TRACEY GOUNDRILL

PORTFOLIO OF WORK

Past. Present. Future.

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

To you it’s just a plane, taking people to and from;
To me it’s a symbol of danger and fear of a falling bomb.

People in the street running scared, begging pleas;
I can hear it’s engines getting louder as I fall to my knees.

Please not again, don’t do this to my town;
I’ve seen too much destruction and bombs falling down.

I want to run with gay abandon, wild and free;
I don’t understand why you want to kill people and take my childhood from me. 

I see it getting closer, I’m frozen to my core;
Rubble falls around me, my street is now no more.

Just piles of bricks and twisted metal, that’s all there is left;
People stumbling, bleeding, weeping, my town is bereft.

I climb to my feet, slowly, I’m uncontrollably shaking;
My eyes full of brick dust and my body is aching.

I look to where my house once stood, no more is it my home;
I stand now an orphan, injured, frightened, all alone.

You’ll never know my name or even care what you have done;
I was just a target, an order, not someone’s daughter or son. 

I hope one day I’ll see you as just a plane in the sky;
With no fear and no worries as I watch you flying by

THE RED KITE

Looking skywards, a shadow appears, it gets closer, I fix my eyes;
Against the blue vale of sky I clearly see her, I trace her as she flies.

Gliding gracefully upon the thermals, she effortlessly enjoys;
Her russet body, the black & white wings beautifully poised.

Her primary feathered wings looking like dark fingers, gently fluttering;
Catching the wind, the gentle wing movements assist as she's hovering.

I see her tail, like a swallows, deeply forked and twisting;
Her beady eyes catch mine, we hold our gaze, unresisting. 

Her yellow bill, standing out against her pale grey head;
It's aerodynamic curve catching the sunlight ahead.

I revel at her beauty, once nearly extinct from our skies;
What an honour to see her flying above me and hearing her cries.

Some persecuted her, seeing her as vermin and of killing game;
But the reintroduction of this bird means I can appreciate her once again.

SPRING

Awakened from her ice cold bed, feeling her first warm dawn;

Bulbs piercing the earth like arms outstretched, in a wide sleepy yawn.

The tulips caught in winters grasp, break free from frozen shackles;

A teasing glimpse of colour within as they are released from seasons battles.

Dew drops catching mornings first light, a carpet of glistening beads;

An artwork of spiderwebs silken fragile patterns, so intricately weaved.

The smell in the air is fragrant, aromas once buried, released;

Such wild variety of fauna alive, reborn, it's life is never deceased. 

The anticipation of the first blossoms, that colourful beautiful sight;

Fragile pastels blowing in the wind, falling like feathers, so soft and light.

Daffodils beautiful yellows, against the vivid green stems;

Vases at home preparing to get ready for the beauty of all of springs gems.

A burst of new life, a myriad of colours, gardens full of its jewels

Spring is the season of rejuvenation and growth and glorious breathtaking renewals.

WHERE ONCE THEY WERE

The coffee cup, against mine, remains on the shelf,
One day I maybe be strong enough I remind myself 
 
To remove it and leave a space, where yours used to be,
A void on the shelf and a cavernous hole inside me 
 
A lonely red toothbrush, standing there on the sink,
I can't remove it yet, it's too painful, it hurts me to think
 
Of all the many things of yours here, I need to let go,
But it's futile, I'm not ready, when? I just don't know
 
Time heals? Does it really? Well time isn't helping me,
I miss every part of you, I just don't understand how my life could be 
 
So empty, so lonely, without you I feel numb,
I'm not eating, I'm not washing, I drench my thoughts in rum
 
Whisky, brandy, whatever I can pour down my throat,
The chances of me missing you less are so very remote 
 
It's not like you left us, to live a new life alone
No, you took your last breath, leaving me forever on my own
 
I cry like an injured animal, my shoulders drooped, and heaving,
I'm angry at the world, I'm constantly questioning your leaving 
 
I sit in my chair opposite yours, daydreaming, I can almost see you there
But then, reality hits me, there's an empty space where once you were

WHY WISH FOR MORE

We're all guilty of this, sometimes we just want more;
We take for granted the precious people in our lives who we adore 

Keeping up with the Jones's, needing the next best thing;
You can buy the latest phone, watch, car..but what happiness do they bring?
 
