Acrobatic Poetry - Fred Williamson and Lester Queripel

Today's poem is a "Golden Oldie" and was originally published here in October 2012

The words leap off the page.
Onto the empty stage.
It’s the start of the show.
The ideas flow.

Words rain from my mind.
I juggle them into line.
Poetry prose and rhyme.
Easy to find.
Pumping from my brain.
Like an express train.

Words, like busy bees.
Like monkeys in the trees.
A wordy display.
A worthy array.
The show must go on.
There is no pause.
Even after the applause.

Fred Williamson and Lester Queripel

River-Tubing - Fred Williamson

Peaceful freedom,
Messing about on the river,
River tubing, a lazy watery day,
At first going the wrong way,

I need a helping hand,
I am not making any ground,
Just spinning, around and round,
Doing dog-paddle,
A splashing water sound,

Let the current take you.

It was decided, time to take a rest,
On one small sandy river island,
We heard birdsong and crickets.
If we had a tent, we could free camp,
Short stop: a group photo shot.

Tubing with the river flow,
Passing fishermen and boats,
And other islands, not remote.

Let the current take you.

Fred Williamson

The Power of the Arts ( a worldwide romance) - Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Every culture has its own musical band
To build bridges between people throughout the land
We speak different languages but we all understand
We dance in rhythm, all holding hands

I’ve just heard a song that resonates with my soul
Jazz, jive, reggae, rock n roll
It was the perfect song, rich in melody
It was all about the world living in harmony

I’ve just read a poem that touched my very spirit
I could relate, and resound, with everything in it
I felt uplifted; the words jumped off the page
The drama; the theatre; the whole world is a stage

I’ve just read a book recommended by a friend
It was so good I never wanted it to end
It will be a best seller if we give it a chance
Uniting the world in a worldwide romance

A producer and a director, will put it on the screen
To produce a film called ‘Follow that dream’
It’ll be all about ‘connecting’ and setting people free
Won’t that be a wonderful journey!

The power of the arts goes beyond pleasure
The power of the arts is beyond measure
The power of the arts has a language of its own
Everyone is invited; ‘Come on in friends……you’re home’

Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Loose Feathers - Fred Williamson

Loose feathers birds in nest,
Mother feeds them she knows best.
A chorus of chicks twitter and tweet,
Young bird song sound so sweet.

With new feathers and learning flight,
Spread and flap wings with all their might.
Young birds almost grown,
From the nest will soon have flown.

To build a nest of twigs and straw,
And raise young ones of their own.
With loose feathers,
To keep them warm.

Fred Williamson

Bring Down The Pyramid - Fred Williamson

Come on BLEEP BLEEP
Wake up you ba ba sheep
Come out of your blinkered sleep
Protest march the street
Stop listening to the lies and old blarney
Start a barney
Start the fight, it is your right
Come out of the den
Escape from the pen
Follow the wise men
Too long we have been salt and peppered
Turn away from the shepherd
Join the like minded
Who are awake and not blinded
Stop being suppressed
Under house arrest
Instead of being manhandled
Slowly strangled
Mangle the triangle
Let’s not allow ourselves to be fleeced
Let’s share the golden fleece
Bring down the pyramid and live in peace

Fred Williamson

Islands Of Cloud - Fred Williamson

On the horizon,
As far as the eye can see,
Cotton wool clouds above the sea,
Grey and white float in the breeze,
A forest of cotton wool trees.

Once in a while do hide the sun,
Against a backdrop of blue.
Above the skyline islands of cloud,
Look down on the sea,
And a land of green.

Where the sunset sinks,
The trees of cloud,
Are fringed with gold.
Shining, a single silver star,
Final sunset red.

Fred Williamson

Inside - Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

I live in a world of wonder
Where music would always play
Herald in the dawn,
Of a brand new day
The mediaus and leglines
The natural energy of earth
The synergy of chemistry
Relating to our worth

Where wealth cannot be measured
By a weight of gold
Never to suffer pain
Or ever to grow old
To walk the land with head held high
With dignity purpose and pride
To be valued for who you are
And for what you are inside.

Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Red Sun Falling - Fred Williamson

A twilight dawning, brings a red sunrise,
Before my eyes,
Becomes so bright,
A white golden light.

An evening sunset west,
Shining across the river Mekong,
A red sunbeam, looking its best,

Red sun falling,
Behind the cloud sinking fast,
Like a deflating red balloon,
Darkness comes so soon,
Showing in the sky, an orange moon.

Fred Williamson

It's Time To Look At Ourselves - Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

It’s time to observe how much we use.
Do you consider the environment or do you abuse?
Do you take for granted.........the seeds that others have planted?
The big companies are also to blame.
We are just little pawns in their game.
They produce items that are too expensive to repair.
So we have to buy ‘new’ and they don’t actually care.
Because they get a bigger share.
Then our ‘broken technology’ gets buried in the ground.
In hundreds of years it will all be found.
Then questions will be asked about this ‘materialistic grave’.
How much we took and how much we gave.
All ‘take’ and no ‘give’ is such an easy way to live.
But however you put it, whatever you say.
We have to address the issue............it won’t just go away!
We have to take care of Mother Earth.
It was she who gave us our birth.
Let’s not throw it all back in her face.
If we do, we’ll be a human disgrace.
So if you want to prove you really care.
Then take responsibility and become more aware.
Look at yourself and the way you behave.
It’s wake up time, it’s time to be brave.
We have got an earth to save.

Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Loving Days - Fred Williamson

One day at a time you love your day
One day at a time I love mine
I love your days
Your doings
Your ways
I love your smile, your face, your grace
Loving days are in place
Loving days in your space

I love your connection
Your attraction
Your complexion
Your affection

You love your day
I love mine
One day at a time
Loving days are in place
Loving days in your space
What more can I say?

Fred Williamson

In The Devils Furnace - Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Hell is not as bad as people say it is
I have been in it for years
O K, sometimes you cry a few tears
Find yourself shaking with all sorts of fears

Lay awake all night in unbelievable pain
Then you have to get up again and again
Pretend to be happy and force yourself to smile
It is true to say that life has been a trial

At least it is dry and warm down here
It does not cost anything to stay
I am in he devils furnace
It is so hot here, I am melting away.

Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Irrawaddy Dolphins - Fred Williamson

Irrawaddy dolphins with a secret surprise,
Best seen early morning sunrise.
Come to surface breath and dive,
So silent, and of people camera shy.

See them on a cruise at sunset
Is there something they, need to forget?

Irrawaddy dolphin extremely rare,
Maybe they have something to share,
They need some T L C,
Tender loving care.

Fred Williamson

Permission To Land - Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Circling above, waiting for a slot
Waiting for a message, we have not got
We need permission to land
We will end up on the runway,or in the sand?
Will we be in a wilderness, or a wonderland?
The weather is really rough
We know it is going to be tough
We need to focus our objection
Move in the same direction
We need to work together as a team
In order to realise our dream
I can see the lights showing the way
They are lighting up the whole runway
It has been a awful flight
Those lights are a welcome sight
We have finally got permission to land
This is going to be a real grandstand.

Lester Queripel and Fred Williamson

Share My Day - Fred Williamson

As I look through my window,
To the world,
I welcome myself to a new day.
This is a golden time,
My golden year.

I whisper your name,
And feel a presence near,
Share my day my dear.

Fred Williamson

Throw the Dice - Lester Qureipel and Fred Williamson

Is this paradise, limbo or hell?
I am running rings around the carousel
I am so confused, I simply cannot tell
Am I laying where I fell?
Are my ears ringing or is that the bell?
I do not want to wait to get to heaven
To get my reward
I want be knighted, not fall on my sword
I want rebirth here on earth
For all it is worth
Not to wait till I am six foot under the turf
I want a life of merriment and mirth
I want to be tossed in the surf
Maybe that is all I am worth
Pushing up the daisies, under the feet of ladies
Walking all over me, in their satin and lace
Kicking sand in my face
Talking about the weather,
Strutting together
Give me a taste of the feast
Give me a day at least
One day in paradise
I will throw the dice
Will my number be up
Come on, lady luck.

Lester Qureipel and Fred Williamson

Angry Falls - Fred Williamson

From the normal river flow,
The river waters gaining speed,
Towards the rapids of Somphamitt falls,
Soon the distant vibrating,
Thunder sound becomes so clear.

Trails of heavy gushing waters,
Between narrow and deeper rock,
Trapped in the turbulent,
Smoky spray, of death rapids,
There is no return.

Fred Williamson

Times Whispers - Trudie Shannon, Fred Williamson & Lester Queripel,

Time has hollow hands
Cups its palms irreverently
Forever hopeful
I’m frozen in thought
Storm cloud passes over the sea
No rain to touch the waves
The sun shines on swaying flower baskets
The winds light caress
A ripple across delicate petals
Nature too is held in thrall
To master time and majesty
Impossible to measure
Priceless in value
The intake of cool air and oxygen
In silence
I hear no birdsong
Only whispers
Of intelligence

Trudie Shannon, Fred Williamson & Lester Queripel

Return To My Childhood - Fred Williamson

I wish I never had to grow
From innocence and purity
To become a part
Of this crumbling life
Caught up in a tangled web
Like some of the people in the dark
With deceiving and diseased minds
Through jealousy
I escape now
Return to my childhood

Fred Williamson

Orchestra of Rain - Fred Williamson

Rainfall, between the trees
Running, dripping, from the leaves
Dancing raindrops on my caravan
Believe it, if you can.

Orchestra of rain
Playing again and again
A different tone, the raindrops play
A different tune, every day.

Playing loud and clear
It is music to my ear
The hour passes, rainfalls, hard and fast
How long will raindrops last?

The Orchestra of rain begins to slow
Gently now, a steady flow
The Orchestra is playing 'the raindrops bop'
One last flourish, and the raindrops stop.

Fred Williamson

Toni - Sap - Lake - Fred Williamson

Motorboat along the Toni Sap,
Three meters of lap after lap.
Propeller dragging, stirring up the sandy mud,
We move along best we could.
Till near the floating village on the lake,
It is alot for us to intake,
The poorest here need a break.
Mothers washing, children swim, now and then,
We pass boats and fishermen.
Floating homes and resturant and shop,
Did not see no crop, or vedgatable plot.
A village hospital, floating school,
Do they teach the golden rule?
It will all be different come the rains,
I do not think folk here will comlpain.
In the monsoon they will be blown to higher ground,
Then a broken village, I heard some drawn.
Why do people choose to live like that?
For us a wonder ful afternoon on the Toni-Sap.

Fred Williamson