Category Archives: children

Inter-planetary & Star Struck

You may have noticed in the new this week, that one of those rare occasions occurred in the deep, dark night skies above us.

For about 3 or 4 days this well (Feb 25th -28th) we would have the chance to view all our ‘sister’ planets in an arc in the night sky.

My family drive few minutes from our house (we live near a new Observatory but that was fully booked!) but still managed to see at least 6 of the planets (apparently Neptune was hiding behind the moon..I may have wrong it could be Saturn!)

Anyway it was a rare unique this to see these planets all in alignment with the next viewing of this type not happening until 2040!

This trip inspired this short view response, as it does …

Planets of the Arc

 

The night sky offered the chance,

In February twenty twenty-five,

Reaching out with a quite voice

Come and see us; you will feel alive

 

You can take a peek with your naked eye,

We’re celestial, cosmic and bright,

We’re so lonely, so far without you

Yet we shine and sparkle amid the ‘dark night’

 

What rare and spectacular pleasure

To marvel at the arc of planets and stars

A unique and special occasion

To be linked into our solar system; so far

 

Away into the future distance

A site that will not fall for another 15 years

Take in that special wonder,

And quietly rejoice with a cheer

 

If you missed the opportunity

The repeat show will be on time,

I hope that we all look ‘upward’ with joy

 Where the pleasure will be yours and mine..

 

JW Nelson

Night of Feb 28, 2025

 

The ‘Meal Deal‘

What’s your favorite thing to cook?

I’m in the kitchen;

What flavours will put my tongue on the hook?

Shall attempt some spicy chicken

Yes, maybe that’s what I’ll cook

Season with jerk, salt and pepper

Rub it all in with my hands

The tasty odour already makes you feel better

Yes, these are my cooking plans

Put in the fridge to marinate

While I have a sip of wine,

My stomach starts to assimilate

That food that is oh so fine

Coconut, spring onion added to rice

Topped with red kidney beans

Left to simmer, the smell sweet n nice

My senses now are very, very keen

The veg is in the steamer

The fried plantain is sizzling in the pan

I’m kicking it just like Bieber

That’s me, the ‘kitchen master’ man

Now it’s time to serve

Your food utopia on a plate

Patiently waiting, you hold your nerve

Your tastebuds put you right at heaven’s gate

I won’t take credit

I just hope I’ve made you feel

But you are now in my debit

With my very special “Meal Deal”

Wishing you a Merry Christmas !

I wish you a very merry Christmas

Have a wonderful new year

Pour the wine in your glass

And throw away your fears

Bury the hatchet for a few days

Live, love and laugh

Join in the festive joyful ways

It goes best with small carafe

With the time now upon you

Enjoy togetherness, and friendship

The spirit of Christmas will pull you through

As well as the flask on your hip!

I hope you can embrace this unique time

Benefit from what it seeks to bring;

Inhale the aura of hope; that is sublime

Join in the ‘Unity’ of Christmas and sing…

JW Nelson December 2024

The Naughty Elves

It’s Christmas time again and although this might be a time for the children, have never wondered how the presents manage to find their way under your tree?

Well Santa’s secret and often mischievous helpers perform the ‘magic’ of bringing Christmas alive for everyone.

This is just if their poetic stories as you prepare for Christmas again this year (2024).

The Naughty Elves”

On a Saturday night

The expectant darkness arrives

A small army will dim their light

As among the shadows they hide

Amid the needles, among the stitches

They weave their magical ways

Creating clothes that make you itch

So you’ll scratch for days and days

They will chuckle, and they will laugh

As they plan their next scheme;

A pair of socks to pinch your calf?

And toothpaste that is actually whipped cream?

The Naughty Elves work with a wicked grin;

They busy themselves with tricks

Testing the toys they make a din

By banging the handmade drumsticks!

