John Stocks

Old Man. Sea front. Skegness.

Such years we had, exultations, bliss

Now there is patience, our dull routine

Sitting in the park it passes me by

Your strange new world, so jealous of it's time.

Mine leaks in steady drips, like rain from trees

Lulls me to sweet slumber, three times a day

To the smell of fish and chips from the pier

A distant brass band, the herring gull squawks.

Once at Salerno, many years ago

I killed a man, he is with me now

Two old warriors lamenting our age

Somewhere eastwards a storm is brewing

Far away the sea churns, unobserved

Where there is no other wish than this.

About John Stocks

John is a widely published and anthologised writer from the UK. Recent credits include an appearance in , 'Soul Feathers' a poetry anthology, alongside Maya Angelou, the English poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, Bob Dylan , Len Cohen, Rimbaud and Verlaine. This anthology was the second best selling poetry anthology in the UK in January, is raising money for cancer care, and can be ordered online from Waterstones UK. He also features in 'This island City', the first ever poetry anthology of poetry about Portsmouth, also available from Waterstones. In 2012 John will be launching a collaborative novel, 'Beer, Balls and the Belgian Mafia', inspired by three of his primary interests.