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Newsflash (2008): Two new books (by L. Ola-Branche) are coming out this spring!

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C e l e b r a t e  the  C i t y

LONDON: Lots Of Niceties Drive One Nuts


Let's take a tour - of the capital of the world;
We will pause and savour - of its melting pot
Where fish and chips curry flavour with a polyglot.
From Watford to Stratford, London's legend lives on.

Cheek by jowl rich and poor mingle within its walls.
Where the buck does stop, all are equal before the law.
Without a barrier, travel the world within its bulk.
Every part and parcel is a chip off the old block.

In a city where lots of niceties drive one nuts,
Nicely worn around its neck is glorious King's Cross.
And with a 's-Isling-ton' and an Angel among its lot,
The mighty won't come a cropper till 'kingdom come'.

People of the world, say Hello to the capital of the world.
The good old town makes the merry go round; and of course,
You may aim for the best; the Thames of ages tames a thirst.
Blessed is the city with a 'cheering' cross at its heart.

London's 'Wapping' Kew of gardens has got the Games won;
London's a bride in waiting whose pride won't hide, nor
The atavistic popular consensus about that real gem of
A park that has won hearts; the Hyde Park's story goes on.

To whoever said Londoners are sombre, say Hogwash or
Humbug. From Holborn, direct them to Ealing for some
Healing; or how about a visit to good old Southall
That soothes all; oh, Wimbledon, thy will be done.

London, with an Arsenal of Chelsea, Tottenham, Watford,
Crystal Palace, Barnet, Fulham, Greenford, Brentford,
Aston Villa, West Ham, Queens Park Rangers and Stamford,
The arena of Wembley that thrills shall accommodate all.

People of the world, let's say Hello as we stop over
In various parts of London: To Camden Town, say Oi, Hola;
Pronto to Little Venice; to Harlesden and Hackney holler
Big Up, Big Up; say Bawo to Queens Park and Peckam;

Liao to Chinatown, Namaste to Harrow and Wembley; alors,
Allo à la South Kensington; gesture Cheste to Bayswater's
Poles; Salam to Edgware Road; and say Yo! to Brixton masses.
Leicester Square, how about a party?  Londoners are jolly!

L. Ola-Branche.
 

For the Love of Mother Earth

 

Let light, of tolerance and harmonious

co-habitation, shine upon the psyche 

of man.

Let it travel to the core and percolate 

the deepest recesses, with the message 

that unity brings progress.

Let it dawn upon cultures that to look 

beyond our differences and shortcomings

is not only fulfilling but to accept 

those  imperfections is divine.

Let friendship, like the sky above, 

bind us together in an atmosphere of

cherished peace and a sense of common
destiny.

Let us remember that every culture 

and race, of all nations, belongs to the womb 

of the same ancestral mother: planet earth.

Let love, like rain that enlivens nature,

wash away hatred, mischief, wasted blood

and tears.

Let knowledge, kindness, and positive

aspirations champion our cause, so that

our motherland, the blessed planet earth,
may forever be proud of us.