Rhyming cornflakes

11.11.11

2011-11-13T12:47:00.000Z

The last of the heroes are gone
from that terrible war long ago.
The memories fade one by one,
but the scars that remain still heal slow

As distance and time travel on,
new heroes are made and pass by.
The white stone looks down on them all
and the mothers and children still cry

So what have we learned through these years,
have the lessons, hard taught, touched us yet;
or is the pain washed away with the tears
so that we just forget. Lest we forget.

Portchester Castle

2011-06-16T20:17:00.001+01:00

These sunkissed stones drenched in the past
the vast weight of centuries within this space
The hardened flint, the distant masts
the rippling water, the parchmarked lawns
This open ground within these walls
holding memories of two thousand years
The tiled Roman patterns, the hard Norman Keep
the Church still used after all this time
The laughing children, a family day out
the people of tomorrow greeting those of yesterday
The everyday world beside the wonders of the ages gone
a memorial kept to educate the world to come
In stillness I can hear the tread
of those that passed this way before
Emperors, kings, prisoners, rich and poor
their footsteps fade and I am alone once more

A share of the blame

2011-06-16T20:12:00.000+01:00

A good meal and all fire is quelled
no room for ire when the belly is full
no agitation or revolutionary angst
just the bliss of being fed well
But what of those who do not dine
upon the feast we call our life
those shut out from our banquet
those who know only hunger and strife
Do I spare them a thought
as I fill my ample gut
can I deny a share of the blame
for those who die at my feet

Dinner at the Holiday Inn

2011-06-16T20:08:00.000+01:00

The peaceful setting sun
the tinkling water's soothing fall
the dappled grass, green and yellow
the sunlight warm upon my face
The gentle hum of conversation
so different from the night before
music in the background bringing back memories
of a childhood and home now long gone
The conversation swells as more diners arrive
yet still a sense of calm I feel
writing these words as I wait
for my meal to come

Haiku on flatulence

2011-05-21T13:22:00.000+01:00

Sound like a gunshot
An explosion of foul gas
The room will soon clear

Sympathy for Saddam

2011-05-21T13:19:00.000+01:00

This man had done great evil
I daresay he deserved to die
But when I saw him go to his death
it almost made me cry
I know that the blood of his victims
cried out that justice be done
But seeing him standing there helpless
I saw only some mother's son
Should I pity a merciless tyrant?
Can I pity one such as he?
Yes there's room in my heart for such pity
Because God first felt pity for me
How can I pity the pitiless?
Because I am a better person

Gift

2011-04-27T11:10:00.000+01:00

The gift-giver needs no recompense
save acceptance of the gift
Acceptance needs no second sense
to be complete and swift
Completion of this harmony
the banishing of strife
This banishment a rhapsody
a song of joy and life

Slowly learning to be me

2011-02-21T22:49:00.000Z

I'm slowly learning to be me
learning at last how to be free
becoming the person I'm meant to be
eyes wide open I'm beginning to see

The Potter is moulding the clay of my heart
teaching me virtue as He has from the start
but foolish and wayward I burdened my cart
though in truth He was here, we were never apart

Oft I've forgotten and gone my own way
and been far to eager to have my own say
filled so with noise I'm unable to pray
but now at His feet I am longing to stay

A beginning not an end

2011-01-26T16:18:00.000Z

Darkness falls but briefly
then I awaken from my sleep
everlasting love beneath me
to catch me and to keep

I go before, beyond your sight
to the place reserved for me
not towards the dark cold night
but to the light that sets me free

Though lost for now I am not gone
so do not keep on weeping long
rejoice, for now my crown is won
we'll meet again in the eternal song

Vastness

2011-01-19T22:21:00.000Z

The singing of the sonorous spheres
whirling through the wastes of the vast unknown
The passing of the pressing, pain filled years
wandering through this wanton world alone

Far stars that light the darkened sky
stories from a past we cannot meet
No warmth they give on this most chilly night
their rays don't melt the ice beneath my feet

