Paul Cookson
@paulcooksonpoet.bsky.social
Since 23.3.20 I have written and shared a new poem every day. Will try and do so on here. Available.
OPULENCE AND CONTRADICTIONS
Kings and Presidents dine
The most opulent of food and wine
While in Ukraine and Palestine …
Contradictions of our times
Poem 2050
Thursday 18th September 2025
Kings and Presidents dine
The most opulent of food and wine
While in Ukraine and Palestine …
Contradictions of our times
Poem 2050
Thursday 18th September 2025
September 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
OPULENCE AND CONTRADICTIONS
Kings and Presidents dine
The most opulent of food and wine
While in Ukraine and Palestine …
Contradictions of our times
Poem 2050
Thursday 18th September 2025
Kings and Presidents dine
The most opulent of food and wine
While in Ukraine and Palestine …
Contradictions of our times
Poem 2050
Thursday 18th September 2025
THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH
Is not just having the opportunity to
Air your views in the public domain
But allowing others the same privilege
So they can do the same
Even if you disagree
That’s why it’s democracy
And if you cannot do that
Then you will not be free
Poem 2046
Is not just having the opportunity to
Air your views in the public domain
But allowing others the same privilege
So they can do the same
Even if you disagree
That’s why it’s democracy
And if you cannot do that
Then you will not be free
Poem 2046
September 14, 2025 at 2:02 PM
THE RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH
Is not just having the opportunity to
Air your views in the public domain
But allowing others the same privilege
So they can do the same
Even if you disagree
That’s why it’s democracy
And if you cannot do that
Then you will not be free
Poem 2046
Is not just having the opportunity to
Air your views in the public domain
But allowing others the same privilege
So they can do the same
Even if you disagree
That’s why it’s democracy
And if you cannot do that
Then you will not be free
Poem 2046
THAT’S NOT THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Today
I will mostly
Be sobbing
In the market square
In my
Official capacity
As Retford
Town cryer
Poem 2045
Saturday 13th September 2025
Today
I will mostly
Be sobbing
In the market square
In my
Official capacity
As Retford
Town cryer
Poem 2045
Saturday 13th September 2025
September 13, 2025 at 8:21 AM
THAT’S NOT THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Today
I will mostly
Be sobbing
In the market square
In my
Official capacity
As Retford
Town cryer
Poem 2045
Saturday 13th September 2025
Today
I will mostly
Be sobbing
In the market square
In my
Official capacity
As Retford
Town cryer
Poem 2045
Saturday 13th September 2025
SIMPLE MATH … or …MATH FOR THE SIMPLE
Guns = bullets
Bullets = shootings
Shootings = deaths
Subtraction
Take away guns
What remains?
Poem 2044
Friday 12th September 2025
Guns = bullets
Bullets = shootings
Shootings = deaths
Subtraction
Take away guns
What remains?
Poem 2044
Friday 12th September 2025
September 12, 2025 at 7:47 AM
SIMPLE MATH … or …MATH FOR THE SIMPLE
Guns = bullets
Bullets = shootings
Shootings = deaths
Subtraction
Take away guns
What remains?
Poem 2044
Friday 12th September 2025
Guns = bullets
Bullets = shootings
Shootings = deaths
Subtraction
Take away guns
What remains?
