<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526</id><updated>2024-10-01T12:59:44.109-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Worded Blog</title><subtitle type='html'>The first few words.   &#xa;Hello there, and thank you for stopping by The Worded Blog. Here as one might expect, you will find words, lots of them. Mainly you will find poetry and short stories penned by myself as well as chapters from my novels. Please note that all content is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior permission from my goodself. So that said, go ahead, have a read I dare you!</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default?redirect=false'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>12</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-2006222293966864168</id><published>2020-05-27T10:20:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T10:22:14.726-07:00</updated><title type='text'>New Knickers</title><content type='html'>&lt;h1 align=&quot;center&quot; style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: windowtext;&quot;&gt;New
Knickers&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;It did
not look like it would rain this afternoon. It had in fact, rained three days
already this week so she had put off doing the washing until today. There was
not much to do anyway. Just a couple of bras, a blouse, some tights and a few
pairs of drawers. She used to separate her washing but nowadays she just put it
all in together and used a cold wash. Nothing was ever that dirty anyway. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;The sky
was clear and bright as she walked down the garden path with the washing basket
in her arms. She used wooden pegs to hang her American tan tights on the line.
It was not easy to get them nowadays, whereas once upon a time they were all
any women would wear it seemed. She still wore them. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;A wire
had half come out of one of the bras and patiently she threaded it back in,
mentally noting to stitch it later on. Bras were not cheap. This particular one
she had had a number of years. It did not fit her like it should anymore but
she was not about to waste money on a new bra. She pushed the washing basket
along the path with her leg as she moved sideways down the washing line and
hung up the blouse. It was white. Not as white as it had once been but white
enough to still be seen as white rather than that greyish white that white
blouses tend to go. It was plain and simple and had cost eight pounds
ninety-nine from Ali’s stall on the Thursday market about five years ago.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;She moved
down the path pushing the basket with her feet as she went along. She pegged
out her knickers. They were comfortable drawers, mostly plain but one or two
pairs had a flower pattern on, small daisy’s or tiny red roses. The knickers
themselves were enormous. That is compared to hers from the house behind. Their
gardens backed on to one another. She just wore&lt;i&gt; tangas &lt;/i&gt;that one. She had
red shoulder length hair and a foreign sounding name. The neighbours all
referred to her as Red, after the colour of her hair. She was not foreign, just
her name was. Her parents had been on holiday somewhere on the continent and
brought it back with them so to speak. There was never a bra on &lt;i&gt;her&lt;/i&gt; line
oh no. &lt;i&gt;She&lt;/i&gt; did not own one. Slut!!!&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;Rows and
rows of tangas or sexy undies hung on &lt;i&gt;her&lt;/i&gt; washing line. &lt;i&gt;Plastic&lt;/i&gt;
pegs she used. She was single obviously. She was the type men dated but never
married. They might live with her even – for a while. But never a ring. She sun
bathed topless in the garden. The boys next door loved it of course. They were
nine and eleven years old. She did not care that they were watching from an
upstairs bedroom window. She seemed to encourage them even. Pervert!!! Tangas –
little tiny bits of material or lace. Leopard skin pattern ones she had and all
sorts. Nothing ordinary, nothing plain, all her knickers craved attention,
demanded it they did, just like her. And they and she got it. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;The next
pair she hung out had long since seen better days. They were no longer fit to
wear. Once they were dry, she would put them in the cupboard under the sink.
They were about to start their new life as a duster. Well, there was no point
in buying them when a pair of old drawers would do just as good. Jenny, who
lived next door and was in fact the mother of the two junior peeping toms,
washed her dusters and hung them on the line. Bright yellow they were. That was
good housekeeping. But then, being a mother and running a family needed good
housekeeping. They were very happily married Jenny and Mike. He was a painter
and decorator, she worked part time in the school. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;Jenny did
not own a tanga. Or at least if she did one never showed itself on her washing
line. Private things should be kept private. She had nice knickers. Pretty
pairs of lace and cotton, some quite small but nothing vulgar, nothing cheap
looking. Sexy yes, but not cheap looking, not slutty. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;She knew
they were very happily married because their bedroom shared a wall with hers.
They did not make a great noise, no song and dance act but the headboard kept a
regular rhythm several times a week. She didn’t mind. She thought of moving her
bed to the other side of the room or even moving into another bedroom, she had
two spare ones. But no, somehow, she had got used to it. It would have been
different if they were arguing all the time, screaming and shouting at one
another half the night. But they were not. In fact she had never heard them
row. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;It was
comforting in a way. It was nice to be almost included in their happiness. It
reminded her of her late husband John and her. They had been happy. They had
had three children who had now grown up and moved away. Her youngest son lived
in Australia, her daughter in Scotland and her other son in Spain on some
Costa, she had never been to visit. She got letters and postcards and phone
calls. They had their lives to lead, she understood that. She was excited for
her youngest son when he came home and announced he was emigrating to
Australia. Oh both John and she were concerned, up-set that they would not see
him again but as John said, they could not stop him going out into the world
and making a man himself. They did not try to stop him. It was his adventure, his
journey, his life. The airport was perhaps too hard, too painful. It came out
of nowhere really, one moment she was smiling and telling him to watch out for
Kangaroos and the next she was shaking like a leaf and tears streaming down her
face. She was losing her baby! John was a rock. She could never have got
through it without him. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;When
their daughter told them that she was getting married to a man from Edinburgh
and would be moving there, it did not seem too bad. It was at least in the UK.
It is funny, her son had been back to visit twice over the years. Her daughter
not once. Some distances are more emotional than miles.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;It came
as no surprise to either John or her that their eldest son moved off to Spain.
He used to watch programmes about it on the telly. They could almost see it
coming. It would mean cheap holidays too so great. They had been to Spain on a
package holiday in 1980, she still had the straw donkey somewhere. Off he went
to sun, sea and sangria with Sandra from the chip shop. She came back after
three months, he did not. She works in the kebab shop now.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;It was
almost like being young again, having the house to themselves. No-one taking
too long in the bathroom getting ready for work or to go out in the evening.
