My Grandson

His precious treasure trove is hidden in a box
In the bottom drawer, beneath his sweaters vests and socks.
It`s a collection of pretty coloured stones and shells,
Bits of string and broken things no one ever sells.
On days when he feels unhappy or sad
He takes his treasures out recalling all the fun he had.
He cleans and polishes the stones until they brightly shine,
Admiring his collection and thinking it quite fine.
It doesn`t matter that the watch won`t go.
Or the fancy chain was snapped so long ago.
They are his treasures his secret and his joy.
Collected through the years since he was a little boy.
Then carefully he replaces the treasures in the box,
Puts it in the bottom drawer under sweaters vest and socks.
ValCook 1999

With his little hand clutched tight in mine
I know this is a real good sign,
That everything is going to be, just fine.
And we`re going to have a lovely time.
Because he is my friend.

As he sits in comfort on my knee
He likes to share his news with me.
He brings his treasures for me to see
And asks for bread and cheese for tea.
Because I am his friend.

He likes cuddles when he`s sad.
He hides from me when he`s been bad.
He doesn`t want to see me mad.
But he knows that soon I will be glad
When once again we`re friends.

He loves me telling stories new.
I must listen to his reading too,
Hear his tables and what`s two time two.
And know his favourite colours blue.
Because he is my friend.

He likes to hear the Back Street Boys
Their music appeals, far more than toys.
I can`t complain about the noise
Because I too like the Back Street Boys.
That`s why we are such friends.

He is only five years old
A big bonny boy to behold.
With a strong character, beautiful and bold.
He`s more than worth his weight in gold.
And he`ll always be my friend.
Val Cook 1997

The Waterhorse

Went to the movies last night to see the Waterhorse, with my friend Muriel. What a delightful story, it was exciting, moving and funny too. Had a touch of the `Free Willie` but set in Scotland during World War 11 it was significantly different.. The cast were well placed, especially the boy Angus who gave an excellent portrayal of a sensitive youngster, who adopts the baby Waterhorse(Loch Ness Monster).The Beast itself was amazing ,I loved it.
I am having a rest today as I am driving up to Harrogate tomorrow to see my son and his family. I try to go as often as I can as they are very busy people and can`t get down to Bolton often. My grandson plays football in the junior league and my son is a part time qualified Football Coach, they are a football mad family. Both he and his wife are in the Nursing Profession and have responsible positions so their free time is especially precious, thats why I dash up there now and again. I love the drive over the Yorkshire Moors the scenary is stupendous especially in spring when the daffodils are lining the roadside and the lambs are skipping and jumping about the fields. One down side at this time is that many rabbits are killed on the road. I don`t like to see the young ones feeding on the grass verge as they will eventually stray onto the road. Most trips I drive into Skipton or Ilkey to do a bit of shopping or have some lunch. I never get tired of the drive it is different every time. I once got stuck in the floods round Skipton in a new car and the water came up to my ankles . I was motified but just drove on through the water as fast as I could . Fortunately I didn`t stall the engine and got clear,whether it was because it was a diesal I just don`t know. When I opened the door the water ran out but thankfully it was clear, straight off the fields and didn`t smell or make a mess. My shoes and socks were soaked but I had a pair of Trainers in the boot so I was soon comfortable again. The police advised me to return home as there was extensive flooding in the area and directed me to the Leeds motorway. It took me hours to get back home as all the road I tried were flooded, diversions everywhere, it was a nightmare. My poor little car was a true friend she got me home eventually. So I watch the weather closely before I venture in that direction, yesterday we had blue skies and sunshine but today it`s been rather stormy, so I will wait and see what its like tomorrow.

The Earthquake

At 1am I was shaken out of my sleep by a terrific noise,the bed,the window the wardrobe doors where all shaking for about 10 -15 seconds.It was scary I thought a bomb had gone off. I looked out but everything was the same, no damge or disturbance at all so I went back to sleep. It was on the BBC morning news A significant earthquake,the biggest in over a decade 5.2 on the ricter scale. The epicentre was Wragby in Lincolnshire to the east of Bolton and had been felt as far as Brighton and Wales. It was frightening. There was some structural damage in parts of Lincolnshire and only one man had been hurt but I reckon we were very lucky it was very powerful. The Seimologists do not link this to Global warming,but it makes me think, with all the extreme weather world wide and especially the rain last summer filling the underground cisterns/lakes with a great deal of rainwater, we could be in for another shock soon. To my amazement there were many this morning who had slept through it.
Went out to lunch yesterday, with twenty nine WI ladies. It was at the Local Community College Catering Section Grosvenor Resturant and we had an exceptional meal.

http://www.bolton-community-college.ac.uk/grosvenor.htm

The Strawberry Gateaux

There it was the object of my dream
A Strawberry gateaux filled with cream.
I tiptoed in oh it smelled so good
If I touched it, I knew there would be blood.

