Author Archives: tyldesleyboy

I remember a walk A nature walk Our class in Atherleigh Woods Children walking two by two Orderly and good Eileen Alldred left the line And ran right up to me And kissed me then to my surprise Delight in memory   Today I see an Elm has died A Wych Elm I am toldContinue reading “The Woods”

A misty morning Stirling A misty morning Rome Fog in Rome is swirling Like incense sets the tone Pointy hats in numbers Red stoles everywhere Crowds waked from their slumbers Brave the chilly air   Francis in his wheelchair Leads the cavalcade Giorgia Meloni bright fair hair Shawl over shoulder blade A simple mass befittingContinue reading “Requiem for a Pope”

We have found the Messiah Andrew said Not something you say everyday What was the look on Peter’s face? Away you go! Away! But he went and saw and met the man And received a brand new name You shall be called Rock He never felt the same   He struggled to understand him TookContinue reading “Who Are You Looking For?”

‘Do not let anyone lead you astray.’ 1 John 3:7   I was about eight or nine years old and Kenny at school wanted to lead me astray. There was an old closed up factory called Printshop just down from the school, and when school finished for the day Kenny made me go with him toContinue reading “The Path of Life”

Cold January it was The day that I was born A nurse smacked my bottom Welcome to the storm My mother loved me from day one My father loved me too Sisters and brother came along We were a happy crew   I found a love to light my life Margaret was her name TenContinue reading “Review”

What will I be when I grow up? My son once asked of me Life is a long road I said And only so far we see What is near around us We can understand What is further down the road Will one day be near at hand   So do the things that youContinue reading “Destiny”

If there is no God Then there are no rules Except what we agree upon To save ourselves from fools As long as we don’t hurt another That is what we say But hurt is happening all the time Life has gone astray   Life can be what we want it to be This theContinue reading “Lost and Found”

Her name was Nellie Donoghue She came from Carrowmore And lived with us in Rutland Road All those years ago She bought me my first missal When I went away I have it still a claw mark there When Bruce was want to pray   She often spoke of the Holy Name That church inContinue reading “Nellie”

We travelled by boat and train Through Ireland’s pleasant green Changing at Manulla Then Ballina was seen Then climbing on a bus We left the world behind And ventured into bogland To visit my mammy’s kind   Rhododendron by the road At Crossmolina town Then goodbye to all we’d ever known Till the Owenmore wasContinue reading “Origins”

In the Fair City of Perth Fire broke out today I saw a shot of South Street Main highway Straight as an arrow It leads across the Tay And up a holy hill Kinnoull monastery   There I went at seventeen A boy oh just a boy To be measured out for priesthood Life’s employContinue reading “Kinnoull”

It’s one-way looking Now the person’s gone People form a queue to look upon The frail form that once was so alive Still in death and death still a surprise   It’s a shock they’ve gone That moment when no more We hear their breath and know their smile The door they’ve gone through WaitsContinue reading “Farewell”

You started life within the womb And then they gave you birth They love you all their life They know your precious worth They watch you grow and fidget They see you take your steps They hold you close when hurting They lay you down to rest   They wonder how you’re doing When goneContinue reading “Mothers”

Believing is a doing word So kneel down Say your prayers It makes all the difference Does away with cares   Meditate in the morning Give God thanks at night Live within the heart space It will keep you right   Read the Gospels every day Walk the road with Christ Do everyone a kindnessContinue reading “Resolution”

My little church is long closed down Almost twenty years I loved its simple beauty And its atmosphere I loved the local people Folk I called my own Its stained glass windows Sanctuary Its stone   Benediction Holy Mass Organ faithful choir Incense smoke and candles All there to admire Priests’ house joined by corridorContinue reading “Renewal”

Dead end days The ending of the year People dying Darkness little cheer Morning comes But darkness will not budge Dreary skies Keeps us in our lodge   But folk go out And swim in freezing lakes Dips in the sea Ah well all sorts it takes But good for them The cold invigorates FreshContinue reading “Turning of the Year”