No-one shouting down from upstairs, questions like “Mum, where’s my red shirt”?
or “Mum, what time’s dinner”? Just her and John. There was hardly any mess to
clean up with just the two of them. It was nice, comfortable, secure. John had
a heart attack carrying vegetables home form the market. He should have caught
the bus but he would walk. Just to save one pound ten. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;Her
youngest was not able to make it back from Australia in time for the funeral;
he was very sorry and sent some lovely flowers. The other two came though. The
daughter – just for the day, she could not stop over night as she was doing a
course and had got special permission to miss the day but she could not miss
two days. They hardly spoke, she was there and gone. And so was John. The house
changed. It was not just quiet and tidy anymore but empty. Jam packed full of
memories but completely empty. She did not know that silence could be so loud.
Time heals – actually that’s bollocks you just cope, you go numb and you cope
because you have to and that’s that. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;Then
suddenly, the sound of next door’s headboard knocking on the wall seems like a
lovely sound. It brings back all those wonderful memories. Those feelings of
happiness and security. It brings back the past in a most unexpected yet
fabulous way. A quiet, comforting way that offers peace somehow. She would not
move her bed to the other side of the room. Not yet anyway.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;John had
been dead twelve years and her headboard had not moved since. Not once. Red did
not have a headboard, what would be the point? It would smash its way through
to the house next door like a pneumatic drill and the screaming would be from
her, not it. Oh she made a noise. When she dragged some bloke up her stairs the
entire area knew about it. She made sure they did. She took some strange pleasure
in grabbing as much attention as she could. God knows why. It’s not something
most normal people would want to do. But she was like it in every aspect of her
life. Attention grabbing. Wherever she was she would talk loudly and instead of
keeping her eyes fixed on the person she was talking to, she would scour the
vicinity to see if anyone was listening and then pounce. She would direct a
comment right at them and bring them into the conversation. Even when they
clearly did not want to be a part of it. All the attention had to be on her.
Even when she was alone in her own garden. Why else sun bath topless? Perhaps
it was not just the little boys next door who were looking. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;&lt;a name=&quot;_GoBack&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Despite the tangas and flowing locks, she had spent more and
more nights alone as the years rolled by had Red. There had been a time when
there was a procession of young men climbing her stairs, it was almost like a
local rite of passage. But as the years passed by the men started to do so too.
Nowadays she was left with very meagre pickings and as the number of men
dwindled, the amount of vodka she consumed increased. Once she been a bit of a
slut. Now, she was a drunken lonely slut desperate for attention – even from
the neighbours’ little boys. But even so, there were still nights when the
bedroom window would be open and her orgasmic orchestra played to the residents
of the three surrounding streets. Isn’t KY jelly marvellous?&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;One of
the pairs of knickers she was hanging out had a hole in the gusset. They would
do for polishing too so it did not matter. She looked around the gardens, to
the other washing lines. It seemed the entire neighbourhood had decided that
today was wash day. Well, a dry day is almost always wash day here. So many
pairs of knickers! Red’s tangas, Jenny’s slips, and her old tired bloomers. It
hit her like a thunder bolt. You could tell the kind of life these women had by
looking at their underwear. Of course she wore tired out old drawers, she was
tired out. Hang on. No she was not. Why on earth was she wearing these horrible
baggy old things? She might never have worn tangas but she used to wear nice
knickers, nice knickers like Jenny’s. Her life had become so dull, so
uninteresting, so lonely that she simply did not care about her underwear.
No-one was going go see it, it did not matter. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;So that
was that. She had given up living. But she did not know she had given up. She
had not meant to. After John died, she must have just drifted into a kind of
getting by mode and somehow, she had stayed that way. Just getting by, but not
actually living. John was dead. He had been dead for twelve years but she was
not dead. She looked at Red’s tangas and laughed. That definitely was not her,
but she would never think badly of Red again. Red had always been single and
had always wanted not to be. And she was still trying not to be even now, in
her early fifties. When she looked at Jenny’s washing line, she prayed that she
would never see bloomers on it – ever. &lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p style=&quot;margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;&quot;&gt;She
walked down the garden path grabbing the knickers off the line. She went
indoors, threw them into the rubbish bin, went upstairs and moved her bed to
the other side of the room. Then, she went out to get a new life and some new
knickers.&lt;o:p&gt;&lt;/o:p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;arial&quot;&gt;This is one of the stories in my book, The Image of a word, which is available through Amazon in both ebook form or paperback.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/2006222293966864168/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/new-knickers.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/2006222293966864168'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/2006222293966864168'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/new-knickers.html' title='New Knickers'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-5367317643015452104</id><published>2013-02-12T05:49:00.011-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T04:21:48.228-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Walking Through Doors.  </title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.amazon.co.uk/Walking-Through-Doors-Len-Bateman/dp/B088BCJ7XT/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&amp;amp;keywords=len+bateman&amp;amp;qid=1590577381&amp;amp;s=books&amp;amp;sr=1-4&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XVWirxaSIg_ek04GGulO4ewAS0NJFc4dmJiQbD8JuRTtEfrftmBXP_ryywAusxlMXLQx1hmBY0y-TWUrOeeqCKPRG2JCKJkLr4sQKmDgkXTnnv7_FPFbGLIll2XIRnqaGxJZLQQ20r1T/&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;340&quot; data-original-width=&quot;235&quot; height=&quot;320&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XVWirxaSIg_ek04GGulO4ewAS0NJFc4dmJiQbD8JuRTtEfrftmBXP_ryywAusxlMXLQx1hmBY0y-TWUrOeeqCKPRG2JCKJkLr4sQKmDgkXTnnv7_FPFbGLIll2XIRnqaGxJZLQQ20r1T/s320/walking+through+doors+cover.JPG&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;
This is my novel, available through Amazon, for kindle or in paperback. It&#39;s called Walking Through Doors. &amp;nbsp;Those who regularly check back here may have read the first chapter here. &amp;nbsp;However, now you can read the entire novel!!!&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;