Helping out Santa is their aim

That’s what he would like to think

There’s only one group left to blame

The Elves that make a right stink

Santa looks at them with a long sad face

The Elves withhold their snigger

When Santa begins to laugh, they embrace

Their smiles get bigger and bigger…

So it’s off to the sleigh for a night-time view

The naughty Elves have worked really hard

Coming soon to a house near you

The handmade Elves Christmas card..

This is one of the 25 “Poems for the Festive Season” available as an E-Book on Amazon

J W Nelson

This material may be protected by copyright.

The Snowman (Slides In)

As we had our first batch of snow in 2024 it reminded me of seeing children getting overly excited.

The sleighs came out aplenty. Warm coats and wellington boots were located . And of course gloves were to tools of creativity as Snowmen/women started to appear for the briefest of periods.

The shorter-lived but eternal joy could been seen, as the winter snow-filled fervour saturated the day, as the schools closed, leaving hosts of happy, free spirited children to once again enjoy their youthfulness!

Here’s my little take on the ‘iceman’ created by cold hands, yet leaves you with a warm heart.

The Snowman Slides In…

From the top, where it’s high

He goes on the slippery slope

Deliberately weaving from side to side

I reckon this Snowman is dope

Shades sit in front of his beady eyes

Covering half his chubby face

He begins to increase his speed

In hopes of winning the race

Faster faster, you hear him shout

The crowd responds with a chilling cheer

Up and down and over humps

He begins to smile with nothing to fear

The end is now in sight

The challengers are on his back

He’s trips one of them up

Now its time to attack

Leading from the front

Across the finish line he wins!

The coolest of all dudes

Is the Snowman that slides in…

The Fireworks of your Life

It’s starts slowly, builds momentum, showers the sky with its aura, as the power fades, so do you (but we still remember the ‘sparkle’)

Having been to a firework display earlier today, it got me thinking as I watched in absolute spectacular wonder, as this unbridled free spirited fireworks joyfully peppered the black night sky, with its myriad of colours, attracting thousands of eyes, glued looking upward, transfixed at this annual spectacle.

Here’s my two pennies worth..

A quiet rumble that cannot be heard,

Begins without us knowing,

Friction generates movement all around

We watch in awe and wonder, where is this going?

A sudden expected spark

Explodes in front of your startled eyes

Unbridled power exudes forth

What we witness, shouldn’t be a surprise

Now the embryo births into life

Momentum propels growth ahead

We await the true sparkle

When we now see the ‘head’

Crying and tears hit our ears

Into the night, life crashes into the open, vibrant air

The firework makes its dramatic, memorable appearance

Staring in awe, we are consumed by care

As the pops, bangs and whistles perform

Enigmatic, joyous smiles are displayed

Illuminous greens, reds and silver shine bright

The fireworks, like all things, then begin to fade

Colours and energy shoot into time

For some, this is your journey, for now

Your aura transcends; emboldens others

That sparkle flickers; before it takes a bow

Memories of the sounds that you heard

Picture the shapes, the splendid wonder you recall

Imagine the plaintive beauty that existed

See for yourself, the magic of it all

No tricks to play here

Reality with a slice stunning, awesomeness

Cracking sounds, booms of active life abound

Enjoyment, contentment, is what we seek, I must confess

To witness a display of such freedom, liberty

Makes the eyes dance to life’s rhythmic beats

To the sounds of crackling, streaming, cheering

Knowing all too well; this is a Fireworks life; on repeat…

Walking on the Moon…

What is your favorite form of physical exercise?

With so many forms of exercise that is available my personal favourite is walking my (JRT= Jack Russell Terrier) on a daily basis finishing with a few stretches on my return. A dog walk gets you out (for me twice a day ) meaning I hit my 10k steps most days . It’s fresh air – a change of scenery (helps your mental health ) especially as I work from home.

A Walk in the Park

Get the harness ready

Hook up the dog lead

With a stance that’s steady

Let’s use energy as a feed

Exercise your body

Loosen up your mind

Bypass the lazy and the shoddy

Getting fit is the goal to find

No barking from you

Dogs love to trot and run

Running off the lead is nothing new

You chase your pet; exercise = fun

Satisfy your need

Give yourself a pat on your back

Keep going: where will lead?

