5362 - What a well- behaved Friday

What a well-behaved Friday it has been 

But after yesterday’s beers, didn’t want 

To do it again, and there’s time, being 

A long bank holiday weekend, I won’t 

Lack opportunity at some near point 

Just need a break. Work was enjoyable 

But harder than I expected. Couldn’t 

Finish too soon, leave things undone until 

Next Tuesday, would forget forgettable 

Bits and bobs, they would fall out of my brain 

And besides, I’d nothing lined up pleasant 

To do, no warm sunshine to soak up all

Evening with a beer, bottle or a can

So worked quite late, why not? So efficient!

5361 - Cold for the time of year

Very intense day at work, somewhat tense 

Because there were a few big meetings where

I had to speak and get it right, immense 

Responsibility with the pressure

Of experts, my new boss, first time he’d hear

My voice. What if I messed up, I’d look shit 

To my new boss and all the experts there 

But it went well, criticism of it

Was non-existent, even praised a bit 

By one of the main experts in Customs 

Was in need of relaxation and beer 

Knowing tomorrow, Friday, was less fraught 

Unfortunately they were scarce, the sun’s

Rays, rather too cold for the time of year

Thur 29 April 

5360 - Quay chain

Once more after a hard day’s work I went 

On my favourite walk around Salford Quays 

Am nice and tired now, all energy spent 

Having made the most of one of those days 

In springtime when there’s adequate sun’s rays

For a nice evening walk so relaxing 

Using recommended and healthy ways

To feel good, alternative to sitting 

Watching tv or even worse, drinking 

Especially midweek. While out, Helen sent

A nice invite. Bank Holiday Monday’s

Hopefully going to be a real nice thing 

And a tasty tea back home with a joint 

Of meat, steamed veg chosen instead of peas

5359 - Meddle side 2

But today I realised my meaning had

Not been expressed clearly enough so far 

The change in Helen that I suggested 

Yesterday wasn’t her lifestyle or her

Priorities, just helping with her fear 

Of social situations, so I thought 

But she said no, I’m a happy loner

Well not always happy, for she has got

Down at times like you do, I thought that that 

Meant she needed help, but it’s not needed

So I said, I’m the same, that’s what we are

But she just doesn’t love meet ups a lot

I shouldn’t take that personally, she’s said 

Many times, and we’re friends again, it’s clear!

5358 - Meddle Muddle

Sometimes we meddle but cause a muddle 

Fell out with Helen yesterday evening 

After she pulled out of a meet up. Well 

It’s happened so often, thought of ending 

The friendship yet again, a recurring 

Theme. So today the balcony, now cleared 

Of mattress and bed frame, seemed inviting 

I could drink in that extra space and feared

That was the end, cos that’s how it appeared 

But the beer did its work and I now feel 

I should message her. Not reinstating 

The friendship, but clarifying things. Weird. 

The tone was friendlier but saying all

Stupid stuff, like she should change. Bad thinking 🤔 

Mon 26 April 

5357 - Sunny Sunday but colder towards May

Yet another nice day. Good start, tables 

Put up all by myself, small one for plant

And larger one, well might be useful. Fills

A bit of space by the window. I went

On my longest walk in ages. The count 

Was 30,000 steps and 25

Kilometres. Up the Irwell to hunt

For Clifton Country Park. This is no jive 

It was about 9k away. Believe!

Swarms of flies here and there that do repulse

But so much green space and water. My rant

Continues. Salford’s much nicer to live

In than traffic-clogged Manchester. Its fields

Parks, river, quieter streets are so pleasant!

5356 - Sober but satisfied

I’ll try to list all the things that I did

My mayoral postal vote filled out first thing

Then walked to nearest postbox, vote posted

Shopping at Sainsbury’s, veg for steamer. In

A corner of Sainsbury’s, Argos hiding

Bought a nest of two tables. Nice sunshine 

Walk to the Quays. But I am omitting 

Something. Two comedy sketches wrote. Time

Also to shop for funny masks online 

For more comedy videos up ahead 

Saves trudging to town, risking not finding 

Any there. On balcony while still fine

Then keyboard practice, brilliant for my third

Time only!  Watched ‘Happiness’ film. Stunning!

