I gaze upon them, so peaceful,

The life they lead, so blissful.

Their whiskers bend on the carpet,

Grouped in pairs, like a bartlett.

The songs they sing, ever loving,

Grazing my heart, so touching.

Patters of their feet instill amusement,

As they run to me in contentment.

The fur that drapes them, the softest,

Brushing my skin, I almost lost it.

The moments we share, always profound,

The love we exchange, safe and sound.

Within these arms they know,

That their soul I take with me in tow.

If ever we find ourselves apart,

One thing always remains: our heart.

the off-grid life.

untied from the shackles of strife,

2017, the modern existence,

getting on the property ladder, how does anyone have a chance?
20, 25 or 30, forced to work to pay every bill,

going to work all hours, struggling to find a way, a life against our will,

needing the money from any form of work, mostly unprogressive, unhappy 
life passing by, frustrating, anger, decreasing self-worth, causing individuals to be snappy

unfulfilled, potentials are not met, working a job all day, unable to progress,

money is the key factor, for bills to be met, let me digress.

often they still aren't causing pain and suffering, stress and depression,

homelessness is rife through the country, a feeling of regression,

a feeling of being stuck, how to retrain and improve your careers?
speak to friends or family and the same conversation, doubts, and fears
if only another option was available,

one that was accepted and not just for the vulnerable,

the homeless, the people with nothing,

but how is this existence different? it is truly crushing,

once you can see that your life is consumed with working for money,

the soul has passed, your energy too, it can get so hard it's not even funny,

but who understands? in the face of consumerism, higher purchase, loans, and debt,

who is living a life, truly satisfied, and their dreams are met?

Not all people living off-grid are rich in cash!
but they aim for other needs; security in food & energy, it's worth a bash,

a growing transition for many people too,

it's not just for the hippies, the spiritual, it's for people like me and you,

think about it for a moment or two...

who would you be without your car, house and your possessions?
is that person you portray the real you? or do you blend in so people don't ask questions?
are you honest with your family and friends?

or do you sit behind a desk wishing it would end?
there is a wealth of knowledge of old traditions,

from a time when they lived without these conditions,

the conditions of social media, advertising, marketing ads or vlogs

when screen time didn't consume every waking hour, and children were fascinated with tadpoles transforming into frogs.

hours spent outside, climbing trees, playing at the park,

not allowed home unless it was tea time or had gotten dark.

a shift is happening, ecotherapy, wild schooling, bushcraft, and hikes,

forest schooling, homeschooling, people walking and out on their bikes,

scientists are noticing the effects on children's behaviors, reduced health issues,

ADHD,  also a boost in self-awareness, positivity, confidence and mental health issues

is it easier to sit a child down to hours in front of the tv, or ipad?

than it is to spend a few hours playing down the park with dad?

or baking a cake with mum, the importance of these skills are being misplaced,

in this consumerism world, with employees a number, in a life so fast-paced.

Off-grid living, the communities hidden away,

all they want is a parcel of land to look after their needs, but hey,

that's not possible, 'cause where will the local council get their tax,

with the community, living off the land, growing food and chopping wood with an axe,

the need and usage of government-owned services would become minute,

living simply and within your skills of the land, renewables used, an abundance of fruit,

food preserved in many forms, jams and chutneys, frozen meat,

enough food to last year-round to survive through winter, or in the heat,

the food produced off the land, tending the garden, and grown for nutrition,

the most important for life and health also said to aid in remission.

off grid homesteaders, don't need to take the flack,

with health as the focus, working outdoors to provide, lowering the need for prozac,
comments from shallow minded people need not be said,

the power of community, working together, I want to spread,

to include children in the transition, of conserving nature and our wildlife,

the tranquil setting amongst the seasons, watching the stars, that's my type of nightlife.

Rehousing cats

By jfarrell

The big clumps of fur falling off my eldest cat,

Tell me, loud and clear, that I ain’t coping;

Now I’m back at work, I’m not here,

To give the third meal a day (lunch) and clean their litter trays.

I’m not looking after them as well as I should,

So, I know it’s the responsible thing to do;

My youngest, Ollie, ginger, got taken in by a sweet old lady;

Chade, all black, going to what sounds like a hellhole.