My sister had made it for Saturday tea
But I wanted it all just for me.
I took a taste, just a finger tip
It was wonderful so I took a deeper dip.

Oh glorious it was a dream come true.
If I took a piece who would have a clue
That it was me, who had cut the cake
That my sister had taken all day to make.

With the knife I sliced through the top.
It was so soft and fluffy that a blob I did drop.
It was all over the tablecloth my fingers and face,
I had strawberry gateaux all over the place.

I tried to clean up but it only got worse.
I could almost hear my sister`s curse
When she saw the mess that I had made
On the table that she had lovingly laid.

I felt her presence and turned to see
Her shock at seeing her cake and me.
She shook her head I saw in her eyes
A look that took me by surprise.

“So” she said smiling “you like my cake?"
By now my knees had begun to shake.
The smile it went as she cried,
"You moron you should be certified.”

She chased me round the dining room.
From somewhere she acquired a broom.
And hit me hard and it snapped in two
That was a blessing I can tell you.

Mother heard the row, came to investigate.
She could see the cake and what I had ate.
She was furious I was sent to bed,
Disgraced, apologetic, with a sore head.

Mum went out and bought a Chocolate cake
For my baby sister`s sake.
The tea went well, but I was banned.
At my sister`s firm command.

© ValCook 2008

A Good Mother

Mother with William Me & Peter

A Good Mother

Was I a good mother ?
I asked of my three.
Because that was what my mother asked of me.
I told her yes, she was always gentle and kind,
And that was the memory she would leave behind.
She had lost her mother,
Was raised by another,
A woman who was mean and didn`t love her.

So you see, was I a good mother
Being brought up by a mother,
Who had lost her mother;
And was raised by another,
Who didn`t love her.

Well, we where put to the test
We both did our best.
And I know
I had a good mother.

Val Cook 2008

Poetry for Women

The Thin Wedge

Life was mapped out for many women
From the day they where born.
Their future decades ago
Was marriage and children.
They didn’t have choice.
It was what they did .
Dependant on Men,
Unpaid servants, nursemaids and sexual slaves
Subservient to their will.
Often devoid of feelings or emotion.

Education: dominated by men.
Oxford and Cambridge said no to women.
The Medical Profession the Law and the Armed Services
Closed their doors to aspiring females.
Very few got through, it was a battle of persistence,
Dismissed as feather brained females
Amelia Pankhurst rallied the Suffragettes
Against the injustice of a society
That refused the vote
Restricted education, opportunity and choice
To every women in the land.
It was a thin wedge.

Then the Ist World War started
Women did men`s work.
In Factories and Foundries.
Making bullets and bombs.
Building and flying aircraft,
Driving buses, heavy lorries.
While men dug trenches and fought for freedom.
Today women have a degree of equality,
But still in the iron grip of male domination.
Still fighting their corner in many ways.

But I fear they may have gone too far
Lost something in the process.
Stripped away, courtesy and respect
That men had towards them in the past.
Have they just become one of the boys.
Is this what they fought for
Drinking smoking swearing fighting.

They now have different choices .
They must make sure they are the right ones.
Women`s unique ability to reproduce, nurture and guide
Their young, to achieve their potential in life.
Helping them develop good social conscience
Respect for others.
And by example showing them the way.
By creating a stable and happy home life.
Supporting and encouraging each other
To viewing marriage with dignity and strength of character.
Of sharing and caring through out life.

Looking at society today
I doubt that many will view this as their role.
It is a selfish society
Celebrity led with values that leave me cold.

