A torrent of memories
Falls from my mind,
Like a forest of leaves
By late-autumn defined.
They flash on the screen
Of my mind’s inner eye,
Evoking emotion,
A tear or a sigh.
Just why they appear
At this moment in time,
I cannot explain –
There’s no reason nor rhyme.
All I can say is:
I wish you were here.
This never occurs
When I know you are near.
Stephen Tomkins
26 January 2019
Auckland
Thank you for your call today
(Oh, won’t you please just go away?)
Your colleagues, we are serving now
(So please applaud while we all bow!)
Important your call really is
(Or some such other silly fizz!)
Just go ahead and join the queue
(We’ve more exciting things to do).
You may think there are people here
(But that is a mistake, I fear)
Our name implies there’s service too
(Perhaps there is, but not for you!)
So please complete our online form
(Well, hasn’t that become the norm?)
To speed your query straight on through
(The options will be wrong for you!)
Surely you must know we care?
(As long as quickly you despair)
We’ll contact who you really need
(Our task is really to impede)
So just sit back and do relax
(Make contact by email or fax)
You could be waiting quite a while
(Efficiency is not our style!)
Stephen Tomkins
19 January 2019
Sydney
Check your egos at the door,
Leave your guns and, furthermore,
Make your way onto the floor –
There’s always room for just one more.
The gangsters and the rappers too
Will likely have more bling than you
But that won’t stop the funky beat
From whipping up a tasty treat.
‘Cause, in the end, who really cares
Just who submits to stupid dares?
We’re all here to have some fun –
For that, you will not need a gun.
Stephen Tomkins
18 January 2019
Sydney
Pondering Poet Pilot 