As long as I can remember
came Christmas cards in December -
my aunts back home to thank.
With glad tidings at yuletide
and always tucked away inside
a cheque from Barclays Bank.
Looking back as I live and muse
on Boxing Day I’d gamble and lose
on some pony my bet to lay.
In the birdcage or at the tote
my losing ticket stubs in my coat
but I’d be back on Cup Day.
Playing poker and alley pool
on our summer break before school
cos that’s what gamblers do.
And with my stake on my way
for a brand shiny new LP to play
off I’d go to Record Rendezvous.
And from the Sweet Briar fairy
came a birthday card in late January
just a few short weeks hence.
Which was a master stroke
for by then I was always broke
as I had more dollars than sense.
As long as this heart of mine
hearkens a carol at Christmas time
or candles a long age bode…
I’ll remember a season’s joy
and all the many cards as a boy
I got from Sweet Briar Road.
Written: January 2018
Categories:
barclays, childhood, christmas, nostalgia,
Form: Rhyme
The biggest gift under the tree
was a box full of boxes
each of six, all wrapped but empty.
By the time he'd opened the seventh
and read the enclosed clues,
he was ready for any surprise.
Never suspecting Mom would choose
tickets for his favorite sport.
January 14th, Barclays' Center for hard knocks,
featuring Badou Jack and James DeGale.
He's going to Brooklyn to watch them box.
written December 27, 2016
for contest, Out of the Box by Kai Michael Neumann
Categories:
barclays, adventure, boxing day , son,
Form: Rhyme
Rachael Hood hacked into the Royal Bank,
HSBC, Santander, the Bank of Scotland,
The Clydesdale, Barclays, Lloyds/TSB and the Halifax,
Got into each and every managers’ accounts,
Took ninety percent of their bonuses,
And left a thank you note handwritten in return.
It said, “Thank you for this money,
It is worth gold as it will save many lives,
And make a whole lot of people better, happier:
Warmer and save them from death,
And give them food and warm clothes.”
It was for the Syrian refugees,
Oxfam, Save the Children and WaterAid,
As Rachael had found out from them,
Just how ravishing and destructive life was for some,
For those who hadn’t done anything wrong,
Who hadn’t caused or aggravated their situation in any way,
And who where giving their all just to stay alive.
Categories:
barclays, computer, corruption, death, children,
Form: Free verse