Walking Through Doors, is the story of a group of friends who when they leave school realise the world isn&#39;t exactly as they thought it would be. &amp;nbsp;We follow them and&amp;nbsp;in particular&amp;nbsp;the heroine, on a journey that is often very funny and sometimes rather sad. &amp;nbsp;This book, deals with the years in which people change from being school children into mature responsible adults, and all the hassles, joys and laughs that brings.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;
I hope you enjoy it.&amp;nbsp; To get hands on a copy either the ebook for kindle or a paperback, just go to Amazon and search my name, &#39;Len Bateman&#39;, My titles will all appear.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/5367317643015452104/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/this-is-my-new-novel-available-through.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/5367317643015452104'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/5367317643015452104'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/this-is-my-new-novel-available-through.html' title='Walking Through Doors.  '/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XVWirxaSIg_ek04GGulO4ewAS0NJFc4dmJiQbD8JuRTtEfrftmBXP_ryywAusxlMXLQx1hmBY0y-TWUrOeeqCKPRG2JCKJkLr4sQKmDgkXTnnv7_FPFbGLIll2XIRnqaGxJZLQQ20r1T/s72-c/walking+through+doors+cover.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-8590618237630158751</id><published>2012-10-03T01:23:00.012-07:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T04:22:06.254-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Image of a word.</title><content type='html'>&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIYr8p7uHPs7kdfmk9JqaVIDTz9HzPQraNIme5l7Ni4CvrrE8F19wiLdkickmvWSocbkrNSY2S8jjGVt2SrC67eSM8FwM0f8hG4gvBI-RSqJpEnniZa-KKjEui2ADz3ashYPfDA7pfQGG/&quot; imageanchor=&quot;1&quot; style=&quot;margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;&quot;&gt;&lt;img border=&quot;0&quot; data-original-height=&quot;339&quot; data-original-width=&quot;231&quot; height=&quot;320&quot; src=&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIYr8p7uHPs7kdfmk9JqaVIDTz9HzPQraNIme5l7Ni4CvrrE8F19wiLdkickmvWSocbkrNSY2S8jjGVt2SrC67eSM8FwM0f8hG4gvBI-RSqJpEnniZa-KKjEui2ADz3ashYPfDA7pfQGG/s320/the+image+of+a+word+cover.JPG&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;separator&quot; style=&quot;clear: both; text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;courier&quot;&gt;This is s series of short stories.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;&quot;&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;courier&quot;&gt;Seven pieces, seven stories, seven views of life. In this book you will find seven short, some very short, stories that depict different life experiences. From a child terrified of the dark, to dealing with depression, loneliness and even the loss of a child. There are moments of amusement and others of sadness and perhaps even madness. They are moments in time, in life, in this journey, they are view points, they are portraits, they are snap shots, they are pictures, they are images and they are words. They are an image of a word.&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;courier&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div style=&quot;text-align: justify;&quot;&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;courier&quot;&gt;You can get a copy of this book, either an ebook for Kindle or a paperback copy, via Amazon. Just type &#39;Len Bateman&#39; in the search bar under books.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/font&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/8590618237630158751/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-post.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/8590618237630158751'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/8590618237630158751'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-post.html' title='The Image of a word.'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrIYr8p7uHPs7kdfmk9JqaVIDTz9HzPQraNIme5l7Ni4CvrrE8F19wiLdkickmvWSocbkrNSY2S8jjGVt2SrC67eSM8FwM0f8hG4gvBI-RSqJpEnniZa-KKjEui2ADz3ashYPfDA7pfQGG/s72-c/the+image+of+a+word+cover.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-524419010795473076</id><published>2012-08-15T05:35:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2012-08-15T05:35:35.090-07:00</updated><title type='text'>This is the first chapter to one of my books for young readers set in the magical land of Buntonia</title><content type='html'>

&lt;div align=&quot;CENTER&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium;&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Gretchen
and Her Super Soup&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;LEFT&quot; style=&quot;font-style: normal; margin-top: 0.42cm; page-break-after: avoid;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: medium;&quot;&gt;&lt;u&gt;&lt;b&gt;Chapter
1&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Buntonia is a magical
land.  A place where dreams can come true if you love enough  and
nightmares do if you don’t.  Some say it is safest not to dream at
all, that way, nothing will happen to you.  Gretchen didn’t approve
of that.  It was her opinion that in this hard and sometimes lonely
life, it was your dreams that kept you going.  After all if you do
not have a reason for doing something, then there is no point in
doing anything at all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Gretchen, Gretchen,
where’s my soup Gretchen?’  Her father was calling for her from
the kitchen downstairs.  Gretchen made her way down the old rickety
staircase, which led down into a round room off which all the other
rooms, such as they were, led.  The kitchen door was open and
Gretchen could see the skinny, twisted old frame of her father sat at
the wooden table eating his soup.  ‘Gretchen’, he slurped,
‘where’s my soup’,  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;You’re eating it
father’, Gretchen informed him as she entered the kitchen.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;But I’m still hungry
Gretchen, I’m still hungry girl, I’m withering away’.  The old
man declared whilst he shovelled spoonful after spoonful of
Gretchen’s pumpkin soup down his wrinkled throat. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Why not have some
bread father?’ Gretchen suggested moving the bowl of bread that was
already on the table a bit nearer to him. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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 ‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Some bread girl?’,
her father questioned her with a look of horror on his face yet still
keeping up the rhythm of his soup guzzling. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Yes father have some
bread.’  Her father could not believe his cauliflower ears. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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 ‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Some bread with my
soup do you say, are you mad?’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Calmly Gretchen answered
‘No father I am not mad, try some bread with your soup.’  The old
codger moved his large knobbly old hand over to the bread, shaking
his almost entirely bald head and pulling a face that showed he was
expecting to taste the worst medicine in the world.  He picked up a
piece of bread and sniffed it with his bulbous nose. Gretchen held
her breath as he dipped the bread into the soup and raised it out
again.  Soup dripped off the bread and fell back into the bowl and
her father looked at Gretchen like a child wanting encouragement from
his mother to take the nasty medicine.  ‘Go on father, eat It.’