Is it really worth seeing if the grass is greener on the other side?
Risking all you have for  a secret desire you constantly have to hide? 
 
Working all hours of the day to make as much money you can;
Materialistic needs overtaking the basic fundamentals of man
 
Do you ever take a moment to look around you and take in;
That the simple things are more precious than what clothes you are dressed in?
 
Can't you just be grateful for what you've already achieved;
Because with health, friends & family you've got all you'll ever need.

SECRETS OF THE SEA

Under my feet, moulding and sinking,
Millions of tiny mineral particles and rock,
Embrace my feet, not cold nor hard,
It was my cushion where upon I sat thinking;

My fingers tracing patterns, freehand,
Shallow grooves being filled in by themselves; 
Leaving just a whisper of what I had written,
So many of my thoughts gently erased by sand

I hug my knees tight to my chest and dream,
As I watch the shore waters ebb and flow, 
Filling in my verse and taking them out to sea,
As if they’d never been written or seen

The sound of the ocean, repetitive and reassuring,
crashing upon itself since time began,
How many words, verses, images has it taken?
If it were a book it would be one worth enduring

So many outpourings as I sit deep in thought,
Looking out to the vastness of varying azure,
So many secrets and words written and lost,
Held within the waters, never given back once caught

THE STRANGER 

How could I have not seen the man, the real man behind the charm,
How could I have not stopped the pain,

& prevented all this harm?

He walked me down a path of hope, towards a life of sharing, 
How could this man have tricked me so, 

becoming so cruel, uncaring?

He lived in the shadows not the light, 

his life was full of dark secrets, 
A predator who couldn't accept or stop, 

other women were his weakness. 

Who have I shared my life with, 

who is this man at home?
A chameleon who fooled all he met, who will never accept, nor atone.

A stranger has lived with me, but why? 

The years he stole my life,
He had no intent, no respect or love, 

He just slowly sharpened the knife.

A cruel cruel man, behind the smile, behind the tall dark looks,
He uses these to entrap his prey, like the fisherman uses hooks. 

And when you finally realise, the dirty games he's played,
You show them to this stranger, all the mistakes he's happily made. 

He is not moved, by tears or pleas,

to halt his evil hurt,
He is not phased by all he's done, kicks your concerns to the dirt.

Once a boy adored by all, 

the curly locks, angelic face,
But now, his secrets all revealed, 

a poor family are disgraced. 

They've seen this man walk this path before, 

so many many times,
So many women come & gone, where were the warning signs?

I regret I let him do this, 

he tore my life apart,
This stranger, whoever he was, 

he’ll never take my heart. 

I'll walk away with dignity,

I couldn't create a better man,
He'll never respect me nor appreciate, 

I’ve given it all I can. 

So now I’ll leave a space,

for the next innocent lover,
Unaware of all he’s hiding, 

the truth…will they uncover?

The ladies of the night, the addictions he can’t let go,
The days off trawling websites,

I pray they’ll  never know. 

TO NEVER HEAR “MUMMY”

I was unaware, it was inside me, the cruel life changing disease,
That would steal my future family and plans with such devastating ease

It held hopes hostage, it prevented so many dreams,
It halted my desires & experience of what having a family means

How I suffered, a tortured body, pained beyond belief,
The endless treatments, operations, but none brought any relief 

I begged for it to leave me, to be free of its tight hold,
I cried for endless days, years, no one listened who I told 

Sleep was the only relief for me, I was so scared of waking,
To be hit by a wall of hideous hurt, a hell that it was making 

I knew that it was coming, the major last resort,
Taking away my womb from me, too numb for feelings or thought

