I don't live in a grand commune
But in a small community
Worldwide writers seeking readers
Facebook and blogs bring them to me
That little baby which I carried
Is now a father, newly-married
They hate advice; avoid dangers
So, instead I'll advise strangers
The smallest unit's when pregnant
Mother cum baby, you'll agree?
But suddenly when you give birth
Two turns into a harassed three
What can you do, what can you say
This Gran's on Zoom, too far away
Life's lonely in a silent room
Toothless smiles with waves make my day
Yes, your nearest help's your neighbours
I'm sure you've heard of this before
It's easy to make friends nearby
Start knocking on your neighbours' doors
Then when you're running from a fire
Or hear shrill alarm bells ringing
You can shout warnings as you pass
Even if you're bad at singing
I gave Chinese friends oranges
To celebrate Chinese New Year
Their food and fruit fed me a month
Of fruitless, lazy, living here
My recipe is, all grow fruit
Veggies and flowers in old boots
I find new use for broken pots,
Save landfill from trash can what-nots
We need to save small precious seeds
And think of Kiev, under siege
You never know what we might need
Nurture green talent in our liege
'Dig for victory', nuclear war
Britain's World Wars, and Singapore
Tsunami, hurricane, who knows
What weather, war or Covid blows
Then we'll be grateful, you will see
Each linked to our community
To prove we care, prepared to share
Mushrooms and fruits grown in old boots
Do you know Basil? I have thyme
To grow whatever suits this clime
Not green-fingered? Don't despair, a
Rampant as rabbits aloe vera
I've trouble keeping things alive
But ants, cockroaches, fruit flies thrive
The Chinese, on starvation bred
Eat crispy insects, live or dead
Eat oysters live, Maoris drink blood
Moths eat my clothes, everything's food
Ignore rules saying don't, or should
When starving, foreign food tastes good
So pray, whatever you believe
God, send good neighbours in my need
I gave them mushrooms, may they show
With tomato or potato
Thank you, it's free? I pounce with glee!
It's pale or stale? That's fine by me
Smile, water plants is what I do
Give thanks, advice, send words to you
If you've no fruit, send calories
In tins, plastic, bottles, wink, wink
You know, when pushed, I won't say no
Tap water, wine - 'reviving' drink
Think about it, and we'll agree
I'll give to you, you give to me
They can't tax friendship, sharing's free
Joyful retired community.
-ends-
Green beer for St Patrick's Day.
Author's notes:
Dig for victory was a WW2 government slogan in the UK during rationing.
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