Tuesday Poem - My Queen

Not long now

The message I received

Incomprehensible

What do you mean?

Checking the news with near religious fervour

To discover

It's your time

But that's not right

You've always been there

Smiling, glowing, leading

With hope and kindness

A steadfastness of light

And then, I saw

The flag at half mast

My stomach dropped

That was the end

Of your reign

All my life, you've been 

My Queen

All my life, you've been

Part of my family

All my life

How did the years fly by so quickly?

How did I suddenly lose you when you've been leaving for a while?

How?

Why am I so sad? So very, very sad

Go softly into the night, dear Queen

Go gently into the black, dear Queen

Go join your beloved husband once more

Go with grace, your Majesty

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - Me & The World

Me and you, together for now

You've been here a long while
I am a shiny new object

So to speak

I breathe your air

I walk on your ground

I eat your bounty

But what do I do for you?

Not much

I am so small

I try to be mindful

I try to teach my children

How to look after you

For although you'll last much longer than me

You will not last forever

I will be long gone when you falter

But I hope I gave you some joy

When it was just you and me

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - Sand

In between your fingertips

In between your toes

Sprinkled round your mouth and lips

Sneaking up your nose

You find it in your socks

You find it in your shoes

It got inside the cool box

In all the food you choose

There's some in your pocket

There's some in your hair

Scratching in your eye socket

Feeling gritty everywhere

It got into your trousers

It got into your vest

Inside the girls blouses

All while you got dressed

It doesn't want you to go

It wants you all to stay

It infests your whole body so

You'll remain and play

But you just brush off the best you can

Get everybody back in the van

Driving away, heading inland

Taking with you all the grains of sand

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Spring Cold

March is the herald of spring
It's also the herald of one other thing
Snotty nose, hacking cough
Hours and hours of feeling rough

Skin is hot but temp is low
Nose too blocked for a proper blow
Head is muzzy and full of cotton wool
Trying to form thoughts but all is dull

Heavy heart, heavy chest, heavy head
Really think I ought to be in bed
As always there's so much to do
It's all going to have to wait in the queue

Today is a day for rest and tea
Maybe a slice of cake just for me
Interspersed with a small plea
To get better as quick as can be

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem: Flipping Marvellous

Pancakes
Love 'em
This is at least my second ode to them
Round flat cakes of perfection
Flipping out the pan and onto my plate
I like ones with blueberries
With banana and lemon and sugar
With maple syrup, bacon and peanutbutter
(Try it!)
With chocolate and ice cream and oodles of awesomeness
Pancakes!
A cup of flour, a cup of milk and an egg
Bosh
Whisk
Pour
Watch for bubbles and then...
Flip!
Watch perfection soar and somersault in the air
Quivering gently as it lands with a slight sizzle
One for you
Two for me - well I am making them
We don't need an excuse to make them
But we'll use pancake day as a reason to eat them
For Breakfast
And Lunch
And Dinner
Mmmmm fluffy delumptiousness 

Eeep! I need lemons! And maple syrup! And eggs!
How is it pancake day already?

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - My Children

 I’m not a natural mother

When comparing myself to others

I don’t know how to play

Or get through a rainy day

Going to the park is exhausting

I always forget what to bring

I don’t like mess or muck or mud

Although I do alright with blood

I always seem to be tired and cross

Thinking about the things I’ve lost

No freedom, no time, no smiles

Just chores that stretch for miles and miles

 

Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum

I, I, I, I

Want, Want, Want, Want,

Me, Me, Me, Me

 

Where did I go?

 

I’m not a natural mother, no

But I try to figure it out, so

I can turn frowns upside down
And tickle fights with lots of laughter

We read and sing and do puzzles

Watch TV and go out to play

Doing something every single day

I feed and wash and hug these tiny people

Never knowing if it’s wrong or right

 

A small hand that clings on tight

An unexpected hug

A kiss and a smile and a snuggle

That’s my children

That’s love

 

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Shall We

Shall we book a holiday next week?
Go somewhere hot with a pool
A mini club for the kids
Anywhere will do, shall we?

Shall we have an early night tonight?

Just leave everything for later 
Don't worry about the jobs piling up

We could read in bed, shall we?

Shall we get a takeaway for tea?

Something everyone will like

Take the pressure of cooking and sorting

Get something yummy, shall we?

Shall we take a day off from work?

Catch up on everything tomorrow

No meetings to worry about

Close the laptop down, shall we?

Shall we have a duvet day?