So now I face my future, a path I wouldn't have chose,
To never hear “mummy” hurts more than anyone knows

So babies would not be my future, it was never meant to be,
The wonderful mummy I could have been was just not meant for me  

WHAT IF

What if we could see beyond colour & creed,

What if people’s prejudices could disappear, be freed

What if differing beliefs were accepted & respected,

What if fear & hate was never projected

What if we didn’t label & place in pigeon holes,

What if we made friendship & empathy our goals

What if peace was a wish that finally came true,

What if it was a reality of our lifetime for me & you

What if we could see we are all just the same,

What if discrimination wasn’t used in our name

What if we let go of all that went before,

What if the earth was relived of all war

What if.....

AMALFI

Narrow roads, climbing, twisting, teasing the senses as sheer cliff faces entice,
Pastel coloured buildings greet the eye like an artists palette before his grand masterpiece

Crystal clear sea reflecting the Capri sky, sun rays bouncing off the waves like the brightest of diamonds,
Speed boats slicing through it’s waters, 

fishing boats bobbing up and down upon the horizon

A cool sea breeze flutters through the hot haze of the sun, Mediterranean flowers slowly swaying in its caress,

bathing in all its glory, 

it’s rustic beauty and quiet finesse 

A captured heart longs to return to you, 

to undress all your treasure, 

to sit on your shores watching the world go by, 

Amalfi, my love, my joy, my pleasure

WHERE ARE YOU HEADING 

A long white trail in the clear blue sky,
Glinting in the summer sun as it flys by
I wonder where all on board are all heading,
Foreign shores, white sands they may soon be treading
Crystal waters, lounging in the heat,
Beach walks, ocean lapping at their feet
Eating al fresco, drinking cocktails in humid air,
Dancing and singing without a care
Whatever their destination I’ll sit and dream,
About the white trail in the sky I’ve seen

I AM

I am the breeze that makes flowers dance,
The sun that warms the earth you walk

The rain that fills rivers and oceans wide,
The fire that burns in the eternal flame

I am the voice you imaged you heard,
The six sense that kept you safe

The kiss felt upon your lips,
The dream you had, yet forgot the next day

I am the water that gives you life,
The food that feeds your hungry soul

The one who never left you although I’m gone,

The one departed but forever stays

I am all the things you see, hear and feel;

I am my dearest, I am...

A POEM FOR MOLLIE

I have never forgotten you, nor the precious moments we shared,
You’ll never know what you meant to me or how much I cared. 

Our chats about your younger years, going to the dance halls with your sister,
Forgetting how she’d passed away and suddenly remembering how you missed her.

The disease made you forget us and you’d question who we were,
But we’d look into your eyes and we’d still see you there.

Banging your hands on your head, saying “my head has gone wrong”,
Trying to calm you down by piano and singing your favourite songs.

The smile on your face whenever your memory fought through,
Is a lasting precious vision that I’ll always have of you.

An incredible fighting spirit and grit like no other,
You’re a very special lady, granny and mother. 

I’m grateful to have known you, you’ve left an ever lasting mark,
Memories of you dear Mollie that will stay forever in my heart

PEACE OF MIND

Peace of mind, a state of calm,
Chaos is far away, but always nearing;
Fearing it may one day return;
To burn a hole in my tranquility;
My ability to close my eyes
and pause in time;
Fraught feelings fly far away, no longer mine;
Peace of mind, peace I’ll find.

THE PATH

Take the time, time to feel
Emotions raw, emotions real.
Accept the changes, change the course;
The path of enlightenment, now shining is yours. 
Take slow steps, step into the new;
Embrace the lost person you found inside you.

