"First Tuesday Worries"

What are you doing here
Is it just for the tea
Perhaps a bit of a chat
Or some camaraderie.
Possibly not sure what to expect
Today's a bit of a surprise
A poetry potpourri of London
Just relax and rest your eyes.
Some you may not understand
It can go flying over your head
All that rhyme ans stuff
Was your old schooldays dread.
But there's no need to worry
It's not only for academics and toffs
Even the working class can love poetry
So no more embarrassing coughs.
For poetry is nothing more
Than a little tale
Nothing to be scared of
It's not stuffy and stale.
Broaden your mind
Open your ears
I hope you've enjoyed this
And I've allayed your fears.

Dulwich Poet 3rd February 2015


(On the first Tuesday of every month I run a small group, for pensioners, in the library I work in. I try to get an outside speaker, but we don't offer money, so it's not always easy. Today I am 'filling in' reading poems about London. It's daunting, as it's a hour and a half, minus a tea break! On the bus into work I wrote this, to introduce it...the first time I've read anything of my own at work...my colleagues don't even know I like poetry!)