Wear out pjs and not go out

Eat cereal for breakfast, lunch and tea

Watch Friends reruns, shall we?

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Not That Long Ago

It weren't that long ago when
We were watching that show
You know, that show with fingy
And she were blonde and skinny
It weren't that long ago

It weren't that long ago when
I said I was going to read that book
You know, the one with the blue cover
And it looked really exciting
It weren't that long ago

It weren't that long ago when
Those jeans fitted and they weren't snug
You know, when that top hung right
And heels weren't a risky choice
It weren't that long ago

It weren't that long ago when
Eggs were a delicious meal choice
You know, cheese in mash, on toast, in pasta
Let's not forget chocolate, all now inedible
It weren't that long ago

But time is funny
And actually it were quite a bit ago
When you think about it
You know?

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - It's Not Covid

2021 came in, heralding a new beginning

A tentative step into the beyond

The year post lockdown, a shining beacon of missed chances realised

Of missed family reunited and lost opportunities regained

Of everything being not Covid

The first time I saw and hugged my mum, I cried

And that gathering of family and friends

In the park, for my 40th

The best day ever, full of laughter and love

All the fresh air made sure it was not Covid

I won the fight for my autistic son

After months of delays and complications

Now he gets the help in school he needs

Now I can move on to the next fight, and the next

A shaky breath taken in the in-between of not Covid

Two new books were released. I am a writer, you know?

Important stuff as everyone else was so productive

Everyone was doing and learning and creating in lockdown

I was just surviving, hanging on by a literal thread

Making sure none of us were taken by Covid

I’m still owed money, six months now

I ring and they say it’s a backlog

Try again in another month’s time

Another month’s worth of money owed

Another month of scraping by but at least it’s not Covid

And scraping is what my knackered knee is doing

Three years waiting so far to be told

A knee replacement is needed but

Too young and besides, there’s a three-year wait

But console yourself, at least it’s not Covid

Still, we had good weather, didn’t we?

And the crowds came out and we only flinched

For the first few weeks of so many people in one place

And the kids were fine

They didn’t get sick, just that one time, not Covid

And I gained all the weight I lost

And my back went into spasm for a few weeks

And I missed a few things

While the kids stayed in, glued to their screens again

Lock downed once more by me, not Covid

It’s hard

Hard for momentum to swing you back round

Hard to make time for family and friends

Hard to be bothered to get up and smile

Hard to breathe, but it’s not Covid

That’s the takeaway this year I feel

Through bright spots and low times

Through emptiness and maniacal laughter

Of hugs and isolation, silence and cacophony

At least we get to say, it’s not Covid

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday poem - Fa la la la la la la la la

It’s Christmas, it’s Christmas
Just in case you didn’t know
The lights are all twinkling
But at the moment, no snow
We’ve all bought figgy pudding
There aren’t enough mince pies
The tree is up, the cards are written
Presents hidden from prying eyes
No time for last-minute shopping
But your gifts were picked with care
All the Christmas movies lined up
Festive wotnots ready to share
Add magical sparkle to everything you do
Spread warmth and love and lots of cheer
Write the gift tags with sneaky clues
Sing Christmas carols loud and clear
For 'tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la la la la la!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - The Magic of Christmas

Originally printed in Little Book of Christmas

It’s a whisper in the air
That feeling everywhere
Of something amazing about to happen

Strangers smiling at each other
Feeling love for your fellow man
Loving life

A crispness in the air
Hopes of snow everywhere
Maybe this year

Stockings hanging on the mantle
Christmas trees twinkling in the window
Carols in the background

A hot cup of tea and a mince pie
Festive napkins
Lots of love for veggies

Rolls and rolls of paper
Sticky tape and rosettes everywhere
Cryptic clues on tags

Red and green and gold and sparkly
Silver and blue and purple and frosty
Twinkly fairy lights

A list for Santa as long as your arm
The joy of giving and receiving
Sharing the love

It’s all of us together
It’s family and home and hearth
It’s the magic of Christmas

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Advent

From Little Book of Christmas

Advent

Counting down to Christmas is so much fun
Opening up a door, one by one
When I was a little girl, it was a picture scene
With a holy manger or a snowy Christmas tree

Then came the chocolate ones with treats
A festive shape in each, lovely to eat
A delicious taste to start your day
A fun game for adults and kids to play

My gran made a bevy of stockings that hang
Each one numbered, she had a clear plan
Fill them with little toys, chocolate or sweets
Explore one each day, it’ll be every so neat

