This poems was inspired by a photo of an Arctic Fox pup

in the National Geographical Magazine

Playful Pup

Don`t play with your food dear

don`t throw it up in the air

I know you need to learn to cope

but please do it all with care

it strengthens your awareness

it helps you keen your sight

but if you`re going to do it

then make sure you do it right

you young pups are so eager

to show off how you would kill

these snow-burrowing rodents

watching you is such a thrill!!

© Lissie Bull 2023

 

Halloween Witch

With her stripey stockings

and a black pointed hat

travelling on a broom stick

accompanied by her cat

flying cross the landscape

causing mayhem everywhere

mumbling spells as she goes

creating sparks in the air

as the witches gather

on this Halloween night

parking up their broom sticks

it`s really, quite a sight

at a clearing in the wood

many witches can be seen

casting their spooky spells

conjuring up Halloween!

(C) Lissie Bull 2023

                                                       

                                                       

 

A Poppy for a Soldier

From the first world war to the latest one

millions of men, women and children have died

but millions more have been left to suffer

these are the ones, help has been denied

fields full of bright red poppies standing tall

where once men stood and fought the war

many have no rest place for kin to grieve

others have been left to suffer for sure

 each Remembrance Day is important

we should all wear our Poppies with pride

for many people lost their lives for us

as they fought together side by side

now it`s our turn to give something back

to help an injured soldier in times of  need

encourage,  support and care for each one

be there in their hour of pain, guaranteed

so all red poppies is significant

each one represents a soldier that fell

this year wear your poppy with respect

as we honour our service personnel.

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

.

Limerick

Longest footbridge in Éire at  the University grounds

Ireland`s third largest city located in the province of Munster

Many as 10 towns in America have the same name

Established in 922AD by the Vikings, one of the oldest cities

Rugby is king memories when Muster beat the New Zealand team

Irish coffee a brew infused with whiskey

Cromwell`s forces took the city, used a cathedral as stables

Known for intricate lace that`s exported all around the world

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

Strength of Magnus

Brutal Beauty

Huge columns of stone stand strong and tall

comprising of rich red and yellow sandstone 

creating an imposing atmosphere in this church

yet a place for prayer and contemplation alone

shafts of light stream through upper windows

creating different areas of shadow and light

beautiful vaulted ceiling above Norman arches

St Magnus Cathedral is an imposing sight

along the walls of the side aisles are gravestones

which are covered in symbols of `memento mori`

for the great were buried beneath the church floor

these carved stones are dated to the 17th century

this weathered church in the centre of the town

and even sometimes known as the pink Cathedral

starting point for the annual Christmas Baa

definitely an important building for the people

standing proud above the rooftops of Kirkwall

St Magnus Cathedral is the heart of the community

full of beauty and Orcadian tradition

this historically old masterpiece of dignity

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

Life can be frantic, so it feels good to slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.  Seeing all the this planet has to offer, can be relaxing, recharging, calming and even helps us to see everything around us in a new and better way.

Beauty of Nature

Red poppies in the summer breeze

bluebell carpeting all the ground

yellow and orange autumn leaves

white snow muffling every sound

cool clear lakes surrounded by trees

bright speckled meadows sway in the air

rough rocky mountains high in the sky

barren dunes carrying hope on a prayer

to the deep depths of the mighty oceans

dark, unexplored furthest reaches

crashing around rugged coastlands

or touching long golden sanded beaches

such awesome beauty of Mother Nature

showing amazing diversity to all

for this planet is so unique

from the mighty to the very small!

(C) Lissie`s Poems  2023

Chepstow

Castle stands high on The Dell overlooking the town
Horseracing course where Welsh National is hosted
Estuary trading occurred on suitable tides with Bristol 
Port of Chepstow exported timber, bark, wire and paper
Situated on the west side of River Wye on Wales border
Town center, a captured gun from a German U-boat stands
Old Wye bridge, an eye catching sight of iron and steel  
Welsh name is Cas Gwent, meaning castle of Gwent

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

 Nuckelavee  Orcadian mythical and folklore character

These are demonic hybrid horse and human characters that cause crops and livestock to wither and de within 500 feet of them,  scary mythical creatures for sure!

                                                          

  

 Four Legged Trousers

  Nuckelavee, an evil mythical horseman

  combining equine and human elements

  never ceasing to do evil to mankind

  full of terrifying sentiments

  he was looking to find some trousers

  but having four legs made it very hard

  visited every clothes shop in the town

  but after an argument, he was barred

  back at home he took to the internet

  to shop for the clothing he needed

  finding a little back street shop in China

  he was ecstatic to find he`s succeeded!

(c) Lissie Bull 2023

Troubled times and stormy weather have the feeling they go together, ooops that sounds like the start of another poem !!,  Some times a storm clears more than tension in the atmosphere  this poem was one of those times.