THE BEAUTIFUL BEAST

Electric eerie silence falls, anticipation builds, 
Sun blazes down on the plains,

as the arena fills

Smiles on faces, awaiting the greatest show,
Some quizzical, wondering 

if they should stay, or go

An iron gate opens, 

there’s an audible gasp from the crowd,
The majestic beast appears, 

the crowd now excited and loud

The beast breathes fast, 

it’s heart rate pumping,
The crowd now crazy, 

clapping and jumping

It’s tentative steps,

clouded in hot fiery dust,
The crowds intimidating screams,

filled with thirsty bloodlust

A beast so confused,

sees the colour of red,
The matador stood proud,

Montera of black on his head

His cape dances around the air, enticing and teasing,
The beast, head down, 

charges, snorting and wheezing 

Crowds erupt, clapping, 

a frenzy as lances appear,
The picadores jabbing him hard, void of all fear

Heavily bleeding, the beast is weakened, 

exhausted and dazed,
The Matadors sword strikes him dead, 

Once shining eyes now glazed

Is this really a show?  

Killing defenceless animals for fun?
Can they not see the cruelty they commit,

under the hot blazing sun? 

A MILLION BUTTERFLIES

You can go a whole lifetime and not feel it,
It can allude ‘til our final days;
For most, we just tread the wheel,
Life passing us by in a colourless haze

If you’ve never really known it, how can you tell if it’s in your path? 
Is it a look, a touch, a sense, a smile..or something that makes you laugh?

Until one day something happens, someone joins the path you walk;
Fate placing the pieces? A special connection when you talk

..about your desires and wants, a common ground, a meeting of the minds;
Something you’ve never experienced before, or thought you’d ever find

Inexplicable sixth senses, when you think of them they’re there;
Something pulling you closer together in the ether or the air 

A feeling like no other, like a hundred butterflies in the heart;
A pining to be together while you are living your lives apart

Is this that feeling that alluded, that some dream of for so long;
Did life send us a twin flame, a soulmate..or what we often call ‘the one’

In the autumn of our lives, learning & growing from past mistakes;
Have we finally found our happiness, a chance to do whatever it may take

THE LONE TREE

The seasons do not hinder, nor bring arduous challenge.
For there you are, resolute and stoic, isolated yet adoringly marvelled.
Stretched and reaching as far as your own growth.
Creaking with the winds that blow until their last breath.
Releasing old life that sways and falls to your very birth.
Bringing rebirth through confined wise energy, Creating new forms of yet to be pressed patterns.
Shade that slowly moves, widens, dapples then.. disappears. 
Panoramic views always and forever will hold you

PLASTIC POLLUTION

Plastic pollution, please find the solution,
Rid all of my oceans of this convenience revolution

Suffering sea shores, strewn with man made litter,
Send me a saviour a serious committer

Beach combers, collect all the waste in my waters,
Tell of my woes to your sons and your daughters

My marine life is rife with millions of micro plastics,
It’s killing aquatic creatures, the damage is fantastic

Do all you can to to raise awareness of this plea,
Prevent plastic soup from further destroying our seas

84 MEN A WEEK

84? Really? How can we let this be?
They battled their thoughts and fears...

Silently, quietly, unable to see..
a future, just pain and endless tears.

All men.. society expected to be strong,
Yet, they took all that they could,

Was their decision entirely wrong?
If no one listened or understood?

84 men a week they say,
Take their lives and leave the earth,

If we’d listened and shown another way,
Or..enlightened them of all their worth

Maybe 84 would still be living,
feeling small glimmers of hope,

If we loved, listened and started giving,
Would they have chosen the gun, the knife..the rope?

They’re men, men don’t talk,
Don’t they? Or do they just feel weak?

talking about their feelings making them balk,
Listen, put your arm around them, encourage them to speak.

FLAMING JUNE

A chink of sun trying to break out of the rain,
Shall I try and put my washing out again?

I’ll risk it, run out quick with pegs at the ready,
Hanging out clothes that the previous downpour has made heavy

Once again they are hung out, wind blowing them on the line,
I keep checking out of the window but the weather remains fine

A sigh of relief, my washing will get dried at long last,
Oh no! Rain drops on the window pane, I’d better get them in again fast!