said Gretchen nodding her head.  The old man raised his hands above
his head and held the soup sodden bread high up in the air.  The soup
dripping down on to his face.  Then he pushed his head back, opened
his mouth, his eyes as big as dinner plates.  Staring at it as though
it was an axe about to chop his head off.  Then in one movement, he
forced the hunk of bread into his open mouth and sat there waiting
for something to happen.  His mouth was so full of bread he could not
talk.  So he gave a little groan instead.  ‘Chew it father’, said
Gretchen, ‘chew it’.  The old man gave another little groan and
began the task of chewing.  Finally, when all the bread was swallowed
he declared, ‘Oh Gretchen, that was the loveliest thing I have ever
eaten.’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Thank you father’,
replied Gretchen and made her way back upstairs to her bedroom. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;She looked out of her
small window down into the valley, across the river and over to the
hills.  They were covered in trees and by day she could see not one
house.  But at night when the moon shone and the stars came out, the
hills were ablaze with hundreds of tiny lights that lit the homes of
the people who lived there.  The Grobbly-Boblins, the Shoodoos, the
Crickalicks and even the Humans, Gretchen had never met a human
before, even though she was one herself.  Her father was a
Grobbly-Boblin.  He wasn’t her real father; he’d looked after her
ever since she could remember.  She didn’t even know why.  All she
knew was that this kind, lovely Grobbly-Boblin had always been there
for her.  So now that she was older, she would return the kindness
and always be there for him.  Besides, she loved him and he loved
her.  He was not as clever as Gretchen was.  He could not read or
write, but he made sure Gretchen could by sending her to Mrs Mickle
for lessons every day when she was young.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Mrs Mickle lived in a
sort of cave that her husband had dug out of the side of the hill. 
It had lots of rooms and was lovely and warm.  It was the nicest home
Gretchen had ever been in.  Mr and Mrs Mickle were not
Grobbly-Boblins, nor were they Humans.  They were Shoodoos, and
Gretchen liked them very much.  They had six children of their own so
Gretchen loved going there for her lessons because although she did
not much like to do her school work, she loved playing with the other
children when Mrs Mickle said it was break time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;The sun shone down on to
the countryside and Gretchen day dreamed as she often did, about her
real parents.  Maybe she had a brother or sister and her family were
rich and one day they would come for her and take her to live in
their huge castle and have servants.  Gretchen would not have to make
soup any more.  How lovely.  ‘Gretchen, Gretchen, there’s no more
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;soup&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;
Gretchen.’  Came the old man’s voice.  And so as she always did,
Gretchen went down the stairs into the kitchen, picked up her basket
and said, ‘Don’t worry father I’ll get some things to make more
soup for you.’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Oh Gretchen you &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;are
good&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt; to
me, what would I do without you?’  said her father getting up from
the table and shuffling his way through the doorway in the way that
all Grobbly-Boblins shuffled their thin bodies along, as if they were
polishing the floor with the soles of their slippers.  ‘What would
I have done without you father’, replied Gretchen.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Indeed Gretchen, we
must belong together you and I.’  The old man said smiling back at
her.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Yes father,’ she
agreed, ‘I think we probably do.’  And with that she left the
house through the kitchen door that led outside down the garden path
and into the valley.  Carrying her basket and thinking how lucky she
was to have that lumpy old faced Grobbly-Boblin to make soup for. 
For if it was not for him who knows what would have become of her.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Gretchen liked to
surprise her father with her soup.  She could make it out of almost
anything.   Her father’s favourite was her sweet nutty soup, but
she did not like that one much herself.  Today she decided to try
something new, though what exactly she did not know.  She had made
soup with so many things she wasn’t sure that there was anything
left that she had not already used.  But she would know what to use
when she saw it, and so off she went in search of her new and
exciting ingredients. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;She took the path to the
left that led into the part of the forest where no one lived, except
of course for the animals and birds.  Most people lived on the other
side of the valley, but that was too expensive for Gretchen and her
father, still she liked their little house. It was old and sometimes
draughty but it was also very cosy and it was home.  Other people may
have bigger and better houses but Gretchen knew that you should never
be ashamed of where you live.  For every home is just as special to
the people who live there, no matter how big, no matter how small, it
is the people inside that count.  Gretchen was not jealous of those
folks who were richer than her and her father.  He had always, very
wisely told her, that some people are so poor that all they have is
money.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Sitting on a branch of a
tree was a yellow and turquoise bird.  Gretchen had not seen one of
these birds before.  She stopped still in her tracks and watched the
bird for a few seconds, ‘How beautiful it is’; she thought gazing
at it.  Presently the bird began to sing and the most beautiful tune
that Gretchen had ever heard entered her delicate ears and filled her
head and heart with happiness.  As she listened she walked forward,
stepping on a twig that lay on the forest floor.  It gave a crack as
she passed over it.   The bird was startled by this and looking round
saw Gretchen and flew off.  Gretchen followed as fast as she could. 
Through the forest she followed the bird, hoping it would rest a
while and sing once more.  But after ten minutes of trying, she could
not keep up and the mysterious yellow and turquoise bird vanished
deep into the forest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Gretchen decided to sit
down on a nearby fallen tree and catch her breath.  It was only then
that she realised, she did not know where she was.  She had been so
busy trying to keep up with the bird, that she had not noticed which
direction she had come from. She looked around her hoping to
recognise something.  But nothing looked familiar at all.  The only
thing to do was to try and make her way back home as best she could. 