Full moon shines yellow 'flected sun
illuming night with eerie lunar rays
I know not what the coming years will bring
what outcome from this sacred tale of days

Keep me sane

2011-01-10T16:50:00.001Z

I'm cold and dead inside
Lost in pain I can't abide
All the hope I had has died
The promise of tomorrow gone

Perhaps I should sever all life's ties
To silence all the endless whys
And escape the pretty lies
The promise of tomorrow gone

But you alone can keep me sane
You can make me whole again
If I invoke your holy name
and the promise of the life to come

Snowbound

2010-12-23T00:17:00.000Z

The silent song of snowbound hills
of frozen hedgerows, streams and rills
This quiet crescendo slowly swells
or dies with sadly tolling bells

Within this silence life is born
come once again this happy morn
With ice-like fire this cold doth burn
For springs dear warmth our hearts do yearn

The setting sun shades pink on white
as quickly falls the longest night
Then golden Moon spreads forth blue light
making snow clad hills look bright

Promises of spring

2010-11-01T20:38:00.000Z

Every dark and stormy cloud has silver as its lining
Every winter holds within it the promises of spring
Even on the darkest night the dawn chorus starts to sing
Even grief can turn to joy when hope is what we bring

Every withered summer flower hides buds of futures rife
Seeds lie gently sleeping though the wind cuts like a knife
Even ice and snow are only temporary strife
For the promises of spring will come again to bring new life

Ode to Cheese

2010-10-13T11:10:00.000+01:00

"Poets have hitherto been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese." - G.K. Chesterton

Some speak of ambrosia that would bring men to their knees
Some would honour ice cream that would cause their brains to freeze
Some swoon over peppered steaks, though pepper just makes you sneeze
But I simply cannot live without a little piece of cheese

Cheese that king of foodstuffs the taste of summer leas
Cheese that wonder of the world, leaves me swaying like the breeze
Cheese the acme of our skill, the soft and tempting tease
When cheese is offered 'cross the board my answer is 'Yes please!'

For Mum and Dad

2010-10-09T11:26:00.000+01:00

Though you are both gone
and the years since then are long
I know that I was loved

Through all the pain I feel
it's the love that makes you real
I know that I was loved

There you lie at peace at last
resting until the trumpet's blast
I know that I was loved

And although you are not here today
I know in my heart I'll see you again
for I know that I am loved

Forgive my foolish ways

2010-10-08T16:45:00.000+01:00

My mindless prayers unanswered go
I turn to you but far too slow
My selfish nature well you know
Why must I always treat you so

But you are always good to me
The joy I feel you gave for free
If only I could truly be
The person only you can see

You're always trying to break through
my hardened heart, my head of glue
and even though I know you're true
I always take my gaze from you

Dear Lord forgive my foolish ways
and be with me through all my days

You know me fully

2010-10-08T16:40:00.000+01:00

Lord you know me fully,
when I stand and when I fall
You know the depths of my own folly
and you're with me through it all

You go beyond your promises
and far beyond my dreams
Giving more than I ever hoped for,
or than I deserve, it seems

You turn impossible into possible
and clear my path of stones
Yet I still stumble blindly,
with my grumbles and my moans

So often I don't thank you,
for the things you've done for me
Especially for that greatest gift,
you died to set me free

West coast sunset

2010-09-29T21:14:00.000+01:00

Scarlet ripples of the waves
Reflections of the dying sun
Flaming orange clouds
Day ending as it began

The sea like molten gold
Marching 'pon the shore
Glittering like a treasure trove
All tumbled 'cross the floor

The deep red orb falls
Towards a hungry sea
Shaft of sunlight strikes
Rocks & sets them free

Old man by the roadside

2010-09-26T17:35:00.000+01:00

The old man by the roadside
staring into space
What happens on the inside
behind his weathered face

What loved one does he wait for
or memory retrace
As he stands outside his front door
a sad and lonely place

For someone

2010-03-30T21:37:00.004+01:00

You didn’t know me,
but you let me share your life.
You took the time to feel my pain,
in the middle of your strife.