A GROOMS PLEDGE

I’m not hoping for perfect because perfect doesn’t exist,
Some days we’ll disagree and we’ll be surrounded by red mist

At times you may hate me and you’ll wish I was gone,
And you’ll tire of my bad habits and want someone with none.

And we may have ups and downs that will test our resolve,
There’ll be issues that maybe we never will solve

But I want you to know that whatever we face,
I’ll never wish I could change you or want you replaced

My bride, you are so precious and priceless to me,
The most cherished beautiful woman I ever did see

There’ll not be a day go by that I won’t thank the stars,
For sending me you and this cherish love of ours

WALK AWAY

The smiles that were once yours, the adorable flaws, hearty laughs
The look that made you melt, the joy you felt...
Walk away 

The walks, the talks, the sharing & caring,
The days & nights, the love, the fights...
Walk away

Embrace the new, the independent you,
Don’t fear, dry your tears, you see the future is yours to grasp, my dear...
Walk away

For walking away is a chance to grow, to show you’ve learned & earned your place, slow dance, silent steps..no race. 
Walk away

LONELINESS

Loneliness, my old foe.
Wrapping your arms around my being,
Tighter, & tighter yet, until I can’t breathe.
Shrouding me in your insidious waves of fear and doubt,
How vulnerable the heart, how pained the soul. 
The front door closes, silence screams it’s overbearing noise.
Empty of chitter chatter, conversations of the day,
Just me and the walls, the furniture, my stuff.
Staring into the same space, night upon night.
Thoughts dancing, spinning....and then.. still. 
Waking to the sound of birdsong, the blackbird, the first and only thing I hear each morn. 
Reaching out to an empty space beside me, looking at a plump pillow, no indentations from a sleepy head, no warmth as I slide across the cold sheets. 
Sitting on the edge of the bed, wondering,
when will the arms of loneliness be replaced by the loving arms of love.

AUTUMN

That undoubted satisfying rustle and crunch under foot.
A hard path becomes softened by a blanket of rusts, orange and yellows.
Mounds of burgundy, heaped like undulating waves at the side of roads.
Spindly looking branches, trying in vein to hold on to the last remnants of summer. 
The last of the leaves, floating, ebbing side to side in the crisp air.
Trees, now skeletons, bare, allowing for the panorama of sky to be seen,
where it was once hidden by thick green canopies.
Drizzling rain, caught on the spindles of bushes, like glass beads,
Glistening, twinkling and bejewelled.
Wildlife hurriedly and deftly hoarding the last of summers bounty.
Nest making, readying themselves for the long winters sleep.
The season that says a fond adieu to summer,
And whispers a slow sleepy hello to winter. 
As temperatures drop, Autumn has arrived

OCEAN DREAMS

If a dream is the only time he’s really all mine,
I’ll sleep if I can for a whole life time

Don’t rouse me from the wilderness and bliss that I’m in,
I’m drowning in waves of him touching my skin

Together we lay on the biscuit coloured sand,
The shivers that ensue at the touch of his hand

Like a tsunami he envelopes the whole of my soul,
Abandoned all thoughts as my kisses he stole

The waves gently drenching the moonlight shore,
The worries of the world for a while..no more

As we lay in our serenity, listening to the music of the sea,
He’ll stay in this ocean dream forever by my side with me

MOUNTAINS

The vast and varying peaks,
Born of earths fire and breath,
Slate grey, icy and snow capped,
A symbol of life and death

An overwhelming addiction to conquer,
To risk all life and limb,
To be starved of air until,
The lungs just want to cave in

To reach the summit peak,
And stand on top of the earth,
To view the world below you,
Unable to value its worth

The wilderness of the mountains,
Their beautiful threatening domain,
They hold you like a powerful drug,
To be climbed again & again

IN ALL OF THE WAYS

In all of the ways 

We can’t touch
We can’t hug
I miss you in all of the ways

We can’t hold hands
We can’t kiss
I miss you through all of the days

When we meet again 
When we smile hard
The distance will vanish in a haze

And we will hug 
And we will kiss
And I’ll remember how much I missed you..
In all of the ways

WINTER

The cold winds and chills, the dark greying skies

Nights drawing in, hot comfort food, stews, pies.