It could not be too far after all, she’d only been running a few
minutes.  So off she went carrying her basket and trying to retrace
her steps through the forest.  As she did so she sang the lovely tune
she had heard the bird singing.  She walked and walked for half an
hour and still could not find her way.  Every twist and turn brought
new places into view.  She ought to have been worried and upset at
being so lost, but somehow, as long as she sang the birds song, she
was quite, quite happy.  Rabbits and squirrels kept hoping and
running in front of her and she even saw a badger watching her from a
bunch of ferns.  Birds were lining tree branches and butterflies and
bees perched on the small delicate blooms of the forest flowers. 
Gretchen kept walking and singing.  Smiling all the time at the
creatures of the forest that came out from their secret places to see
her.  She had never known the animals to be so bold before, and
despite being lost, was having a truly lovely time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;/div&gt;
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&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Suddenly Gretchen heard a
soft fanfare of flutes and a golden light beamed out from a huge oak
tree.  All the animals, birds and insects that had been following her
stood still and each one bowed his or her head.  Gretchen herself
stopped singing and stared at the illuminated tree.  Now she was
frightened.  The branches of the tree shook and then out from the
light stepped a beautiful woman with long flowing hair.  She was not
like any creature Gretchen could have imagined never mind actually
seen before.  For she was made entirely of the beautiful golden light
that shone from every branch of the oak tree.    Her dress sparkled
as though it was made from gold coloured diamonds.  Her hair was
shining and went right down her back, so if she wished, she could sit
on it.  It was so perfect it looked like liquid gold.  She smiled at
Gretchen, but Gretchen being so nervous and scared, could not smile
back.  Her mouth was wide open and her eyes as big as big could be. 
‘Hello young lady, my name is Oakleen’, said the soft-spoken
woman as she approached.  ‘And who might you be?’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Gr., Gretchen ma’am’,
replied Gretchen in complete wonder at the lady before her.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Tell me Gretchen,
where did you hear the tune you were singing?’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;I heard a bird singing
it, as I walked through the forest, a most beautiful bird.’ 
Oakleens’ eyes sparkled,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
 ‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;You saw this you
say?’ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
 ‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Yes Ma’am it was
truly beautiful, yellow and blue, a turquoise blue really, I’ve
never seen one before.’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;And now you have both
seen and heard it.  Well Gretchen you are a very fortunate young lady
indeed.  How did you feel when you heard this bird?’  Gretchen
feeling a little easier said ‘Oh happy, it was strange but as soon
as the bird began to sing I felt my heart lift and my spirits soar. 
I couldn’t help but feel the world was wonderful.’ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
 ‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;It is true Gretchen’,
Oakleen proclaimed ‘You are a very, very fortunate girl.  For not
everyone that sees and hears the Terbert bird feels like that.  Only
truly good people are so uplifted.  Bad people can feel very unhappy
and miserable, for the Terbert bird is the most magical creature in
all creation.  He can bring great joy and great sorrow by reflecting
that which is in your soul.  If you are good, he will make you happy,
if you are bad; he will make you sad.  But all are better for knowing
him.  Although very few do so.  It is a great privilege that you have
encountered him.’ &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;I was a trying to
follow him, but I couldn’t and now I’m lost.’  Said Gretchen
hoping to show the way home.  Oakleen laughed, ‘Everybody tries to
follow the Terbert bird my dear, but it is impossible.  He will allow
you to see him only for as long as he wants to and once he has made
up his mind that it is time to go, he simply vanishes.  Some people
are too sad to try to find him again; others look for a while but
soon tire and are distracted by another of the forest creatures.  But
you Gretchen, you have kept his song alive in your voice and in your
heart longer than any other has.  What will you do with his song
Gretchen?’  Asked Oakleen.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
‘&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Do with it?’ 
Enquired Gretchen, ‘Why I won’t do anything, except sing it to
myself and remember how beautiful the Terbert bird was, and how happy
he made me feel.’  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;The light began to shine
from the oak tree once again and Oakleen said, ‘Then Gretchen, you
have found the new ingredient you need.  When you make your soup,
sing the song of the Terbert bird, and the love and happiness within
you will go into your soup and touch all those who eat it.  And one
day, if you keep his song in your voice and love in your heart, you
may know the Terbert bird once more.  The rabbits will show you the
way home.   Goodbye Gretchen, you are a very special young lady.’ 
And with that Oakleen stepped back into the golden light, the glowing
branches shook once more and the light faded and died.  Gretchen felt
strange.  She knew she should be frightened still, but instead she
was calm and peaceful.  She followed the rabbits as they hopped along
the forest floor, looking back towards her occasionally to check that
she was still there.  After a while they came to a path that Gretchen
knew and the rabbits hopped off into the undergrowth of the forest.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;Gretchen picked some
mushrooms and edible berries and made her way back home to the little
house to make some more soup for her father.  This soup was going to
be the best yet, for it had a new and magical ingredient, the song of
the Terbert bird and her love.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; widows: 0;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;The sun was beginning to
set by the time Gretchen arrived home, and the hillside across the
valley was being lit up by hundreds of tiny lights inside hundreds of
homes.  From Gretchen’s bedroom window the hillside looked
beautiful and&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;magical.
