Looking Through the Cracks

Looking Through the Cracks

A glance into a lifestyle
Of a person you don’t know
Will give a little foresight
But not everything’s on show

A peek behind the façade
Of someone’s private life
A husband screaming loudly
A timid little wife

A chink between the curtains
A door that’s left ajar
A moment in the shadow
Doesn’t take you very far

Behind the doors well shuttered
Who really knows the truth?
Of what goes on within those walls
Or underneath that roof

Before you make your minds up
Before you turn your backs
Be careful what you thought you saw
Whilst looking through the cracks

©Marian Barker

The Thief of Time

The Thief of Time

Tomorrow I will do my best
And put my world to right
I’ll clear the heap of paperwork
Before tomorrow night

Next week I’ll organise myself
I’ll take myself to task
I’ll do it then – but not just now
That’s just too much to ask!

Next month will be a better time
To tackle all those things
Those forms in brown manilla
That the postman always brings

Next year perhaps I’ll do it
I’ll start the year off fine
I won’t put off the hour
And give it to the thief of time

©Marian Barker

Silver Moon

Silver Moon

Like bright torchlight
You shone into my room
At first I thought tomorrow
Had arrived too soon

Awakened by your presence
Whilst all around was still
Perhaps you only came to me
And lightened up my sill

Majestic moon and seen anew
My eyes are open wide
You share your silver glow
You’re there right by my side

Perhaps a sign to show
A brand new year awaits
Full of shiny new adventures
Waiting just beyond my gates

So welcome silver moon
I accept what lies in store
I take the shutters down
And open up the door

©Marian Barker

A New Chapter

A New Chapter

I turn the page and I can see
A fresh new start in front of me
A nice clean sheet on which to write
A brand new chance to put things right

A fearful moment - seems an age
No blots or blemishes on the page
The pen is poised and I am scared
Afraid that I am ill-prepared

I start to write and all is well
The future? Time alone will tell
The past is passed, a memory
And safely stored as history

The present is a happening place
Full of life and full of space
Time to try out pastures new
There’s so much more for me to do

A brand new chapter’s just begun
A time for me - a time for fun

©Marian Barker

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

Winter days when light is grey
Snow clouds hide the sun away
Windows shuttered from the cold
Doors shut tight the heat to hold

Muted colours in my room
Help to add to all the gloom
Perhaps a jumper warm and red
Will make me warm within my head

The amber glow within the hearth
Brings little light for what it’s worth
A candle burning in the corner
Makes me feel a little warmer

Winter day drifts into winter night
Still with the feeling of twilight
Was there ever any light today?
Why didn’t the sun come out to play?

©Marian Barker

Moonshine

Moonshine

Liquid gold
Pours through the glass
Golden nectar
Sweet and light
Intoxicating
Lulling me to sleep

©Marian Barker

My Lover Has a Red, Red Nose

My Lover Has a Red, Red Nose

Oh, my lover has a red, red nose
That’s newly blown each morn
Oh my lover has a ‘comb over’
Because his hair has gone
Though old he is, my wrinkly man
So deep in love are we
And I will love him still, oh yes
While he has got money
He’s got a load of cash, oh yes
He’s got a load of cash
And I will love him still, oh yes
As long as he’s got cash

He’s got a load of cash, oh yes
And got a fancy car
And I will love him still, oh yes
While the joint account goes far
But fare him well when he is broke
Oh fare him well goodbye
For I will run a thousand miles
When the joint account’s run dry
When the joint account’s run dry, my love
When the joint account’s run dry
For I will run a thousand miles
When the joint account’s run dry

©Marian Barker

Victim of Circumstance

Victim of Circumstance

It’s all about the when and where
Of being here or being there

Another time another place
Another person, another face

Choices made along the way
Shape our lives from day to day

Don’t be a victim stand your ground
And show you can turn life around

Make the best of what you’ve got
And circumstance will change a lot

©Marian Barker

Chariot of the Night

Chariot of the Night

With utmost trust
I step aboard
And wonder what
You will afford

Through midnight skies
You take me high
On a magic journey
As off we fly
Sometimes to places
From the past
And people known
Time flies so fast

But often there’s
Surprise in store
As you take me
Through an open door
To worlds and sights
So strange and new
I love those nights
You know I do

©Marian Barker

Heralding Spring

Heralding Spring

Spring cleaning my home
Spring cleaning my head
Spring cleaning my heart
And getting things said

Brushing away cobwebs
Brushing away tears
Brushing away sadness
And facing my fears

Opening my shutters
Opening my door
Opening my mind
To all that’s in store

Welcoming changes
Welcoming spring
Welcoming life
And all it might bring

©Marian Barker

The Sweet Shop

The Sweet Shop

Life is like the sweet shop
I remember as a child
Full of jars and boxes
Of things that drive us wild

Standing on the outside
Seeing what’s in store
Gazing at the shelves
Through the open door

Wondering the best way
The money can be spent
Counting up the coppers
Wondering where they went

Knowing I can’t have it all
There are choices to be made
I cannot be too greedy
The piper must be paid

The shop keeper is waiting
There isn’t time to lose
He’s weighing out the packets
Now which one should I choose?

