Image: Group photo of all poets for the final Pachanga
20.04.26: 107-49) I hear Nianna up and about
I’m in bed but I think time to get out
We greet, she’s soon at work, for a while I’ll lurk
To see to the cats their needs are met
Once to their needs I’ve attended, services rendered
Breakfast and I need to be at thelibrary
But their Wi-Fi’s down so I head to the one in McAllen town
Try my USB it doesn’t seem to want to play
Try another computer, still the same so I’m away
So to Clark’s I see him with Mario and Ivy walkin’
I honk, he waves, we hug and soon we’re talkin’
Back to the hous we’re walkin’
Coffee made, black, Clark takes a picture to show I’m back
Clark has to go but says “you stay”
I try my USB in his computer it still doesn’t want to play
But the camera works okay
I’m thinking ‘Oh brother, will I need to get another’
So I rest rememberin’ Clark said “Here’s the deal,
Applebees at 2 for your welcome back meal”.
108-50) Of the meal we made the most
And Clark propose the welcome back toast
Burger with bacon an’ fries, then a surprise
I was outward bound, came back with my vinegar and passed it round
Sayin’ it was ok, meal over an’ then away.
Amy then shows me where I need to be
On Thursday to give a talk about poetry
Then she’s away an’ I carry on my day
109-51) Nianna came home an’ cooked dinner, sure was a winner
As we ate it watchin’ tv, I tired to sort out my usb
Like before it didn’t want to play, not good, seems I bought a dud
That said, nothing more to be done,
Relax with the cats make sure they’re fed, then that’s it, time for bed
21.05.26: 110-52) Mario rung regarding Busters situation
Saying, he’d got him some medication
So get his bedding changed an’ get him fed, then to Mario’s we head
Buster in the trunk, like we’re doin’ a bunk
Seat down so as we drive along, I can see him if anythin’ goes wrong
He’s relaxed an’ ca;lm, ride doin’ him no harm
Meds collected, Mario checks him over, sayin’ if the meds have their way
It’s twice a day, he should be okay
Then we’re back, first dose taken, get things on track
But in the main it’ll be great to see him well again
111-53) I decide I’m gonna stay an’ see if Buster’s okay
But not afore I’ve nipped out to the store
Wallgreens sought, personal medication bought
Then back so he, can lay in his box and watch tv
Some time on his own, after lunch we were outside where
He can enjoy some fresh air
112-54) Time to go back in I decide, maybe getting too warm outside
On the sofa he’s enjoyin’ a stroke from the Yorkshire bloke
Enjoyin’ a restful afternoon, it seems to end too soon
Nainna calls I’m away it’s time for our evenin’ meal
Taco Tuesday at The Quarter, four for 2 bucks a great deal
Enjoyed an’ when it’s done, back we run
Buster gets his meds, I get my ironin’ done
Tv then there’s nothin’ more to be said other than “time for bed”.
22.04.26: 113-55) It’s dawn, I wake, I rise it’s light
Nianna says “Buster soiled his diaper in the night”.
She’s not scathing, just says “he needs bathing”.
I say “he will be, leave it to me, an’ she’s away to start her day
Breakfast for me, then I’ll see,
To Buster’s situation, give him his medication
Then rub-a-dub-dub, he’s in the tub
No trouble, we’re off to a flyer, wash, rinse, towel, finish off with hair dryer
I smile, let him rest for a while, then I’m away, to enjoy this part of my day
114-56) Call to see, Clark an’ he’s pleased to see me
He suggests lunch but first I alight
Back to Nianna’s to see if Buster’s alright
Quick diaper change, reults provin’, certain of his organs is movin’
Back for lunch with Clark, always ready for a lark
So we’re away, lunch swell, goes down well
Clark goes home, I look in on Buster again
No problems I’m away an’ so carries on the day
Meet up with more of the group
Gettin’ out and about, memories to photograph an’ talk about
Then back an’ let Buster enjoy the late afternoon sun
Then his meds an’ treatment done, supper, relax an’ then to bed
Good nights sleep needed, cos; tomorrow I gotta be
At my first talk at the University of Texas RGV
23.04.26: 115-57) Today, St Georges Day also RGVIP opening day
Gonna be a delight come opening night
After what seems an age, I’ll take the stage
My excitement, nobody’ll staunch, it’s the anthology launch
But it’s organised chaos as we try to get the cats fed, before we head
Out to where we need to be, soon we’ve done what we can
Just another mornin’ in the life of a poetic Yorkshireman
116-58) Cat’s fed birdseed outside spread
Then I’m away to the first event of the day
Along Freddy Gonzalez to Wallgreen, it’s seen
Turn left, not far, call for a parking permit for the car
Done, parking space found, to the campus I’m bound
I’m early, it’s quiet an’ delighting, so find a seat an’ start writing
Then to the class I’m bound, it’s soon found
I knock on the door, go in, introduce myself, now let the poetry begin
117-59) I’m introduced, my work produced, recited,
Teacher seemed delighted. Students listenin’ well, it’s goin’ swell
Tell them to dare to dream, to be bold, never to old
Don’t get blue the dreams may well come true
Things I wanted to do an’ did, as if by some higher power bid
Then speak out, about how the poems came about
It seemed the students desired to know how I was inspired
Poems of sadness, poems of gladness, poems of anguish and hope
How poetry can help you cope. Poems for healing,
Inspiration has no ceiling. When it comes I don’t let it go, I let it flow
Day or night, let it come an’ write.
