Major General Walsh

Major General Michael Walsh CB CBE DSO.
Harrogate 1927-

My Company Commander, Cyprus, Suez.
Then a Major.
-----
A modest start to military things
a rifleman in the Royal Kings.
The Rifles an old regiment
no doubt his time well spent.

A commission then Yugoslavia bound,
Trieste a complex battle ground.
Then teaching handling weapons
in Cyprus giving me lessons.

Some rough ground with targets popping up
my first time, what a cock up.
What patience, that's what I found
he never talked you down.

Always comfortable with command
I bet in great demand.
Strait, not one of those Jekyll and Hyde's
and innate talent besides.

clik on painting to enlarge

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpainti...1927-cb-135266

Paul Crook

Paul Edwin Crook. CBE DOS MA.

Surrey 1915- 2004

My commanding officer. Suez and Cyprus.

I saw him several time of course

in Cyprus and the Suez wars.

A veteran of world war two

a professional soldier through and through.

In education a little better than me

he gained a bachelor of arts degree.

I can't remember passing anything

just getting a medal in the boxing ring.

At Suez his officers were great

let me just collate.

I'm in a Valetta plane

my very first military campaign.

I'm sweating, a little nervous too

it could be me bidding life adieu.

The green light, I jump

I get a huge adrenalin pump.

The slipstream, a heavenly ride

I cool down, I can decide.

Tracers, smoke, the control tower ablaze

suddenly it's halcyon days.

Officers standing tall,

nothing to worry about at all.

I'll tell you one thing Paul,

if you go to war give me a call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEC2iu3umE

Augustus John

Augustus John.
Tenby 1878-1961 Hampshire.
Post-impressionist.
--
In a rather gloomy home he starts life,
father sulking over the death of his wife.
His dead mother taught the basics of art
a fundamental jump start.
Father warned “ never go out on market days
gypsies about looking for strays”.
A local artist gives further lessons
Augustus soaking up these sessions.
Finally, the Slade School of art
the countries best taking part.
Then going Bohemian drinking heavily
his best work produced eventually.
Founding Chelsea Art School
regarded as the nations jewel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdSmbVWBaD4

Laura Knight

Dame Laura Knight. DBA, RA.

Derbyshire 1877 London 1970.

Impressionist.

Not really an auspicious start,

though mother introducing art.

Father died when Laura was young,

money tight, mother hamstrung.

Mother teaching art locally,

well regarded allegorically.

Earning enough to send Laura to France,

for Laura a very short arrivance .

At the Nottingham School of Art

Laura a fresh start.

There she met her husband to be

they lived in artistic harmony.

An official war artist in world war two

royal grace and favour she did accrue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp3uEfGtHS0

The Osprey

The Osprey.

An unusual bird that occurs world wide,

Nova Scotia's national pride.

A raptor, meaning to take by force,

if mating fails they will divorce.

Their primary food source vertebrates,

nesting grounds near estuaries, lakes.

The quality and place of the males nest,

female ospreys choose the best.

Rutland Water in Leicestershire

a gazebo and belvedere.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nA3LtXnNIto

Freshwater fish

Dark shapes below water silently cruising about All's fair in this silent world no need to scream, shout. A sinking fly, a silver flash, for the trout a tasty snack. Camouflage called counter shading prevents the sneak attack. Powerful muscles propel and steer with thrashing tail and fins. The lateral line along the body picks up vibrations and things. Roach, Gudgeon, Rudd, Perch and Bream, but the one I think supreme. The Brown Trout my personal like, I hold in great esteem. I true fighter when hooked and sheer delight when cooked. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9DZC_xcMqI

John Denver

John Denver.
New Mexico 1943 – 1997 California.
Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer.
Activist, actor.
--
Denver's father a famous man
a record breaker no also ran.
An air force officer in their hall of fame
three world speed records made his name.
The family moved from place to place
Denver feeling alone, displaced.
Grandma gave him an acoustic guitar
the sound of which would make him a star.
Architecture studies in college years
Denver dropped out, bored to tears.
With various groups he tried his hand
eventually finding his promised land.
Abandoning band life he stood alone
a courages move and stepping stone.
He authored, Leaving On a Jet Plane
bringing Peter, Paul and Mary fame.
His recording Rocky Mountain High
causing a hue and cry.
The first of many climbing the charts
building a fan club, capturing hearts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPCI7D-lWNk

A debut success

Six weeks at the top of the
UK singles chart.
For the unknown group Procol
Harum, a great start.
On the American scene as well
the record nears the top.
Both sides of the Atlantic
the juke box plays non-stop.
Sixty seven the year, this haunting
sound first heard.
Very little promotion costs
were needed or incurred.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb3iPP-tHdA

Iris Grace Halmshaw

Iris Grace Halmshaw.
Market Harborough.
Leicestershire.
------

A fascinating three year old
whatever will unfold?
A precocious natural talent
autistic, silent, content.

http://autism-light.blogspot.co.uk/2013 ... mshaw.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... world.html