Sat 24 April 

5355 - Smells

Smells from the kitchen are so delicious 

Garlic is the dominant smell I think 

Watching a shitty film on Film 4 - it’s 

Set in Sweden, some nonsense kind of thing 

Now one of those club scenes, people dancing 

Everybody’s young and sexy of course 

Just had my tea, was curry flavoured mince

Pervading the kitchen and now it’s those

Two once again cooking, Gerard and his

Ex girlfriend Fahima, making like theirs

Is everything. Can’t compare to my thing 

Maybe I’m wrong, they really do seem close

Good luck to them, hopefully he’ll soon whizz

Out of here with her. Change is a-coming...

Fri 23 April 

5354 - Beautiful sunshine

Oh what a fantastic afternoon here

Sat on the balcony for several hours 

Finished work early and bought fags and beer 

Listened to three Bowie albums, his powers 

More than I knew for never had my ears

Heard Ziggy, Young Americans, Pin Ups

In full before. Then Hispanic guitars 

And finally, Jacques Brel. I had to stop 

The sun was getting low, hunger came up

Mince with curry powder and peas appear 

And spaghetti, with gravy that just pours

On top of the whole lot. Ate it all up

Now I’m tired, looking forward to a sheer 

Collapse, as today’s glorious bedtime nears

5353 - 20 Golden Guitar 🎸 Greats

Best-ever play on my guitar, so glad 

I occupied myself that way after

Finishing work, when mentally I had

Given in to shopping for fags n beer 

I even had my coat on but saw the

Bin was full, so I did the recycling 

My old shoes were inside, last September 

I bought them at Shoe Zone, Salford, thinking 

I’d be back again for new ones, costing 

Just 20 quid. The Manchester shop - what

A surprise - just 18 quid!  It’s colder

Today, still only Wednesday, So changing 

My mind about the beer, played guitar - spat 

Fire with my fingers. Next time- keyboard. Yeah 

5352 - Football and Floyd

Some news for a change outside the virus

The European Super League idea

Seems to have been still-born, oh what a fuss

It caused, chairmen resigning here and there

After the uproar and the fans’ despair 

Even prime ministers firmly opposed 

And as I’m typing this while sitting here

The George Floyd trial is coming to a close 

They’re predicting a murder verdict. Spose

That’ll be for the best. Acquittal must 

Cause mass riots, burning towns, death and fear

Biden has said the decision’s not close

Implying it’s guilty. Just bought new shoes 

Excited I’ve got a black AND brown pair!

5351 - Lovely day

Lovely day, I enjoyed work because

I could look out and see trees and blue sky

Awarded myself a long lunch break so’s

I could sit on the balcony with my

Cup of tea and a banana nearby 

So nice, those rays on my face warming me

Forgetting about rushing to sit by

The computer again just yet, idly

Relaxing with my banana and tea

After work, played my new keyboard. I was 

Still hit and miss, only my second try

Played easy 70s and some Roxy 

Not bad I must say on the quick solos

But less good with chords. I’ll improve though, aye!

