STREETS OF MY VILLAGE

Hunter Victoria, Ford and Raby

Where in the latter I lived as a baby.

Tennyson, Byron, Burns and Keats,

Going to Boycott’s shop to buy sweets.

Eden, Dale, Oswald and Denebridge Row,

Sledging down the back lane in frozen snow.

Beverley, Dene, Durham, Denewood

Norman, Charlotte, Crescent, Westwood.

Arthur, Albert and Prospect too,

Not forgetting new and old South View,

The latter demolished

Bricks and mortar abolished.

Apologies those not had a mention

For they have not escaped my attention.

Those roads I’ve walked many a mile

With a spring in my step

And a happy smile.

Vince Elsbury, Darlington, ex-Chilton

TO ALL BIRD LOVERS

To dance with a lady you must hold her firm,

Don’t let her wriggle, don’t let her squirm,

Squeeze her waist gently. Yes, you’re doing fine, With steps nice and easy, the night is divine.

Now seek her ear, with words sweet and low,

Then watch her eyes, see how they glow.

Ask her questions, ask how her life goes.

Don’t allow grass to grow under your toes.

Admire her figure, her dress and her style,

Try to be smooth, not a rough clumsy file,

Listen for the music, for you need to dance,

Then hold her, quite close, leaving nothing to chance.

She’s in your arms, maybe she’ll cling

Remember all love birds mate in the spring.

Albert Dawson, Hartlepool

HAPPINESS

Happiness is a state of mind

That as you grow older is hard to find

Some think happiness is only for the young

And the older you get, you can’t have fun.

Our search for happiness is hard to find

Money can’t buy it, the rich have tried

You can’t beat the sound of laughter

Or to guarantee to live happy ever after.

So close your eyes, but not your mind

Don’t feel anger, just be kind

Walk in the sunshine, not in the rain

Feel happiness, not pain.

Remember the good times, forget the bad

Life is what you make it, don’t be sad

A smile a day keeps the world at bay

So start smiling and keep it that way.

As we get older, we tend to get angrier

Why, when we should be getting happier?

Easier said than done, old age isn’t much fun

This is not to say, it can’t be done.

Old age doesn’t stop you laughing

Laughing stops old age!

NL Kellett, Sunnybrow, near Crook