Heating cranked up, snuggling, watching the telly,

Too many sweet treats showing themselves on the belly

Turning off alarms, wanting to stay longer in bed

Not willing to move, wishing I could stay here instead 

Commuting in darkness, both morning and night

Headlights on full beam, dazzling my sight.

Trudging through blizzards, holding tight to my hood

Slipping on ice, falling down where I stood 

Trees bereft of leaves, naked and bare

Birds huddled up close in the icy cold air

Snow on the rooftops, gardens and fields

Hard soils temporarily impeding the vast cropping yields

A season of arduous weather, of bitter colds that sting 

But she's never here forever, around the corner will be spring

THE YORKSHIRE DALES

She is wondrous, awe inspiring, beautiful, remote.

Challenging, invigorating, a place we all dote.

We breathe her clean air, climb her peaks and her crags.

We walk through her in all weathers, leaving our tracks like zig zags.

Her walls, built stone by stone, with hands through the ages.

Refusing to disappear and crumble when winter rampages.

Her thousands of paintings capturing many different views.

A myriad of varied colours, tones and hues.

Each telling her story, and encapsulating her wealth. 

Every second of her year from the first month to the twelfth.

She stays with you forever, memories that never grow old.

There's nothing quite like her anywhere else in the world.

We love her in the sunshine, the snow, rain and gales.

She's ours and forever will be, the stunning Yorkshire Dales.

GODS OWN COUNTY

Deep intake of breath, close eyes, exhale;

Feel the stresses of every day life melt away, unfurl.

Open your eyes, take in the beautiful views;

Green pastures as far as the eyes can see, scattered with rams and ewes.

Turn around 360, drink in the panoramic sights;

Hear the silence peppered with the cries of Buzzards and Red Kites.

Trace the ribbon like rivers weaving their way through the vales;

Cascading waterfalls, babbling brooks carving their way through the Dales.

Take it all in, soak up this incredible bounty;

Amongst the fresh air in Gods Own County.

THE BIRD FEEDER

It's up there now, after a little struggle, 

hanging from my tree,

I'm admiring my work, 

out of my window, 

with a hot cup of tea

I perch on my seat, 

willing them to come,

I wait minutes, hours, 

not even one! 

The next morning is here, 

I pull my curtains aside,

I'm hoping I'll see the wild birds,

on my feeder outside 

I'm eating my toast, gazing out, hoping they’re around,

There's seeds in the bird feeder, 

but there's more on the ground!?

I see a  grey face, 

and it's arms frantically burying,

The squirrel is hiding the seeds,

so fast & so hurrying 

A bluetit see’s the squirrel, 

chirping angrily at its foe,

Is it shouting “They're our seeds!” I'll never quite know

I chuckle at the bluetit, 

for protecting its food,

They are wanting the seeds,

For their ever hungry brood

The birds are now coming, 

they perch on the branches,

Eyeing up my bird feeder, 

they all take their chances

I'll always enjoy seeing them,

my small feathered friends,

Upon the bird feeder, 

where my green lawn ends

WHERE’S MY KEYS?!

I must be going mad,

I’m sure I put them there?

On the chair arm 

whilst I was brushing my hair.

Picking up each cushion,

& looking behind,

It’s not my lost keys,

but a tissue I find.

Shoving my hands

down the side of the couch;

Fingers delving in,

every single crease & pouch.

Pulling out coins 

& even a silver engraved pen, 

I’ve been looking for that since,

I can’t remember when.

Now on my knees,

looking under tables & units,

I’m so annoyed with myself, 

why do I always do this?

From room to room,

I become more frenetic,

Throwing clothes in the air,

& scrabbling through all my cosmetics.

Checking in pockets,

Of all of my coats;

Pulling out receipts,

& old shopping notes.