You added my extra burden,
to the weight of your own cross.
Thinking always of others,
in spite of your own loss.

I’m glad I got to share your journey,
though for far too short a way.
I know that we will share much more,
when we meet in heaven someday.

For Roger

2010-02-20T20:04:00.000Z

Somewhere beyond space
Somewhen beyond time
In a sky with no tears falling
I know your star will shine

Somehow beyond reason
Some way we cannot ken
In a deathless days new dawning
I know we will meet again

Stranger

2010-02-20T19:59:00.001Z

Sleep now stranger
Sleep without pause
While battles are fought
between two distant shores

Sleep now stranger
Sleep still goes on
Held in the loving hand
of the infinite One

Sleep now stranger
While miracles are done
Hear the sacred chorus
until all pain is gone

Sleep now stranger
Sleep until morn
Rest you mending body
then wake with the dawn

Left and Right

2010-01-12T19:44:00.002Z

Left and right, they're all the same
The politicians play their game
They rule your life, but don't know your name
If you let them do it, then you're to blame

Mortality

2009-06-13T23:25:00.002+01:00

How strange death seems
How far beyond our ken
Its shape remains unseen
The where, the how, the when

What lies beyond its shuttered gates
Beyond this veil of tears
When we reach our journey's end
At the close of all our years

Our minds rebel to contemplate
The loved one's gone before
Those voices stilled forever
However we implore

How strange it is
A universal kiss
For all who live
Must come to this

Two men hung from trees

2009-04-10T17:33:00.002+01:00

Alas that you were born, He said
with anguish in His heart
Your kiss a sign of peace
tore you both apart

In spite of this He did not hate
His love for you remained
But in you shame you turned away
from the friend you had betrayed

You could have changed you heart
and turned to Him again
But in you hopeless pride
you preferred to keep you pain

Two men hung from trees
against that darkening day
One died to save us all
The other to run away

Lost prize

2009-04-10T17:17:00.005+01:00

Brutalised, traumatised
Vandalised & demoralised
We fight against a rising tide
In a world our greed has made

Homogenised, desensitised
We feel the pain behind our eyes
Our blood pressure begins to rise
In a world we can't survive

Scandalised, compromised
Caught in a web of our own lies
We've lost the things we should have prized
In a world gone mad today

Freak of nature

2009-04-10T17:04:00.003+01:00

Don't be afraid to be a freak of nature
if that's what you're called to be
Don't be afraid to stand alone
you know it doesn't mean a thing to me

Don't be afraid to have a go
even if you get it wrong
Don't be afraid to try again
even when the road seems long

Don't be afraid to be incorrect
if that seems the right thing to do
Don't be afraid to buck the trend
you'll find the strength to see it through

Do good

2009-04-10T17:00:00.003+01:00

Every time that you do good
is a slap in the face to the devil
Every selfless act of love
destroys a load of evil

Every sin that you commit
is a nail through the hand of God
Every time you choose to hate
you lose a little love

Every moment you cling to hope
is a step towards your goal
But giving in to dark despair
may cost your very soul

Why should I believe you?

2009-01-21T20:02:00.003Z

I was hungry
But you did not feed me.
I was a prisoner
But you did not set me free.
I was blind
But you did not help me see.
Why should I believe you
When you say you follow me?

I was lost in grief
But you did not comfort me.
My poor spirit broken
But you'd rather watch T.V.
I was persecuted
But you would not rescue me.
How can I believe you
When you say you worship me?