Heart`s Storm

The rain is beating on my window pane

beating out the sad tune in my head

for nothing can be said or done

can not change this feeling of dread

drops of rain running down my window

like the stream of tear I`m crying now

wondering what`s happening to me

to end this storm, please tell me how

darkened skies like the blackness I feel

gives a sensation of decaying

going rotten from deep within me

I`m left here bewildered and praying

can this pain subside start to heal?

will the rot cease to eat away my heart?

just like the storm, only time will tell

as it rumbles on tearing the sky apart

© Lissie Bull 2023

image found on mothersheritage

 

Just a little reflection on life in general, plain and simple!

Reflections of life

My Life is painted in words and pictures

each part of it is a chapter

no matter what I say or do

every event plays a major factor

for what I see in front of me

will affect it in different ways

the good times and the bad ones

depending how I manage my days

I may see things quite differently

and that is good and right

for if we were the same as others

who would help me see the light?

as I grow older, so life changes

I learn from my mistakes

so when new challenges arise

I strike and claim my stakes.

in my twilight years, I`ll reflect

looking back upon what I've done

writing the last chapter as I go

my life has been full of love and fun!

© Lissie Bull 2023

To celebrate World Elephant Day

Majestic pachyderm

with crinkled grey skin

beady eyes watching everything

seen through the hazy heat wave

these gigantic herbivorous 

matching onward through dry grass

playful swings of his trunk

while foraging for a morsel of food

and emitting loud rumblings of interest

through the heat of the dry season

he flaps his huge ears to keep cool

surviving along with his family of pachyderms!

(C) Lissie`s Poems  2023

Belfast

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland

Errol Flynn, Australian actor, was taught here

Largest repair port for ships in the world

First street gas lantern appeared 200 years ago

Albert Clock tower leans four foot and is sinking

Sculpture of Big Fish has a time capsule inside

The Harland and Wolff cranes called Samson and Goliath

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

 

Liverpool

Liverpudlians or Scousers have the oldest local dialect

Issued its own money for 3 years, Liverpool Pound

Very first purpose made ambulance built in 1886

Europe`s oldest and largest Chinese community 

Regal Bella and Bertie sit a top the Liver Building

Protection of animal where RSPB was established

Oldest Santa`s grotto going for 123 years

Official Capital of Pop and The Beatles home town

Liverpool translates as Muddy Pool and founded in 1207

(C) Lissie Bull 2023

 

Little wedding poem 💕

Once 

in a while

in the middle

of an ordinary life

love gives us an adventure

with a fairy tale ending

(C) Lissie bull 2023

 

Portsmouth

Portis Mutha Anglo Saxon for this port city

Oldest surviving map Gough mentioned Portsmouth

Ropery was longest building built in 1776

Thirteen Portsmouths are found around the world

Six thousand trees were used to build HMS Victory

Motto ,`Heaven`s light our guide` appeared on troop ships

Only English city not located on the mainland

Unusually the city is nicknamed Pompey

The first floodlit league game was played

Home of the oldest dry dock and British Royal Navy

(C) Lissie Bull 2023

Dublin

Dubh Linn means Black Pool in old Irish Gaelic 
U2 one of the most famous rock band from Ireland

Books, books, oldest public library The Brazen Head
Leo the Lion (MGM) mascot was born in  Dublin Zoo
Iconic beer Guinness was created at St James Gate 
Norse Kingdom of Dublin founded by the Vikings!

(C) Lissie`s Bull 2023

Mistletoe 

Christmas with bunches of mistletoe 

hang high above the entrance door

gives protection to the home

since ancient druid times

said to bring good luck

cheeky moment

memorable

secret

kiss

(C) Lissie Bull 2023

 

Sun speckled Madonna

Sun light filters through

creating patterns

so illuminating

like fine crafted lace

with bright blue eyes

watching every thing

protected from the heat

not taking any chances

shining lips so red

as the sun flickers by

they beam with a smile

while hiding under cover

skin so smooth and pale

hiding from this heat

dappled with white lace

my star splashed Madonna

© Lissie Bull 2023

inspired by a photo "Star Splashed" by MordsithCara on DeviantArt

 

                             

A New Day.

Each day is different

and that's how I like it

never knowing what will happen

mysteries are a great hit

Get up each day and wonder

what will be, will be, I know

let's get going and face the world

it's time to get up and go!

Meet and greet new people

with so many places to see

want to experience everything

then find out what I can be

So never be afraid to try

and expand your little world

wear a smile upon your face

and see new horizons unfurled 

© Lissie Bull 2023

Incy Wincy Spider

Incy Wincy spider

sunning herself today

along came an insect

to end up as her prey

sat on her woven web

surveying all about her

boss of this quiet pond

this Incy Wincy spider !

© Lissie Bull 2023

hand forged pond cover by Jon Bull Hammer and Tongs