Author Archives: tyldesleyboy

I have a friend called DavidFrom my childhoodWe both liked ElvisWhen we went to schoolWe played cricket on the commonBat and bowlingNo ‘keeper so we ran roundLike a fool We played racing cars togetherRound the sofaAnd subbuteoDavid always wonI think he practisedWhen I wasn’t lookingDoesn’t matterWe had loads of fun Came the day and IWentContinue reading “A Gift For Conversation”

A sunny day in RomeI’m at my windowLooking at the courtyard down belowBernard Haring liked to trot around itThe fittest theologian that I know It’s lunchtime and I’m waiting now for TonyReturning from the ‘Biblicum’ to dineWe like a G&T before descendingTo tackle all the pasta and the wine Oh life is hard when studyingContinue reading “Tremor”

She was on her way to BangorFor the BingoAnd we were coming in from BallycroyA road across the blanket bogBy jingoSo desolate so lonely there, no joy She knew she’d get a liftThere’d be no problemThe folk around know one another wellA car would come and stopAnd she’d be welcomeWe were the ones that cameAsContinue reading “Martin Buber On The Road To Bangor”

Standing on Burnden TerraceWatching WanderersWas an entertainment in itselfIf the White Men weren’t behavingAs they should doA gentle word could certain-elly help Shortly after kick offCame a greetingAs initial roars subsidedAs if binnedA quiet hush prepared our expectation‘Show them no mercy!’Echoed on the wind And one day you could seeOur defence dividingA gaping hole appearedAtContinue reading “Following Wanderers”

‘No Admittance’ says the locked up building“No Admittance’ says the locked up heartThe threshold to our home is safely guardedFront door key and bolt keep us apart Admitting truth can often be too dauntingLike suspects at interrogation timeOnce admit the truth of what has happenedWe face responsibility for our crime Admitting cruel news can beContinue reading “Admit One”

I was the golden boyFirst born handsome cleverTop of the classIn everything I did Ordained a priestA pedestal positionNot that I wanted itI was a go-to personProblem solverComforterAuthorityMan in blackBut noNot Johnny Cash Always ableAlways expected to…Do this be thatInstitutional guruGod help us all Falling in loveSoon put paid to thatHelpless in my heartAnd noContinue reading “To Encourage Others”

My father’s journey took him firstFrom home to schoolFrom school to pit14 years old and down the mineDidn’t see daylight many a timeUntil at 18 he walked to WiganSigned on thereTo collect the King’s shilling Sent down southFor basic trainingOff to IndiaAt least not rainingThree years thereCouldn’t be fitterReady for home until Mr Hitler SixContinue reading “A Journey”

Imelda Mary PhilomenaBernadette StauntonTake a bowBellavary and BoholaIn your genesYour mammy played accordion by earAnd you a star of TV stage and screen Julie WaltersGreat character on screenUnforgettable as Mrs OverallYour mammy too from MayoHer mum did not approveHer daughter marrying a man in overalls! Steven ManganFine and handsome manA photo at a dance inContinue reading “Children Of Mayo”

Why should I pray?What does it do?– A funny questionComing from you!Maybe soBut still I askWhat goodDoes any of our praying do? You might as well askWhy do I talk to you?What good is gained?Being with youAnd talking over things we doWould I be better sitting on my own! We grow in friendshipGrow in graceWhenContinue reading “The Art of Changing”

Only so much Law and OrderYou can watch, orHomes Under the HammerCome to thatYou can’t sit here all dayWatching tellyOr is it trueYour life is now quite flat In life we have to beWe have to doTo occupy ourselvesAnd something makeFaber is the LatinPoema in the GreekMake something do somethingThe wisdom that you seek DoContinue reading “Keep Writing”

I’ve bumped into the PetersensBlue Grass singing folkA family group from Branson in MissouriFiddle guitar and banjoDouble bass by Ma’Mandolin I couldn’t bide no hurry Read about that Blue GrassIt’s Hill-Billy styleKentucky is its homeWest VirginiaIn mountain country placesYou’ve got to play a tuneSingin’ and dancin’ yodellin’And howling at the moon It’s brilliant I loveContinue reading “Blue Grass”

She was a nurseShe was a beauty tooThen a car crashSmash what will you do?Body brokenReally paralysedI was a nurse, now patient,Victim too A friend of mineHas Alzheimers I learnA lovely ladyA mother and a gemShe always welcomed meA home from homeNow her mind is goingYet not gone Another personIn my familyIs diagnosedJust now withContinue reading “Jesus Crucified”

It was Mark who made the comical remarkAs the ferry docked at Dover journey’s end‘Thank God,’ he said, ‘thank God we’re back in EnglandThank God we’re on the mainland once again’ There are blessings in the fact we’re on an islandSurrounded by the sea as by a moatNever far from coasts and sandy beachesAlways keenContinue reading “Continental Shelf”

The Queen’s Arms pub in TyldesleyIs the venue for the playWhere pensioners once working men are satEnjoying pints of beerAnd horses on the screenIt’s afternoon and pleasant is their chat They don’t drink spirits working menWhisky and the likeIt’s too expensive no good for a thirstWhen working in the mine you seeThe throat gets fairlyContinue reading “Time and Tide”

‘Maudlin’ is a powerful word I findNot insultingNot unnecessarily unkindIt comes from Mary MagdaleneWho wept at Jesus’ feetWho wept beside the crossAnd then the tomb Who wept on Sunday morningWhen an empty tomb was foundWho found herself beside herself with grief This one was inconsolableNothing could take her painShe clung to itNo body now toContinue reading “The Magdalene”