The Daffodils

The Daffodils

I wandered lonely as cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hill"

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the tree"

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in Sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed-and gazed-but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft. When on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude:

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

1770 - 1850

The Lane

The Lane

There is a lane, which has no turning

Just ahead of me always.

There is a lane, which has no turning,

I've searched for it for days and days.

I've walked along the path of life,

Looking for this lovely lane,

But all I've found are curves and turns

And walks across the lonely plain.

If I could find this lane,

They say that has no turning,

Then perhaps I could lay to rest,

This cold and fearful yearning.

They say that if down this lane,

With your love you take a stroll.

Then your life forever changes,

And never again shall you be cold.

©

George Henry Nichols

from the book

‘The Legend of Captain Outrageous’

Captain Red

From The Book

The Legend of Captain Outrageous

Captain Red, Captain Red, You’ve fallen cold and dead.

And your little Parakeet to me he said,

Oh where! Oh where is Captain Red!

The sea that night it came a thrashing,

And the rigging it came a crashing.

A yardarm came down upon your head,

And among your crew there fell a dread.

And your little parakeet to me he said,

Oh where! Oh where is Captain Red!

The sea it called you as a child,

And we know that call is wild,

For many a story has been told,

Of how piracy stole your soul.

You spent your life in search of treasure,

For this was truly your greatest pleasure.

But now you’re gone and the deck is red,

Where at last you laid your head.

And your little parakeet to me he said

Oh where! Oh where is Captain Red!

They will miss you, oh master, fallen cold and dead!

They will miss you, Oh Captain, Lord Benjamin Red!

But the moon tonight is very bright,

And the sea is shimmering with its light.

And Life again seems very sweet,

Except to one little parakeet,

Who sits on me with saddened eyes,

As if though he’d wish to cry.

And your little parakeet to me he says,

Oh where! Oh where is my Captain Red!

©

May 29, 1991

George Henry Nichols

Zena Zena

ZENA ZENA, behind the bar,

Fairest bar maid in this town by far!

Long blond silky hair,

And you just watch her toss it, here and there.

But let me warn you, yes beware.

OOOh her skin, is such, so fair.

But be for warned, there’s a thin line,

Ooh that smile, its so fine!

I’ve heard is said on the sly,

Zena Zena is an I R S spy!

She will smile at you and serve your drinks

While asking you, “Do your taxes stink?”

“Perhaps your tax man is a fink?”

As the ice hits the glasses. Plink! Plink!

Be careful how you reply.

She makes notes of all the lies.

Asking you, “a drink do you will to buy?”

For the young lady sitting next to you, Oh my!

I’m warning you now, it could be a trap.

Perhaps your telephone she will tap,

As your demise she will map!

Just to put a feather in her hat.

So if you run across her sea green eyes,

And her smile makes your soul fly,

Chances are, Its ZENA! The I R S Spy’

With blond silky hair, ooh I can’t deny.

Z E N A is written right on her butt!

So if you See it! About your taxes, you’d better clam up!

And tell your friends to keep there mouth shut!

Or ZENA and the I R S just may kick your butt!

Fairest bar maid in the town by far,

Is ZENA ZENA – behind the bar! ©

March 10^th, 1991

George Henry Nichols