Poem 2044
Friday 12th September 2025
HERE WE ARE AGAIN
Back in school
First day
Feels like I’ve never been away
Poems old
Jokes too
Haven’t forgotten what to do
Even now
After all this time
Still in love with this job of mine
Poem 2043
Thursday 11th September 2025
Back in school
First day
Feels like I’ve never been away
Poems old
Jokes too
Haven’t forgotten what to do
Even now
After all this time
Still in love with this job of mine
Poem 2043
Thursday 11th September 2025
September 11, 2025 at 9:28 AM
HERE WE ARE AGAIN
Back in school
First day
Feels like I’ve never been away
Poems old
Jokes too
Haven’t forgotten what to do
Even now
After all this time
Still in love with this job of mine
Poem 2043
Thursday 11th September 2025
Back in school
First day
Feels like I’ve never been away
Poems old
Jokes too
Haven’t forgotten what to do
Even now
After all this time
Still in love with this job of mine
Poem 2043
Thursday 11th September 2025
THAT’S MY EXCUSE ANYWAY
Early start
Long day
Short poem
Okay
Poem 2044
Wednesday 13th August 2025
Early start
Long day
Short poem
Okay
Poem 2044
Wednesday 13th August 2025
August 13, 2025 at 8:21 AM
THAT’S MY EXCUSE ANYWAY
Early start
Long day
Short poem
Okay
Poem 2044
Wednesday 13th August 2025
Early start
Long day
Short poem
Okay
Poem 2044
Wednesday 13th August 2025
Today
I was going to
Write a sonnet but I just
Couldn’t be bothered
Poem 2038
Thursday 7th August 2025
I was going to
Write a sonnet but I just
Couldn’t be bothered
Poem 2038
Thursday 7th August 2025
August 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Today
I was going to
Write a sonnet but I just
Couldn’t be bothered
Poem 2038
Thursday 7th August 2025
I was going to
Write a sonnet but I just
Couldn’t be bothered
Poem 2038
Thursday 7th August 2025
QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL OWL DAY
When they hoot
Is there a technique
To it
To who
Do they do it?
Poem 2035
Monday 4th August 2025
When they hoot
Is there a technique
To it
To who
Do they do it?
Poem 2035
Monday 4th August 2025
August 4, 2025 at 7:16 AM
QUESTIONS ON NATIONAL OWL DAY
When they hoot
Is there a technique
To it
To who
Do they do it?
Poem 2035
Monday 4th August 2025
When they hoot
Is there a technique
To it
To who
Do they do it?
Poem 2035
Monday 4th August 2025
LONG LIVE THE SUMMER
Pleased with the current weather conditions
The need for socks is negligible
Which means life is easier
Especially the left one
That can take several minutes
Involve grunting, groaning
Angles, permutations, grimaces
& swearing at wool
Long live the Summer
Sod off osteoarthritis
Pleased with the current weather conditions
The need for socks is negligible
Which means life is easier
Especially the left one
That can take several minutes
Involve grunting, groaning
Angles, permutations, grimaces
& swearing at wool
Long live the Summer
Sod off osteoarthritis
July 31, 2025 at 8:33 AM
LONG LIVE THE SUMMER
Pleased with the current weather conditions
The need for socks is negligible
Which means life is easier
Especially the left one
That can take several minutes
Involve grunting, groaning
Angles, permutations, grimaces
& swearing at wool
Long live the Summer
Sod off osteoarthritis
Pleased with the current weather conditions
The need for socks is negligible
Which means life is easier
Especially the left one
That can take several minutes
Involve grunting, groaning
Angles, permutations, grimaces
& swearing at wool
Long live the Summer
Sod off osteoarthritis
DEFENCELESS
When hospitals and
Children are the enemy
Indefensible
Poem 1992
Saturday 12th July 2025
When hospitals and
Children are the enemy
Indefensible
Poem 1992
Saturday 12th July 2025
July 12, 2025 at 7:40 AM
DEFENCELESS
When hospitals and
Children are the enemy
Indefensible
Poem 1992
Saturday 12th July 2025
When hospitals and
Children are the enemy
Indefensible
Poem 1992
Saturday 12th July 2025
NOTHING TO SEE HERE
Cover ups
Covered up
Truth hides
Where lies reside
Poem 1989
Wednesday 9th July 2025
Cover ups
Covered up
Truth hides
Where lies reside
Poem 1989
Wednesday 9th July 2025
July 9, 2025 at 6:26 AM
NOTHING TO SEE HERE
Cover ups
Covered up
Truth hides
Where lies reside
Poem 1989
Wednesday 9th July 2025
Cover ups
Covered up
Truth hides
Where lies reside
Poem 1989
Wednesday 9th July 2025
ALL TOGETHER NOW
Someone once said that
Some people think that football
Is a matter of life and death.
I can assure you
It’s much more serious than that
Well, he was wrong
And whatever the colour of our shirts
Whoever we pledge allegiance to
Wherever we watch our team
Right now
We are all united
Someone once said that
Some people think that football
Is a matter of life and death.
