Author Archives: tyldesleyboy

My first two years in seminary were given over to the study of philosophy. The teacher’s method of teaching was as dry as ditch water and the subject matter was no better. The teacher read directly from his notes and we sat and listened in aching silence. When the two – year sentence was over,Continue reading “A Voice”

The guns fell silent War was over Millions lay dead The war to end all wars So the people said But war is ever with us Even children feud Fighting over territory Dominance renewed Rivalry and jealousy Raise their ugly head We look askance untrustingly So many many dead   The Wild West is aContinue reading “The Stilling of the Guns”

He could have called him out As a traitor and a thief But what would that have done? Only added to the grief Instead he called him by his name Encouraged him to be And Zacchaeus in his amazement Came hurrying from the tree   And despite the general murmuring And disapproving tones Zacchaeus gaveContinue reading “Discuss”

At a crisis point in my life I went to see a counsellor. It proved to be a great experience and a turning point in my life. After a life of pure obedience to others – my parents, my teachers, the priests, the Church, the religious order I had joined – I came into possessionContinue reading “Firm Foundation”

I remember my father’s shake of the head When Thatcher went to war War solves nothing my father said He’d seen it all before   All those theatres of World War Two Iraq and desert sand El Alamein and Rommel The Desert Fox command   D-Day then and Normandy Caen razed to the ground TheContinue reading “Remembering My Father”

  I am blind you know I cannot see I cannot earn my bread I depend on others’ kindness Not to be left for dead The world goes by me every day I cannot see a thing Life it seems will pass me by I have no song to sing   But suddenly a commotionContinue reading “To See Again”

I’ve read enough I feel these days I am getting tired you see I’ve read my share of thrillers And of recent history I read a lot about the war I was born shortly after And my father had been a soldier So I know about that slaughter   I keep my eye on politicsContinue reading “Only Connect”

  I met Jesus early doors I found him as a child The story of the manger Mary meek and mild The tabernacle sanctuary lamp The ever-present Lord The stations all around the walls The cruelty they told   The parables and stories The way he spoke to all The love of God for everyoneContinue reading “This World and the Next”

  I watched some of the victim impact statements of the Parkland Massacre court hearings yesterday in Florida and I felt quite disturbed by what I saw and what I heard. I heard people calling the perpetrator a piece of shit, and others hoping that he rots in hell.   It seems to me thatContinue reading “Courtroom Drama”

Early mist Dark November morning Air so cold it bites my house warmed skin Now sun appears And brightens up the prospect A lovely day is dawning Breathe it in   In Ukraine The war is sadly raging Soldiers will be shot Who turn away Kremlin is another name for cruelty Top down madness PutinContinue reading “Another Day”

I drove through Listowel one time on holiday. It was an important place in my mind because I knew that the playwright, John B Keane lived in this town. John B is famous in Ireland as the wise and comical publican wrote plays about Irish life and reflected his fellow countrymen and women back toContinue reading “The Road To Hell”

Whoever saves one life Saves the world entire The Schindler story Talmud text A truth to flame like fire   My life is so important Your life vital too The widow woman sweeps her house A drachma to pursue   The shepherd seeks the sheep now lost No rest until he finds The lost andContinue reading “The Human Person”

Fallen leaves Fallen soldiers The fall of the year All Souls Day At cemeteries Old folk shed a tear   But my father would never go there He had lived with death too long He sat outside on a wooden bench Cigarette smoking strong   We family went inside to see The graves of thoseContinue reading “Requiem”

Jesus saw the crowds And began to speak To feed the soul The hungry Those who seek To say the words That make our hearts catch fire Blest are you – makarioi That lift us ever higher   And crowds are coming still To hear this word All the saints of all the ages TreasureContinue reading “Makarios”

Apparently we are being invaded Something Hitler could not breach Dinghies dancing through the waves Land on Dover beach Forty thousand illegals Coming to our shores This island demi paradise We want to close the door   What was it John Donne said of old? We are part of the main We can’t pretend it’sContinue reading “Organise”