New this year for us are ones with toys
Different ones for grown-ups, girls and boys
Every day opening another new door
With lots of cool things to explore

It’s the countdown to Christmas that we really love
Trying not to open them all at once is tough
Counting and sharing together is the reason
It adds so much to the magic of the season

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Wrapping Up

I'm wrapping up from the cold
Did you notice? That chilly trickle around your ankles
It's coming

I'm wrapping up the birthday presents
Not long to go before my Little Miss turns four
It's coming

I'm wrapping up at bedtime
Because hubby likes the window open all night long
It's coming

I'm wrapping up for Christmas
I might not make it to the family gathering
It's coming

I'm wrapping up my book series thus far
Both published this year, can't quite believe it
It's coming

I'm wrapping up for dark, dark mornings
Despite wanting to stay in bed 
It's coming

I'm wrapping up with jumpers
A different one every day in various shades of dark
It's coming

I'm wrapping up for winter
Hot chocolate on tap with whip and marshmallows
It's here

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - Dark, Dark Morning

Oh, it’s dark
Winter has come and has settled in
Alarm goes off but
Snuggle down in duvet
It’s dark
Too dark for mornings
Too dark for getting up
Too dark for doing
The sun fights the gloom
Grey is the new black
It’s everywhere
‘cos it’s dark
Too dark for smiling
Too dark for talking
Too dark for school runs
It’s a dark, dark morning

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Carve A Pumpkin

(fitting in that it's half term and almost Halloween #mumlife)

We're off to get a pumpkin, a pumpkin, a pumpkin
We're off to get a pumpkin, from the supermarket

We're going to get an orange one, an orange one, an orange one
We're going to get an orange one, from the supermarket

They come in different sizes, different sizes, different sizes
They come in different sizes, from the supermarket

We buy the biggest we can find, we can find, we can find
We buy the biggest we can find, from the supermarket

We take it home to carve it, to carve it, to carve it
We take it home to carve it, on our kitchen table

Daddy cuts the lid off, the lid off, the lid off
Daddy cuts the lid off, on our kitchen table

Mummy scoops the innards, the innards, the innards
Mummy scoops the innards, onto the kitchen table

We think it's really gross, really gross, really gross
We think it's really gross, all over the kitchen table

And then we get to stab it, to stab it, to stab it
And then we get to stab it, and make a scary face

My brother carves a creepy eye, a creepy eye, a creepy eye
My brother carves a creepy eye, on the scary face

My sister does the mean old nose, the mean old nose, the mean old nose
My sister does the mean old nose, in the middle of the scary face

I get to carve the evil smile, the evil smile, the evil smile
I get to carve the evil smile, right through the scary face

We put a candle in it, in it, in it
We put a candle in it, and burn it all night long

We chuck it in the morning, the morning, the morning

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - What Would Buffy Do?

 (Taken from Spooky Little Book)

When I hear something go bump in the night
And things don't feel exactly right
I ask a very important question

What would Buffy do?
She'd go investigate, find out what's going on
With her team of Scoobies, they'd have some fun

When it gets a bit dark and a little bit creepy
And I feel all alone and somewhat weepy
I ask a very important question

What would Buffy do?
She'd banish the shadows and turn on the light
Never give up, always fight the good fight

When the apocalypse is on its way
And it doesn't look like anyone will win the day
I ask a very important question

What would Buffy do?
She'd hit the books, more or less
Find out how to clean up the mess

When my boyfriend dumps me and rips out my heart
And everything around me starts falling apart
I ask a very important question

What would Buffy do?
She'd pretend to gut him with a very big knife
Then suck it up and take back her life

My Giles might look on with a bit of a frown
My Xander will always act the class clown
My Willow will protect me as best she can
But I've realised I'm the Buffy, number one fan 

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Practical Magic

Practical Magic is a poem from Spooky Little Book. 4th book in Little Book Series

Throw a little pinch of salt
Over your shoulder
Burn a smudge of sage for protection
Leave out milk and a sugar cake
For the fairies
It's just being practical

Apologise for squishing flies
Refuse to weed your garden
Scatter wildflower seeds
And leave live spider webs for decoration
Respect your nature habitat
It's just being practical

Lighting candles to help you focus
You walk barefoot through sand and soil
Give thanks to the elements
Enjoy the turning of the seasons
It's just being practical

Help arrives when you need it most
Lost things turn up intact
Bad people get their just desserts
Your good work earns praise and accolades
With love, comes love threefold

