Herald - Issue 421

31st March 2022 • The HERALD • Page 73 v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 21ST APRIL v PART TIME SCHOOL RUN DRIVERS REQUIRED We are currently looking for new drivers to fill rewarding, part time roles in our busy, family run business. We specialise in transporting disabled and vulnerable children and young adults with a range of special needs to school’s across Hampshire. All applicants must be physically fit, 100% reliable and punctual with a pleasant attitude towards others. A New Forest District Council Private Hire License would be an advantage, however, we can help you obtain this. In return we offer good rates of pay and a reliable and well maintained company vehicle. Our working days are Monday-Friday and approximately 17-20 hours per week during term times. These positions may suit retired or semi-retired persons but all applicants are welcome. To enquire in the first instance, please email: schooltransportsouthampton@gmail.com HERALD RECRUITMENT Poets Corner Mmm Chocolate by Marlene Parmenter I don’t want a bunny, Or even a little chick. I just want creamy chocolate, Eggs that are so thick. I don’t want to hunt for them, I want them in my bed. And I’m not sharing with anyone, No even my favourite Ted. With chocolate on my ngers Smudged all around my lips. I’m sure when your dad nds me He will get me in his grips. Now I hear the children cry, “ ey have all disappeared “ ey’ve noticed very quickly, Exactly as I feared. I stu some more in As fast as I can, For soon they will nd me eir naughty greedy Nan. ey can have what’s le . I have had my pick. And I’ve got what I deserve, I’m feeling bloomin sick. Springtime Promise by David K Wilson The air all around is changing Winter is losing her hold Buds in the trees begin swelling Snowdrops defy winters cold The sun in the sky rises higher The heavens turn a much brighter blue Winters dark robes soon cast to one side As the promise of spring is renewed Bright coloured crocus are blooming Daffodils spring from the ground Birds in the treetops start pairing Nests lined with moss they have found Plus odd twigs from shrubs and from hedgerows Held in beaks and travelling far In a very short time the land comes alive As temperatures rise ever higher Its hello again to the sunshine Goodbye for a while to the cold The first cuckoo calls in the treetops And we spotted the first baby foal Branches are laden with blossom Whilst bees establish their rounds The land is returning to life once again Spring long awaited is found! The air all around is changing Winter is losing her hold The sun in the sky rises higher As the promise of springtime evolves THE COALMAN by Vic Lee Old Bert was a coalman he had his own round, he delivered coal to all the villages on the outskirts of the town. Now old Bert was also a ladies man, and he’s been seen to nod and grin; when one of his lady customers would o en invite him in. Now although this lady was married, when her husband was working away. sometimes Bert’s coal lorry would be outside her house throughout the entire day; Now her husband has started to worry about the state of his chimney ue, as his pillow was covered in coal dust whenever the wind blew. Now this liaison is not a secret and is known to one and all, as she has had a gas boiler tted; so there’s no reason for old Bert to call. Old Bert parks his lorry in a di erent street, and all the husbands are le wondering, under whose table old bert has now got his feet. FLEEING THE WAR by Vic Lee e wailing of the sirens making their spine chilling sound, sending everyone hurrying to the shelter of the relative safety of life underground. We gathered up our children with just the clothes that we wore we le all of our possessions, as we tried to ee the war. We said goodbye to our menfolk, they had to stay and ght. to ght for our freedom and for what they knew was right. You cannot imagine. the hurt and the pain, of having to leave everything never to be seen again. Enduring the long trek to reach a border any border would do only to be told when safety was in your reach you had to wait, freezing in the queue. old men, women and babies and children of every age frozen to the core unable to comprehend how any human being could justify waging this pointless war destroying the peace and tranquility is the desire of the few so we stand and ght for what we feel is right and pray it never happens to you. I think he has another woman, He talks to her each day. He sounds so sincere, In a caring, loving way. He denies my accusations, Saying they’re all untrue. “My darling there is only one, And my dearest,that is you”. Well that’s over the top, Which makes me more suspicious. Especially when he buys me flowers And offers to do the dishes! Has he a guilty conscience, Or am I being paranoid? I’m sure something is different, It’s making me annoyed. “We can’t go on like this, Is there another?” I proclaim. But just as I approach I hear him say her name! ALEXA So many tears have already been shed Along this road of pain, fear and dread. Tears of fear for a coming invasion Trampling underfoot a Sovereign Nation. For those lives torn apart the tears now flow For those who must stay and those who must go Tears for the destruction of home and land By a despot with a greed to expand. Tears of men as their wives and children leave Tears of women and children as they grieve. Tears of helplessness for their dreadful plight Tears because there seems no end in sight. Tears shed in anger and frustration At needless destruction and devastation. Tears shed for the welcome on foreign soil For the kindness received after days of toil. Many more tears are yet to be shed At the cost of war through injured and dead. Tears flow from widows, widowers and orphans How else to express broken hearts, ruined plans? Tears shed by those who can only look on Helpless, powerless, in the face of such wrong. Tears forming streams, rivers, flow to the sea I just pray those tears will bring healing to thee! TEARS by Dorothy Lockyer WHO IS SHE? by Marlene Parmenter Send your poems to The Editor, The Herald, 2 High Street, Hythe SO45 6AH