Choices by Neil Gowing
I’ve lived my life, I’ve made my choices,
I’ve been condemned by many voices.
I chose my path, chose not to lie
I’d like to choose my time to die.
Would I choose autumn, would I choose spring?
Would I choose summer, when the songbirds sing?
Or when the moon shines blue on slated roofs
And children long to hear a reindeer’s hoofs
Yes, when the sun sits low in a winter sky
That’s the time I’d choose to die.
Not alone consumed by fears
With no one there to dry my tears
I’d like to share my heart’s last beat
With those who made my life complete
Friends and family by my side
To give me strength and share my pride
And as I pass, as if to sleep
My choice fulfilled, no need to weep.
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Poem of The Week
Dark Clouds By Neil Gowing
I lie alone deafened by silence
Blinkered by the darkness of everyday things
Unable to see beyond tomorrow’s toil
Unable to find the joy that life brings
I consider my life and all that I’ve seen
The weight of the world heavy on my mind
Unable to separate the good from the bad
Unable to see any hope for mankind.
I stare across a field full of dreams
Each one withering as the years pass by
I count on one hand the successes I’ve made
And watch them disappear into the dark night sky
I clutch at life, holding onto the past
The present and future still worth the fight.
I refuse to be buried by the drifting sands of time
Please god let me wake from this night
Dark clouds outside my door, dark clouds through my window
Dark clouds engulf my waking moments
Will I ever find the light
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JOURNEY By Neil Gowing
Give yourself up to the meaning of life,
Follow your dreams
Through trouble and strife.
In good times and bad
Don’t stray from the road
Let friends and lovers lighten the load.
Life is a Journey
Can’t put it on hold.
One precious journey
For man to behold.
Find a true purpose,
A gift from above.
Life is a journey
A Journey to love.
Let life mature, no reason to rush.
No need to panic,
Ain’t no burning bush.
Less haste, more speed.
A wise man would say.
Subconscious instruction leading the way.
Tall Latte mornings and single malt nights,
Intellectual banter
Ending in fights.
This journey twists,
From defence to attack.
I’ve seen the future, there’s no going back.
Slow down,take it all in.
Take time, it’s a race you can win
Look around,the picture is clear.
Move on, there’s nothing to fear.
Life is a Journey,
Can’t put it on hold.
One precious journey,
For man to behold.
Find a true purpose,
A gift from above.
Life is a journey
A Journey to love.
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I wrote this one about ten years ago for a Xmas staff meeting at Wilkos in Bury. Thought I would post it especially for all the Wilko’s team.
TEAMWORK By Neil Gowing
Christmas is coming; well it’s been here since June
And I can’t believe it’s come round so soon.
Together we’ve shared another great year,
There’s been some laughter and an occasional tear.
But together we’ve managed through good times and bad,
And together we’ve gone stark raving mad!
There’s Winnie on clothing, she’s having hot sweats
And is Janet leaving? I’m still taking bets.
Sharon on Garden, just once told a joke,
But Lyne Holden missed it ‘cos she was having a smoke.
Poor Brent hasn’t slept for 6 months or more,
Well at least hasn’t slept on the training room floor.
Craig Trimbel is leaving, were we surprised?
Hope Metrolink know they’ve been Trimbelised.
Jon’s gone and left us to get his own shop
And now we have Mandy clippety clop.
Sharon’s been building with all she can cadge,
So I’ve made Sharon a Blue Peter badge.
Yes together each year we’ve tried to win comp’
But together each year we’ve come down with bump.
This year is different, we’ve been more demanding
And together we’ll leave Ashton store standing.
Yes together we’ve shared the tears and the fun
And together we’ll make our store number one.
Together we’ve built the customers dream,
Because when we work together were the number one team.
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Fear By Neil Gowing
Summer days in city parks,
No sign of fear till after dark.
Walking dogs and running shoes,
Carefree days with nothing to loose.
Children’s laughter drowns the constant boil,
Of my heart pounding from this toil.
Time stands still for one perfect beat ,
A moments pause from the constant heat.
Perfect families, couples in love,
A vision like angels from above.
A veil of darkness from in my mind,
Poisoned by fear of human kind.
Trapped by lust, consumed in wealth,
Numbed by drugs for mental health.
Can’t see through this deadly vapour,
Twisted by headlines in the paper.
Clear my mind, escape this vision,
Open up my real life mission.
Look inside to find the proof,
Face the fear and find the truth.
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Mum By Neil Gowing
You raised me to know what’s right and what’s wrong
You always encouraged and helped me along.
You praised my achievements no matter how small
And you still pick me up if ever I fall.
Respect other people, be honest and fair.
Just some of your qualities with me you did share.
You’ve always supported my choices in life,
And with arms open wide you welcomed my wife.
A second mum is how she sees you,
A friend and a mentor to name but a few.
As my children grow they know they’ve been blessed
Because they’ve got a grandma who’s simply the best.
We know we can call no matter what day
There’s never a time when you turn us away.
Whatever we ask we know you’ll not moan,
You always put our needs ahead of your own.
When I look at you Mum, What do I see?
I see the person that I strive to be.
The love that you’ve given burns strong inside.
To have you as my mum fills me with pride.
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Money By Neil Gowing
Millionaire been living the dream,
Material thinking killing me.
Wheel of fortune revolves around money
Why do I ride it?, ain’t tryin to be funny.
Financial vampires, born into riches
A world of abundance, no need for these bitches.
Covet thy neighbour, jealous of karma
Stand and deliver, No reason to harm ya’.
Find paradise in a world without wealth,
Just pay the bearer. No promise of health.
No Payment protection for selling your soul
My heart’s legal tender don’t value your goals
No Euros ,no dollars, no payment in kind
Divine economics, just lend me your mind
The simplest pleasures in a desert oasis
Are life’s greatest treasures, bring joy to our faces
Millionaire living. Don’t change a thing.
Material thinking just killin my dreams
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