A Handful of Songs and Poems
Friday, 22 July 2022
A POEM FOR CHILDREN
Friday, 3 June 2022
A Tribute to The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien
THE ARKENSTONE
Thursday, 2 June 2022
Queen Elizabeth ll
BRITAIN'S GUIDING LIGHT
Wednesday, 1 June 2022
TAKE THE TIME
Take the time to stop and breathe,
Take the time to live.
Take the time to please yourself,
And the ones that you are with.
Take the time to find yourself,
To be who you should be.
Take the time to understand,
There is no certainty.
Life is what we make of it,
It's there for us to mould.
Do not leave it far too late,
When you are far too old.
Enjoy the time, no matter what,
Make the most of it.
For all of us are only here,
From birth until exit.
Take the time to be sincere,
To be honest with yourself.
Take the time to nurture you,
It's your life, your mind, your health.
Saturday, 12 March 2022
A POEM FOR UKRAINE
A LAND THAT'S CALLED UKRAINE
A land of forty million.
A land of wheat and grain.
A land of many heroes,
A land that's called Ukraine.
A Land that's fighting for its life,
for its right to even exist.
A land that's called Ukraine,
A land that will resist.
With Russian boots upon its soil,
And Russian planes above.
Russian tanks surrounding cities,
Destroying the land that Ukrainians love.
But this is a land of strength and guts,
A land where hope remains.
A land of many heroes,
A land that's called Ukraine.
Thursday, 16 September 2021
A SEASONAL POEM
SUMMER, OVER SO SOON.
Summer seems to be over before it's even begun.
Everyday I wonder, where oh where's the Sun.
Where is the warmth and the sunlight, that helps the garden grow.
Bringing forth the harvest, from the seeds we sow.
Every season has its time, and time will have its way.
Nights are getting longer, shorter is the day.
But Winter brings its promise, of days still yet to come.
And a time for nurturing, when Spring has finally sprung.
Thursday, 24 June 2021
A Thought For The Day
WORRY
Monday, 6 July 2020
COVID 19 POEMS
NOW THAT THE LOCKDOWN IS OVER
Thursday, 2 July 2020
TONGUE TWISTER
The Pepper Picker
A perfect pepper picker
Picked a perfect pepper.
A perfect pepper, did
A perfect picker pick.
Sunday, 22 March 2020
SPRING POEMS
LIFE IN THE GARDEN
Wednesday, 6 June 2018
A POEM TO REMEMBER
The Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (the dnrc.org.uk) recently ran a poetry competition to honour those affected by conflict. Although, not one of the five shortlisted, below is my entry into that competition.
Robert M Lidster
Monday, 11 January 2016
A MODERN DAY FABLE
Tuesday, 5 January 2016
A 100 Word Story
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
A LITTLE FIB
Saturday, 9 August 2014
WAITROSE YEAR OF POETRY COMPETITION
This is me with my winning entry in the Waitrose Year of Poetry competition. I am pictured in the Colchester branch of Waitrose. Here is that Poem:
Sunday, 29 December 2013
AN OPEN LETTER TO GOD
AN OPEN LETTER TO GOD
Friday, 28 September 2012
INTRODUCTION
Along with my poetry, I started to write songs and in 1983 at the age of 25, I published my own book of song lyrics and poetry. It was a limited edition of 500, the book was "A Handful of Songs and Poems" and was a 32 page paper back.
Since then I have continued to write and have had many poems and short stories published over the years. More recently I have been writing travel reviews (many of which can be seen on my blog) http://www.independentworldtravelreviews.blogspot.com/
If anyone is interested in purchasing mint, signed copies of "A Handful of Songs and Poems", I do have a number of copies available at a cost of £2.50 inc. p&p. (UK only). Please send requests by email to: robertlidster@ymail.com
The book is also available for download to Kindle and PC from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006FOSIIQ
Thursday, 27 September 2012
Now On Kindle
KINDLE OWNERS LENDING LIBRARY
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
'Life's A Mini-Saga' Now Available on Amazon Kindle
‘Life’s A Mini-Saga’ is a collection of short stories, very short stories. Each story is exactly fifty words long. Robert Lidster first started to write this type of story back in 1985 but this is the first time any have been published.
The 79 Mini-Sagas’ included in this book vary in style and content in order to appeal to a wide audience. The reader will find some humorous, some sad, some mysterious, but hopefully all entertaining.
The book is written with the intention to be read at ‘odd moments of the day’, to be browsed whenever the mood takes you. Little snippets of stories that the reader can expand with the use of their own imagination.
‘Life’s A Mini-Saga’ is the third book to be published by Robert Lidster on Kindle, previous books are: ‘In My Father’s Footsteps’ and ‘A Handful of Songs & Poems’.
For More Information, Please Visit www.amazon.co.uk and search Robert Lidster under Kindle Books.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
TO BE OR NOT TO BE?
Reginald sat down on the edge of the stage,
looking out at the empty theatre,
not one person present to witness his
magnificent delivery.
With a sigh of frustration he rises
and picking up his broom,
returns to his duties.
Note from the Author:
The above ("To be or not to be") is an example of a mini saga, the idea is to tell a story in exactly 50 words (not 49, not 51 but exactly 50). The story should as with any story have a beginning, a middle and an end. The aim is to put a picture in the mind of the reader and leave them feeling that they know much more of the story than you have told them.