©Marian Barker

Small Talk

Small Talk

Let’s talk about the weather
Now that would be just fine
Or talk about our families
Or the latest bargain wine

What about your holidays
Have you got them planned
Are you going up a mountain
Or just lying on the sand

Now what about the football
Or the next Olympic Games
Perhaps the latest celebrities
If we could recall their names

What’s happening in Corrie
Or some other TV soap
The rising cost of living
And how you’re losing hope

It’s good to talk – or so they say
So get things off you chest
It doesn’t matter what it is
Put small talk to the test

©Marian Barker

Money Can't Buy Me Love

The Trophy Wife

He sees her through every man’s eyes
And views her as his personal prize
He wears her proudly on his arm
Considers her his lucky charm

She’s ornamental, she looks the part
There’s no connection of the heart
She keeps the home a tidy place
She holds her tongue and knows her place

He goes to work and works so hard
She goes to town on his credit card

©Marian Barker

Saturday Night

Saturday Night In

Comfortable old slippers
Waiting by the door
Easy to slip into
Like so many times before

Nothing very special
Doesn’t cause a stir
But such an easy option
And always waiting there

What’s the point of changing?
The years are fleeting by
Just wear those comfy slippers
Until the day you die

Too late for running barefoot
Too late for being wild
Too late for acting crazy
Just like a little child

So wear your cosy slippers
And sit beside the fire
And watch those burning embers
Forget about desire

©Marian Barker

Life's a Pantomime

Cinderella Syndrome

It’s the night before Christmas
And I’ve nothing to wear
My nails are all chipped
And there’s grey in my hair

My friends are out dancing
Wearing tinsel and holly
They’ve been on the booze
And they’re happy and jolly

I’m sat by the fire
Just like poor Cinderella
And wonder if Santa
Will bring me a fella

I’ve kissed a few frogs
I’ve met one or two swine
Where’s that Prince amongst men
That I can call mine?

Perhaps in the morning
Now this sounds quite shocking
I’ll awake and I’ll find
A nice man in my stocking

This is written in fun
I’m not lonely and sad
For this year of my life
Hasn’t really been bad

I’ve got family and friends
And I have my health too
Now pass me that broom
I have housework to do!

©Marian Barker

The family button box

Buttons

When I was just a little child
Sat at my mother’s knee
She used to tell me stories
We didn’t watch TV

She had a box of buttons
She took down from the shelves
And for hours upon hours
We would entertain ourselves

The buttons held many memories
For mother and for me
They captured special moments
In our family history

A military button from my granddad
For he was very brave
He fought for king and country
It said so on his grave

A tiny pearl from grandma
I really must confess
This was my very favourite
It was from her wedding dress

A shiny silver button
From the blazer dad once wore
When he went to watch the cricket
Hoping that his team would score

A little yellow button
With a flower on from me
From my tiny little jacket
That mum called a matinee

A woggle from the cub scouts
Was amongst the fine array
My brothers went there once or twice
But didn’t want to stay

Those buttons taught me colours
And taught me how to count
They taught me shapes and sizes
Of that there is no doubt

Now I’ve got a box of buttons
I take down from my shelves
And tell stories to my grandchildren
We do enjoy ourselves

©Marian Barker

My Man

Am I Bovvered?

He sits in front of t' telly
In his slippers and his vest
Balancing a beer can on his belly
He puts my patience to the test

He fiddles with the remote controls
And flicks between the channels
He smokes the fags he always rolls
They smell like mucky flannels

He takes the dog out for a walk
So he can nip t' pub
He never thinks I'd like to talk
Whilst he's shovelling down his grub

He goes to footie to watch the game
He supports a team called Chelsea
He doesn't always recall my name
Last night he called me Elsie

He tried to get fresh the other night
All night he fussed and hovered
He said he'd like to hold me tight
I said "I can't be bovvered"

You may think things aren't too clever
When you read this little verse
But I married him till death us part
For better or for worse

I'm not bovvered that he's lazy
And he doesn't comb his hair
And although he drives me crazy
I'd be bovvered if he weren't there

©Marian Barker