An ill wind

1 “It’s a beautiful day, there’s not a cloud in the sky, let’s go wild swimming!” David wasn’t really in the mood. They had agreed on having a rare off-grid …

Blackweir Pastures

Somewhat after Binsey Poplars by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889) BLACKWEIR PASTURESDesecrated 2025 These meadows dear, whose airy spaces calmed,Calmed and soothed with peace the urban blight,All harmed, harmed are all …

Double take

As the train approached, Billy couldn’t help but notice a peculiar old man on the opposite platform. He was dishevelled, scrawny and bashed about, a few wisps of tangled white …

Finding Tipperary

2015 “Richie, can you do me a favour?” “Of course sweetheart, what is it?” “When you’ve got time, could you look at my uncle’s manuscript? It’s 200 pages long and …

Cardiff Shame

With apologies to Noel Coward (1899-1973) ♫ To the tune of London Pride ♫ Cardiff shame has been foisted onto us.Cardiff shame’s in the foul air we breathe.Cardiff shame means …

The bad trip

1 It was early June 1987. Dewi was driving home from his morning cleaning job on a caravan site near Aberporth when he first saw Jimmy, hitching a lift on …

Off with their heads!

With apologies to Anon Sing a song for thick ponce,His pockets full of loot,Four and twenty billionsRobbed by the brute. When he throws a tantrumHis minions all do sing,Oh isn’t …

Clerihew time!

A clerihew is a biographical poem invented by English writer and humourist Edmund Clerihew Bentley (1875-1956) in order to amuse his fellow pupils at St Paul’s School – a private …