Originally, I never intended to write a book, any book, of Poetry and/or Song Lyrics and now I find myself having written two This latest volume, 'the wind before the storm' is the follow-up companion volume to my first book, 'a hole in the sky'. Now, with the publishing of these two volumes, I believe I've exhausted the whole of my finite "supply" of such material. Although I'm constantly working on new pieces, none of them is anywhere near finalised and ready to be uleashed onto an unsuspecting public and I definitely have exhausted all the "old stuff" I've had kicking around in one form or another for more years than I care to remember. So, read and (I hope ) enjoy; I don't think there will be a trilogy, at least not for a while. So to my special thanks: to Shirley, my long-suffering wife for her proof-reading expertise; to George Michael Hinchliffe (Musical Director of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and my life-long friend and co-conspirator) for his positive attitude and unfailing enthusiasm and encouragement and to you, dear reader (no... honestly) for spending your hard earned readies on, and taking the time to read, this book, full of the ramblings of a slightly deranged mind; I really appreciate it.