Spent a very enjoyable evening in the company of poets at WriteOutLoud open mic session in Middleton.We heard some excellent poems, I read three of my recent works on women. On World Book Day Thursday 6th March WriteOutLoud has organised a open mic session in conjunction with Bright Books of Rochdale and Cartwheel Arts which should bring poets from near and far. I am looking forward to that. I may have mentioned before that I am learning to "Speak in Public". It`s a ten step programme and I am at stage 6) Vocabulary and Word Pictures. Previously I have had to 1) Make a Start: 2)Speech Construction: 3) Mean What You Say: 4) Use of the Gestures: 5) Use of the Voice. So now I have to speak for 6-8 minutes using all my previous skills using extended vocabulary and word pictures. This Speech is evaluated using specific guidelines and if I pass I go on to stage 7) Use of Notes. I enjoy this challenge, looking for inspiration and then researching and writing the piece . Then rehearsal rehearsal,it is just the same for poetry. It keeps my brain active,my fingers nibble and my computer hot.
I have on occasions won competitions at local level for "Topics" a session, where by one is given a subject /theme and must talk unprepared for 3 minutes using the appropriate skills. I quite enjoy this . We have four levels within the Association of Speaking Clubs (ASC) Local : Area : District: and National. I doubt whether I will ever rise to any level other than Area, as we have some excellent speakers in our Area who would take some beating. I take great pleasures in listening and participating in Poetry and Speech. I am writing now for a speech contest next week the subject is England. So I have many books and Google to help me get to grips with this. Once I have some direction I will get busy writing I much prefer paper and pencil its such a special feel its part of the enjoyment.

My Hearts Triumphant Cry

This day I will remember
As the first day in my life.,
When I rose and realised
That I was now, no ones wife.
The feeling, the elation
Was a great exciting buzz.
Truly liberating, there
Would be no more of Us.
I can come and go at leisure.
Buy without consent, all the
Fripperies a female wants
With complete abandonment.
Will this make me happier,
I won’t know till I try. But
I will go from strength to strength
Is my hearts triumphant cry.

Broken Heart

Where is the love that once was ours
How many years has it been?
Since you took the sun and left me showers
How much rain have I seen?
My broken heart will never heal
The fissure is deep and wide,
With only a superficial seal
That opens and bleeds inside;
When all the hurt is again revealed
By the hurtful memories I thought where sealed.

The knife that cut was long and thin,
Silent as it slid right in.
It gave me pain that I could not bear,
So hot and searing was the tear
That ripped my heart so deep and wide;
And I cried as I have never cried.
I swore, stamped and got up steam
To howl and scream as in a dream.
I was angry, despondent, suicidal and mad
The love was gone the love I had.
Betrayed dejected depressed and alone
I felt my broken heart turn to stone.

<©> Valerie Cook 2001

My Life Changes

My Life Changes
As you can see from these few poems I have a strong social conscience. I tend to be inspired and write almost daily.My poetry have evolved over the last twenty or so years,as my life changed so did my priorities. My children and family have always come first then I started working full time as a midwife after the birth of my youngest son. Without the help of my mother this would not have been possible, she was so supportive,as was my husband. They both recognised that I needed to continue my chosen career,and also the money was useful.I qualified as a State Registered Nurse Bolton District General Hospital in the June and  married in the September and for the next 12years concentrated on my growing family, working a few hours a week to keep my competences up to date. When my youngest son was near 3years old I had the opportunity to train as a Midwife and over the next twelve months I enjoyed learning about midwifery, a compelling and intense period of study. I succeeded with the help of a live-in help and my mother`s support. I look back on my years as a midwife, both working in hospital and on the community, with great satisfaction. I can`t say I miss it,though I probably would admit to missing the mothers and their babies. The midwifery services has changed so much, it destresses me to read about its decline.Now I keep myself very busy. I divorced in 2000 and have since become quite independant and liberated. After 40 years of married life I began to feel surplus to needs. Fortunately no one was hurt as the children had lives and families of their own. My poems during this stage of my life reflect this period.

