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The Butterfly Effect (Lorenz’ theory of predictability, commonly called Chaos Theory, 1979) If a Brazilian butterfly can flap its wing and cause a Texas storm Think of the effect we poets could have with all the verse we form We could cause so much commotion, we’d make such a violent noise World leaders would have to think again and reiterate their ploys We don’t have to sit back and meekly accept what they dole out We could open the minds of others and perhaps bring in some doubt If we shouted hard and long enough they’d have to listen then Perhaps we’d find a way to prove a sword can’t beat a pen Perhaps we’d find a way to make the world a better place ‘cause the way our leaders run it now it’s a bloody damn disgrace a child could do a better job than these, so called, great minds I’m sure that there’s a better way to benefit humankind If they spent less of our money on ambition, lust and war We could try to redress the balance and show the world we care If we can shout with one great voice and make our feelings heard If we can make a song and dance about the way they treat our world If we all just stop complaining and get our act together Whatever crap they throw at us, we’ll have a counter-measure Why do we just put up with what they tell us is right We know that they’re bullshitting us, let’s get up and fight Don’t let them have a chance to divide us up and rule Don’t give them any reason to think they’re dealing with a fool Let’s show them that we have some sensible things to say Not tomorrow, or next week, but right here, right now, today It’s our world that they’re spoiling with their lust for power and greed Remember that the strongest plant will grow from just a seed And let our seeds be all the words that live within our mind Speak your thoughts, say your words and perhaps one day we’ll find The courage to say they’ve got it wrong, shout and make some noise Let’s get across our message with one united voice A message that we all can say, and say it all as one Look up to the sky and try to count the sun A billion, billion atoms make up that fiery ball But on their own the atoms have hardly any heat at all And we are just the same, together we can make a stand So let’s all get together and hold each others hand We can make a circle wide enough to circumnavigate the earth We can have a celebration to celebrate its new age birth We can nurture and protect it, and shower it with care We can stop the way the capitalists are stripping our world bare There’s more than enough for everyone, wherever they may live Remind people everywhere that it’s far more blessed to give Let’s take all that nature gave to us and give everyone a share Do it now and do it always, let’s prove that we all care Trees There’s a screaming tree in the garden It makes no sound save for the soft rustle of its ivy shroud But it is screaming nonetheless For its dismembered limbs Gone to make a chair Or to be carved in to an object of beauty But the screaming tree thought its branches beautiful where they were The screaming tree screams for its siblings Its parent, its cousins Gone to be of service to people Gone to build a dwelling Or provide a bed for a railway track Gone to divide up the land into manageable chunks To build fences to keep people in, or out Sometimes, the amputation of limbs Is a necessary device To protect from disease or decay But the screaming tree may not see it that way All it perceives is that it is no longer a whole tree So it screams If you listen carefully You will hear it echoing Across the world Housework Let us build a house of peace with windows of enlightenment Let words be the bricks with which we build walls against war. Let poetry be the cornerstones and let song be the roof Let only people who do not carry weapons live in this house And banish to the dark place all those who advocate war Let us plant a garden of peace and grow love in the flower beds Let the trees be covered with the blossom of happiness Let the lawns be laid with contentment Let the children be fed on laughter And banish to the dark place all those who would say otherwise Let only those with peace in their heart live in this place And let this place be everywhere here and here and there Girls night Dressed up made up pissed up Saturday night on the town trawling the asphalt streams struggling not to drown Looking for a potential mate or a quickie on the night Running on trembling stilettos from alcohol-fuelled fights Queuing for the ladies lippy and mascara all askew Wondering if it’s worth the effort for one quick screw Waking Sunday morning tripping on the guilt burying last nights memories underneath the quilt Hung-over and hug up Saturday night on the town dressed up made up pissed up struggling not to drown MISSED CHANCES I could have gone to India, but I didn't have the money, I thought about bee'ing an Apiarist, but I don't care much for honey. I aspired to be an Astronaut, but there's no men on the moon, I auditioned to be a Singer, but I couldn't hold a tune. I dug becoming a Farmer, but it's cold out on the land, I could pit my wits as a Miner, but I don't want dirty hands. I'd love to be a Hippie, but my flower was all wilted, I was groom'ed to be a Bride, but with my luck, I was jilted. I took steps to be a Dancer, but I'm not light on my feet, I took a stab at Butchery, but I can't stand to handle meat. I wood have been a Carpenter, but then I lost the nails, I could sea myself as a Sailor, but there's no wind in my sails. I geared up to be a driver, but I couldn't pass my test, I could have been an Insomniac, but I really need my rest. I could maybe be a Diver, but I don't know how to swim, I jumped at being an Acrobat, but I'm not good at Gym. I gambled on being a Croupier, but it wasn't on the cards, I express'ed a wish to be a Train Driver, but they only wanted guards. I was drilled to become a Dentist, but I was down in the mouth, I explored being an Explorer, but I don't know North from South. I was bread to be a Baker, but my cakes always burn, I had lessons on being a Teacher, but I'm far too old to learn. I fancied being a Record Producer, but I haven't got the hype, I tried my hand as a Secretary, but I don't know how to type. I could have been an Electrician, but I didn't have the power, I hoe'ped to become a Gardener, but my seeds just wouldn't flower. I was wound up to be a Watchmaker, but I never had the time, So I'll stick to being a Poet, Because I'm not Too bad at rhyme! (althow my speling cud do with sum work!)