118-60) Class ends, teacher delighted, then I alighted
Back to Nianna’s, Buster needs a shower. It’s done he’s clean once more
I’m dryin’ him, there’s a knock on the door
Amy’s there, Buster’s now lookin’ neat, let him rest while we go an’ eat
Lunch, we do Philly 77 somewhere new. It’s done, back to Buster we run
He’s ok I’m back to UTRGV once more
This time to hear some students reciting their score
24.04.26: 119-61) Yesterday afternoon went well,
Listening to young poets tell, their thoughts for better or worse
Some in rhyme, some in free verse, one thing made me cheer
Some said they remembered me from last year
So in the main it was great to be back again
An’ so to the opening event with good intent
Tee shirts arrived, but the books not so
Still in transit, had they still a way to go?
Despite this the show still went on
Edward wouldn’t be put off, he’d got our poems printed off
Pick ‘em out to the stage head an’ every one of them got read
120-62) Memories of last night abound, how soon he RGVIPF comes round
How good it felt once more, to be reciting another score
And in the main, meetin’ old friends again
Talkin’ about where we’ve been, an’ what we’ve seen
What we’ve written, when with inspiration smitten
An’ how, an’ some of us are still writin’ now
121-63) Buster sorted meds take, time’ll tell, but he’s lookin’ well
Other cat’s fed, breakfast, then away, To face the day an’ whatever lies ahead
122-64) Library first, some work to do,
Amendment to my blog, has a thought, bio too long, needs to be short
Then lunch, check on Buster once more
Then go, to a school named after Nikki Rowe
See how things are farin’ when we’re all poetry sharin’
123-65) To Nikki Rowe School Library bound, we’re soon gathered round
First say where we’re from an’ then some
No students to hear my rhyme, just teachers this time
Intro’s went just so, then the teachers had to go
But not bereft we read to those that were left
Who had decided to stay an’ listen to what we had to say
I’m up, in mid flow, an’ what do you know
Students come in and sit down, no we can really go to town
Whether our poems are about joy or sorrow. Hopin’ we’re encouragin’ the poets of tomorrow
124-66) So ends another part of the day, we came away
I’m thinkin’ it went alright, sure was a delight
An’ we’ve still got events tonight
Student poetry, a rendition, student slam competition
An’ when we get the results, a slam for Adults
But for now I’m reckoning, time to check on Buster is beckoning
125-67) I’ve given my best, now have a rest
So things are right for the slam tonight
look in on Buster, he’s quiet, put him on he rocking chair
He can see the tv from there, I smile, relax a while
Then dedication, I give him his medication
Then a treat, almost like giving a child a sweet
Other cat’s food bowls topped up, ready for them to eat up
Before I go, into the pantry I reach, for the cat cookies they get 3 each
Giving Buster his I find his diaper soiled
It’s changed quickly so the day ain’t spoiled
An’ he’s not blue cos’ he gets his 3 cookies too
Then time for me to alight for the Adult Slam at Commonspace tonight
126-68) I’m at Commonspace an’ Daniel makes me smile
He says “There’s someone her you ain’t seen for a while”
I look up an’ I see, it’s the legendary Jesse G
He’s smilin’ showin’ it’s plain, he’s glad to meet up again
An’ pleased as can be, when I tell him
I’ve still got the belt buckle he gave me, for services to poetry
An’ it great as the night ends, after all the years we’re still friendships
An’ Nianna comes an’ she’s not blue, cos’ she got to meet Jesse too
25.04.26: 127-69) Last nights slam was a blast, this year I didn’t come last
Did a rhyme about a bygone time, a delve in to my memories back to 2012
A score about being in Texas once more
Makin’ the most of a drive along the coast
An’ applause to tell, it had gone down well
Almost a 7th heaven when I came 5th out of 11
128-70) We got back, Sith thought it would be a jape
I opened the door he shot out like a rocket
Before I’d time to close and lock it
I catch him, backto the house we head, it was gone 12 before I got to bed
5:50 alarm rings, I’m up once more, for Busters meds, I know the score