Just remember : there’s never anytime to slack…

Dreaming into Reality?

What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?

Once again I I haven’t choices for this question.

  1. One of my alternative careers would have been to become a stockbroker or an actuary ..something along those lines . I’m good with numbers and I’m in sales now so this would have been one of choices if I could have gone to university. (Another goal aspired to but not reachable from my background) . Watching films like Wall Street I did wander if I could have lived that life especially in the decadent and voyeuristic Lifestyle depicted in the 1980’s and 90’s. Anyway the money would have been great, as long as you survived the 100 mile an hour weekly race to step on anyone around you (if the films are to be believed )…
  2. 2nd choice is still my dream. Becoming a full time and sustainable writer of books, poetry , thrillers and adventures. I have 3 books available covering : poetry (Poems for the Festive Season)- 25 poems one foreach day to take from December 1-25th. I https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00Q3C4BEU
  3. I have a Young Adult fantasy, mystery adventure – Pentagon Pirate Gang: The Secret of the Orchard (available on Amazon and book shops- this is the first in the series)- https://amzn.eu/d/c4Xq0Ef
  4. finally for Adults- Company of Fools (Amazon only ) – comedy drama about the year in the life of a salesman as he seeks 3 life goals (1 a wife 2 a good job 3 start a family )…https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GFS1W18/
  5. Maybe one day that ‘Dream’ will become a ‘Reality’..,(happy to get any advice /help on anything to do with writing/publishing/marketing )

Manner from Heaven and Earth

What food would you say is your specialty?

Two choices from me….

  1. Chargrilled , barbecued jerk chicken with rice and peas (with fried plantain and a fried dumpling for dipping in the jerk sauce!!) heavenly nutritious (should be vegan friendly (depending on oil used) and minus the chicken for Vegetarians)!
  2. Simple and honest Omelette…my favourite is with ham, peppers & cheese (on the side with Jamaican hard dough bread-toasted & a side salad for balance !) enjoy…

Another Christmas Bonus? (Counting down the days..)

Here is another little bit of that Christmas sprinkle or sparkle whatever you prefer is your call – As always i wish you the very best, yes indeed to one and all.

My 12 Days of Christmas…

Leave a reply

The Partridge is stuck in a tree

What should we do?        

Sing a song, get down one knee?

I could swear I did see two

—-

Oops, sorry that was the Turtle Doves

Yes, there are two of those

Christmas is something everyone loves

Some Turkey and garlic of cloves?

—-

Non! Say the French.

It has to be the trois hens

Don’t agree, be left on the bench

Watch them eat; only through your lens

—-

No fear though,

The four birds outside are calling

Joined by a man, saying, ho, ho, ho

On a sleigh, in the sky, now falling

—-

You throw him five golden rings

Santa needs presents too

Bet you didn’t know he can really sing

There’s so much more he can do

—-

Work his magic on the geese

All six of them lay eggs

The golden ovals represent signs of peace

At this time; no one should ever need to beg

—-

But the water is cold

And the seven swans keep swimming

Wrap up warm, don’t be bold

And your cupboards will be brimming

—-

The eight maids will provide the milk

There’s plenty to go around

Frankincense is replaced by silk

Your footing is now solid, sound

—-

As you celebrate this time of year

And watch nine ladies dance

The ones you love for and care

Surround us and join in the prance

—-

On tiptoes so you can join in

In the circle with the ten lords leaping

Did they have a few shots of Gin?

No, its okay, its all part of the meeting

—-

Moving and swaying to the piper’s tune

The eleven pipe as best they can

Sometime, later that afternoon

They heard the beat of the drumming man

—-

Twelve to be exact

Drumming, drum, drum

Twelve days is a long time to keep up this act

So I say to you all; just go out and have some