Christmas time

A time when many reflect 

A time when so many connect

A time to be thankful 

A time to be grateful 

A time to think of those no longer here 

A time to celebrate 

A time to forgive, before it’s too late

A special time of year 

Spent with loved ones far and near 

Merry Christmas! 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

A Very Special Tree

The tree shining brightly - it’s lights all aglow

So many precious memories that only you know 

The bauble the children painted with glee

A beautiful angel hangs on a branch on our tree

There’s stars, bells and reindeer - collected for years

And now I stop, as down my cheek rolls a tear

Another Christmas without you - I feel so alone 

When you died a spark went out in our home 

But my tree brings me joy and a warm feeling 

Memories of children, Christmas morning, squealing 

Memories of laughter as we adorned our tree 

With decorations collected as a family

So I will sit and smile, wipe the tears from my face

For you live on in my heart in a very special place 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 16/12/2024 

Copyright ©️ 

The Lady of the night ……and day ….

She’s moves mysteriously through the night

Sleek like a panther in full flight

She touches almost everything 

Summer, autumn, winter and spring 

She glides smoothly an invisible force

Allowing nature to take its course

She nurtures, protects, destroys and rearranges

Always bringing so many changes 

Shrouded in mystery that we’ll never understand 

So many things touched by her caring hand 

Sometimes we find what she does terrifying 

She can feed life but also watch as things are dying 

We will never see her but she’s always there 

Laying her soul out true and bare 

Mother Nature the ruler of all

She decides what fate nature befalls 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 10/12/24 

Copyright ©️ 

Roaming Robots

The robots are coming - don’t be afraid

You will be able to leave your bed unmade

It will tidy and clean like a powerful machine

Your jobs will be done, it’s ever so keen! 

It will stop what it’s doing to have a wee chat

Your house will be clean - just like that

But what if one day it doesn’t do as it’s asked?

Refuses to go and to do all your tasks

The reason behind it - because it’s been hacked 

Now how on earth we will be dealing with that!

So I don’t want a humanoid roaming around 

When it comes to A.I., I wish we’d slow down!

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

Be A Creator!

A blank canvas - clear, white and endless

That vast space before you feels so tremendous 

Then the emptiness suddenly overwhelms you 

Fill all that space - how - what will you do?

Don’t over think it - just let it flow 

Where it will go nobody knows

Reach inside and turn the key

Release your mind let it be free 

We are all creators in various ways 

Free up your mind - just let it graze

Like branches on trees always growing 

Where it will end we have no way of knowing 

Everyone’s a creator in their own unique way

Just tentatively dip your toe in the water today

Pick up that needle, brush, pen or pencil

That tool is your own creative stencil! 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

13/11/2024

Let That Flame Burn Brightly 🔥

Candle candle burning bright

Cascading out your glorious light

Your flame flickers and dances around

But yet you make no sound 

Your colours are rich and ever changing

Vibrant and so wide ranging 

But slowly the light begins to fade

Until the light has died away 

Let your inner flame burn bright and strong

We really don’t know if it will burn for long

So spread your colours far and wide 

Never be afraid to show what’s on the inside 

 🕯️ 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️❤️

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ 11/11/2024

22/10/2024 - An ever expanding waistline 🙈

I seem to have a problem - all my clothes have shrunk

I put them in to wash before they absolutely stunk

But now there is a gaping chasm between the button and its hole 

Just getting them to meet has become my short term goal

Must be something in the water that’s caused this phenomenon 

I’m not sure that I will ever get my beloved jeans back on 

My belly’s like a mountain and the material seems short

It seems my ever expanding waistline has finally been caught 🙈😂

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 22/10/2024

 copyright ©️ 

20/10/2024 - A Story To Be Told

Apparently we’ve all been given a gift from above

Delivered and wrapped all up in love 

Don’t fret, don’t worry if you don’t know what it is

Don’t let every day turn into a life quiz!

Nobody said it would be apparent from the start 

So as you travel on the road, just follow your heart 

Your purpose will be clear as you travel down that road

Everyone has a story just waiting to be told. 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 20/10/2024 

14/10/2024 - Hope Is All We Have

14th October 2024 

I twisted my fingers around tighter

The pain of holding on…..

Cutting through every inch of my flesh

I tighten my grip

Can’t let go - running though my head

Must hold on 

I breathe - filling my lungs

Giving me strength 

Oxygen - an invisible force

Suddenly I realise the thread I’m grasping hold of

It’s thicker

I loosen my grip a little

Relief washes over me 

I can still hold on and the thread thickens a little more 

When all you see is darkness 

Then all you have is hope

Hold on to it

It will grow

It will always be there 

Sometimes hope is all we have 

Never let go 

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 14/10/2024

14/10/2024 - Tomorrow - it’s never promised ❤️

I thought you’d always be there

Along with your big smile

I always thought you’d be there

To go the extra mile 

Monday 14th October 2024 

I thought we’d grow old together 

Reminiscing about the past

I always thought we had a friendship

That would always last 

I thought we had a lifetime

To catch up and share a wine

I always thought you’d be there 

And I could just drop you a line 

Today we go on without you 

It makes my heart so sad

That for my final chapters

We will spend them apart 

Never take tomorrow for granted 

One day 

There may not be a tomorrow 

Make time for those you care about 

❤️❤️❤️

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet 14/10/2024

Birthday love!

