Going to the Circus

I choose to ignore
the pain and the suffering
I choose to ignore
the evidence shown right in front of me
I choose to ignore
the abuse and exploitation

It's not my child
It's not my pet
they're not human
why should I care?

How can they feel pain?
Why should I care if it's not their normal behaviour?
As long as I can get my fill of entertainment

Never mind it's old fashioned
and there's so much better things I could do
including animal free circuses with no harm involved
never mind over 90% of the population want to see a ban
never mind most councils won't allow it on their land

I am the voice of the ignorant
I am the voice of those who refuse to care
I know I'm wrong
so I won't look
at the people standing silently holding their banners
when I get offered a leaflet
I'll drive so fast inside
I'll cause damage to my car

they choose to ignore
they choose not to care
they refuse to open their eyes

but we must continue
to be patient and educate
one day they will listen
and maybe join us too

29/8/10

Ode to Books I've Loved (and sometimes lost)

I can't remember a day when I didn't love reading a good book
There's nothing like curling up and turning the pages
of an epic thriller or an indulgent fantasy
imagining the scenes in your head
painting the colours in your mind
going to the library can be such a thrill
so many words lurk behind those covers
ready and waiting for my hungry consumption
books can go anywhere
no need for a plug socket
no no need for double a's
reading takes you on a journey
and you don't even have to move
you can continue the journey whenever you like
there's no rush to finish
although some books just can't seem to leave my hands
until they've come to a conclusion
favourite books are like old friends
always there for you
with their tattered pages
and worn out corners
some will make you smile
some will make you laugh
others may even make you cry
I want to thank you, books
for activating my imagination
inspiring my writing passion
filling in voids of boredom
spawning intense conversations
if you don't really read
might I suggest
you pick up a book
you never know, you may just plant a seed

14/8/10

I am Woman, Hear Me Roar

I am woman, hear me roar
don't you call me a bore
I have an ukulele and a pen
and I'm not afraid to use them!
I'll play my music real loud
and carry my banner real proud
I'm an activist, a feminist
and yes, I'm also married (to a man) and work in a chemist

I am woman, hear me roar
I say make love, not war
I read a lot of books
I'm not too bothered about looks
My name is Hayley
I get to sign my autograph daily!

I am woman, hear me roar
don't stare too hard, you'll make your eyes sore

I am woman, hear me roar
rock music and my friends, I adore
I am woman, hear me roar
turn the page, and I'll tell you some more...

When I am Drunk

the first time I got drunk was on Tia Maria
seemed like a good idea
tasted so good, just kept drinking more
one drink turned into four
funny how it's still my favourite drink

I've had rum, southern comfort, tequila, why even absinthe
well Vodka, we have a love/hate relationship
it has been known to make me lose my grip
shots always go down well
even if the next day my head feels like hell

when I am drunk
I've been known to shout at kebab shops
if I'm not in the queue for 2AM chips
using tomato sauce and mayonnaise as dips

when I am drunk
I've been known to hug people and say "I love you"
but you know it's no lie, you know it's true
alcohol is like truth serum
a few drops and I'll tell you the lot

when I am drunk
I tend to laugh
when I am drunk
you've been known to hold me up
when I am drunk
I struggle with the door lock
when I am drunk
I sing loudly to rock
when I am drunk
I crash on the bed
wondering what's up with the spinning in my head
the next thing I know I'm feeling rather dead
the next morning I will dread
but for now
I'll make a fake vow
not to drink again
at least not till next weekend

22nd July 2010

Social Networking

Twitter, My Space, You Tube, Facebook
all the world can take a look
at what you post
intimacy and privacy sometimes gets lost
see photos of me as a child
see photos of me when I get a bit too wild
sometimes it can get you in trouble
you're so engrossed in your internet bubble
you forgot what you posted
when you got drunk, you boasted
no longer do we use the phone
we use our "status" to indirectly moan
no more face to face
instead we choose to "follow"
how did we become so hollow?
social networking, is it to blame
for lack of communication?
or has it widened our fascination?
it's hard to remember a time
without the internet
information is so easy to get
it doesn't make it wrong
but we should keep our real friendships strong
and never forget the power of speech
or what it's like to sit on the beach
on a sunny day
the power of reality
is what controls our destiny
life isn't controlled by letters on a screen
or some you tube video you might have seen
you are the driver
so take the wheel and drive

17/7/10

The River of Acceptance

your warmth is shown behind every smile
every smile leaves an imprint on my heart
and my hearts feels wide open
whenever you are within reach
even out of reach
your soul calls out my name
almost like home
we connect but our individuality remains
you can be yourself and I couldn't have it any other way
you lighten the load but deepen the rivers
the rivers ripple with your every word
thoughts and feelings so consumed
I am lost in this river of you
and this time
I don't want to be found

2006

Untitled

spark the ignition, start her up
let her slide, let the feet move along
take the pill
take the time
can you feel what's inside?
candy hearts and liquid dreams aren't always what they seem
could you be the key that fits into the lock?
could I be the handle you just can't turn?
is it that hard to be free?
is it true how easily you glide
through the evidence
of what was once had been
time and time again
take your time
feel your mind
let me be your guide

11/1/06