I can assure you
It’s much more serious than that
Well, he was wrong
And whatever the colour of our shirts
Whoever we pledge allegiance to
Wherever we watch our team
Right now
We are all united
July 4, 2025 at 9:16 AM
ALL TOGETHER NOW
Someone once said that
Some people think that football
Is a matter of life and death.
I can assure you
It’s much more serious than that
Well, he was wrong
And whatever the colour of our shirts
Whoever we pledge allegiance to
Wherever we watch our team
Right now
We are all united
Someone once said that
Some people think that football
Is a matter of life and death.
I can assure you
It’s much more serious than that
Well, he was wrong
And whatever the colour of our shirts
Whoever we pledge allegiance to
Wherever we watch our team
Right now
We are all united
I FEEL LIKE I’M GETTING OLD WHEN SOME THINGS DON’T SIT WELL
Freedom of speech
Has become the freedom to preach
The freedom to incite
Whether wrong or write
Soundbites, slogans, repeatable chants
Cliché, profanity, shock tactic stance
Maybe because I’m nearly 64
I just expect a little bit more
Freedom of speech
Has become the freedom to preach
The freedom to incite
Whether wrong or write
Soundbites, slogans, repeatable chants
Cliché, profanity, shock tactic stance
Maybe because I’m nearly 64
I just expect a little bit more
June 30, 2025 at 6:04 AM
I FEEL LIKE I’M GETTING OLD WHEN SOME THINGS DON’T SIT WELL
Freedom of speech
Has become the freedom to preach
The freedom to incite
Whether wrong or write
Soundbites, slogans, repeatable chants
Cliché, profanity, shock tactic stance
Maybe because I’m nearly 64
I just expect a little bit more
Freedom of speech
Has become the freedom to preach
The freedom to incite
Whether wrong or write
Soundbites, slogans, repeatable chants
Cliché, profanity, shock tactic stance
Maybe because I’m nearly 64
I just expect a little bit more
SUMMER IS NOT THE FRIEND OF THE POET
Too many distractions
Air conditioning, ice cream
Reclining, cold drink in hand
Half read magazines
Lethargy, dozing off
Half way through a verse …
Waking up a little later
Can’t even be bothered to make it rhyme
Poem 1982
Sunday 29th June 2025
Too many distractions
Air conditioning, ice cream
Reclining, cold drink in hand
Half read magazines
Lethargy, dozing off
Half way through a verse …
Waking up a little later
Can’t even be bothered to make it rhyme
Poem 1982
Sunday 29th June 2025
June 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
SUMMER IS NOT THE FRIEND OF THE POET
Too many distractions
Air conditioning, ice cream
Reclining, cold drink in hand
Half read magazines
Lethargy, dozing off
Half way through a verse …
Waking up a little later
Can’t even be bothered to make it rhyme
Poem 1982
Sunday 29th June 2025
Too many distractions
Air conditioning, ice cream
Reclining, cold drink in hand
Half read magazines
Lethargy, dozing off
Half way through a verse …
Waking up a little later
Can’t even be bothered to make it rhyme
Poem 1982
Sunday 29th June 2025
LOST IN A WORLD OF BOOKS
I am lost within your pages
Page turning is a journey
That I want to end
But don’t want to end
Lost in a world of books
Knowing the way out
Is following the letters and words
The end is in sight
Poem 1981
Saturday 28th June 2025
I am lost within your pages
Page turning is a journey
That I want to end
But don’t want to end
Lost in a world of books
Knowing the way out
Is following the letters and words
The end is in sight
Poem 1981
Saturday 28th June 2025
June 28, 2025 at 8:35 AM
LOST IN A WORLD OF BOOKS
I am lost within your pages
Page turning is a journey
That I want to end
But don’t want to end
Lost in a world of books
Knowing the way out
Is following the letters and words
The end is in sight
Poem 1981
Saturday 28th June 2025
I am lost within your pages
Page turning is a journey
That I want to end
But don’t want to end
Lost in a world of books
Knowing the way out
Is following the letters and words
The end is in sight
Poem 1981
Saturday 28th June 2025
Couldn’t Be More English
Listening to Test Match Special