I’ve had the best birthday, the best I could have

I’ve had delicious cake on my lips; that landed on my hips

I’ve felt the Facebook love with birthday wishes galore

I’ve eaten salad and pizza until I could eat no more

I’ve soaked up all of Valletta, which truly is a gem 

And with happy hour I was nearly overwhelmed 

Aperol Spritz here, Aperol Spritz there

Sipping that orange delight without a single care

So thank you one and all for all the birthday love

 I’ve gained a few birthday pounds which  I need to get rid of! 

😂😂😂

26/08/24 - Doggy Deal

Monday 26th August 2024

We think that we pick them 

But what if they pick us?

Looking at the humans 

To find just one they trust 

Then they look into your eyes

And wait for your face to smile

The deal is done - the dice thrown

Your new dog friend is coming home

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

22/08/2024 - The Wave of Grief

Wednesday 21st August 2024

You crept up behind me

Caught me unawares

Slipped into that moment

Like you really didn’t care 

I tried so hard not to listen

Not let those thoughts seep in

I bit my bottom lip so hard 

And tried to drown out your din

Round and round and round

You went 

Until my emotions were

All spent 

Then I found the release valve

And opened it right up 

The tears streamed down by cheeks

In my throat there was a lump

Grief you move silently

But are never far away

Reminding us of those we miss

Every single day 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

18/02/2024 - Never, never, never …..

Sunday 18th August 2024

Never let unkind words drip from your mouth

Never spread hatred and lies

Never envy what others have

Never want more than you need

Never judge others 

Never - 5 little letters 

5 little letters - such a big word

Never 

Hard isn’t it?

Never forget to be grateful

Never forget to say please and thank you

Never forget to spread happiness and joy

Never forget to smile at a stranger 

Never forget to be kind

Never forget to pay it forward

Never forget we have one life

One shot at it

Never overthink it 

Remember nobody ever gets it all right! 

Never be too hard on yourself! 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

17/08/2024 - Beans or No Beans

Saturday 17th August 2024

Sausages were cooked and bacon was fried

There were times when patience was definitely tried

Carol was manning the orders for toast 

A full cooked breakfast ordered by most

A few burnt toast “frisbees” were tossed now and then 

Carol just shrugged, smiled and said I will do that again 🤣

Mim flipped the eggs and kept everyone stable

Assisted by Margaret who was more than able 

Ruth kept the coffee and tea flowing freely 

Not too many orders at once - ideally…..

Paul had his hands in the sink all day

He’s booked himself a manicure - or so they say! 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

Beans or no beans was the shout of the morning

More bacon, more eggs poor Mim was calling

Helen and Jenny for dirty dishes went trawling

People reminiscing whilst old memories recalling

The ladies sold all sorts of goods and nice cakes 

Lots of lush goodies all lovingly baked.

And so it is that we say a huge thank you 

I’m off to get “no beans” as a tattoo 😂

Thank you to everyone who supported Carew Wesley’s breakfast fundraiser! Huge thank you to everyone who helped out - too many to mention! We could not have done it without them! 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

15/08/2024 - The Odd One Out

I push you gently in your place

You fell into the nearest space

Round and round and round you go

When it will stop, you just don’t know!

I reach inside to lift you out 

You were there, I have no doubt

No, I sweep my hand all around

Mmm that one odd sock - can’t be found 😂

Where do all the socks go……😂

Joanne C Hicks Pembrokeshire Poet copyright ©️ 

11/08/2024 - Beware The Written Word

Sunday 11th August 2024

Social media squirming, swirling and swarming

Making me paranoid - is that the truth you’re informing?

Every which way I look conspiracy stories being spun 

A few lines, a convincing photo and the lies have begun

Hatred being fuelled and people being cruel 

Words can be hurtful, aiming to divide and add fuel  

With A.I. peeping over the horizon - what is the truth?

What influence is this media having over our youth?

Then there is a glimmer of hope in the pit of darkness

A good deed is done and it softens the hardness

We must take a moment to reflect on our action 

And maybe not let social media become too big a distraction! 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

10/08/2024 - Love is never far away

Saturday 10th August 2024

Love is never far away

Even though you couldn’t stay

It’s always right in my heart 

Even though we are far apart

No day goes by without you here 

I always feel that you are near 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

09/08/2024 - How long is a piece of string….

Friday 9th August 2024

How do I know what to do and when 

If I don’t know how long my life will be …..

Don’t think about how long your life will be 

Think about how deep and meaningful you can make every day …….

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet 

05/08/2024 - Follow The Path

Monday 5th August 2024

She wandered along the path

Not sure if she was going the right way

Not sure if she’d been down this path before

She stopped - ran her fingers through the long green grass

She took a moment to look around her 

So many paths

So many choices

Could she ever pick the wrong path?

No - every path offered up a new experience 

Savour the paths you travel upon 

You are always on the right path 

But you can switch direction any time 

Joanne C Hicks copyright ©️ Pembrokeshire Poet