Winter has arrived, folks,
And with it comes the flu.
As I'm its latest victim
I'm perplexed at what to do.
The doctors think they have the answer
With a needle in the arm
But I am here to tell you
There is still cause for alarm!

My head is splitting fit to crack
My nose is dripping like a tap
And I'm just about ready for the grave!
But I'll settle for a 'Toddy'
Made with whisky if you please:
To ease the pain and suffering within.
But the sufferings without
Make you want to scream and shout
Has no one found a cure yet for this bane?

Now the answer to this problem,
In my opinion anyway,
ls to buy yourself some tissues
They helped me save the day.
I have tissues in the bedroom
And in the bathroom, too,
I have tissues in the lounge-room
And even in the Loo!
I put them up my nostrils
To help them stem the flow
But that didn't work; I should have known
The sneeze had nowhere else to go!

I paid a visit to the Doctor
And he was not impressed.
"My dear, your bronchial tubes are rattling
And there's whistling in your chest,
So I'll give you this 'ere mixture,
Some tablets and a spray.
I'm sure that they will help you
Live to fight another day."

I was shunned and isolated
When the virus took its toll.
No-one came to visit
Not a blooming soul.
So I tucked my box of tissues
Underneath my arm
Took the mixture and the tablets
Couldn't do me any harm? (Could they?)
My hottie' and my teddy
Were the only friends I had,
So with their help and comfort
I didn't feel so bad.

So now that I have warned you
At your peril take the risk,
Avoid those crowded places
Where those germs and bugs exist.
Unless you have your tissues
To cover up yow nose
I'm afraid the germs will get you
That's just the way life goes.

We all need a place of quiet
To heal our wounded Heart.
A place that no one else
But us can hold in time.
Where the ones we love
Who've gone before.
Who's presence we still mourn
Can call our name
And Visit for a while.
Hold my hand I'm here
Beside you. Dry your tears
Let me remind you,
Of the times we had together
You and I.
Of the love you gave so freely
Of your time you shared to cheer me,
Hold my hand
And let us sit here for a while.

"All aboard," the Station Master called,
"There's room for all in need."

So young and old they climbed aboard,
Their tickets in their hand,
Each one tired and weary
They looked a sorry band.

The seats filled up, the whistle blew,
The train it gathered speed.
This journey was a special one
For those passengers in need.

The Ticket Master came around,
His puncher at the ready.
"Now everyone please keep your seats,
The train's a bit unsteady.

Some of you know where you're going,
You've been this way before!
But until you've learned your lesson
You'll be stuck in a revolving door.

"Now everyone with the colour red
You'll be the last to leave the carriage.
You knew the rules; You broke the rules;
Now you're carrying too much baggage.

The amber tickets they come next,
You know you've gone astray,
The Amber flashed a warning
That you choose to disobey.

Will you never learn the lesson
That stares you in the face?
That the Brain's a well-oiled organ,
Boss of the human race!

But unless you treat it nicely
With care and due respect,
You'll be back on board the Brain Train,
The one we call Break-down Express.

Now, I'm talking to you travellers
With green tickets in your hand,
You'll be wondering what you're doing here? –
That, I can understand.

We have to keep you up to date,
And supply you with the data
To make sure you follow all the rules
And do all the things that matter.

So please heed all the warnings,
All the little signs
And maybe take some action
To protect your precious minds.

For we only get one chance you know
So let every moment count,
Or you will be back; I know you will
Of that there is no doubt.

The lesson you will learn my friends,
Before your journey's end,
Is to recognise the symptoms
Before they send you round the bend.

So sit back and take it easy,
Your welfare's in our hands
The Brain Train's on a joumey
To Good Mental Health Island."

The lights were low.
The scene was laid.
Frankie with singing serenade;
The pillows were fluffed,
To cradle her head,
And she stretched the seriously luxuriously,
In her comfy bed:
When the time was right,
And always quiet.
She crept downstairs
Like a thief in the night;
She opened the door
Praying 'don't let its squeak,
Young Sonny's in bed fast asleep.'
Her torch shone bright;
Its beams showing all,
As it found its target against the wall;
The object stood out,
Like a beam or lighthouse.
As you crept toward it just like a mouse.
Insiders confines tucked safely away,
Was green plastic box
With a label to say:
"Broccoli and cabbage for tomorrow's tea;"
Knowing Sonny would ignore it
And never see.
The secret stash of chocolate;
Then she climbed the stairs
To a little nest:
And snuggle down for her night times rest;
She opened the box with her senses on edge:
No chocolate in sight!
Just a note that read
"Sorry grandma, you should have known,
You can't hide chocolate from an eight-year-old."

© Catherine Fair 2 July 2011

Time is so precious, don't throw it away.
Take time for yourself and others each day.
Time to say thank you for all that you have,
Be it ever so simple or ever so lav-(ish).
Time for a greeting a smile or a hug,
For conversing and laughing over a mug
Of hot coffee, hot chocolate or Chinese green tea.
Whatever you fancy, just let it be.
A gift of some flowers or fruit that you've grown
A wise look to children who look so forlorn;
Who think their lives over because of a tiff
With a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or some other kid.
Of course, they're still learning what we already know -
Girlfriends, boyfriends - they come and they go.
But never forget them, they're all part of time;
Your memories, their memories, all memories entwine.
So, listen, and love them, and take time to play,
Because time is so precious don't throw it away!

Catherine Fair ©

If at the end of a long weary day.
You escape to the garden for a few precious moments,
Moments of peace that the day wouldn't spare,
Its demands never ending, as time slips away,

With your body aching, your mind in disarray
You collapse in the comfort of the old wicker chair.
Your eyes closed, you let out a deep deep sigh
Sinking into the cushions, you let yourself go
And slip into oblivion in the blink of an eye.

You waken as a cool breeze blows over your face,
The daylight has gone and darkness descended.
You look up at the sky, it's a blank empty space.
You're back in the moment, this time, this place.

Then you see the first evening star
And in the blink of an eye, another, then another,
And you know that you would not the only one out there
Watching the stars in the sky, winking at each other,
Refreshed, you go back to your chores and prepare for tomorrow.

Catherine Fair 12/11/07