Herald - Issue 403

v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 1ST APRIL v 11th March 2021 • The HERALD • Page 65 HERALD RECRUITMENT Poets Corner 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: tccsoton@gmail.com SPRING! by Dorothy Lockyer It is on the way, I have seen the signs Especially those days when the sun shines Catkins on Willow and Hazel trees Snowdrops, heads bowed as if down on their knees Primrose’s, Camelia’s can’t wait to burst Pushing winter away, now it’s done its worst! There are other signs that can’t be missed Frogs have arrived through the morning mist Inhabiting the ponds, getting ready to spawn Disturbing the newts and fish before dawn. And whatever the moles do underground Enjoying themselves, by the number of mounds! The song of the birds seems louder too Sharper, vibrant, each other to outdo! All these signs point towards one thing Winter has past, we are entering the Spring! THE A326 by Vic Lee I see they’ve trimmed the hedgerows along the 326, When I say trimmed them, I mean they’ve torn them all to bits. e branches have just been shredded, And it’s plain for all to see. ey obviously didn’t use a hedge cutter, It appears more like it was done by a J.C.B. In these days, When we are all encouraged to think green. Cutting the hedges like this, Is hedging on the obscene. I hope that when it comes to the summer mowing e workmen know how ey have to use a mower and Not a tractor with a plough. We try but we won’t see it happen So subtle are the first signs of change Crisp leaves fall fewer birds will be singing The page is beginning to change Slowly at first but then faster As she changes rearranges her dress Gone now the greens in come the gold’s Nature about to impress Evenings grow cooler and darker The sun sits less high in the sky Summer is tired awaiting her sleep Warmer days fast slipping by The colours of autumn astound us All around us this time of the year Hints of late summer still peeping out Whilst dew on the grass forms a tear Slowly but surely, she’s sleeping Winter arrives quite austere Some days are diamonds hinting at springtime A few pretend summer is here Nature’s pages are many and varied Every page filled with wonders untold Embrace every moment as if it’s your last These pages are brittle and old We may try but we won’t see it happen So subtle are the first signs of change Embrace every moment the spectrum is vast And the page is beginning to change! PAGES by David K Wilson Captain Sir Tom by Jim Dolbear Goodbye Sir Tom you walked the walk, You did us proud whilst others talk. Each painful inch and every mile, You never seemed to lose that smile. roughout the world you would endear, Not knowing your time was so near. But you have le a legacy, For to follow and try to be. A beacon in the darkest night, You lit a ame to shine so bright. Now you give us hope where there was fear, To hold the ones we love so dear. We are mere mortals that is true, “Tomorrow will be a good day” Because of you. LET HIM BE by Marlene Parmenter I always let him be, But today he’s really bored, I knew this day would come, He’s going to look through my hoard! To my surprise he rises, He says “I’ve got the urge To clean up this house, I think it needs a manly purge”. He starts with my ‘might need later drawer’ And I hear the swearing that he utters. “Why do you keep these things? It’s just a load of clutter.” en he starts on the children’s toys, Tipping them on the oor. “ ey have got too old for these, ey don’t need them any more”. Now he’s at the pots and pans Crashing them all about. “Why have you got four frying pans? At least one can be chucked out”. en into my plastic containers. “Half of these have no lids, All this rubbish that you keep, You’re worst than the bloomin’ kids. Right now you go and sit Whilst I make you a tasty stew” I know I should not complain, It’s a lovely thing for him to do. But I know he’ll end up stressing When I haven’t got all he needs. He has to keep to the recipe And make it precisely as it reads. He won’t bung in a bit of this, Or make do with a pinch of that. “ ere’s no room in this kitchen To swing a bloomin’ cat”. Eventually he serves it up. I tell him it’s really nice. But was it worth the aggro? Was it worth the price? I’ve leant my lesson now, Tomorrow his day will be free. He can sit there all day long, I’ll just let him be. I think they do it on purpose I have noticed in today’s environment Humans come in di erent breeds. Some are full of kindness, Others only care about their needs. ere are the little chihuahuas, eir bark worse than their bite. en the scared and frightened ones Who always want to ght. e bouncy terrier Who just can’t keep still, It is addicted to exercise Easily running up the hills. A soppy faithful retriever Who craves tender love and care. e great English Masti A gorgeous gentle bear. I have the sweetest shih tzu, Who will never let me down, Always brightening my day Acting the little clown. But I can nd no breed at has the sel sh trait, Which so many of mankind Have shown much of late. DIFFERENT BREEDS by Marlene Parmenter C ome on world, come on UK O ne voice with that I want to say R aise your hopes, rise above the fear O ver this virus and hold those dear N ow stay inside and close those doors A nd get on with those forgotten chores V ictorious in the end, I know we will be I n that I believe and so should thee R emember be strong no matter how hard U nite this world no matter how scared S OS Save Our Souls CORONAVIRUS by Ian Marchment