What major historical events do you remember?
2 major events.
1. New York September 11th when ‘real and genuine terror’ shook the USA and the world at large. This has a personal view a my cousin was one of thousands who lost their lives in this ultimately unforgettable and heinous act of violence .
2. The marriage of Princess Diana of Wales in the 1980’s and then her unfortunate demise years later in France, following her dissolved marriage with our now King Charles .
‘There’s no mystery to Black History‘ (that’s my little poetic saying). Parents from Jamaica. I have traced my ancestry back to the point when slavery was just abolished (around 1834).
And now nearly 200 years later in the UK my son and daughter are just learning about Black History in school. Wow. Is this ‘Titantic’ ship starting to turn? Who know, hopefully for everyone of colour, wherever we are all are, whatever status we hold, just maybe there are slivers of light appearing amidst the once long and eternally dark tunnel, that we have been treading.
As a would be poet, below is my first take on the many wonderful black inspirational people that have had endure; so people like me, don’t have to as much. More to follow throughout October (and maybe beyond) on other topics.
WHO ARE WE? (starting with the past)
We could be the person on the bus
Your name may be have been Rosa Parkes
Your life made to suffer by the colour of your skin
Yes; they have tried to keep us hidden; into the dark
We were the people without a voice
But Martin Luther made them hear
Look what they did to our dear proud brother
Because he made ‘them’ see what they all feared
We are the ones that move fast
Yes; Jesse Owens showed the dictator this
In the face of complete and utter oppression
It’s something that hasn’t quite fallen over the precipice
We have own Marvel Man from the past
No wheelchair in sight; but his name has an X
A voice for black empowerment
And contrary to many he wasn’t always vexed
A personal mentor; the first black female poet
If you don’t know; Phillis Wheatley was her name
George Washington recognised the talent
For every poet; she should be in your ‘hall of fame’
We need to be like our once enslaved Frederick Douglass
He fought to support those via the abolition of slavery
Putting pen to paper for all to read
His life, his very own Black History
We are the ones that Marshall the Good
Overturn the wrong for the right
Winning against segregation for the learning to occur
We thank him for providing; ‘out of darkness’ we too now have light
We are among the ‘greatest’ ones that had to rumble
The man with fists and feet of flight
Yes Cassius/Muhammed Ali knew how to move
You couldn’t stop him talking either; any day or night
We are the ones that have had to ACT
Mr. Poitier the consummate pro; won an Oscar
Imagine that in an era for his accolade
Showed that black people could also raise ‘the bar’
We should be Harriet Tubman the saviour
Literally saving over 300 enslaved souls
Nursing her community to a better educated life
She was dedicated, selfless and bold
We are the forerunner’s to make things happen
From a seat of power to make the change
Shirley Chisholm started the political race
And now her stepping stones has put us on the front page
We are the entrepreneur’s with a million in the bank
Madam C J Walker knew how to make ‘hair pay’
Making jobs for over 3,000 people at that time
Means we continue to use her genius every single day
We are everyone, everything, just like you
We have beautiful, hair, colour, skin and eyes
We are proud, clever, funny with intelligence
We are here, we are all together, let’s all keep aiming for that prize…
A thrilling match, an even thrilling finale – the final is in the future as we patiently await the outcome. The only question that remains is; What will be the result When the Final Whistle Blows…
When the final whistle blows,
How will you feel?
Has Kane and Watkins boosted our mood
Will Pickford protect our goal like a shield?
When the final whistle blows,
Can Gallagher and Rice protect us?
Or will Stones and Dunk safeguard our back
Or should we ‘Jose’ and park the bus…
When the final whistle blows,
We can rely on the speed of Bellingham and Eze
We may see Joe Gomez move down the wing
As we celebrate a goal with a ‘Yay’!
When the final whistle blows,
The young Mainoo and Wharton will arrive;
Speed and skill intertwine
Our ‘young bloods’ are starting to thrive
When the final whistle blows,
Saka and Gordon move at pace;
Let’s trouble every defensive guard
And give them something else to face
When the final whistle blows,
Bowen and Foden add more to the mix;
Left or right makes no odds
A problem we hope any team can’t fix
When the final whistle blows
Walker and Konsa sit tight;
Calmness plus speed suits us fine
In any match, any day or any night
When the final whistle blows,
Sublime feet sends Guehi and Arnold out
A pass of brilliance will be delivered
The receiver latches on; and has no need to shout
When the final whistle blows,
We hope to be ‘tripping’ the light fantastic;
At any moment you may not be Shaw
Fingers crossed we won’t need anything too drastic
When the final whistle blows,
Palmer and Toney add even more threat
A chilling celebration we hope
On a final date in the future, that is now set
When the final whistle blows,
Where will you all be?
It could be heaven or in some hell of a place
We’ll all have to wait and see…
When the final whistle blows,
58 years is a long time to ‘roam’
I just hope and pray; with a nod and a wink Gareth; please bring our football home…
Oh yes it’s that time again
To declare togetherness and love
For those committed to remain
A connection as pure as a dove
Today’s love is smart, warm and clever
For two people to be intwined
A bond to last as long as forever
As we all celebrate every day as a ‘valentine’…
JW Nelson
February 14, 2024
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.
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
As we begin the run in to Christmas Day and the festivities that compliment this annual occasion – here is a little something to consider for that ‘big day’…
Stuff the Turkey
Roast the Chicken
Goose fat ‘tatoes are murky
Tasty though, they’re finger lickin’
Luscious leg of Lamb
Gorgeous side of Gammon
Sausages wrapped in ham
Oh, and don’t forget the freshly caught Salmon
Pluck the Pheasant, Goose or Duck
Tantalise taste buds with some wine based jus
Order now, or be out of luck
Supplant the potatoes with Cous Cous?