I have recently published a collection of my mini sagas 'Life is a Mini-Saga' which is available on Amazon Kindle along with my two other books "In My Father's Footsteps" and "A Handful of Songs & Poems".
THE PERFECT CRUISE
Sunday, 20 May 2012
THE JOURNEY
one step, and then another.
Our world is full of wonderment,
with so much to discover.
The joy of a discovery,
of finding something new,
exploring new horizons,
or simply finding you.
We take so much for granted,
with regrets along the way.
Each day's a new beginning,
make of it what you may.
And when the journey's over,
and the last step has long gone,
be content with your achievement's,
and the journey you've been on.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
PILLOWS OF CONCRETE
Pillows of concrete, blankets of sky.
Fitful sleeping as life tip toes by.
Meagre handouts paid for dinner tonight,
Some soup and a roll, a feast? Not quite.
Morning comes early, before you are rested,
Woken by footsteps, your existence detested
By those who are going about their own business,
Closing those deals that will make them their riches.
Little and plenty side by side on the street,
Both breath the same air, same dirt on their feet.
Both born of this world of woman and man,
All born to be equal, well that was the plan.
And as the haves and have not’s bed down for the night,
For some feather duvets will be a most welcome sight.
But for some far less lucky I’m afraid it’s no lie,
There’ll be pillows of concrete and blankets of sky.
Saturday, 22 October 2011
A WINTERS MORN
A raindrop falls from a rosebush,
Like a tear from a young girls eye.
The wind blows through the Elm trees,
Sounding like a lovers sigh.
I tread carefully on the melting snow,
A white blanket on the ground.
Slowly the blanket is drawn back,
Slowly, without sound.
The sun is rising in the east,
Throwing light on this winters morn.
There is nothing quite as beautiful
As a winters dawn.
Now in the full glare of daylight,
I see this winters scene,
In all its magnificent glory
It’s as if I’m in a dream.
Be it dream or reality,
It’s a beautiful sight to see.
And one that will forever bring,
Endless joy to me.
THE DREGS OF SOCIETY
They sit on park benches;
Their minds are a maze,
Of remembered occasions
And better off days.
Their home is a bag
Which lays at their feet,
Their only sustenance
Is gleaned from the street.
Relying on refuse bins
Or gracious handouts,
The dregs of society,
Vagrants, tramps, layabouts?
They solicit from need
Rather than greed,
For the price of a cup
Of steaming hot tea.
And as you reach in your pocket,
They’ll smile with content.
You walk away happy,
Your money well spent.
Will our streets ever be
Free from the sight,
Of warn out citizens
Who tour in the night?
They know every inch
Of their chosen locale,
Be it the park of Saint James
Or even The Mall.
They walk without reason,
Their lives have no rhyme.
The dregs of society
Are societies crime.
SHE'S A BEAUTIFUL BOAT
She’s a beautiful boat,
What is her name?
I see you’ve had some trouble,
Well isn’t that a shame.
You say you hit another ship
Whilst sailing out of port.
And the other ship sank,
Well I never would have thought!
Interested in buying?
Oh no, not me.
I’m afraid that I feel sick
Just looking at the sea.
Still she is a beautiful boat
And sailing would be nice,
I suppose I could think about it.
What’s the asking price?
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
THE WEDDING SPEECH
As you know I’m not one for a speech!
Can you hear me alright at the back?
This damn microphone lead won’t reach.
We hired a P.A. for the disco,
But the lead won’t reach over here.
So I’ll shout as loud as I can,
In between sups of beer.
Well, all in all it was a good turnout,
It would have been nice, but for the rain.
The wind blew off the Grooms top hat
And the Best Man dropped the ring down a drain.
But thanks to a passing Policeman,
We managed to retrieve it in time,
But that’s when we noticed our bloomer,
We’d left the Bridesmaids behind.
The Vicar dear chap was quite patient
And performed with a thespians ease,
He’s here tonight at the reception,
So Mother, mind your language please!
Didn’t the page boys look lovely?
And the Bridesmaids a sight to behold.
The photographer’s sorry he left early,
But he got fed up, waiting out in the cold.
Still I’ve brought my Kodak Instamatic
And I’ll be doing the rounds in a while,
To capture this momentous occasion,
So please, all try to smile.
Well thanks for the cards and the presents.
Along with the telegrams.
The Best Man will read them out in a minute,
He’s better at it, than I am.
As I said at the beginning,
I’m not one for a speech,
So here’s to the happy couple,
Good health to one and each.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
CHRISTMAS ON CREDIT
Now the crackers are pulled and every carol is sung.
Now as we sit within our chairs, our bellies much enlarged,
Let's spare a thought for our friend, the flexi credit card.
The spending spree that heralds Christmas, a must for all mankind,
Would be over sooner, if we paid at the purchase time.
It's easier to overspend when the last thing on your mind,
Is "How will I pay for this?", or something of that kind.
Now the party is over, it's time to face the band,
I could kick myself severely, for spending out of hand.
The banks are thoughtful, they'll never drop you in it,
If you overspend and need more, they'll simply increase your limit.
Beware the perils of spending, money that just aint yours.
Next time Christmas comes knocking, lock yourself indoors.
Do not join the crowds that mingle in the street,
In and out of high street shops, so nimble on their feet.
Eagar to spend the money, the banks so kindly lend,
Only one thing on their minds, spend, spend, spend.
Buying tat that no one wants, that no man should desire,
Another Christmas on credit? now that would be bizarre.