Rules for life

2009-01-21T19:41:00.002Z

Rules for life

Comfort the mourners
Help those in need
Use charity always
In thought and in deed

Cry like a baby
but laugh like a child
Walk tall like a hero
But be gentle and mild

Plan for tomorrow
But live for today
Be kind and considerate
In all that you say

Have love for your neighbour
Stranger and friend
And let your compassion
Never come to an end

Credo

2008-07-02T17:40:00.003+01:00

God is three and God is one
The Father made the stars and sun
The course of time he caused to run
We daily pray His will be done

God is three and God is one
And Jesus is the Father's son
Who down to Earth from Heaven did come
To save us, each and every one

God is three and God is one
With tongues of fire in counsel come
The humble soul He will not shun
The Spirit given to everyone

God is three and God is one
His Church a light that still shines on
A beacon leading lost sheep home
To see bright Heaven's glorious dawn

Start with me

2008-06-06T16:51:00.002+01:00

Let the whole world live
in peace and justice
and let it start with me

Make me the means of
spreading love and joy
and heaven endlessly

May my two hands be
hands for giving
to set the prisoners free

Use this broken heart
within me
to help the blind to see

Help me day by day
to die to self
more joyfully

When the world looks

at my life

let it be you they see

Dichotomy

2008-02-11T21:14:00.000Z

Good and bad exist in all
Though not of equal weight
In all two warring factions
Like Janus all two faced

Each one a dichotomy
Full of mercy, full of hate
At one and the same moment
Full of anger, full of grace

Metamorphosis

2008-01-25T20:02:00.000Z

You're moving me towards you
Even when I move away
Creating a new creature
Every single day

I become a whole new person
The more and more I pray
To become just like a child
Just like the scriptures say

I find a new direction
Where my heart does truly lay
Learning now to know myself
By following your way

The Sea

2008-01-05T17:37:00.000Z

Power unfettered, sea crashes into land,
throwing down boulders, dredging up sand.
Spray flies like shrapnel into my face;
what can keep the mighty sea in its own place?
What can keep the sea from devouring the land?
Not even the power of man's mighty hand,
can still this behemoth of water & wind.
The wise man knows sea will win in the end.

Watch it on TV

2008-01-03T23:40:00.000Z

Live vicariously
It's the only way to be
Don't act yourself
Just watch it on TV
Then you'll know it all
Like all the others in the know
Don't live life yourself
Just bask in the neon afterglow

Between sea and mountains

2007-12-31T17:52:00.000Z

Between sea and mountains,
caught by love for both.
Though a stranger,
this joy and serenity,
beyond, before humanity.
Words are lost,
distraction always.
You are where you are meant to be.

Moonlight

2007-12-31T17:48:00.000Z

Night, bright street light
hides the star's shine.
Cool, blue moonlight,
your strangeness is divine.

Silence draws to midnight.
Rest these silent hours.
Thoughts crowding through night
and sleeplessness devours.

Clock ticks onwards,
the morning sun will rise.
Vision seen beyond words,
startling my eyes.

Mum

2007-12-30T12:15:00.000Z

When I heard the news
I buckled at the knees
I saw you yesterday
Smiling bright as I turned away

When I saw you smile at me
Didn't know it was the last time
Smiling through a veil I couldn't see
Full of grace and heavenly

Phoned you just last night
Asked how to make gravy
Today I see the loaves of bread
Made specially for me

Wanted you to know
The gravy turned out fine
Wanted you to know
The bread tasted divine

I wrote this last year for my mum who died in November 2000. The last time I saw her was when my Dad took her Communion at the nursing home (he was a Special Minister). Afterwards I felt something I can't describe, a distance between us, as though she were already beyond this world. I didn't understand until afterwards, early the next morning when I heard she had died. I think what I felt was the grace of God perfected in another human at that moment, after receiving the body of Christ. It was a foretaste of heaven, and despite the pain I felt later, it was so very, very good. I have felt the exact opposite as well, but that is another story.

Imperium

2007-12-30T11:47:00.000Z

You say you cherish freedom,
and want to spread it all abroad.
You say you come in peace,
but you only bring the sword.

You speak of liberty for all,
then you take it all away.
You say you come to bring the light,
then make darkness of the day.

You torture, rape and murder,
but it's something you deplore.
You say you're fighting terror,
when terror is your core.

You say you want a better world.
Your lies are turning sour.
You say you stand for justice,
but what you really want is power.