It’s done, other cats fed, e mails an’ messages read
After an hour I go shower, an’ dress
Cos I don’t want to be late for to meet Terri for a breakfast date
129-71) Breakfast date ain’t far a hotel easily 5 star
Breakfast seen, just has to be believed
An’ I’m wearing blue jeans lookin’ at 2 types of egg an’ refried beans
Next container I open an’ I’m makin’
The best of the sausage an’ turkey bacon
Lastly pancakes, an’ a choice of toppings, savoury or sweet
They really go down a treat
130-72 Terri arrives in a wheelchair we greet,
I help her get something to eat, then we find a seat
An’ there was no one yelpin’ when I got a second helpin’
We chat an’ in the main, enjoy meeting up again
We talk about how things are, how they’ve been
What we’ve done an’ seen, an’ I get the time
To talk to another guest about my rhymes, an’ travellin’ times
The we hug as I say I have to be away, but to my delight
She says she hopes to make the Pachanga tonight
131-73) To Brownsville in good time, to Buho Books to share my rhyme
Bit of a lark finding somewhere to park
But I can enthuse, about how easy the parking ticket machines were to use
Theh make my way, it’s a short hop,
To meet my fellow poets at the Buho Bookshop
An’ camera out, I’m snappin’ away at wall murals on the way
We’re all there, there’s refreshments on the go, so it’s let the poetry flow.
132-74) Kenan the host takes the lead, the first to read
The rest of us follow on with Kenan in between
Hoping the audience will glean enjoyment an’ more from each poetry score
133-75) Time to look round, Brownsville town
For my 2026 album to show where I’ve been an’ what I’ve seen
Show it all, warts an’all, so the pics’ll say, this is Texas today
Close at hand, The Rio Grande
Where in 2013 I got to go, to perform in Matamoros in Mexico
Time passes an’ I gotta go before my ticket runs out an’ they give me a tow
Back to Nianna’s check an’ make sure Buster’s alright
Then it’s the closing Pachanga tonight
134-76) Time to go but Nianna’s lookin’ everywhere
For her poems I’m thinkin’ are we gonna get there
They’re found so it’s to the Pachanga bound
Timin’ aint bad, there’s food to be had. Chew not only the food but the fat
As we gather round an’ chat. Then time to share our free verse an’ rhyme
With intent at the final event
We got our tee shirts but of Boundless there’s a lack
I don’t feel all that drear, its a good excuse to come back next year.
135-77) My Pachanga contribution was in rhyme
About the RGVIPF and my first time
When as a poet I was a feature I wrote about a mythical valley creature
The audience loved it, there was no doubting
I’m thinkin’ ‘it’s great to give it another outin’’
Then the Pachanga’s over an’ were away
An’ tomorrow’s another day to enjoy
But sadly, the last in The Valley for The Yorkshire Poetry Boy
26.04.26: 136-78) 05:50 Alarm goes, Buster gets his meds
The cats get fed an’ I go back to bed
Later, rise, shower, dress an’ soon I’m makin’
Another breakfast of eggs an’ turkey bacon
I’m meetin’ Clark so I’m away, to church to sing an’ pray
An’ what I’m doing on this part of my roam, is what I’’d be doing at home
Clark plays piano an’ I smile, he’s playin’ then in his own unique style
Service over, lunch provided if yo want to stay
Should set me up for the rest of the day
We talk an’ Clark asks me to do a poem or two, so I do
Then it’s time to go, Clark home, me to see more
Of McAllen to show on my album 2026 Poetry Tour
137-79) Back at Nianna’s time for a rest
A snooze before I’m away once more, more pictures to take
More memories to last for my album when I get home.
At the end of this roam. An’ me an’ Nianna feel it’s time
To choose where to go for our evenin’ meal
I said I would wish to go somewhere that does fish
A place is found, Villa Del Mar, it ain’t far
To it we’re bound, Joined by Amy an’ Kevin, menu’s brought round
Meals ordered, we eat an’ talk about how great it’s been
On the Rio Grande Valley poetry scene, an’ in the main
Lookin’ forward to next year an’ it happenin’ again.
We pay, leave, hug, say goodbye then away
My final night before departure day, cat’s given treats, they’re okay
Then time, to head for bed, after I finish this poetry score
Cos’ tomorrow I hit the road once more.