Sat outside a pub
With a pint of proper beer
In the late afternoon sun
Couldn’t be more typically English
Except for the fact
We comfortably won
Poem 1978
Wednesday 25th June 2025
Listening to Test Match Special
Sat outside a pub
With a pint of proper beer
In the late afternoon sun
Couldn’t be more typically English
Except for the fact
We comfortably won
Poem 1978
Wednesday 25th June 2025
June 25, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Couldn’t Be More English
Listening to Test Match Special
Sat outside a pub
With a pint of proper beer
In the late afternoon sun
Couldn’t be more typically English
Except for the fact
We comfortably won
Poem 1978
Wednesday 25th June 2025
Listening to Test Match Special
Sat outside a pub
With a pint of proper beer
In the late afternoon sun
Couldn’t be more typically English
Except for the fact
We comfortably won
Poem 1978
Wednesday 25th June 2025
Daily poem, started yesterday ( inevitably from a Daily Star headline )
June 24, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Daily poem, started yesterday ( inevitably from a Daily Star headline )
All The Right Ingredients
Two cards
One funny
One serious
Both heartfelt
Classic Rock subscription
A pack of nice beer
Chocolate bar
And a new strap for a ukulele
Pretty much
All the right ingredients
Thankyou from
A happy father
Poem 1969
Monday 16th June 2025
Two cards
One funny
One serious
Both heartfelt
Classic Rock subscription
A pack of nice beer
Chocolate bar
And a new strap for a ukulele
Pretty much
All the right ingredients
Thankyou from
A happy father
Poem 1969
Monday 16th June 2025
June 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM
All The Right Ingredients
Two cards
One funny
One serious
Both heartfelt
Classic Rock subscription
A pack of nice beer
Chocolate bar
And a new strap for a ukulele
Pretty much
All the right ingredients
Thankyou from
A happy father
Poem 1969
Monday 16th June 2025
Two cards
One funny
One serious
Both heartfelt
Classic Rock subscription
A pack of nice beer
Chocolate bar
And a new strap for a ukulele
Pretty much
All the right ingredients
Thankyou from
A happy father
Poem 1969
Monday 16th June 2025
THE KING’S BIRTHDAY
Newspapers talking about
Celebrations for the King’s birthday
Fitting
Today is the birthday of the king
Who wore, not a crown
But a mirrored top hat
King Noddy the first
National treasure
Happy birthday sir
Poem 1968
Sunday 15th June 2025
Newspapers talking about
Celebrations for the King’s birthday
Fitting
Today is the birthday of the king
Who wore, not a crown
But a mirrored top hat
King Noddy the first
National treasure
Happy birthday sir
Poem 1968
Sunday 15th June 2025
June 15, 2025 at 6:51 AM
THE KING’S BIRTHDAY
Newspapers talking about
Celebrations for the King’s birthday
Fitting
Today is the birthday of the king
Who wore, not a crown
But a mirrored top hat
King Noddy the first
National treasure
Happy birthday sir
Poem 1968
Sunday 15th June 2025
Newspapers talking about
Celebrations for the King’s birthday
Fitting
Today is the birthday of the king
Who wore, not a crown
But a mirrored top hat
King Noddy the first
National treasure
Happy birthday sir
Poem 1968
Sunday 15th June 2025
HI VIZ
There are roadworks
Cars are stopped
There are men
In hi viz luminous jackets
So it is easier to see them
Not working
Poem 1957
Thursday 5th June 2025
There are roadworks
Cars are stopped
There are men
In hi viz luminous jackets
So it is easier to see them
Not working
Poem 1957
Thursday 5th June 2025
June 5, 2025 at 7:38 AM
HI VIZ
There are roadworks
Cars are stopped
There are men
In hi viz luminous jackets
So it is easier to see them
Not working
Poem 1957
Thursday 5th June 2025
There are roadworks
Cars are stopped
There are men
In hi viz luminous jackets
So it is easier to see them
Not working
Poem 1957
Thursday 5th June 2025
CREAKING
Walking up the stairs
Carefully
With a cup of tea
And they creaked
Except we haven’t got
Creaky stairs
Walking back
Down the stairs
They still creaked
As did
The front room carpet