Not just meat, we all need greens
Broccoli and Brussels light up our plate
The earth will be a better place to be seen
In the global food climate debate
Add some carrots, roast parsnips too
Compliment the diet with a variety in types of sauce
A tender cut of beautiful Beef won’t make you moo
Just make sure that you’re not eating horse…
Complete your prep, with a sweet tooth in mind
Cream, pastry, chocolates are on the festive menu
Look hard enough and I’m sure you’ll find
Some of us searching for the loo!
Christmas is now around the bend
Prepare well, include plenty of seating
Seek out the tablets to put you on the mend
As you partake in your chosen Christmas MEAT (ing)!
For the sake of remembrance and just returning from my mother’s homeland in Jamaica, it reminded me of Ian Fleming, his books on Jame Bond (007) and the fact he has a Hotel called Goldeneye near Ocho Rios means I couldn’t resist re-telling the first Bond movie shot mostly in Jamaica some 61 years (released October 1962).
So here is my poetic repost of that first encounter with the ‘Man with the Golden Gun, who ‘Died/lived Twice’ and faced his first real enemy in the shaped of the ham-fisted Dr No.
I wonder who will fill next fill the 007 shoes and what dangers lie in wait for them …
THE FIRST IN THE SERIES (COVERING THE BOND MOVIES) – this is my own title v- enjoy…feedback..respond..
NO WAY…
It was an EON ago when it began
Nineteen sixty-two I believe
Broccoli and Saltzman had a plan
And there he was Mr. Sean Connery
From the pen of Mr. Fleming
Films that set the spy world alight
Cinema goers followed the sparkle like lemmings
Off the cliff of entertainment, into the night
In Jamaica an inspired Fleming wrote
They filmed Dr. No there
The exotic location was worthy of note
The choice, like Bond, was a dare
Bond fought ‘the hand’ of crime
Used the tricks of the trade
Ursula shone like a coin, a dime
Beauty met beauty; in Jamaica it was made
With action, pace and the one liner
Delivered to the enemy and the viewer
Followed by the baddie with a shiner
As Bond sat in a bow tie, eating from a skewer
With a nod and a wink
Good triumphs over evil
Facing the barrel of a Walther also makes one think
About not reneging on paying your bill
The bill for SPECTRE is a high one
Only 007 can guarantee payment
Supported by Ryder their work is done
Now it’s time to send the statement
With Dr No. dead in the pool
Bond can get his hand on;
Cuddling Honey Rider as calm and as cool
Then sail away to safety; to the Bond theme song…
Find out what this means and seek out the answer at the following places:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentagon-Pirate-Gang-Secret-Orchard/dp/1800942745/
https://giobooks.com/Bookpreview/1962
https://www.wob.com/en-us/books/j-w-nelson/pentagon-pirate-gang/9781800942745
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pentagon-pirate-gang-j-w-nelson/1140795878
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5795333179
“This is book is entertaining and enjoyable”
https://literarytitan.com/2022/11/02/pentagon-pirate-gang/
“Pentagon Pirate Gang: Secrets of the Orchard by J.W. Nelson is an engaging read which focuses on a tightly knit group of five friends (the Pentagon) as they struggle to uncover the truth about the Hogwarts-style school and its mysterious past. The story is well-written, with substantial world-building and deep characters”..
Follow along at:
The anticipation is building. The moment of truth awaits. All you you can do is sit on the edge of your seat. The result is unknown; sitting in the future as fate…
England and its long history of Football have reached the top of the summit for only the second time in their illustrious history. In some very minuscule way, I hope to convey some positive vibes for their final on Sunday August 20th against the Spanish side that will be the toughest of tests.
Anyway here is my poetic attempt at motivation (and fingers crossed hope!!)
When the final whistle blows,
How will you feel?
Has Russo and Kelly boosted our mood
Will Earps protect our goal like a shield?
When the final whistle blows,
Can Carter and Walsh protect us?
Or will Bright and Bronze safeguard our back
Or should we ‘Jose’ and park the bus…
When the final whistle blows,
The young James and Stanway arrive;
Speed and skill intertwine
Our ‘young bloods’ are starting to thrive
When the final whistle blows,
Toone and Hemp move at pace;
Let’s trouble their defensive guard
Make them think and give them something else to face
When the final whistle blows,
England and Daly add more to the mix;
Left or right makes no odds
A problem we hope any team can’t fix
When the final whistle blows,
Greenwood, Charles and Morgan sit tight;
Calmness, confidence, plus speed suits us fine
In any match, any day or any ‘final’ night
When the final whistle blows,
We hope to be tripping the light fantastic;
Robinson, Coombs and Charles make sure
We won’t need anything too drastic
When the final whistle blows
Where will you all be?
It could be heaven or in some hell of a place
Whatever the result – we’ll all have to wait and see…
When the final whistle does blow
57 years is a long time to ‘roam’
We all just hope and pray; with a nod and a wink
Sarina; will bring our football home…
Peter Okonkwo talks to J W Nelson about writing, publishers and the challenges that that can bring any would be author. View the You Tube interview by clicking the link below:
Focus is on; Pentagon Pirate Gang; The Secret of the Orchard – https://www.amazon.com/Pentagon-Pirate-Gang-Secret-Orchard-ebook/dp/B09M4FPG9L/
Also discussed ; Company of Fools – the rom-com drama of highs and lows of the main character Justin Whalley, as he searches for Love, job security whilst fending off a dysfunctional family
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GFS1W18/ or view the video trailer of the Company of Fools –
https://youtube.com/channel/UClBkYK8VLns4BU0Dud0_fMA
Comments welcomed here or on social media X (Twitter) -@jwnelson3 or IG
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