 ‘Ah Gretchen you’re home girl’, said her father as she entered
the kitchen door.  ‘Will you make some soup for your poor old
father? I’m starving you know.’ Grobbly-Boblins despite always
being very skinny ate almost constantly.   ‘Yes father’, Gretchen
replied putting her basket down on the kitchen side, ‘I’m going
to make you some very special soup indeed this evening.’  ‘That’s
a good girl, very special soup aye, well I can’t wait to try it,
with some bread aye Gretchen, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;with
some bread.’&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Arial, sans-serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: small;&quot;&gt;
 The old Grobbly-Boblin said excitedly.  Gretchen began making her
wild mushroom and very berry soup, with her new magical ingredient.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/524419010795473076/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-first-chapter-to-one-of-my.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/524419010795473076'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/524419010795473076'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-first-chapter-to-one-of-my.html' title='This is the first chapter to one of my books for young readers set in the magical land of Buntonia'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-3087635762041760378</id><published>2012-08-15T05:32:00.003-07:00</published><updated>2012-08-15T05:45:09.113-07:00</updated><title type='text'>This is the first chapter of my novel - Shades of Light</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align=&quot;CENTER&quot; lang=&quot;en-GB&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;
&lt;u&gt;Shades of
Light &lt;/u&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;CENTER&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;By
Len Bateman&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;western&quot; lang=&quot;es-ES&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span lang=&quot;en-GB&quot;&gt;There
are things in this world.  Things that are not known or seen by all. 
Things that are more terrible than a hurricane, more powerful than a
tsunami.  Things that are more painful than a lie and more
frightening than the worst nightmare.  These things are truths.  But
perhaps I have said too much-  Maybe you are not prepared to share
this knowledge yet.  Shall I risk telling you more?  Dare &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;en-GB&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;you&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;en-GB&quot;&gt;
risk learning of such things, such knowledge, such truths?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;How
beautiful is the sun on a summer’s day, when it shines down and
casts it’s golden brilliance across the landscape.  Scientists say
that colours do not exist until they are registered by the eye. Colour is light, and sight does not exist until it enters the eye. 
Those same scientists teach that light is found on something called
the electromagnetic spectrum.  It ranges from AM radio to Gamma rays.
 Human beings see that light which falls between 10.6 and 10.7 on
that spectrum.  This is called Visible light.  Just below it at 10.5
is Infrared light and just above it at 10.8 is Ultra Violet light. 
But as advanced as your scientists are, they are as yet, unaware that
their electromagnetic spectrum is incomplete.  Hidden within its’
range is something else.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;Visible
light waves are measured in nanometres.  Your scientists measure
those rays as they reflect and refract and are aware of the effects
of constructive and destructive interference as well diffraction.  So
much they have learnt, so much more they have to learn still.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;You
see, there is, on that very electromagnetic spectrum, something that
might surprise, shock, please or even terrify you.  Perhaps it is a
blessing that you do not know.  And therefore, close this book
immediately and put it out of your head, out of mind and remain
ignorant.  Perhaps one truth is, that ignorance really is bliss.  At
least for the stupid, the unadventurous, the unquestioning. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;There
are theories of other dimensions, other realms and parallel
universes. All very interesting and all so nearly true, yet not.  The
truth has been in fact, known for centuries.  Books have been written
containing it.  Television programmes and films have made it a part
of their storyline.  But so far, whilst it has been written about,
talked about in urban myths and acted out in theatres since
Shakespeare’s time and even before, the reality, the truth both
wonderful and petrifying has escaped your actual knowledge.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;I
warn you now.  Reading further may change your perception, your sense
of security and of who and what you are.  Please, I beg you to
consider before continuing.  Are you ready?  Do you really want to
know?  Are you mentally and spiritually strong enough to share this
truth?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;I
have already mentioned the electromagnetic spectrum.  Within Visible
light are colours.  White light contains all the colours and possible
combinations that make up the colours your human brains conceive
through your eyes.  There is however, another form of white light and
where it is absent, within its’ range, blackness.  Perhaps now, you
are beginning to understand?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;I
am going to try to tell you, to explain that knowledge which your
soul already knows but your conscious mind does not.  I say &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;try&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;
because I do so at great peril.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;They&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;
don’t want you to know.  If I am discovered I risk everything!  But
where to begin?  It would I realise be usual to begin at the
beginning.  But that is not possible.  You could not possibly
understand.  I think, I shall explain by shades, shades of light.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;western&quot; lang=&quot;es-ES&quot; style=&quot;line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span lang=&quot;en-GB&quot;&gt;One
can never be certain when it happens.  But there is warning.  There’s
a change in vibration, not a great change at first but enough to
inform you your time is drawing near.  The vibration slows and you
slip through the shades, either duller and duller or lighter and
lighter.  A warm, pleasant love embracing experience or an agony of
screaming, hollering pain and fear, panic and hope.  Then, there is
calm.  A warm swimming cosy fantastic sense of comfort and love. 
It’s a truly beautiful dream like state.  The sense of love grows
over time forming a bond that is so consuming that it wipes out
almost all conscious memory and knowledge.  A beating sound is joined
by another beating sound and sometimes by more!  The world is sound,
texture, warmth and love.  Then movement.  Ha ha ha oh What joy! 
What bliss!  Actual movement!  It’s so difficult at first, but such
fun!  Then, when the space is used, the pressure changes and the
watery comfort drains away and pressure and pushing and suddenly
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;en-GB&quot;&gt;&lt;i&gt;everything&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span lang=&quot;en-GB&quot;&gt;
is different.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;The rest you know.  That is, you
know up to a certain point.  I have briefly described the journey,
the transition from our world, our realm, our plane, which is in
fact, your world, your realm, your plane, to that which you now
occupy.  This process is known here as ‘returning’.  However, you
know it, as being born.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;I
will concentrate this first communication, (I say first but if they
catch me it will be the last or maybe never even reach you), to the
one subject most of you wonder about, even fear.  I fully understand
that you have a deep desire to know what it is like.  How it feels. 
But I wish to tell you what happens next.  We optimistically call it
‘coming back to the light’ because that is what we hope it is.  A
return to ‘light’ because if one does not come back to light then
one goes to darkness.  I have not the heart to tell you about that
yet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;Light
passes through the atmosphere and illuminates all that falls within
its’ path.  But only that light which you can perceive.  The other
does the same, but you, or at least not all of you, can see that
light, but it’s there, omnipresent.  Sometimes you feel it, sense
it.  It even penetrates your sleep and appears in your dreams. 
