Dorothy Mary Wade

Cheadle, UK

Born on the stroke of midnight - a Gemini - in S.W. London. Happily married for nearly 48 years to Jack Vincent Wade, a Yorkshireman and a Virgo. He is the practical one and has mastered the word processor, which I avoid. We both love to travel and have a mutual interest in antiques. We are members of the Caravan Club and the National Trust. Apart from extensive reading, my favourite occupation is gardening. I like to rise early to feed the birds and walk round my plants before breakfast. The days are never long enough, but I have managed to publish two books of my poetry. The first, "Blue Vinney", is based on my Mother's memories of her early years in Dorset. The second, "Reflections", contains a wide selection of the poems I have written from the days of my youth to the present, and I am hoping to add another collection in the near future.

Nostalgia

One really can't help wondering,
if to wondering you're prone,
With so much to be thankful for,
We choose to moan and groan.
Our thoughts hark back to 'Yesterdays',
When we were young and strong.
Our world was then a perfect place,
Where nothing could go wrong.
Our air was unpolluted,
The pace of life was slow.
God was in His heaven,
And all was well below.
Was all this an illusion?
Or has Time dulled the brain;
Erasing every memory
Of suffering and pain?
We're all the idiots of Fate,
However hard we strive,
Against the odds which threaten us
To keep our Dreams alive.

10th July, 1996

Resignation

Satan called conference with the Lord on High.
"Let's hold it down in my place. It's so draughty in the sky."
"It ought to be on neutral ground," said God. "I'm sure that would be best.
somewhere convenient for us both. The Earth, might I suggest?"
"My God! Not Earth!" the Devil cried. "With all that muck and stink!
There's always such an uproar there, it's impossible to think!
it's more peaceful down in Hades, and warmer there as well;
And I'm convinced we both would be far safer, truth to tell."
"That brings me to the reason I'm suggesting we should meet.
Things are getting out of hand and I cannot compete.
"The days are long behind us, when I tempted them to sin.
There's no longer any limit to the age when they begin.
Everyone is at it from the cradle to the grave.
It even makes my Demons blush to see how they behave.
Things have come to such a pitch, they put the wind up me!
this lot need no temptation. They sin instinctively
I doubt it you could tempt them back to virtue through reform.
They're all so steeped in wickedness, to them it seems the norm.
don't let them near your Angels; they're far too rude and rough.
As for me -- I'm handing in my cards. I've had enough!"
God spoke: "it seems this problem leaves to me but one solution.
Another Flood, then start afresh: a World without pollution."

Sunday, 19th February, 1995