MADISON

Her cheeky smile will warm the cockles of your heart,

A memory to keep when we are miles apart.

Her infectious giggles will run like blood through your vein,

Once you've heard it you'll never be the same.

Her sparkling eyes will light up the darkest recess of your soul,

Diamonds have a magical way of making a person whole.

Her fiery feminine ways will shock your body to the core,

It's all a Hollywood act to gain much, much more.

Her electric spirit will brighten your life like Edison,

She is my granddaughter we all call Madison.

In the Air Again

(Note: Read or sing this in tune with Willie Nelson's On the Road Again!)

In the air again, I’m soaring through the clouds my friend,
Going back to the place were I must spend,
My time until I’m on the move again.

I’m leaving Moscow my friend, don’t think I’ll ever be back again,
‘Cause those Russian drove me round the bend,
Man I’m on the move again.

In the air again, it’s rough and tumble in the clouds my friend,
Their serving stale sandwiches again, this fact I just can not comprehend,
Man I’m in the air again.

I’m on the ground again, here in Kiev airport a short time to spend,
Just hanging around in the transit lounge my friend,
Until I’m back in the big blue sky again.

In transit it’s a trend, with other people time you can spend,
While away the hours with a yarn or ten,
Until you’re back up in the air again.

Flights been delayed my friend, at least it hasn’t been cancelled again,
We have another two and a half hours in transit to spend,
Man I may never fly again!

We’re taking off again, this time it’s for five hours my friend,
I hope the dinner isn’t sandwiches again,
I’m back in the big blue yonder again.

On the ground again, you’ve got to love the Business Lounge my friend,
When you’ve got to spend six hours on the ground,
It’s really heaven my friend.

In the air again, it’s the last leg of the journey my friend,
It’s been five weeks on holiday we did spend,
But it’s nice to be going home again.

So now I’m home again, Kuwait’s got 44 degrees my friend,
It’s actually good to be back home I can’t pretend,
But in ten days I’ll be back in the air again!

My Love

My love is like a mosquito,
Buzzing in the night.
Oh how I wish he’d get up,
And turn of the ruddy light.

Although I love him dearly,
Sometimes he can be a pest.
But taking good care of me,
Is what he does the best!

Hostel Marmalade

In a cosy little courtyard is where you’ll find,
A place you can stretch out, relax and unwind.
Six rooms in all, two with private bathroom, four without,
When visiting St Petersburg, the best place to stay no doubt.

The rates are reasonable whether you’re single, double or more,
Conveniently close by is a small grocery store.
Cook your own meals, take a shower or wash your clothes,
Most importantly, breakfast is included as everyone knows.

The staff are pleasant, most helpful and kind,
Always ready to help guests when they’re in a bind.
The place is very central to everything on offer,
St Petersburg has many attractions to proffer.

Clean, new and fresh, it also has internet,
You won’t find a friendlier place I bet.
On our trip it has to be the best place we’ve stayed,
What’s it called? I hear you ask; it’s Hostel Marmalade!

Whispers on the Wind

Voices whisper on the wind
a sense of nervousness in the air.
Future generations have not forgotten them
but at what price does the city bear.

What was once pure and noble
affordable by only those who paid the price.
Now come ten to the dozen in multitudes of colour
on the tourist shelves they look nice.

Across the detailed inlaid floors
where royalty once softly trod.
Thousands of shoes of all shapes and sizes
now noisily and heavily plod.

Fine works of art adorn the walls
nothing less than from the masters no doubt.
For the fraction of the price
copies ensure no one will miss out.

They’re all laid to rest in the fortress
peacefully there they sleep under.
Or are they turning in their tombs
at the modern St Petersburg, I wonder!

Battlefields of Old Stalingrad

The orange butterfly suns its silky wings
upon the path of stone,
As the blue ones flitter from plant to plant
across the field unsown.

The wormwood sends out its scent
with every step taken.
This place that was once a fiery battle field
Mother Nature has not forsaken.

The ground that was red is now all green
and tranquillity fills the air.
Where the mighty invader and the brave defender,
lie together in silence there.

On both sides some are known
and some are not.
Many are still lost
but not forgot.

Scores were innocent doing their duty
and some downright bad.
You feel sorry for those who
no choice they had.

The passing of time eases the pain
as the summer sun goes down.
The people have moved on
peace now resides in Volgograd town.

Hill 102

Mother Russia wields her sword
Atop Mamay Mound,
Looking over the township of Volgograd
She majestically stands her ground.

Four months of fierce fighting
Took place on Hill 102 (one-O-two),
She stands in defiance of the enemy
Ensuring peace for me and you.

The pantheon names some of those
But it represents just a few,
Of the million Russian soldiers
Who never saw the day anew.

All that’s left of old Stalingrad
Is the battle beaten flour mill,
But despite the tragedy of war
Nothing defeats the power of human will.