Vibrating, resonating all around and through you.  It is a part of
you and you a part of it.  And yet you remain ignorant of its actual
presence.  Make excuses for it – coincidence.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;A
moment, an instant, is all it takes.  It happens fast.  The vibration
slows and soon the light becomes duller and those around you have
remained behind.   They have wished  you luck and told you they love
you.  It is sad and beautiful, exciting and a little frightening. 
One passes through the shades receiving good wishes and growing ever
more excited and nervous.  This is another chance.  Another
opportunity to improve, to learn, to be better and eventually to
leave some love and knowledge for those that follow.   It is
marvellous, it is a challenge, it is an honour and a duty.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;Certain
things are not decided straight away.  It seems strange really but
there are other factors at play that need to be taken into account. 
That is why gender, physical gender is not established for some
little time.  Sex and sexuality are very important and must be
decided not by the vibration passing through the experience but by
the light itself.  You are vibrations, we all are.  Your skin colour
means nothing.  Your gender means nothing.  Your sexuality means
nothing.  Your religion means nothing.  Your nationality means even
less, it is more than anything else, something to overcome.  These
things that I said mean nothing are in fact very important.  You see
they mean nothing to us but on your plane they still continue to have
significance.  How sad.  How tragic.  How basic.  But as the
vibration moves through the shades and into the spectrum of visible
light it takes with it something precious.  Something that it must
learn to hold on to.  Must learn to listen to.  This precious thing,
this most valuable treasure is a sense of conscious.  For it is the
key to the path the vibration must follow in this incarnation, in
this lesson, in this experience, in order to grow and vibrate at a
higher level and become a greater part of existence.  &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div align=&quot;JUSTIFY&quot; class=&quot;western&quot; style=&quot;font-weight: normal; line-height: 200%;&quot;&gt;
&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-family: Times New Roman, serif;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-weight: normal;&quot;&gt;The
bond forms and with it, as I mentioned before the knowledge of our
plane is lessened in order to help the vibration to adjust and follow
its’ path in human life.  It is born.  It’s first cries are heard
and the lesson begins not just for that particular vibration for it
forms part of the lesson of thousands or even millions of other
vibrations teaching and learning from one another.  And here is a
very crucial part of this process.  Influence.  A powerful tool that
can be used to teach right and wrong.  Listen to your conscious, for
only it can truly distinguish between the two.  It will guide you, if
you let it, to the right path.  But that is the trick.  Many fail to
listen to it or choose to ignore it.  If you knew the consequence of
this, you would strive to listen very hard indeed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/3087635762041760378/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-first-chapter-of-my-novel.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/3087635762041760378'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/3087635762041760378'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-is-first-chapter-of-my-novel.html' title='This is the first chapter of my novel - Shades of Light'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-3271830209318561953</id><published>2012-05-11T06:39:00.002-07:00</published><updated>2012-05-14T03:52:15.482-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The House by the School.  There is always a scary house ont he way to school - this is what lives in it!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;u&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;&quot;&gt;The house by the school&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
The house by
the school,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Wherein
lives a ghoul,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Who
considers it a treat,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
To eat baby
meat.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
She doesn’t
eat potatoes,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
She doesn’t
eat rice,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
But thinks
kids from 5 to 10,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Taste really
nice.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
When they’re
playing in the playground,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
They can’t
relax at all,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
For that
rustling in the bushes,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Might just
be the ghoul.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Millie
disappeared on Monday,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Her Mum
appealed for her on the telly,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
She hasn’t
been seen since,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
But now, the
ghoul has a full belly.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Josh
disappeared last Friday,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
His dad just
cried and cried,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
I don’t have
any proof,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
But I
believe poor Josh was fried.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
She grabs
them in the morning,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
When they’re
fresh out of their beds,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
She chops
them up and slices them,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
And even
roasts their heads!&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
She likes
year six salad,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Year eight on
a plate,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Year nine
she finds divine,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
And always
wants more of year four.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
The police
won’t try to stop her,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
They’re far
too freighted you see,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Someone told
them that to ghouls,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Coppers
taste like toffee.&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
So be
careful little children,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
When walking
to or home from school,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
Don’t talk
to any strangers,&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
For they
might just be a ghoul!!!!&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot; style=&quot;margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;&quot;&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/3271830209318561953/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-gb-x-none_11.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/3271830209318561953'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/3271830209318561953'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/normal-0-false-false-false-en-gb-x-none_11.html' title='The House by the School.  There is always a scary house ont he way to school - this is what lives in it!!'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-832543733091487403</id><published>2010-01-19T07:19:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T09:23:40.558-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Tart!</title><content type='html'>Tart!&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Her hair is a jungle,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;of gels, mouses and sprays,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;her face is put together,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;in the most outrageous ways.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Her clothes all come from top shop,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and she always looks her best,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and when it comes to standing out,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she sinks in with the rest.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Her attributes are outstanding,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she has the figure of an hour glass,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;but there&#39;s usually a defect,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and a fiver says it&#39;s her arse.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Her leather skirt and fishnet tights,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;promise you, you&#39;re in for a good night,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;but her back combed hair and come to bed eyes,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;just turn out to be guise.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Her make-up covers her acne,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;so none of her spots show,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she flashes a smile of smeared lipstick,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and you&#39;re wondering if she&#39;ll go?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;You buy her half a lager,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and offer her a fag,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she carries a ton of make-up,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;in her matching hand bag.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;She takes her friend off to the loo,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;you&#39;re wondering what you&#39;re gonna do,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;her conversations hardly great,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and you wish you&#39;d got off with her mate.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;So there you are with this boring chick,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;no personality - you feel a right prick.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But you offer to take home,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;just to be polite,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and then she thinks your&#39;re thinking,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;you&#39;re gonna stay the night.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;She offers you a coffee,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and although you&#39;re bored to tears,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;you say you&#39;ll have a quick one,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and that highlights her fears.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;You drink the coffee she&#39;s made you,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;though it tastes more like tar,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and you think you may as well carry on,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;now you&#39;ve come that far.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Your lips embrace,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;your bodies entwine,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and your only hope is that you cum on time,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she hears a noise,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;you sit up straight,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she tells you, you&#39;d beter go coz it getting late.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Kiss her goodbye,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;wishing it was her friend you&#39;d dated,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;get in your car,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;totally frustrated.&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/832543733091487403/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/tart.html#comment-form' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/832543733091487403'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/832543733091487403'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/tart.html' title='Tart!'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-5382931684014343579</id><published>2010-01-19T07:15:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T09:17:59.538-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Pathetic</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 180%;&quot;&gt;Pathetic&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Popping pills and smoking pot,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;jacking up,
he did the lot,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;his body numb,
his mind lived on,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;faster than the speed of light,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;a tab of acid,
send him tripping,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;take him through the night.&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/5382931684014343579/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/pathetic.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/5382931684014343579'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/5382931684014343579'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/pathetic.html' title='Pathetic'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-2828124761153194739</id><published>2010-01-19T06:58:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T09:09:27.800-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Almost Mummy</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=&quot;font-size:180%;&quot;&gt;Almost Mummy&lt;/span&gt;
.