Kill

The Humpback whales,
Quickly turn tails.
There`s blood on the ice,
They won`t pay the price.
Horrific scenes to see.
This carnage they flee.
Back to the open sea.
Red stains on the ice,
Sacrifice at what price.
Seals slither and slip away,
Helpless Cubs stay and play.
Clubbed to death by men of greed.
Society demands but do they need,
This brutal act that feeds the coffer.
Surely there are alternatives on offer.
The shame stays with me,
When this slaughter I see.
We must continue to fight,
For freedom`s their right.
Gods creatures are lent
They were never ment
To be hunted and killed.
But this heritage is instilled
In a world full of greed.
Yes, we have people to feed.
But as sport must they die.
To the hunt is the cry
As the fox and stag fly by
To be torn into bits,
While in fear and fits.
It`s inhuman it`s wrong
In this world they belong.
We should treasure all life
Not introduce strife
To these creatures on earth.
Why kill soon after birth?
To pander to fashion or fame
These beautiful creatures are slain.
This actions a disgrace.
And taints the whole human race.
<©> Valerie Cook

Love thy Neighbour

We should love our neighbours and treat them right.
And try not to cause any fuss or fight.
But everyone must agree
That disarmament is the key.
No one to bear arms against another,
And each respect the religion of our brother.
Protestant Catholic Muslim and Sikh,
Buddist Hindu and Orthodox Greek,
The Mormans,Jehova Witness and Methodist
Presbyterian, Born Again Christians an endless list.
We must all live together in respect and tolerance
So we can give all our children a better chance.
A future free from war and greed
Misunderstanding fear and foul deed.
Is this a dream?
Can it come true?
Is a question that I give to you.

<© ValCook 2001>

War

Why do nations wage war on nations.
When the world is so small,we are all relations.
Brother Sister Husband Wives
Everyone is living in each others lives.
We see face to face fighting in city streets,
While politicians discuss it from their parliamentary seats.
Homes demolished and people in flight,
Carrying all they can throughout the night.
Almost daily we hear of insane
Evil perpetrators, of misery and pain.
Yellow Black White or Brown passing the blame.
But mingle our blood the colours the same.
We will all count the waste of mankind
For years to come; from land that is mined.
Africa Rumania Kosova and Pakistan
Ethnic cleansing, since time began.
Man was killing his fellow man.
People fled
Many dead
Those who stayed
Knelt and prayed
Children cried
As their Mothers died
Savaged and ravaged: when will it end
And when it does will we ever mend.

<©> Valerie Cook 1999

Our Trouble World

TheFuture

The future is uncertain with all that has passed.
Our environment is changing the die is cast.
Our lives are in flux.
Bombing our cities, terror tactics sucks.
Life continues in spite of what transpires,
With some politicians who are fools and liars.
Traffic is in gridlock most of the day,
Our beaches are toxic or so they say.
Rivers and streams susceptible and laced
With poison from industrial waste.
Industry adds to our worry and woe
Using chemicals that damage, we reap what they sow.
Our children have asthma and allergy traits,
Though old folk live longer like creaking gates.
Preservatives in food increases shelf time,
But the taste is gone and the packaging a crime.
The pollution from waste products are dragging us down
Plastic and chemicals are drowning our town.
The land fills are an eyesore and the smell is so bad.
Polluting our planet makes me so mad.
We have grey bins and green bins and boxes for tins
Recycling our rubbish has us all on pins.
Our air is so offensive for many weeks.
If left for two long it festers and reeks,
World wide it’s a problem and much need to be done
Before we kill everyone under the sun.
Cut down on travel especially the plane.
Sharing a car journey is very sane.
Recycle as much as you possibly can,
Be aware of the dangers in a spray can.
We have earthquakes, floods and disasters world wide,
Communities shattered and millions have died.
The health of the world is placed in our hands.
The message should go out to other lands.
The world today has much to consider,
Do we sell ourselves to the highest bidder
Look after our planet it’s the only one we`ve got.
Global warming will change our planet a lot.

<©>Valerie Cook August 2005

Short Biography

My passion is writing poetry so eventually you will see them on my blog.I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy writing them. I have always lived and worked in my home town. I have two sons and a daughter. My youngest son lives in Yorkshire with my grandson and my eldest son lives not to far way with my youngest grandson. In 1996 my daughter emigrated to Australia with my two other grandchildren . I have spent many warm winters down under ,they have a wonderful life, but its not for me. I just love England, I have travelled extensively world wide but the joy is in returning. I worked 36years in the NHS,16years as a Community Midwife and loved every day. It was a privilege to share in the experiences of those I provided care and support to.The best years.

I have a page on face book and another Google Poetry Blog
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http://www.valeriepoetrypage.blogspot.com/