5350 - Reflections in a flat

Back at the flat after being out all night 

In Leigh, exhausted, jiust had to lie down 

Midday, slept for three hours then felt all right 

Enough to enjoy the sunshine around 

Salford Quays opposite the football ground 

Texted mum, she sounded okay but then

She’d not admit if she was feeling down 

You know the older age group don’t complain 

Cooked quorn with mushrooms, yes, even in spite 

Of that being two types of fungi. A clown 

Of cookery am I sometimes, and I’ve done 

Some funny pictures, eggs that in my sight 

Look like other things, on Facebook I’ve shown 

5348 - Blue sky Friday

Sunny on balcony, but wore a coat 

Enjoying the after work sun and drink

Then Claire called and was sounding real upset 

She’s visiting Mum and while out shopping 

Mum let go of her stick and fell, breaking 

Her hip, and had to lie still for two hours 

Waiting for an ambulance that would bring 

Her to hospital. After painkillers 

She was still in pain. Though no visitors 

Were allowed, she was well enough to text 

I didn’t message til the next morning 

As Robin and Claire and no doubt others 

Had been in touch and she needed some rest

An operation next day was looming 

Fri 16 April 

5349 - Beautiful day

Beautiful day, not cloudy but pleasant 

Enough to be warm if you went outside 

Which I would have done, enjoyed a weekend 

Walk, perhaps. But after keyboards played, I’d 

Got messaged by Paul, whose plan was to find

A beer garden, and since I’ve not been out

To the pub since September, couldn’t hide 

My eagerness to do it though, despite 

Dehydration from last night’s drinking bout

Helen joined us, right now again, good friends 

Again, always were, though she often hides

From me, and others. She did talk about 

This to me and she then fully explained 

She finds  people hard work to be beside 

Sat 17 April 

5347 - Organic orgasmic

Just bought an organ from PMT’s store

Just up the road. It’s a Roland Go Keys

With a great red design. So much closer

To what I wanted. 250

Squid, that’s what it cost. But well-spent pennies 

Judging by my first play with it tonight 

I went through all the tones - 6 categories 

Each with about 40 sounds. What a sight

It makes, and what sounds. Oh those summer nights

Should fly by, facing the window with a

View of the trees and sky, a sight to please

Alternating with guitar. It just might 

Be lots of fun, and busy, won’t miss ya

Immersed in music - at that, you can’t sneeze 🤧 

5346 - Waffle waffle

I’m eating waffles and talking about 

Them, waffling about waffles til I’m full

And they’re all snaffled deep inside my mouth 

Waffling about waffles is wonderful 

But snaffling waffles is even more brill

Some are in my tum, some are yet to come 

Out of the pack, and it will be a thrill 

When they go from the pack into my tum

Then they’ll be liquidised, become like scum

A sticky liquid ready to pass out 

Of my stomach walls to veins where blood will

Transport the sugar around leg and arm

Heading northwards and later heading south

I’m waffling about waffles- what a fool 😝

5345 - Warmth

It’s nice and warm in the flat, late evening 

It’s been ok, went on the balcony 

But it was cold out there, almost shivering 

I watched a film, Possessor, but then he

Came in the kitchen, made me feel guilty 

Not inclined to talk, but still said hello

Cos I’d had a few beers, been real busy 

Needed to unwind while still on the go

Chatted with Tracey, both enjoyed it so

Chatting to someone without weird feeling 

Makes a change from what I’ve endured previously 

Not been treated nice for so long you know 

Brings you down, so desperate for some loving 

When will my fortune change- we soon shall see

5344 - New regime

The new regime in the flat seems ok

At the moment, avoiding each other 

Barely speaking, it’s dangerous to say

Anything to him, so, well why bother 

Keeps things simple, keep to ourselves and where

We are in the shared space no talk takes place 

Apart from the minimum. Together 

As little as possible. My own space 

Now in my bedroom, table and chair, face

The pretty trees and sky, the working day 

Is as good as before, no problem there

He’s paid his rent, so I assume he stays

For the time being, despite trying to play 

The annoyed tenant. Hypocrite, I swear 

Mon 12 April 

5343 - Out of space

I’ve really enjoyed the space that I’ve had

This weekend on my own here in the flat 

Off he went Friday afternoon, Gerard

No doubt to Sheffield where his girlfriend’s at

He’s back now as I thought he would, but that

Was bound to happen. Has he now got plans

To move out, I wonder? I do hope that 

Does happen soon. When he’s not here I can

Straightaway do stuff. Comedy advance -

Five videos shot in my bedroom weren’t bad

At all, all done in one take. Guitar strapped 

On later, too, after a walk. That man’s

Back now though, out of space, but not too bad

Had a nice time, sunshine and peace and quiet 🤫 

5342 - Cold April

I sat on the balcony for a while 

Thinking it’s cloudy but it’s Saturday 

And clouds can sometimes be somehow worthwhile 

They can be warmer than clear skies, but they 

Were in fact holding freezing rain. Obey

Your senses, it’s cold, get inside. I did

And within seconds, snow or sleet fell way

Down from the grey and I was glad I hid

Inside with the heat on, and recovered 

Listening to music, coat on, headphone style 

Gerard seems to be this weekend away 

Which suits me fine as he has exhausted 

My patience and my tolerance. I’ll smile 

If he comes back and says he’ll move away 

5341 - Talk morning

I did so much talking this morning to

Work colleagues, sitting at my new desk in

My bedroom, from where I can clearly view 

The pretty pink and white spring blossoming 

Think I annoyed Gerard with my talking 

But he doesn’t like it if I do it

In the living room, so agreed moving 

Into the bedroom was appropriate 

He’s still not happy though, the moany git 

I hope he moves out soon as we could do

With an end to the endless bickering 

While I was gabbing away to Sian, what

Popped up in messages but news to screw

With our heads - The Duke’s dead - epoch-ending!

