The love for three oranges

Inspired by this oil painting of Seville oranges by Christina Bingle spotted in the Stirrup Cup pub in Bisley, Gloucestershire and purchased on 14 February, 2020.

Painting by Chris Beagle, marmalade and poem by Sandi Rhys Jones

Whilst roses are red, it ought to be said

they still get the bends, despite trimming their ends.

Whilst violets are blue, they really won’t do

unless they’re from Parma or, since you ask,

coated in chocolate or come in a flask

as eau de cologne by Ms Jo Malone.

So ditch the traditional, be more original

like my clever chap (let’s give him a clap).

He spotted a painting, quietly waiting

for someone to spy it, get on and buy it.

A still life scene for a marmalade queen

- it must be a sign. Be my Valentine.

Farewell, but not goodbye

On Friday night, in chill damp air,
we many gather, quiet in sadness,
then light pale flames and lay them where
the names of young men lost in madness
of war are marked in stone, forever.

The moment comes, the hour is tolled,
the gold starred flag slides gently down.
Across the sea, and fold by fold,
with courteous care, ours too comes down
and safely stored, but not forever.

31 January 2020.