Stephen McGuire

Dear St. Jude, We might have a problem. I'm not being rude but maybe you misunderstood. To be fair, I got what I asked for. I got my share but now it's all up in the air. An ancient dance. Saw an open goal. I took my chance, I sold my soul. Now I need help to find a small loophole. Any hope? I'll hold for an answer. I'm on the rack. Can you please take it all back. Dear St. Jude, I know I'm a chan...

Hard-wired into technology but I can't log-on to your neurology. Failed to make my apology. Add it to the list and build my anthology. Phone call. Zoom call. Didn't succeed. I've tried to knock your door. WhatsApp. Snapchat. Twitter feed. My texts are all ignored. Sent by 1st class delivery but looks like snail-mail's suffering from lethargy. Tried smoke-signals and jungle-drums. You'll be surpris...

Rolled up your welcome mat then packed up your case to disagree. Pulled down the shutters gently. Locked down and stowed away the key. You have played second fiddle with great skill and played pig in the middle till you're ill. Draw closed the curtains early. Turn out the big light. Head for bed. Shut down your phone and sink as the covers wash over your head. "This too will pass" is one of many d...

I missed the point in what you said. It didn't make much sense. Short on facts but big on quotes. Each conspiracy that floats to the surface - truth abandons ship for the lifeboats. Heavy sighs and heavy words. I give half - you want two thirds. Like a cat with cruel intent that stalks the little birds. I missed the point in what you said - and then you said some more. You said "Let's put the past...

Heaven knows I've got myself to blame, but I'd still like forgiveness all the same. "No, hell mend you," she said. "You think this is just some stupid game?" I thought it would be better to confess. Rather that than live in silent stress. "No, hell mend you," she said. "You put my patience to the test. Do you think that you look smart? Are you trying to break my heart?" A lucky guy given the angel...

Take it or leave it - but don't try to keep it. Cheat it, deceive it but don't think you'll beat it. Dream it, believe it. You'll never repeat it. Use it or lose it but you can't refuse it. Waiting for the sun to warm the sky. Sitting here just trying to figure why. Floating in the atmosphere. Shadows form and disappear. Life seems far away from here but something tells me you are near. I got so m...

No way. I'm not doing that again. No next time I'll not get suckered in. Or so I tell myself. Well, till next time begins and something draws me in. I feel more thick than thin. I know where my limitations lie cos I exceed them each time that I try to be invincible. It's dyed into my wool. A force that drags and pulls. This gravity does not just work on fools. The world spins round faster than I t...

So, we're filled with fear and doubt. I turned off the lights on the way out. We don't know how this will all pan out. Emptiness had filled our space. Something's come to take its place, given us chase. Don't chuck the good stuff with the trash. Protect the fragile in the crash. Don't get caught up in the backlash. Need to reach deep in the well. Hunker down inside our shell. Maybe the grit will g...

Help me break the tension and unwind. These past days have set my teeth to grind. Pinch and punch and feel the crunch. Might lose my grip. Might lose my tiny mind. So dance and sing and shout and laugh out loud. Turn the colour up and burst that cloud. It's not a game where we can cheat but let the beat inspire your feet somehow. There won't be no second chance so do the right thing then let's dan...

"Well Hello" has been used to soundtrack Stuart Westwood Photography's showcase of 10 Years at Glasgow Barrowlands (The Barras) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnJAOsGkRCI Have a look at those brilliant photos. If you're in the wrong place or you got the wrong face, well hello. If you're running too fast but they still all whiz past, well hello. If you can't find the switch or you can't reach the...

Take a minute to sit down and think what have I done with my time. Years fly by in the blink of an eye. To lose touch would be a crime. Cold hands, numb fingertips and my toes turn pink to blue. No-one sends cards these days. We all let our time slip through. Wind is a whisper. The sun sits low and the frost makes life stand still. Each small breath makes a soft white cloud and my bones are still...

I tried to break it to you gently. Maybe I should say it straight? Silence might be gold but is it worth the wait? You think he's the Jack of Diamonds. Well I think you're the Queen of Hearts. Deal me in your game. Tell me when it starts? See I got him sussed and he's a Joker but the twist means I'm a busted flush. I won't chuck in my hand. I'm not in any rush. Mixed my deck up with the Tarot. I d...

So you want to break stride from the rhythm that constrains you? and you want to break free from the prison walls you made? To bolt out of your shelter for one day in the sun. Be a helter-skelter belter going on the run. See you better grip tight cos you need to go much faster. Get ready, get set for a wild white-knuckle ride. On a razor's edge and one cut from disaster - or a sharp close shave wi...

Your fingerprints are everywhere but hidden by the dust. Your footprints lost some time ago, your bonds decayed by rust. I feel your shadow in the dark, can't find it in the day. Your space is filled with emptiness. When did you fade away? I shut my eyes to see your face, you're barely even there. I hear your voice when I'm asleep. Your breath is in the air. Precious little souvenirs these stories...

The peacemaker, in open aggression, lit the fuse. Now freedom-fighters run the oppression and the news. An illogical biased statistician hid somewhere makes an eloquently dumb politician cut our share. My guard dog's lost its bark and its bite. The soldier told me give up the fight. The optimist says "Something's not right" - so scared. It turns out it was a nurse who was the first with the fever...

The evidence is less than clear. Fake news gets whispered in my ear.

Is this what we've waited for? Is this it for real? If this is destiny,fulfil me. So much potentially. It all could be. Got no reference memory. Inverse deja-vu But still have confidence, completely. All of the evidence convincing me. Hello, hello Think you should know I act too fast and think too slow. I'm upside down but from my head to toe, It all came clear to me so quickly No ancient prophecy...

Keep to the left; Look to the right; Mind the gap; Wait for the light. Shares can go down as well as go up; When the fun stops, stop. Stay on the path; Keep off the grass; Let other people pass. No ball games allowed; Gates close at dark; No drinking in the park. Now wash your hands; Please wipe your feet; Keep shoes off the seat. Have a nice day; Wait in the queue; Cashier number two. Swimming po...