Surrounded, yet separate

Is a well meaning gesture

A smile etched across lips?

Totally surrounded, yet separate

Standing hands upon hips

 

Neither broken, nor whole

As I wander unseen

Without thought, without direction

A confined quarantine

 

Day to day living

Weightless in its appeal

Not a slight indentation

Nothing left to reveal

 

Dreams far more engaging

Show futility in routine

Such meaningless chitchat

Forges a reality unseen

 

The depth that I seek

Once expectation is removed

Reveals the script of my life

Nothing needs to be improved

 

So I turn and look back

And take ownership of me

Releasing all that’s not mine

I become who I should be

A Shiny Smile ;)

Glancing in the mirror

I am greeted by myself

A shiny smile replies in kind

The true measure of my wealth

 

No longer scared to catch my eye

Or seeking imagined flaws

Reflecting light, the child within

Is ushered from distant shores

 

Not taught to look admiringly

Don’t stare! A rule of thumb

Told that self-love is a vanity

Others happy if you’re glum

 

Shallowness, an issue

When meaning is skin deep

Buying into a youthful currency

Not yet awoken from their sleep

 

Layer upon layer discarded

Beliefs strewn across the desk

Unshackled from my comfort zone

The outlook picturesque

 

Naked, my favourite outfit

Clothed only by my skin

Seeing essence beyond the atoms

The ethereal glow within

What a Fantastic Iydea!

This is a poem written about the most wonderful, award-winning, no frills vegetarian cafeteria in Brighton.

Situated on Kensington GardensNorth Laine

 

Lovingly prepared food

What a fantastic Iydea!

A true culinary delight

That deserves a big cheer

 

The big, breakfast plate

Is a vegetarian dream

Filling the emptiest of tummies

Splitting a tight-fitting seam

 

If you’re feeling adventurous

Like tastes out of the box

Then the poached egg combinations

Will completely fill your socks

 

If toast is the foundation

The bedrock of your snack

Their combination of toppings

Mean you’ll keep coming back

 

If simplicity is your style

They do wonders with fruit

Adding yoghurt and granola

Compote and syrup to boot

 

Now that’s just for starters

The clock’s not hit twelve

When the hunger pangs return

An appetite you can’t shelve

 

The lunchtime selection

Home cooked goodness galore

A vast selection of flavours

That guarantee you’ll want more

 

Salads of all varieties

All seasonal and fresh

And roasted root veggies

Topped with seeds and crème fraiche

 

Fruity cous-cous filled aubergine

With a beet, chilli slaw

Enchiladas and curries

Hang on, there is more!

 

There are freshly made juices

Fruit pulped, squashed and poured

To cleanse and invigorate

Your taste buds will applaud

 

If you’re not into savoury

And you’ve got a small gap

Their home-made cakes and slices

Are a sweet coated slap

 

Eating in or take away

Your soul and mind will be fed

The whole experience delightful

A Brighton gem to be spread

Is it possible?

Is it possible to be aware?

To have clear presence of mind

Release the grip of others who

Still cast their glance behind

 

Is it possible to reconcile?

The facts from all the fiction

To expect another to be far more

Than mere round-the-houses diction

 

Is it possible to be fulfilled?

Brimming over with another

Overflowing with sweet contentment

To adore, but not to smother

 

Is it possible to really discern?

Who is awake and who is not

A way to truly determine

True potential from the rot

 

Is it possible to surrender?

Accept all, that is unknown

Maintaining heart-felt certainty

In knowing you’re not alone

 

Is it possible to abundantly create?

With intelligent design

A veritable lover and companion

Neither a victim nor a swine

The dressing-up box of life

The dressing-up box of life

All the costumes you’ll need

Always something to suit

From a plaid to a tweed

 

Do not use clothes to hide

Feelings need to be aired

By always covering up

Your soul cannot be bared

 

Expression is honest

Does not cost you a dime

The opinions of others

Just a meaningless mime

 

Pull on trousers in confidence

And a T-shirt of pride

Add a poncho of humour

Wear whatever you decide

 

Mismatched socks of intent

Darn the hole on your heel

Uniformity not required

It just limits your zeal

 

Put your hands in the pockets

Of your jeans of goodwill

The shoes of expectation

They are not yours to fill

 

That old, well-worn jumper

With a leather patched sleeve

An old favourite unravelling

Your own unique weave

Universal Threads

My bad days, are the good days

Of the time that has passed

Without denying my feelings

There’s no emotional fast

 

Sadness still visits

But no longer makes its bed

Doesn’t take root in my heart

Nor try to squat in my head

 

The pull of what was

No more dictates the result

Face to face with my fears

It is my choice to exalt

 

I am learning to trust

That I am where I should be

The outcome released

I love and trust just in me

 

None of us are separate

We do not stand alone

Connecting to everything

Universal threads being sewn