I went to the chemist and bought a home test,
then I went to the doctor&#39;s and he told me the rest.
.
I couldn&#39;t tell my mother,
she wouldn&#39;t approve,
looking back now,
it was a stupid move.
.
My imediate thoughts were on my fella and what he might say,
if I&#39;d foreseen his reaction I wouldn&#39;t be here today.
.
Course he wouldn&#39;t stand by me,
he didn&#39;t want to know,
it was alright for him,
he could just up and go.
.
So there I was left on my own,
with his child inside to face the future alone.
.
With no option left,
I went back to my G.P,
he was very understanding,
made an appointment for me.
.
Within no time at all I was in a hospital gown,
that clean smelling building on the edge of town.
.
As they took me down,
the nurse said, &#39;Don&#39;t worry&#39;, and smiled,
and a short while later,
I&#39;d murdered my child.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/2828124761153194739/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/almost-mummy.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/2828124761153194739'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/2828124761153194739'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/almost-mummy.html' title='Almost Mummy'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-2454914276571480569</id><published>2010-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T09:12:15.026-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Lad Dad</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 180%;&quot;&gt;Lad Dad&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;Fatherhood?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I&#39;m too young.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Become a dad?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I&#39;m still my dad&#39;s son.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;It&#39;s not that I&#39;m selfish,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;it&#39;s not that I don&#39;t care,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;but to force parentage on me
I think is unfair.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Fatherhood?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;It&#39;s not for me.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Become a dad?
I&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&#39;m too carefree.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;It&#39;s not my fault we&#39;re in this turmoil,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she promised me faithfully,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;she was fitted with a coil.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Fatherhood?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I couldn&#39;t cope.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Become a dad?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Oh it&#39;s a joke!&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Well I&#39;ll pay for the operation,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;though I don&#39;t see that I should,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;and I won&#39;t get married,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;our relationship wasn&#39;t that good.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Fatherhood?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;It&#39;s not what I bargained for.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Become a dad?&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I just wanted to score!&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/2454914276571480569/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/lad-dad.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/2454914276571480569'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/2454914276571480569'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/lad-dad.html' title='Lad Dad'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-44916754644989059</id><published>2010-01-19T06:41:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T09:13:51.328-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Mother&#39;s Hurting</title><content type='html'>&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 180%;&quot;&gt;Mother&#39;s Hurting&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My daughter just had an abortion,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;didn&#39;t think to take any precaution,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;my daughter just has an abortion,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;coz some bastard gave her a portion.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My daughter just had an abortion,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;didn&#39;t think how I&#39;d feel,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;my daughter just an abortion,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;the agony&#39;s so unreal.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I&#39;m a grandmother now,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;though my grandchild was never born,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I&#39;m a grandmother now,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;yet already I mourn.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My daughter just had an abortion,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;her fetus&#39; grave is a plastic bin,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;my daughter just had an abortion,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;some might say a product of sin.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/44916754644989059/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/mothers-hurting.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/44916754644989059'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/44916754644989059'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/mothers-hurting.html' title='Mother&#39;s Hurting'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-592307969784738526.post-9008808718296948148</id><published>2010-01-16T05:38:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2020-05-27T09:16:18.520-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Where Is My Guardian Angel?</title><content type='html'>&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 180%;&quot;&gt;Where Is My Guardian Angel?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;font-size: 180%;&quot;&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Where is my guardian angel?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Have you gone for a cup of tea?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Has that indulgence with a biscuit,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;made you forget about me?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Was it something that I said?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Have I done something wrong?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Perhaps I&#39;ve done so many things,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;for you&#39;ve been gone so very long.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I thought that you would be there,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I thought that was what your job involved.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;To provide support and comfort,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;until my problems were all solved.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I don&#39;t know what to think now,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I don&#39;t know where to turn,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I&#39;ve looked around and listened,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;and done my best to learn.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I don&#39;t expect you to do it for me,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;but from time to time you could give me a clue.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;You might point me in the right direction,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;perhaps you didn&#39;t realise, I need you.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Where is my guardian angel?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;Disappointed I&#39;m not being all I should?&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;If only you would come back and help me,&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;left&quot;&gt;I know together we could make me good.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div align=&quot;center&quot;&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/feeds/9008808718296948148/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-is-my-guardian-angel-where-is-my.html#comment-form' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/9008808718296948148'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/592307969784738526/posts/default/9008808718296948148'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://wordedblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-is-my-guardian-angel-where-is-my.html' title='Where Is My Guardian Angel?'/><author><name>Len Bateman</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/12100057483975299965</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='31' height='21' src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a-v3dIw2pIo/S0NlQPpEviI/AAAAAAAAAAM/_sEh-FGjL7Y/S220/len+white+%26+blue+shirt1.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>