Spooky Little Book is available here: mybook.to/LBSPOOK

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday Poem - Sea Witch Shanty

There once was an evil witch o’ sea
Who would gladly try to capture thee
When the winds whipped up and the boat sank low
She’ll stretch her hand and strike her blow

Beware when you sail on the seas so brave
Or you’ll end up in her evil cave
Pay your tribute and pay it quick
Or you’ll be drowning in the drink

This witch o’ the sea she speaks to the dead
Never satisfied she wants your head
Collecting souls, she’s black to the core
A necromancer always after more

Beware when you sail on the seas so brave
Or you’ll end up in her evil cave
Pay your tribute and pay it quick
Or you’ll be drowning in the drink

The sea witch she did lose her lover
Never will she ever find another
She whip up a storm in the blink of an eye
And we’ll never hear your dying cry

Beware when you sail on the seas so brave
Or you’ll end up in her evil cave
Pay your tribute and pay it quick
Or you’ll be drowning in the drink

With blackened eyes and scales of green
It’s a sight you wished you’d never seen
Her smile is lined with razor like teeth
She’ll dig in her claws and sink you deep

Beware when you sail on the seas so brave
Or you’ll end up in her evil cave
Pay your tribute and pay it quick
Or you’ll be drowning in the drink

This witch rules the sea with an iron fist
And always demands sacrifice as gift
It cannot be paid with jewels or gold
Give her souls before their body grows cold

Beware when you sail on the seas so brave
Or you’ll end up in her evil cave
Pay your tribute and pay it quick
Or you’ll be drowning in the drink

Shanty taken from The Bone Thief, out November 12th, 2021. Pre-order your copy here.

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me. 

Tuesday Poem - Little Book of Autumn

My poem today comes from my poetry book Little Book of Autumn, the seventh book in the Little Book Series.

Autumn is a poetic marvel - all those beautiful colour changes, the weather morphing from summer to winter and a sense of an ending approaching. Join Claire Buss on this seasonal journey through pumpkin spice and crunchy leaves, hibernating hedgehogs and hot chocolate by the bonfire. Take a moment to appreciate the warmth of fall with this collection of twenty-five autumnal poems.

Back To School

The summer holidays have been suitably grand

We've done nearly everything I'd planned

The sun has shone and the rain came down

I mostly turned upside down each frown

We've visited family and seen good friends

At times it felt like the holiday would never end

We went to the beach and swam in the sea

We walked past lots of flowers and counted the bees

A hike to visit the castle ruins up on the hill

And we've definitely eaten our entire fill

Of Greggs sausage rolls and Happy Meals

Not a big fan but they had all the feels

And now it's the night before the best day so far

We're going back to school, we're raising the bar

It's a brand new year, new teacher, new class

I'm hoping they don't give them too much sass

I'm excited they're going but I know I'll be sad

Hoping naively I don't miss them too bad

I feel sure home time will soon come around

And they'll chatter excitedly in the playground

So let's raise our mugs in an exhausted cheer

They go back to school, it's finally here!

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

Tuesday poem - Bad Back Strikes Again

Old injuries hang over my head
They taunt me every time I get into bed
I hear a whisper now and then
A faint alarm whenever I bend

When they don't flare for a good long while
I jaunt around with a great big smile
And just when I think all is well
My back injury takes me to hell

Can't stand
Can't sit
Can't walk

Can't lie

Pain in my legs, pain in my arms

Pain setting off all my internal alarms
Making me gasp, making me cry

Making me curl up and ask why oh why

I didn't do anything crazy or mad

But my body is punishing me for being bad

I've kept moving every day all the time

Walking, daily yoga, doing just fine

And then one day, I get in the shower

Ordinary, daily, one with a smidge of power

Suddenly it hurts, it hurts so much

Can't even breathe, can't even touch

Laid up now for four days straight

Is this a twisted plan from fate?

Forcing me to sit still and cope

Waking each day with small hope

Eases off then comes back in waves

Hoping this time it doesn't last for days

Trying to keep busy, working on my book

Curled up in my squishy sofa nook

Hot water bottle, block of ice

Eating everything that tastes nice

Drinking lots of cups of tea

Regretting it every time I have to go pee

Rebooking all the appointments I made

Just waiting now for the agony to fade

Feeling bad for the kids locked in with me

When I'm barely able to cook their tea

Letting them have much more screen time 

Telling myself that for now, it's fine

It won't be forever, soon I'll be able to move

Then I'll be back in my supermum groove

Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.