I gazed into my navel
With a mystic inclination.
My eyes transfixed and piercing
As I sought illumination.
My enlightenment was focused,
Cosmic consciousness alert
And I attained the realisation
I’d lost a button from my shirt.
© Copyright Philip Barton 11th July 2018. All rights reserved.
She was gaily moronic
On her third gin and tonic
And I asked if she would like another.
Being rather refined
She politely declined.
That’s my memory
Of Christmas with Mother.
© Copyright Philip Barton, 8th September 2019. All rights reserved.
Left forged quickly to the lead,
Then Right surged from the back.
They both agreed,
The need for speed,
Upon life’s racing track.
On and on the struggle went,
Throughout the day they raced.
No airs and graces,
Swapping places,
Ever on they chased.
No quarter could be given.
Back and forth till both were spent,
Those feet were keenly driven.
Both knew what winning meant.
© Copyright Philip Barton 25th March 2026. All rights reserved.
Stripped of my masculine pride,
My dignity gone down the drain.
Respect disappeared,
It’s worse than I feared.
Can life be the same again?
My self-esteem has been shattered.
Eloquence reduced to babble.
Just an old so and so,
With my head way down low.
My wife just beat me at Scrabble.
© Copyright Philip Barton, February 19th, 2026, All rights reserved
My sister is a gasbag.
Our conversations vast.
By the time she’s finished listening,
At least an hour has passed.
© Copyright Philip Barton, May 14th, 2026, All rights reserved
He was violent, tough and agitated
Never showing calmness.
But he chewed his nails
Up and up
And ended up quite armless.
© Copyright Philip Barton November 21st, 2009. All rights reserved
My trousers
Upped and left me,
Just packed
And walked away.
I think they stole my socks,
I never liked them
Anyway.
© Copyright Philip Barton December 26th, 2010. All rights reserved.
This compulsion keeps me going,
Drives me on,
Won’t let me stop.
Wild bursts of senseless logic
Like a woman in a shop.
Precious posturing and prattling
When will these ditties cease?
I really need a proper job
And a little bit of peace.
© Copyright Philip Barton. 18th September 2015. All rights reserved.
Rhinosauras is his name
And how this came to pass
Is that Rhino’s Greek for money
Which came from his saurarse.
© Copyright Philip Barton 24th February 2010. All rights reserved.
