This weekend I was honoured to be asked to perform a piece of poetry at my little sisters wedding, I’d got a piece written and ready to go, as I was planning on surprising my sister with it, at the reception.

I’ve not performed publicly since before covid, but I figured what the hell, how hard can it be, apart from the stage fright, which it turns out I still have. It wasn’t that bad, all things considered. So anyway without further ado I give you the scribble dedicated to my little sis.

Andi & Adam

On your wedding day, dear sister of mine,

May love and joy forever entwine.

May your heart be filled with endless delight,

As the two of you embark on this beautiful flight.

May your bond grow stronger day by day,

As you travel through life’s unpredictable way

May laughter and happiness be your guide,

As you navigate your journey, side by side.

May your love shine bright, like the morning sun.

May your union be as eternally strong.

May your dreams come true, both big and small,

And may love be the anchor that won’t let you fall.

As you say “I do” and you start this new chapter,

Know that I will be there, your forever supporter.

I wish you a lifetime of love and of bliss,

On this day and every day. Love you, little sis.

Bob Christian 2024

Since the weather has been nice, I decided the other night to use my other office, the nice big open plan one with a water feature, penguin and two pheasants, Phil & Dave.

I’m not at liberty to say how much (if any) poetry was written or editing work done, I can say I have a lovely peaceful view.

Stay Safe Pocket peeps

Who are you?

“I’m an imposter in my own skin,
a fraud draped in borrowed brilliance,
while everyone else sees a star,
I see the cracks, the flaws,
the scribbles of a mind unraveling,
using these words as my compass,
to navigate this treacherous road ahead,
trying to find my way
through the chaos of applause”

Imposter syndrome is a very real thing for me, and countless others.

I don’t usually write about current events but in this case I’ll make an exception.

This Mess

“In shadows deep where whispers crawl,

The wealthy laugh while nations fall.

They stoke the flames of ancient hate,

To mask the strings that manipulate.

Puppets dance on gilded stages,

While people rage in scripted cages.

Divided eyes can’t see the hands

That plunder wealth across these lands.

Racial strife, a cunning guise,

For those who win are in disguise.

The true victors are cloaked in gold,

Reaping the spoils of lies retold.”

Summertime

“In the garden, I sit and soak up the symphony,
A collage of summer evenings, a perfect harmony.
Laughter, chatter, and music intertwine,
Creating a tapestry of memories, so divine.
The breeze carries whispers of joy and delight,
As I bask in the magic of a summer’s night.”

Hope you’re having a lovely evening, where ever you are.

(Disclaimer: rough scribble, not proofed)

Recently I shared an old memory to one of my personal social media platforms. This included a picture of me not long after starting high school. It’s not a great photo and it’s before I had corrective surgery on my ears, as I couldn’t hear behind me as my ears stuck out.

I wasn’t diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder until I was forty years old and school wasn’t a place I really enjoyed as a result of those unknown issues, this topped with daily beatings, physical and emotional abuse from my so called peers. Made my teenage years a misery, that I’ve long since moved on from and made peace with things.

Over thirty years later some of the comments on my post were from kids I went to school with. Reminding me about some of the stupid mistakes and trouble I got up to from age 11-16. There’s two things that these people seem to conveniently forget.

The fact that after leaving high school, I’ve had a long and successful career in engineering, including science based, R&D & aerospace. Whilst also finding time to pen 5 anthologies of poetry and a well received book on witchcraft with my co author Daisy Burton. Means nothing to these guys.

I’m not the same shy, awkward little hobbit sized little bastard I was back then. Life changes, evolves & moves forward. I’ve risen from the ashes of my past to become, a respectable member of society & a member of the gentlemen’s brotherhood or Freemasons. While those who we’re supposed to go on to big things in life seem to have rested on their laurels so to speak.

The moral of this tale is that we ALL make mistakes as children, we all do stupid things while we’re growing up, you show me someone who claims they didn’t & I’ll show them a liar. The true test of a person’s character is whether or not 20-30 years down the line they’ve learnt a lesson from these incidents. If not we’re doomed to repeat them until we do.

I guess even after 30 years high school never ends..!

Stay Safe X

When I first started writing around the start of the millennium. I wrote a piece called Angels. It was obvious who it was written about. As I’m now a grandfather, and I’ve been going over my very first scribbles to give them a polish,

I’d like to share it with you…

Angels

(Grandad’s Shed edition)

In the depths of my soul, I’ve stumbled and swayed.

As a father, I’m flawed, but my love never strayed.

No blueprint to follow, no roadmap to find,

But my love for you both is clearly defined.

I confess, there were moments when I was unfair.

But my love, dear daughters, was always there.

You are my angels, my guiding stars above,

I’ve always wanted the best for you, my loves.

Ups and downs, we’ve weathered the storms,

A bond unbreakable, my troubles transformed.

So please forgive me for all my mistakes,

And know that my love will never break.

For in every beat of my heart you reside,

With every breath, my love cannot hide.

So trust in my love, and believe that it’s true,

For there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do for you.

(c)BobChristian

As many of you know, I’m a huge comic book fan and I used to run a geek website. Well, many years ago, I found a strange looking comic book, on a popular auction website, it was called Twisted Dark, well. Long story short, I’ve been hooked on the comics by its creator Neil Gibson ever since.

Neil has a (twisted) challenge…

“read the first two stories in either Twisted Dark or The Theory, and then try to put the book down. That’s it.”

I’ve failed miserably and as such own the entire run of “Twisted Dark” So the other night, it was a nice evening, and some blokes kicking a ball thingy was on, I retired to the garden. While I was there, i decided to try to scribble a little something fitting of the above challenge, so I give you

Twisted (Challenge edition)

A challenge dared, a tale to tell,

One chapter read, in darkness dwelt.

Brave souls are you to take the dare,

But Twisted Dark caught us in its snare.

With every page the mysteries grew,

And one by one, our hearts it drew.

If you’d like to check out what I describe as the “Black mirror of Comic books”, visit https://www.twistedcomics.co.uk/twisted-challenge/

As you might be aware by now, I’m working on my last book. While doing so, I decided to look at some of my older scribbles. My style has changed somewhat over the years, and as such I’ve tried to improve on the originals.

So without further ado:

Solutions, 50yr special reserve edition.

One for the road, “I’ll have just one more”.
An excuse I’ve perfected to help numb my core.
Each dram is a promise to drown out the pain;
But deep down inside, I know it’s in vain.

I blame all the stress, all the weight on my shoulders,
On a long day’s work, crushing me like a boulder.
Yet truth be told, it’s an escape I’m seeking,
From the demons within, that I dare not speak of.

One for the road – I’ll forget the past.
And silence the voices; avoid their backblast.
I’ll raise up my glass, though it won’t make things right…
I know my excuses won’t bring back the light.

Words and Illustrations (c)BobChristian

I had a little free time before work today, so I scribbled a few lines.

To Mrs Bob

From darkest night, my love, fear not,
For I am here, your unwavering support.
No matter how rough the road may be,
I’ve got your back, forever, endlessly.

When nightmares haunt your peaceful sleep,
I’ll be there, my love, your solace to keep.
With arms wide open, I’ll chase them away,
For in your dreams, my love, I’ll always stay.

B.W.C

Words and images (c)BobChristian