ISSUE 8 FRIDAY 21ST AUGUST 2020
ISSUE 11
FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2020
Autumn in Drumpellier Park - Elaine Fisher
THE GINGER CAT There’s a wee ginger cat that comes roon oor back It’s no white It’s no black It’s ginger He’s there every day come rain or shine, Wish he was mine He seems awfully fond of the pigeons The men keep up in the loft. Think maybe he’s in love, Though he doesn’t look “that soft” Think he stays in the houses Across the Broky Grun He’s just had a glance of his true love, Oh my how that cat can run Ah, the wee darlin’ has captured his soul mate He’s taking her home to his mum, Don’t think she’ll smile when she sees it, She’ll give him a kick up the lumb, That poor wee cat That’s no white Or black But ginger Annie Love
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Angela McLaughlin
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A WOMAN’S WAY I have a problem, rather small But one I cannot solve at all! I am sure, most women are like me And, if you look, you will agree No matter just how hard I try And PUFF and PANT and MOAN and SIGH My handbag is always bulging w-i-d-e With all the junk I’ve crammed inside I never mean to carry a lot, But there are lots of little things I’ve always got I guarantee one day I’ll need Something for some little deed My handbag’s emptied now and then, But trouble always rises when I decide just what goes back Into my personal “sack” I usually don’t throw out much Except old tissues, crumbs and such Maybe I’ll find a long-lost Rennie Or, if I’m lucky, a hidden penny, “Men” don’t seem to understand How women’s things are near to hand While men dive deep into their jacket, Searching for their thick pay packet Women only have to grasp, That buckle, zip or maybe clasp, Then search in fury, sweat and curse, For at the bottom is their PURSE Though all you “men” are quite amazed Don’t be – Sound familiar? Kit McKeown
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THE TALE OF THE WEE COCK SPARRA
A wee cock sparra sat oan a tree Chirpin awa as blythe as can be Alang cam a boy wi a bow an an narra An he said al get ye, ya wee cock sparra The boy let fly wi the bow an a narra An he hut a man that wis passin wi a barra An the man said ye tak me fur a wee cock sparra? The man hut the boy an he wisnae his farra An the boy stood an glowered, he wis hurt tae the morra An aw this time the wee cock sparra Wis chirpin awae oan the shaft o the barra 8
George Drennan
Thank goodness the libraries are open again so I can indulge in my favourite pastime. I searched my bookcase and my daughter’s for things to read that I hadn’t already read during lockdown and the awful rainy weather this summer. The two books that I found and which kept me occupied were not light reading. One was about Auschwitz and the other Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee, by Dee Brown, about the decimation of the Native Americans. Both will stay in my mind forever. I started to think about all the books I’ve read in my 77 years and tried to choose five which will stay in my memory for different reasons… Apart from the two mentioned above, they are:
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Jayne Eyre by Charlotte Brontë So if there are more book lovers out there maybe you’d like to try and choose your five favourite ones. I look forward to reading your choices… Jean Lawton
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MY COVID PERSPECTIVE I've always loved nature, Birdsong Cats meowing, Dogs barking Autumn leaves round my feet A sign of renewal and optimism You just can't beat. Music all the time All types and genres. Hard to understand People not listening to it Letting it evoke emotion Get toes tapping Away in motion. Glad cinema has reopened An enjoyable fix To go to the flicks And getting out Just heard – Closing again Sadly, jobs in doubt. My glasses steam up When I wear my mask Wiping them all the time Is an annoying task But could be worse. Being a loner I'm used to not having Loads of contact. I'm on zoom with groups Which is good, A technical boom.
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Still go to mum while I can See if she's ok Get out for a coffee Or something to eat To people watch, I'll have a seat. I hope in time it will be over There are some confusing and conflicting rules It's quite scary some people diagnosed don't have symptoms. Some MPs are not following the rules Not setting a good example to the public. Job losses Places closing I feel for future generations Streets like ghost towns One of the biggest things is Uncertainty - how long will it go on. We may need to come to terms with a new normal Where's the live gigs? Shows? The magic is gone, so tragic. Trying to think positively Things will get better There will be a cure, treatment. Meanwhile, look at the sunshine My wee cats, so cute Right what music now What film will I watch Think I'll go for a coffee See if mum will go and Blow the cobwebs off Susan Milligan 11
From the garden of Eden; Why did Adam and Eva eat the forbidden fruit? Why is it Apple? Which role12 does the snake play? đ&#x;Ľ° Simmi and Sam
Postcards for Zoom by Margaret
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Would you like your hair cut round the back? Customer to Barber…
How? Is the shop no big enough? Rena Quinn
Haven’t seen my step mum for months and I miss her – she’s in a home. Because of the lockdown I haven’t seen her. I have lovely friends in the Clack and Yak. Seen some of them today in a café in Parkhead and wee Sam. Margaret
Why do Danish sailors put code bars on their boats?
It’s for when they return home and they Scan di Navy in (Scandinavian!) Rob Haughie
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Rob Haughie
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RABBIE THE RABBIT Rabbie the Rabbit you might think is great But don’t think this as it’s mistake. He’s sly and he will spit in your eye So take it from me, don’t act like a pie This cheeky boy’s got special powers So beware He also has an evil stare His choppers will bite your bahooky black and blue And he’ll leave you with no clue what to do But there’s more That will shock you to the core As this guy has a special carrot He will make you chew And this will make you want to spew But it will look nothing at all like stew But that’s not all It will make you do it, Will give you the squirty bears too So if you see this guy Run Especially if you don’t want an exploding bum So this is the story of Rabbie the Rabbit With his big choppers And his minging carrot. Angela Cunningham
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In late September, Platform supported Sprog Rock to perform some socially distanced, live gigs in local nursery and primary school playgrounds. These photos were taken by Jassy Earl 18
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For more information about the activities we are currently running online or any other questions you may have please email info@platform-online.co.uk or telephone 0141 276 9672
platform-online.co.uk
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