Old Doc Taylor
Many years in Redwood as a boy and a man
I’ll tell you this story as fast as I can
about a remarkable person
really special in fact
who made up for the townsfolk
everything they lacked
He was the town Doctor
saw through many years
helped raise the town
for three score and fifteen years
Delivered many
of Mrs McCarthy’s babies fourteen in all
removed Mr Browns gallstones
while he was lying in his hall
brought over two hundred children
into this world
no wonder his hair was grey
and tightly curled
Walked everywhere
to someone. never drove at all
Winter Summer Spring and Fall
always at hand for everybody’s needs
just couldn’t help but do people good deeds
I remember when the Pox
took many lives away
but old Doc Brown, many he saved
no thought for his own safety
always around
with a kind word and his medicine abound
Most people could not pay,
but he didn’t care
To serve all his days, to be always there
That was his life, no time for romance
Married to the community
had no second chance
Miss Betty his secretary, loved him no less
always around him in a pretty dress
though he never noticed
she did not seem to mind
she knew the real man, one who was so kind
During the war, when he left to serve
fought for his country he had a lot of nerve
saved many a soldier
thanks to him many came home
thanks to old Doc Taylor
they were still able to roam
Came the great winter of thirty-nine or so
Many were left stranded
caught out in the snow
But Doc didn’t worry, he was still content
Fighting the elements
people needed him, so off he went
Came the night of the blizzard
whole town buried alive
a miracle at all that anyone survived
everyone was saved
except one who was lost
lonely, out in the cold, Snow and Frost
Three weeks later
as the great thaw came about
people could move, get out and about
but down by the mill
under a blanket and the dirt
we found Doc’s body
he looked so sad and hurt
Frozen to death, out helping others
tears were shed by us all
brothers sisters and mothers
this great man had given his life for ours
trying to help to the end
taking some flowers
To old Mrs McCarthy
having number fifteen
the bonniest baby you’ve ever seen
she called him Johnny, after the Doc
the man who help raise us
like a shepherd will his flock
Old Age
You know old age has caught you up
When your teeth come out at night
And when you look into the mirror
You get a nasty fright
Because where you’re lovely skin used to be
It’s now all creased and wrinkled
The lines run across your forehead
To match your chickens neck
The bags under your eyes are there for all to notice
So you just say what the heck
Constipation is the thing
That keeps you up at night
Along with your weak bladder
Nothing ever feels just right
Along with the creaky knees
Arthritic limbs and general aching body pain
Which is so excruciating
You just wish you were young again
Yes, we’re getting older
The age gap is no more
So out comes the bottle of Jack Daniels
And I end up on the floor
When I wake up next morning
My head bursting to distraction
And as I try to get up again
I fall and end up in traction
The Scarecrow
Winter time has come and gone
Spring is here at last
dust down my bright red trousers
clean my blue shirt quite fast
Been in the barn all winter
with the Rats and the Dust
now the crops are growing
to the fields I must
Make sure my Carrot nose is on
and my Potato eyes are in
my straw hair needs a comb through it
and I must clean my Watermelon chin
I have a nice round face
to put a smile upon
I’m a happy as can be
now my time has come
Put on my heavy boots
to help me stand all week
so out into the meadow I go
the Sun burns on my cheek
My brightly coloured appearance
is to frighten the birds away
as the Corn stats to poke out its head
they all come out to play
Swoop down when their feeling hungry
what do you think of that
oh dear I just felt something funny
ones just pooped upon my hat
I wave my white gloves madly
to scare them off you see
but it just makes me look
Like a snooker referee
All summer long I ply my trade
out in the bright sunshine
keeping all the birds at bay
I have a very happy time
Rain or Shine I have to stay
out in the field alone
except for a little Field Mouse
who makes my leg his home
Running up and down at times
he really tickles me
but he is so kind and thoughtful
he sometimes brings me tea
So next time you pass the field
and see me standing there
smile wave and I’ll wave back
we will be such a happy pair
Just remember the lonely life
that I have to endure
but at least you’ll get your breakfast
I do know that for sure
The Cottage down the Lane
One memory from my younger days
six or seven about
was a cottage that I passed each day?
when I was walking out.
Its thatched roof was turning green
through the weather or neglect
the chimneypot was leaning badly
that I recollect.
The eaves were home to many a bird
their young were always falling out
as I walked passed, I always noticed
their parents flying round about.
The little upstairs windows
with curtains red and green
had net inners hanging
to ensure inside was not seen.
Downstairs windows with leaded lights
shone like beacons in the night
giving perfect illusions of shadows inside
while outside it was daylight.
The pathway to the old oak door
was a mass of flowers and the odd plant?
different colours, sizes too
more than anyone would want.
Sat upon the lawn each day
were Tom & Betty now retired?
enjoying their new life together
I just watched and admired.
The way they looked into each other’s eyes
and enjoyed a drink or two
the love that had always been there
was really shining through.
They would see me and give a wave
as I went my merry way
I used to think of both of them
and say I will be like them one day.
Though seventy years young were they
always looked quite sprightly
they suffered ailments like us all
but laughed them off quite rightly.
Through the trees around the back
one could see the sea
the bouncing waves always in view
I’d think what a place to be.
Their cottage by the sea to them
was their little piece of heaven?
they stayed outside most of the day
and still be there at night until eleven.
Sadly year’s later Tom and Betty are gone
so has the cottage, such a shame
knocked down to build a motorway
I’m afraid progress is to blame.
I think of them now and again
never forgot their lovely smiles
that greeted me all the while,
together always, that’s heavens gain.