And tiled kitchen floor
When I stopped
Walking
So did the creaking
Poem 1956
Wednesday 4th June 2025
Walking up the stairs
Carefully
With a cup of tea
And they creaked
Except we haven’t got
Creaky stairs
Walking back
Down the stairs
They still creaked
As did
The front room carpet
And tiled kitchen floor
When I stopped
Walking
So did the creaking
Poem 1956
Wednesday 4th June 2025
June 4, 2025 at 9:38 AM
CREAKING
Walking up the stairs
Carefully
With a cup of tea
And they creaked
Except we haven’t got
Creaky stairs
Walking back
Down the stairs
They still creaked
As did
The front room carpet
And tiled kitchen floor
When I stopped
Walking
So did the creaking
Poem 1956
Wednesday 4th June 2025
Walking up the stairs
Carefully
With a cup of tea
And they creaked
Except we haven’t got
Creaky stairs
Walking back
Down the stairs
They still creaked
As did
The front room carpet
And tiled kitchen floor
When I stopped
Walking
So did the creaking
Poem 1956
Wednesday 4th June 2025
THE PAGE DOES NOT TRULY REFLECT THE SILENCES
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
Until the tea was drunk
The keyboard clicked
And the words appeared
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
Until the tea was drunk
The keyboard clicked
And the words appeared
June 3, 2025 at 7:24 AM
THE PAGE DOES NOT TRULY REFLECT THE SILENCES
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
Until the tea was drunk
The keyboard clicked
And the words appeared
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
The pen twizzled
The pen twizzled
The tea was sipped
The chair creaked
Until the tea was drunk
The keyboard clicked
And the words appeared
BIRD ON A WIRE
Small bird in the church
Perches on your black guitar
Stays awhile with us
Poem 1952
Saturday 31st May 2025
Small bird in the church
Perches on your black guitar
Stays awhile with us
Poem 1952
Saturday 31st May 2025
May 31, 2025 at 10:06 AM
BIRD ON A WIRE
Small bird in the church
Perches on your black guitar
Stays awhile with us
Poem 1952
Saturday 31st May 2025
Small bird in the church
Perches on your black guitar
Stays awhile with us
Poem 1952
Saturday 31st May 2025
NO TIME FOR A POEM
Appointments to keep
Forms to complete
People to meet
Calls I must make
Before it’s too late
Writing can wait
Jobs to be done
Errands to run
None of them fun
Emails replied to
Positions applied to
I really have tried to ...
No time for a poem
Poem 1948
Appointments to keep
Forms to complete
People to meet
Calls I must make
Before it’s too late
Writing can wait
Jobs to be done
Errands to run
None of them fun
Emails replied to
Positions applied to
I really have tried to ...
No time for a poem
Poem 1948
May 27, 2025 at 10:27 AM
NO TIME FOR A POEM
Appointments to keep
Forms to complete
People to meet
Calls I must make
Before it’s too late
Writing can wait
Jobs to be done
Errands to run
None of them fun
Emails replied to
Positions applied to
I really have tried to ...
No time for a poem
Poem 1948
Appointments to keep
Forms to complete
People to meet
Calls I must make
Before it’s too late
Writing can wait
Jobs to be done
Errands to run
None of them fun
Emails replied to
Positions applied to
I really have tried to ...
No time for a poem
Poem 1948
A BIT LIKE TOAST AND JAM
Opening the cupboard
And it was there
A doughnut isn’t necessarily
A breakfast food but
It is pretty much like
Bread and jam
So that’s okay then
Poem 1947
Monday 26th May 2025
Opening the cupboard
And it was there
A doughnut isn’t necessarily
A breakfast food but
It is pretty much like
Bread and jam
So that’s okay then
Poem 1947
Monday 26th May 2025
May 26, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A BIT LIKE TOAST AND JAM
Opening the cupboard
And it was there
A doughnut isn’t necessarily
A breakfast food but
It is pretty much like
Bread and jam
So that’s okay then
Poem 1947
Monday 26th May 2025
Opening the cupboard
And it was there
A doughnut isn’t necessarily
A breakfast food but
It is pretty much like
Bread and jam
So that’s okay then
Poem 1947
Monday 26th May 2025