The Pool

I’ve taught Aquafitness classes for many years and  this poem reflects some of the experiences  I’ve had with the  wonderful people I’ve encountered in these sessions. 

The Pool
It’s late afternoon
I jump in my car
Head down the road
It’s not very far
To a place where you
Can wash your troubles away
Forget all the stresses
You’ve had thru the day .
Leave baggage at the door
That’s one golden rule
All cares go away when you
Jump in the pool .

You can catch up with old friends
And make some more new
You can have a good chat
Even exercise too .
We frolic and cavort ,
We jump and leap
Some in the shallow
Some in the deep .

Working along at
your own pace
But don’t dare stand
In someone’s place.
Those warm smiles
Hide what’s really beneath
They’re only smiling
To bare their teeth.
You might get a splash
or a nudge or a kick
Either way you’ll move
Pretty quick .
Don’t worry too much
It’s all soon forgot
Just be sure to never
Stand in their spot .

We talk of travels
And news of the day
Gossip and advise
Everyone has a say .
Someone tells a joke
in the quiet time
And if you are lucky
They’ll remember the punchline .

Those molecules of water
That bring us together
Thru all of the seasons
And all kinds of weather
They heal our body
And warm our soul,
Help keep us sane
Makes us feel whole .
It so much more
Than an exercise session
no better way to
Unwind and freshen .

By Julie Scott 2016

The Riverman

I wrote this for a friend that I chat to online quite a bit. He’s a captain on a large tow boat that goes up and down the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in the USA.

The Riverman
There’s a peace and serenity
that very few ever know
Out on the river
When the sun is hung low .
The sky is streaked in shades of
Red , white and blue
And reflects on the sparkling
Waters around you .
There’s no one else
for miles around
And the hum of the engine
Is the only sound .
It’s a spiritual feeling
That is hard to explain
That’s captured men’s
Hearts even back before Twain .

The River is a mistress
that tempts and beguiles
And draws you in
With her curves and her wiles
Though you love your family
And hate being away
the River keeps on calling
You back to her play .
The throb of the engines
Their power and thrust
Push through her depths
To quench your lust
for the need to control her
Is just so consuming ,
She can make you feel alive
Or she can leave you fuming
She challenges you , excites you
She makes you feel whole
You’ll never tame her
But she’s good for your soul.

Julie Scott 2016

The Bully

I’ve always been a huge fan of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and wanted to write something similar that might appeal to children and adults alike.

The Bully
Jeremiah Steen
was very mean
A nice boy he was not
he pulled cats tails
And stepped on snails,
He even licked his snot

He went to school ,
broke every rule
He was a nightmare
To the teachers .
But his need to fight
Everyone in sight
Was surely his worst feature .

He picked on the weak ,
He picked on the small
His victims he’d demean
He was twice their size
And enjoyed their cries
And especially loved their screams

When he got the munches
He’d take their lunches
And eat them in a flash
And if they did resist
They would feel his fist
And their faces he would smash

Now Sally Feather
was very clever
And she’d had enough of Jerry
She’d think of a way
That would keep him away
From her peanut butter and jelly

She soon hatched a plot
To put his capers to a stop
And started on her scheme
She’d make him a sandwich
He’d never forget
Like nothing he’d ever seen

She got up early to make her fare
And mixed it with great care
There was earwax , boogers and spit
and some squashed up beetles too
But the principal ingredient
Was her little doggies poo .

She spread it thick on crusty bread
And wrapped it up just right
Then put it in her lunchbox
And clipped the lid on tight

Later that day right on cue
She felt a finger jab her shoulder.
She spun around
Lunchbox in hand
She’d was feeling so much bolder .
As he snatched it from her hands
She gave a little smirk
For soon he would be tasting
her clever handywork 😉

He sat himself down
Lunch boxes all around
And started to feed his face
He stuffed every roll
Into his cake hole
Like it was an eating race .

Now all his victims Sally told
What she had planned to do
They’d gathered in the playground
To see Jerry eat the poo

They wanted to witness
But they kept their distance
‘Cause silly they were not
So they got on their knees
Behind some small trees
To see what they could spot .

Sally was counting on the hunch
That Jerry could not smell
His nose was always full of snot
So she didn’t think he’d tell
What was on the sandwich
Till it was much too late
She was hoping by then
That if she ran
she’d make it out the gate .

Finally Jerry came
to the last box in the tally
And everyone
That was watching on
Knew it belonged to Sally .
He opened it up
tore off the wrap
And pushed it into his gob .
It wasn’t long till it hit the spot
And he began to sob .

Jeremiah Steen turned very green
And his belly began to rumble
It sounded like thunder
Then he began to chunder
And his face began crumble

He rolled around
Making a horrible sound
Holding his big belly
He let out a fart
That gave all a start
And my goodness it was smelly .

Everyone was laughing
While he was barfing
As there was no one more deserving
Then he turned white
And went very quiet
And it was a little unnerving

He sat very still,
He was very ill
Till a teacher came to save him
She took him away
To the sick bay
And Sally and friends were waving .

They were quite elated ,
Everyone celebrated .
They had no more trouble from Jerry.
Everyone ate their lunches
Without any punches
And even the teachers were merry .

By Julie Scott 2016

 

Day Dream

Day Dream .          By Julie Scott
Sometimes my mind likes to drift away
And I think how it would be
If I were rich one day .
When I’m stuck in traffic
Driving to work , yawning
How would it be if I woke up one morning ………….
Ahhhhhhhhhh?

I’d wake up early
In my mansion by the sea.
My personal trainer
would be waiting for me.
He’d look like a god
Someone like Thor
We’d workout on the beach
And I wouldn’t be sore.

Then I’d have a breakfast
fit for a queen
With pancakes and syrup
And dollops of cream
My personal chef
would cook for me
And I’d eat on my terrace
Overlooking the sea .

I’d wear latest fashions
And always look great
Eat what I wanted
And not put on weight
I’d have perfect teeth ,
Perfect body and hair
And show it all off
Without any care .

My Chauffeur would drive
me out for brunch
Where I’d meet my friends
And on caviar we’d munch
We’d sip champagne
At our favourite spot
Where the food is exquisite
And the waiters are hot

We make plans to go
To some exotic place
We’d skip a cold winter
As the Summer we’d chase
Flying around in my jet plane
To the French Riviera
Or maybe to Spain
Lay in the sun on my private yacht
And talk about how much money
We’ve got .

I’d be very generous
and give some to the church
To the old , to the sick
And some for research
Oh I’d be a such pleaser
‘Cause what else rhymes with
Mother Teresa
As I’d help out the needy
and poor on the street
and when I’d get tired
Sven would massage my feet

I’d never be short of cash again
Swanning around just
like a Kardashian
I’d take lots take selfies
and post them online
Everyone would want to be me
Cause I’d be looking so fine

Beeeeeeeeeeep

Reality snap ,
I’m back in my car
Traffic is thick
I haven’t gone very far
Late for work again
Wish I could say stick it
I think it’s time to buy that
Lottery ticket .

Julie Scott (July 2016)