are committed 

To help each other avoid this poor state

Of affairs, this addictive habit we

Are vulnerable to continue but should 

Not give in to. Bad sleep followed, felt shite!!

Tue 5 Jan

5246 - Lockdown’s a-comin’

Another lockdown inevitable 

Announcement due at eight and that’s not long

Johnson can’t hold it back, the wards are full

So enter tousle-haired one, bang a gong

Get our attention, tell us it’s gone wrong 

And we’re all staying home, going nowhere 

Back to Zoom quizzes, maybe some drinking 

Myself not necessarily - weather 

So cold, don’t fancy it, the winter air

Needs shutting out, no drinks or smokes to fill

The void, not when the door’s kept shut, prolong

The heat within, staying healthy, prepared 

For Covid infection, still possible 

Three minutes til we hear the clock’s eighth bong

5245 - PB33

Oui, Pearl B is 33 January 3

Daughter’s birthday, the oldest kid of 3

Her birthday’s today, January 3

And oui, she has now reached age 33

Oui, January 3 P’s 33

See all these 3’s, more than 3, 33

More like, when at line 11 plus 3

PB did French at universit-three

Year 3 of 4 was spent in gay Paree

Oui, I visited her 2 times not 3

In March (month 3) 2019 Italy

Was her new home, she’s popped back 2 or 3

Times, but Covid’s stopped that, with 2 or 3

Waves. See you soon, oui, PB, love from me xx

5244 - The Walk

I went on what is now my usual walk 

Through the park to the Quays, and it snowed too

It started off quite sunny then went dark 

Before I knew it white flakes began to

Appear before my eyes, before I knew

What I was seeing. Fascinated by 

The upside down reflections, took a few

Pictures, buildings subverted from the sky

To the rippling water just caught my eye 

That liquid expanse at the harbour’s fork

Quays to left and right, an impressive view

My pictures taken, time to head on my

Way back home down Trafford Road, there I stalk

My hood down, head happily topped with snow 

5243 - Blue year

Is this a new year or just a blue year?

Is there hope for optimism this once?

In fact each year’s been ok I’ve been here

No wars, no pandemics ... no, wait.  No funds

For buying decent property, no sums 

Sufficient to retire on, that said, not

Sure that would make me happy without tons

Of work, and workmates, I might lose the plot

I’d have to find a substitute and spot

A way of feeling fulfilled with no fear

Of isolation, lack of stimulus 

So we shouldn’t expect great change about 

To improve it all now January’s appeared

But no reason for worry either, friends