Peter Matthews – Whispers and Echoes

Counting memories | Peter Matthews

December 14, 2022

I’ve run out of fingers and toes

and knots in strings and other things

I’ve filled lots of jotters and those

will remind me of joys that life brings

I’ve written my name and that of my wife

I’ve added some things that I thought that I should

I’m trying my best to précis my life

I’d write it in shorthand if only I could

But will I be able to read it?

And then will I really need it?

The memories I’m adding so quickly

Are rapidly fading away

Synapses are getting more sickly

Deciding they don’t want to play

My family and friends show every concern

but worry ‘bout things that don’t matter

They now realise they’ve a great deal to learn

They think I don’t hear when they chatter

They speak to me like I’m a child

It really is driving me wild

I think a great deal but it makes little sense

Confusion is always close by

Panic is rising I’m getting more tense

And truly I do not know why

I think I may have lost the plot, but I don’t know, I quite forgot!

Peter Matthews, a country boy at heart, lives with his wife in the suburbs of Nottingham, England. His greatest achievement is that he has aged fairly gracefully but has avoided growing up. Peter has written poetry from the age of sixteen and blogs regularly at www.pollymermaid.wordpress.com.

Hustle, Bustle, Crinkle, Rustle | Peter Matthews

December 2, 2022

I wish you had seen when I was light green, with edges all ruffled in pink

but now I am brown and feeling quite down, imagine what neighbours must think

there’s one saving grace that surely takes place when once I have rotted away

I’ll join with my friends and then make amends by feeding the trees every day

Meanwhile I’ll keep mum and wave to my chum who’s rustling there on the ground

She’s having some fun in the bright Autumn sun as she crunches and swirls all around

I’m waiting, you know, for the next mighty blow that will send me to join all the rest

Then I’ll chase all around with that glorious sound that fresh fallen leaves do the best

We’ll all pile together in crisp Autumn weather ensuring the kids have a ball

Then hustle and bustle and crinkle and rustle, a wonderful time had by all!

Leaf Me Alone | Peter Matthews

November 25, 2022

I’m hanging here just enjoying the gentle breeze, despite the fact that every single one of my mates has deserted me!

“Come on”, they said, “jump off with us, it’ll be fun!”

Fun? Sure! I saw how that great big lolloping beast of a man came out and hoovered up the last lot who’d had fun spiralling down to the grassy bank below. He then went and dumped them all in a big black bin down behind the rose bushes.

I saw inside there once when the lid was off. Loads of worms, eating my mates!

Just. leaf. me. alone!