Running around the kitchen,

rummaging through pots & pans,

Standing on tiptoes,

as I sweep cupboard tops with my hands.

Opening the fridge door,

 & staring inside,

“Have I really just done this?” 

as my eyes open wide.

Yes, there on the bottom shelf, laying next to the cheese;

I can’t believe they are in there

...my lost house keys!!!

INEXPLICABLE BOND

Ever get that feeling,

that you've met someone before,

Probably not in every day life,

but a connection that is more..

Than you can ever understand, 

a feeling, a certain knowing,

The moment you meet, 

a bond unexplainably growing 

It surpasses skin on skin, 

is deeper than a feeling of love,

It's almost too complex to understand, 

is it sent from above?

A higher plane, a spiritual world, that placed you both together, 

A priceless thread, worth more than gold,

that ties you both for ever

When times are bad, when life gets tough,

A strong desire will kick in,

To be there at their at their hour of need, 

a sixth sense will come from within

You'll never be able to explain it, 

it's not like anything you've felt before,

But that one person will be there when no one else is, 

& will be forever more 

Life will place you on different paths, 

you may not physically see their presence,

They are always there, you feel it inside, 

that bond with loyal spirit at its essence 

Are they a soulmate, a twin flame,

could it even be given a name?

Whatever the plan, they were placed in your life, 

a cherished bond that will always remain 

GOLD BANDS

Whenever you miss me look on your hand;

See the warming yellow hue of your golden band.

A symbol of my everlasting love and devotion;

Given to you with a heart full of emotion.

Your ring has no beginning nor does it have an end;

Like my feelings, everlasting for my lover and best friend.

Whenever you look at the band of gold on your finger;

May the memories of our special wedding day forever linger.

“I DO”

With flutters in the tummy dancing like butterflies inside,

A smile on my face that I simply can not hide

In just a few hours my love, we will be saying “I do”;

I can’t believe how lucky I was to find a soul like you

I’m not sure if it was fate that brought you into my life;

But I hoped from the start that we would become husband & wife

There are no words to fully explain the joy I feel in my heart;

Nothing could break our love or ever tear us apart

As we embark upon wedded life I can always promise you true;

That I will protect you and heal any hurt that life could bestow upon you

When I repeat those vows beside you, I’ll mean every word I say;

In front of our loved ones on this, our special day

You’re my best friend, my strength and stay, always and forever we’ll be;

Throughout this life and the next, together for eternity

THANK YOU

There are so many things I’d like to say, 

but I don’t quite know how to start;

So I thought I’d send you this poem, that comes straight from the depths of my heart

You are never taken for granted,

I’m so lucky to have you around;

You make my life much easier, 

when I’m lost you make me feel found

You always go out of your way, 

to help, listen or advise;

You really don’t know how special you are, 

you’re so kind, obliging and wise

I can’t thank you enough for all that you do, 

you’re a precious gift I’ll always treasure,

And I hope that you’ll remember your worth today, 

tomorrow always and forever

HARROGATE

I'm not just about Betty's, 

but without her I'd be less,

I'm more than the Great Yorkshire Show, 

but it does so impress.

I'm not just about the manicured flowerbeds, 

but I'd be less colourful without,

I'm more than the Valley Gardens, but yet, she brings many people out.

I'm not just about Taylor's,

but without it where would we be?

I'm more than a fabulous location, for the great Yorkshire Tea.

I'm not just about the water here, but without, I'm no spa town,

I'm more than my ancient baths, where you can be pampered in dressing gown.

I'm not just about the green hills, but without I'd have less views,

I'm more than the varied restaurants, 

but without where would they schmooze?

I'm not just about the Stray, 

but without I'd be less green

I'm more than the tree lights, 

but with none, they'd be less seen?

I'm not just about my Royal Hall and theatres, 

but without I'd have less shows,

I'm more than the international Centre, 

where I welcome you in droves.

Im not just about my many events, but they bring variety to my days,

I’m more than I could possibly tell you, 

so please do pass my way.