Poem: Revolution 14

The time has come

We can take the flak

It belongs to us all

We’ve got to take it back

No more voting for the ruling elite

No more bowing at their polished feet

Poverty is a putrid cancer

Sectarianism is obscene

Take home your nukes

They are not our scene

No more voting for the ruling elite

No more bowing at their polished feet

Can you hear it?

Can you smell?

Can you sense it?

Revolution is in the air.

It’s time to end the 307

It’s time to grab the 45

Call an end to the upper chamber

Those in the Lords are barely alive

No more voting for the ruling elite

No more bowing at their polished feet

Take the power from the rich

Give that power to the poor

Don’t give shelter to the bankers

We don’t need them anymore

No more voting for the ruling elite

No more bowing at their polished feet

Can you hear it?

Can you smell?

Can you sense it?

Revolution is in the air.

Shelter for the homeless

And feed the hungry too

Education will unlock the door

We are many and you are few

No more voting for the ruling elite

No more bowing at their polished feet

Time to move as one nation

Time to speak with one voice

We the people demand justice

Take away the other choice

No more voting for the ruling elite

No more bowing at their polished feet

Can you hear it?

Can you smell?

Can you sense it?

Revolution is in the air.

Poem: Black Dog

Black dog at my feet

The darkness drifts dreaming from another place

Been here before

But still I’m not sure

Where it all will end

Black dog by my side

The dawn drowns drinking hope from the daylight

Been here before

But still I’m not sure

What the morn will bring

Black dog on my lap

The day drags drearily to the dark of noon

Been here before

But still I’m not sure

When the sun will set

Black dog at my back

The evening draws draping dankly upon me

Been here before

But still I’m not sure

When the night will end

Poem: Empathy

Beauty is a painted veil

Its colours are skin deep

Love is just a holy grail

Fading grey while you’re asleep

Don’t look away, I’ve drained the cup

And life’s race is all but run

Thinking of you when the sun comes up

To finish where I begun

Magic sparkles in the night

And laughter fills your dream

Hope dances in the morning light

Drifting away on an urgent stream

Don’t look away, I’ve drained the cup

And life’s race is all but run

Thinking of you when the sun comes up

To finish where I begun

Life it seems to crawl away

Drowned by rivers of blindness

Curtains shutter the brand new day

Floating on a sea of kindness

Don’t look away, I’ve drained the cup

And life’s race is all but run

Thinking of you when the sun comes up

To finish where I begun

Time lingers on the ocean’s edge

To where the soft winds blow

High up to that golden ledge

Looking back on what was left below

Don’t look away, I’ve drained the cup

And life’s race is all but run

Thinking of you when the sun comes up

To finish where I begun

The Hill: Songs and Poems of Darkness and Light – 2015 update

Family problems, Christmas and the never ending house move means I have been slack on promoting my book for the past three months.

And even slacker on keeping my blog revolving.

So aim to put that right now!

I am also going to use this opportunity to preview some of the songs and poems already written for the next book: Just Another Hill, slated for publication later this year.

I have had some amazing and unexpected publicity for my book since its launch at the beginning of November last year.

This online at Hold the Front Page:

http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2014/news/ex-editors-past-inspires-first-poetry-book/

Plus four regional / local newspapers including a stunning piece in the Shropshire Star.

Radio BBC Bristol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2N2X7t7awo

Plus featuring in the Popular Video playlist:

http://datab.us/o2N2X7t7awo#Writing poetry: former newspaper editor Nic Outterside overcomes the legacy of child sexual abuse

And on Russia Today TV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU_4qJHIasc&list=UUbGif2gxFLxGDxG9CeA_fvg

I now have a Web Store at www.writeahead.co.uk where you can buy my first book The Hill: Songs and Poems of Darkness and Light directly. I accept payments by debit and credit cards and PayPal through this store. The Hill: Songs and Poems of Darkness and Light is 100 pages of angst, joy, reflection and opinion. Order your copy now for just £3.99 plus £1.80 P&P (Europe: £3.70 P&P, Australia: £5.05 P&P and USA: £4.75 P&P with discounts on postage for multiple orders). I will personally sign your copy upon request. Your book will be despatched immediately upon cleared payment.

Thank you.