I remember the Russians being defeated by Afghanistan I remember when we went into Afghanistan, and I don’t understand why things have turned so bad. I am an avid listener and watcher of news, so I suppose I am as well informed as most ordinary people. So why is there such a lack of knowledge about how and why the resurgence of the Taliban has happened so quickly?

All we see on news now is terrified people trying to get out of their own country because they are being ruled by tyrants that rely on fear to keep control. Some parallels with several other countries in the world including some alleged democracies in the west. Fear is the tool most often used to control the populations and allow these people to remain in power.

I have vivid memories of watching the news of the Vietnam war eating my dinner as filmed footage showed an American soldier throwing a hand grenade into a Vietnamese machine gun post and seeing limbs being thrown into the air by the blast. It was so unreal to me as a child, but the image has stayed with me for about 55 years. I suppose it could be called a mental scar I have no idea, but it gave me a feeling on reflection as an adult of the awful reality of war.

It seems that there is only one area that has an effective resistance movement that the Taliban have not been able to defeat. Why is this surely those that don’t want to live under the rule of the Taliban would form some sort of opposition? There seems to be no shortage of weapons in the country, and someone shot with a thirty year old gun is just as dead as someone shot with a new one. Perhaps the country’s that are pulling out should be promoting some sort of rebellion amongst the population. And helping them to help themselves as most seem to be too frightened to resist. It seems to be falling to the Panjshir valley region to lead the resistance movement perhaps support for them will be the only hope for Afghanistan. And its beleaguered population.

Of course, there will be many who will welcome the return of the Taliban and the subjugation of its women but not all. They have had twenty years of educating the young and these are the people who will need to be challenging the return to what appears to the west as the dark ages.

The rain starts at 0730and continues to annoy

The crew set up regardless of getting wet

They run through sound checks check out the tannoy

A few hardy types appear in plastic ponchos

The performers put on a brave face attempt to entertain

A few minutes of sunshine then a continuation of rain

For the organisers, I can only feel their pain

I might walk over to have a look despite the rain

The punk band bash out a few tunes regardless

Regardless of the rain and lack of audience

Living within earshot of the green we can listen at home

Sitting in the dry or a brief foray two minutes’ walk and we are there

Only when the rain eases off I’m a Fairweather festival goer

The punk band carry on we get there to see the end of their set a good local band

The clouds thin and a weak sun breaks through the crowd swells

And all in all a good weekend is had by all

Why do we live in a world without compassion?

Our world is full of religious groups of every type

Why does religion not make our world a nicer place to live?

Our view of religion seems to be what we believe should achieve total domination

Why are religions so arrogant to think they are always right?

Our creator if it exists can only be one so all the rest are wrong

Why can’t they see this and be a bit more realistic?

Why cant they accept that they may have bet on the wrong horse?

Our religious leaders must be stupid or blinkered

A dog is just a dog except when its your dog then it becomes special

Your dog has special skills talents that may be for good or bad

Your dog will know how you are feeling and react accordingly

A dog knows when you are sad or happy and will comfort or share your joy

A dog is not just a dog but a friend for life a loyal companion that sees your soul

Your dog knows you better than most of your human friends and family

Your dog watches your every move predicts what’s happening next

A dog knows if you are going out and if you are going without them

A dog is just a dog but loves you without conditions or preconceptions

Your dog is loyal and will do its best to please you and protect you

Your dog is a dog that has retained its connection with the natural world

A dog knows when you are nearly home whether walking or driving

A dog knows when death is near, I don’t know how but I have seen it

Your dog is capable of so much more than we expect or want

Your dog wants to be your best friend and a member of your pack

A dog knows how you feel about it and responds accordingly, love your dog

We met several years ago at work we had time to have long chats

As we chatted we found shared interests sport, cars, and work

We also shared an interest in writing poetry and prose

As it happened some childhood memories in common

A taste for good lunches and scotch whiskey

In twenty thirteen I lost my Dad and my older brother

You were one that helped me through that awful year

Your calm reassurance and friendship helped to get me through

When you lost both parents I hope I helped you too

Your wife becoming ill hit you hard I could tell from our phone calls.

I knew that you were struggling with the treatment

And the possible awful outcome that filled you with dread

When the awful day came, and your wife lost her fight you needed help.

Your son and daughter were great them and their husbands and wives

You praised them often they supported you in all the ways they could

Your whole family did all they could I tried my best by calling you often

I knew how difficult you found your life with its many trials and tribulations

All the things that your wife took in her stride seemed to cause you stress.

Lockdown stopped you from getting away for a little respite

I miss you mate and hope you are together again and your deep sadness is gone

We start the day bright and sunny.

On the beach its warm and hazy.

Back to the site and thunder rolling in.

Then its rain pelting down on the awning it makes such a din.

Slowly the rain deceases becomes a mere trickle fresh and warm its pleasant for a while.

The water drops on the roof is pleasant for a while.

Walk the dogs late at night its an eery fog all the way.

The plants and trees seem to glow in my torches light.

Shining bright almost white.

Its only water droplets sticking to the leaves.

But the way it looks makes you think of vagabonds and thieves.

As my mind trawls through its memory banks, it finds golden nuggets that shine like a diamond in a goat’s arse. Like being held upside down by my ankles by my auntie Daphne on her doorstep as she slapped me on my back to dislodge a sugar-coated pineapple chunk stuck in my throat. Like having to go by bus to the Doctors because I had zipped my foreskin into my trousers, my god that was painful especially when the doctor said he would have to undo the zip. Learning to jive when I was fifty put a smile on my face and continues to do so every time, we have a jive.

Play fighting with Charlie the Bichon he could be such fun he always seemed happy to play jumping on my chest if I lay on the sofa and growling and grabbing my hands in his mouth but never causing pain, he knew it was a game.

Seeing my son for the first time not allowed to see him born, getting the nurse to take all his clothes of so I could count his fingers and toes. A round faced little cherub with a mop of curly hair. As naughty as Charlie, he even bit me once or twice until I bit him back and then he stopped.

My childhood pet called Prince who helped me get over my fear of dogs he was a prince fearless but totally loyal to me and my family, a boy’s best friend who came to an unfortunate end killed by an accidental shot from my dad’s gun dad gave away his gun after this he was so upset.

Seeing my daughter born different hospital more enlightened staff I almost missed the event because they told me to go and get a cup of tea I came back just in time.

My Ariel leader motorbike which I swopped  my lovely scooter for, because I wanted more speed and power I thrashed it around I wish I still had it, it was the only bike I didn’t fall off.

I’m sitting in the garden seething.

The sun is shining its warm and bright.

Surrounded by the beautiful flowers we have grown.

Then it starts the amplified drums and guitars

It’s a pleasant Sunday afternoon ruined.

Its band practice in a nearby garden

Total disregard for all their neighbours

An overwhelming sense of entitlement

And to hell with everyone else

Chapel road has become selfish central

On an evening warm and sultry

Moving to a rhythm not desultory

Feelings of pleasure and lust

Keeping these in check but only just

Offering a lift home to prolong the feelings.

Hoping that the spark is reciprocated.

Looking for a common ground to build on.

Can I smoke she said, thank God I thought a smoker?

So now we share a love of dancing and smoking.

My dancing improved slowly; at smoking I was always good.

Progression to a first date a Mersea meal

Later I let you drive my old Volvo love indeed