8th January 2026 • The HERALD • Page 77 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v Poets Corner TREES by Heather Cheese-Williams© Green comes in many shades, The trees, grass and hedges, Line the pathways, dominate skies! Emerald, sea green, trees swaying high, The green of health, life and water. Drought will not wait or hesitate Leaves still grow, they will not wait Dark green, light green, all a pleasure A feast for senses, our eyes to open Green the colour of a thirsty world, Roots soak up life from the ground. Life circles go round and round, Colour green, has many choices, But the green of trees have magical voices! A WAR OF WORDS by Mike ‘Thesaurus’ Bennett© Got my coffee - I’ll rest for a bit Cafe’s busy - I’ve got to admit As a table and chair Are now free over there With my paper, I’ll happily sit Now the man on next table, I see Has same paper and crossword as me As our eyes have just ‘met’ He’ll be thinking, I bet “Will I finish it first, or will he?” ‘Gloves’ are off - pens are primed - so lets go Solved a clue - so I land the first ‘blow’ He’s a smirk on his face Cos he’s picked up the pace I start clicking my pen - I’m too slow 10 across could be ‘verb’ or a ‘noun’ He’ll have seen my face ridged with a frown Bet he got it real quick Looks a right ‘clever dick’ Hope he struggles with 23 down It’s a ‘toughie’ today - my hopes sink As I take the last slurp from my drink I’m deflated for sure As I can’t do much more Guess I’m not quite as ‘smart’ as I think I’ll take action to mask my despair Random letters in each empty square Though I would have preferred To have found the right word He won’t know - call me ‘cheat’ - I don’t care! But he’s leaving - and I’m seeing red ‘Crossword man’ utters words that I dread “It was easy today Did you finish OK?” Shall I say where he might stick his head? My frustration will pass by and by Though I’m sick as a ‘pig’ - I won’t lie But I won’t tell the wife She’ll just say “Get a life” I may well give sudoku a try!! HANDS by David K Wilson© DOG by Heather Cheese-Williams© ere’s a piece of toast le on the plate, And if I whine, and make that face, You might relent, if I make a case, I’m hungry Dad I need that toast! And perhaps a little Sunday roast! Just look into my big sad eyes, I love a biscuit, and perhaps a pie, But they say the vet says I’m fat What a know all! What a prat! When I next get on his scales, I’ll make a fuss and create some smells. But now it’s time for my bed And dream of when I’ll be fed! The copyright of all poems that are published in The Herald belong to the author and must NOT be reproduced without their permission Two hands drawing nearer It’s been a long long time This moment happens once a year When everything fall’s in line You’ve waited very patiently For this moment to arrive This hour in all its tenderness It’s when emotions come alive Two hands ever closer What will you do or say Will anything feel different You know he loves you anyway Will it change the way you think Your actions what you do The hour is drawing closer And he’s standing beside you Two hands almost meeting Your heart is beating fast If only you could bottle time You’d make this moment last Does he feel the same as you? Has he always felt this way? And you’re almost uncontrollable As excitement rules your day Six hands join together At the stroke of the midnight hour Your hands his hands and the clock Hark, church bells in the tower Champagne corks are popping It’s another brand New Year We pray this year is peaceful Filled with happiness and cheer Hand in hand we drink champagne Singing Auld-Lang-Syne We each make resolutions Which we know will fade with time Another year another day Last year passed now slipped away With two hands joined its time for change Dear Lord this world is rearranged! Friends depart at 1am Children sleeping tight An hour ago the old year ruled Now it’s a New Year is in full flight It’s been a long day you’re tired So it’s lights off up to bed Resting now you contemplate As hands put thoughts inside your head! Turnstones by Heather Cheese-Williams© Our little robotic friends, Move along the shore. All together you look the same, Trotting along, busy looking down intense, Calling you by another name. Would never make sense, When you take fright! You all take ight! en you land all together, In rain and sun whatever the weather. e turnstones, we hope will be forever! Send your poems to us at 2 High Street, Hythe, Southampton SO45 6AH or email: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk
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