Two Faces

 Dear reader,

I am very excited at the thought of the match tonight.  I do so hope we will win as it will give us all such a lovely boost after the very dreary months we have all had to endure.  I am proud of being English, and of England, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world.  I know I am very lucky to live where I do in the English countryside with wonderful neighbours and friends. Perhaps a win would help to unite us all, that would be perfect. 

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More seagull news, the first I have heard for several months.

Apparently sleep-deprived residents living in Bath or Worcester can have gull nests removed from outside their houses if they are granted a doctor's note.  A new gull licence, being tried by both Bath and Worcester councils, is supposed to allow more freedom to help residents who are struggling with gulls nesting near their houses.

But the public must prove that they have needed help from a doctor in order to qualify for action to be taken by local officers.  Figures show that just a fraction of nests in both cities have been removed. The Government want to protect gulls at all costs, it seems. Gulls are increasingly living in British cities leading to clashes with human residents.  Four fifths of gulls now live away from their natural seaside homes in urban centres.

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Two Faces

The wicked wolf tripped
lightly onto the stage,
his ears pricked, his eyes a twinkle.
He wore a yellow waistcoat,
smart tweed breeches,
and to cheerful music he danced
delightfully, tapping his toes,
then, smoothing his whiskers
he sang in a haunting voice
a familiar love song.
And the audience loved him.

He appeared suddenly from nowhere
twirling his handsome brush,
with a pretty girl on his arm.
Grinning widely he made witty jokes,
energy oozed from every pore,
this wolf was Mr. Alive.
And the audience loved him.

On the bus home she sat opposite a man
wearing a shabby raincoat, eyes downcast,
head bent, almost invisible,
almost without the breath of life.
But she recognised him, knew his secret.
Knew he was the wicked wolf
that the audience loved.

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With best wishes, Patricia