I fear he won’t live long, living in yard with 20 other cats;

But, beggars can’t be choosers;

And they’re just cats!

Right?

At 49, they’re the only family I’m ever gonna have;

My mum can die, I wouldn’t spit on her;

I talk to my sister 10 minutes on her birthday, 10 on mine;

My cats are the only living thing I felt close to. Ever.

My only real life source of acceptance,

Of being loved, being needed,

Being part of something more, other, than me;

And I’m not even a ‘cat’ person.

I’ve just given Chade what I think is a death sentence;

Maybe I’m tired; maybe “it’s just Monday”;

Maybe it’s the sudden rent arrears, or not enough hours…

But Chade leaving, and where he’s going to

Is what makes me cry tonight.

Jumbo the elephant

biggest boy on earth

drank whiskey

got way too friskey

smashed down

without a frown

the elephant barn

and now sews yarn

Jumbo went to rehab

an elephant

with alcohol scabs

he sits and prays

spends all his days

in Alcoholics Anonymous

with other drunken sailors

and green alligators

and he yawns

with a soul to pawn

giving his life to Jesus

what a creature

accepting his fate

as a Heavenly feature

reinstated

and spiritually related

got the

golden paw

and Heaven he saw

sitting on a cloud

sitting on a cloud

Jumbo is partying

with Jesus

partying with

Moses and Noah

don't you know it

Jumbo the elephant

the white mouse

with pink eyes

sunny skies

and eternal youth

this one

is a happy-go-lucky

riding his mouse wheel

not want trouble

lives to please man

will give up his life

to be a lab mouse

and live with

a bed bug louse

if he has to

My little love.

My furry one.

Such joy that I can feel.

You've snuggled right in to my heart.

I dread the day we should have to part.

Others may mock me all they wish.

I care not what they say.

Though you may to be of my flesh and blood.

Your my little one in every way.

So what if you aren't human.

There is no such thing as 'just a dog'.

Those who scoff will never understand.

Will never have the unique special bond.

The pureness of a fur babies love.

There is nothing sad in it at all.

You trust me wholeheartedly.

Love me unconditionally.

Protect me from anything.

Even the faintest of noises.

Your little eyes shining.

What would I ever do without you

How would my heart feel

My one who never judges me

I miss you even when your a room away

And love you more each day

So yes you may be a 'dog'

But its not pathetic to say

I love you as though you were created of me

Your paws a printed on my heart

And that's how it will always be

My heart beats slower and slower

When someone calls me honey.

I find it difficult to breathe

When someone compliments me for how built I am.

My body is cold and stiff

When someone compares me to an animal.

I make awkward faces

When someone calls me sweetie.

Words of endearment that used to make me smile

Are now like a bad-tasting egg in my mouth.

Words of endearment are bitter-sweet reminders

Of the period of time I felt inferior and insignificant.

Save those words for your pets because I am not one.

I am a human being who only wants actions, not words.

*

From every home I've ever known
I could always hear the distant groan
of trains in passage to their station,
whereabouts of which I've yet to gleam.

Even now, in a denizen's bed,
when star-pierced fog does reign overhead;
the strings of the heart will tighten thus
when the burdened locomotives weep.

The feline, my company, alert -
quite wary of the sounds of this hurt -
responds with a mew and a quiver,
lost in frantic dissonance, yet still.

Planted on pads and prodding the sill
whilst chirping in dulcet tones until
I stir and twist and claw at the air,
and he leaves his perch to lay beside.

Bundled with a bare knee, I commune
with the cat as he tumbles, immune
to my pleas for affection; he doles
out his warmth by wedging between me

and the coziest spot afforded
by the place we share in accordance
with a funny doctrine writ by those
who have need for a presence benign.

Once dull-eyed stares dissolve into doze,
the parcel of fur tarries in pose,
contorted at length while whistles blow
in far, thinning distance, receding.

The night has lapsed into reasonless
morn, where trappings of logic distress
instead of soothe. With eyes chained to lash,
falling, I allow myself haunted

by the slow retreat of tethered steam
that, for a time, had ousted my dreams
and filled all my hollow with echoes
that continue their ring as I wake.