Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian

Category Archives: Trumps are best in cardgames


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the Three R’s (a new take)

THE THREE R’s (a new take)

I cannot tell you what joy it is to write words down in rhyme;

The practice perfected in past medieval times.

Court jesters, Rhymesters, bards and gleemen all trained in how to tell

In epic ways, of battles in which their heroes fell.

Tales of glory handed down from father then to son;

But nowadays we do it, just because it’s fun.

Poems are but retellings, of things we live in life.

Of new-found love and sometimes alas, about a shrewish wife.

Of many things that ail us and the past which brought us pain

But looking on the bright side, the things we’d do again.

We also know of joy and happiness galore

We’ll never know for certain though if we don’t pass through that door.

And therein lies the rub; holding back to no avail.

So take the chance, just sally forth, like a galleon under sail.

I start by simply sitting, day-dreaming of my youth

Then with a pen and paper I go about my proof.

It takes a bit of thinking and lots of trial and error

But after words are changed about it soon looks much the fairer.

There are many rules for poetry, which happily we ignore

Nothing would get written if we did not, of that I am quite sure.

A little trick I find, is to write then walk away;

Save what I’ve written in a drawer until another day.

I also find that reading, works of every kind

Helps to order random thoughts that run throughout my mind.

Why don’t you join me, share in all my joy?

Start by sitting down to play with words just like a toy.

Maybe then you will find out that what I say is true

But Reading, Riting and Rhymatic is entirely up to you.


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An Open Letter to WordPress Readers

AN OPEN LETTER TO WORDPRESS READERS  

As we wrap up the year 2016 and brace ourselves for the New Year 2017, I am taking advantage of this forum to write to you. There are several reasons I am doing this. Mainly it is to thank you for following my blog – Fa the name of the Green Dragon and to thank you also for the contributions you have made. I am amazed by the diverse topics which are posted. Speaking of myself I should clarify that I possess the soul of an adventurer but it’s trapped in the body of a clerk. You can well imagine therefore how much I have enjoyed your various adventures which you have written about and upon which I have commented from time to time.

I have especially enjoyed, without being nosey or the intent of an electronic stalker, the personal glimpses you have shared with me about your lives.

I have especially enjoyed pictures of extraordinary street art taken around London and my home town of Bristol in the U.K. I have enjoyed great nature photography from Dorset and Staffordshire, remarkable pictures and cultural glimpses into India, art from Sweden and excellent water colour art from Germany. Having made many house moves myself over the years I have been in silent empathy for those of you who moved this year. I know how stressful it can be.

I have been fortunate to have already visited many countries and to have lived in a few of them for an extended period of time. So it’s really good fun read postings from Germany, Sweden, New Zealand, China and SE Asia.

I don’t claim to be a great blogger, but my hope is to get better in 2017. This by the way is not a resolution only a tacit idea that my subconscious can chew on as I go about my day. 

A word though about 2017. Of course we don’t know what the future will bring but, for those of us who reside in the United States, I have a feeling we are in for a bumpy ride. I have no faith or confidence is the person who is about to be inaugurated on January 20th as its president. His open disdain for tradition, protocol and simple decent behavior are bothersome to say the least. But enough said except perhaps to say let’s wait and see. We can rest assured he will not fall flat on his face; his growing nose will prevent that from happening.

So now the wish: wishes are a chance to express hope and I hope that 2017 is healthy, happy and prosperous not only for you but for your families and extended families. 2017 has got to become a year of great outcomes for us all. Nigel


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Jumping Jacks

This is an End-of-the-Year light-hearted piece that ha been sitting in a box for a long time. It’s based on the nursery rhyme written around 1815.

Jumping Jacks

Jack be Nimble, if that’s your name.

Here’s an idea for a different game.

Jack don’t be nimble, Jack be good.

Only do the things you should.

Stop jumping over candle-sticks

The world is tired of old-time tricks.

Not only that but it burns my wick!

I say this with no pun intended.

But one of these days you’ll be upended.

If it happens and you fall down.

There’s a real good chance you’ll break your crown.

If you do this at any time,

You’ll find yourself in a different rhyme.

You might find it hard to take this pill,

But you’ll be paired with a girl named Jill.

Take that Jack! And your pail too.

Don’t say I didn’t look out for you.

Jack be Nimble, why the laughter?

Just wait till Jill comes tumbling after.

Your fate is sealed it’s carved in stone

From now on you’re not alone.

She’ll be with you like a shadow,

To follow you around.

You’ll be a prisoner of her guile.

Do not worry, just wait a while;

You see, in you she made one good pick.

So maybe now you’ll stop your tricks.

And take up other things to make or do.

Now, Jack be Nimble do this now

It’s for your sake, so make a vow

 Jack be Nimble do hereby swear

To never jump again.

No more fortunes told with candles.

Raise plants instead with long green tendrils.

No, perhaps not; I did not mean

That you should start at growing beans.

For that might change the rhyme once more

Running for dear life towards the door

Of a giant’s castle in the sky

Bound on baking you in a pie.

Down the stalk and run instead

Home to mother and your bed.

Stay there forever, forget the game

I even hope you forget my name.

Forget what I have said today

Just go about your life your way.

Go back to being nimble and also quick

Continue jumping candle sticks

That you will fall we have no fears

Because you’ve done this for two hundred years.