Fri 9 Apr

5340 - How on earth

How on earth have I got through today when 

I had hardly any shut eye last night 

But I worked a full day, got lots done, then 

Some shopping, including beer, so I might 

Get through the evening until that goodnight 

Cracked open my first can, picked up guitar 

Played for an hour or so but just too tired

To play more, so I had a fish supper 

And watched ‘Green Room’ which had its share of gore

Listening to Radio 6 approaching ten

And not long to hold on til dreams take flight 

Gerard and me, the relationship is poor

I worked in my bedroom all day and spent 

Some of the evening there too, apartheid 

5339 - Over to Ovid

Don’t think that I’ve read Metamorphoses 

By Latin poet Ovid around the

Start of AD, though one of my faves is

Influenced somewhat by it - Franz Kafka

And his Metamorphosis, with Gregor 

Samsa turning into a big insect -

Crawling along his bedroom walls and floor 

In the end he’s unable to protect 

Himself as his own family now reject

Their own former breadwinner. The preface 

To Ovid’s masterpiece just makes me more 

Keen to begin to read and then reflect 

How amazing it was and it still is

To read works so old, yet so full of power 

5338 - Hmm 🧐

I may not be Sherlock but there’s fishy

And very fishy. And talking of fish 

I had some battered pollock for my tea

Got a load of pollocks still in my fridge 

I’m fed a load of pollocks, it’s my dish

I just have to eat it, like it or not

It’s a stitch-up that’s just gone up a stitch

Things were cooked up and put into my pot

And it can sicken, as thickens the plot 

There’s goings-on decidedly funny 

Funny as suspicious as you could wish

Like Reggie Perrin’s dodgy products, Grot

Shakespeare’s sonnets, how they ring true for me

If he went through this, my company’s rich

5337 - The sun persists

Despite some disappointment this Easter 

Bank Holiday weekend it’s not been bad

The unplayable keyboard, a bummer 

But I’ve repackaged it and now it should 

Be collected tomorrow, refund had

And then a better keyboard can be sought 

Lots of walks in the sun, the mileage good

Ordered new face masks last night, now they’re bought 

And will arrive soon. Could’ve been distraught 

At being uninvited, lied to by her

Once more, but that’s the pattern of her mood

Finished Shakespeare’s sonnets, in which his thought 

Echoed with my own, centuries later

Might drink and play guitar, got lots of food!

5336 - Bad start, good end

Yes, bad start, not much sleep, noisy neighbours 

Then found my new keyboard it makes no sound

It’s a command keyboard, silent, no noise

Briefly I was in the slough of despond

But arranged collection and return, found

The packaging and it’s ready to go 

Won’t order another just yet, but bound

To do so when my refund comes. And so

Though tired, all I could think to do was to

Go on another walk. These random tours

Are proving so good. Covered lots of ground 

Agecroft Cemetery reached, but behold, lo

A sign to Clifton Country Park, and there’s

More parks and walks, in Salford they abound!

5335 - Sun again

Another nice day, walked to the Quays once

Again, knowing I could go to Aldi

For cheap food before I headed homewards 

Saw swan formation that so impressed me

On the Ship Canal. Knew I had my key-

Board waiting in my room for it’s first use

Ever so slightly disappointingly 

However, didn’t play those virgin keys

I wanted to give guitar some abuse 

Not played for several days and had the hots 

For a real session, though still thought there’d be

Time later on to tickle ivories 

But sometimes play guitar so long time runs

Out, so tomorrow to play keys I’m free

5334 - New things in big packages

Yes, midweek deliveries by DHL

New keyboard, folding chairs and table, they’re 

Waiting in the living room against the wall

Needing to be opened, it’s only fair 

My laziness had left them lying there

For two or three days, but after my walk

To Eccles and Buile Hill Park (came to a

Respectable 13k), couldn’t shirk 

The dreaded task. No longer in the park

No longer tired from work, I could just tell 

The time had come to unpack my hardware 

Once done I sat in the sun, new chair stuck 

Under me, feeling great. Heavy metal 

In my phones. Til it got cold 🥶 had no care

Fri 2 April 

5333 - Do laugh at me, it’s April Fool

Last day’s work before Easter, hard to stay

In the mood to do stuff that must be done 

Was itching to go on the balcony 

Particularly as the sun still shone

Still, there was plenty of light still to come 

So I finished the boring stuff on hand 

Then grabbed a chair and sat out in the sun

It was still high and warm, sat with a can

Or two, puffing away, a happy man

Work done, sun shining, yes this is the way!

And four days off work still to go... Listened

To a big band playlist - Benny Goodman

Dean Martin, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller play

And others, way too many to mention 

Thur 1 April