Author Archives: tyldesleyboy

Summer in my adult years I spent with mum and dad Reconnecting was the game For the youth I never had Lured away for priesthood I was a man alone So every summer reconnecting I went back home   Summer weeks in Mayo Driving here and there Landing up in Barnfield In Aunty Mary’s careContinue reading “Roads Of Mayo”

  A thousand years Those stones have stood The Abbey’s graceful columns Witness to all of England’s life Its triumphs and its sorrows   Now they stand To greet the Queen Silent still their watching While ceremony and solemn chant Through the air is wafting   Strength of purpose In their building Made for God’sContinue reading “God’s Glory”

Margaret died today Ten years ago Time has gone so fast And yet – at times – it went so slow And I was numb And then was ill And then depressed – I took a pill – But counselling came by And I am well   Margaret was a gem A lovely girl SoContinue reading “Margaret”

Skirl of pipes Marchin’ step Go’on yersel! Can’t beat it! Scots wha hae Wi’ Wallace led Never shall retreat it!   Now we get the marchin’ drum Life returns this mornin’ Come away now come away Time! A new day dawning   A lonesome piper at the end Will sound a final chorus ‘Sleep, dearie,Continue reading “Last Sound”

Since seeing her in Balmoral Knowing her time was near I have followed all proceedings The coffin and the bier And all four days at Westminster Comfy in my chair I have watched the people passing through In silence mourning her   When I left the priesthood I had a problem facing me I couldContinue reading “Review Of Life”

Silence More eloquent than words The inner voice The voice of God is heard   Years I spent in silence At morning and at eve With others in the chapel Brothers who believe   Jesus on the hillside Communed alone with God The warmth of that communion Helped him where he trod   Silence isContinue reading “Silentium”

  For most of us It’s all our lives All we’ve ever known Elizabeth Regina Always on the throne   Her death now diminishes All our life has been Prelude to our own demise God save the Queen   We will keep vigil Till the day is done And with her final resting Face tomorrow’sContinue reading “A Nation In Step”

My brother lives in Lancashire And often when he’s out He’ll find a pub for a pint of beer Sometimes a pint of stout He often sends me photographs In WhatsApp so to share But it’s not the same as supping ale And really being there   But never mind it’s lovely To see OldeContinue reading “Real Ale”

  A man who cannot see Came to see the Queen No spectacle for him His days are dark His wife beside him guiding him Long white stick in front of him Here we are she said He bowed and made his mark   We cannot see inside another one We’re blind until the risingContinue reading “I Bow Before You”

I wouldn’t do it if I were fit And I’m not fit these days I take my hat off to them But still I am amazed To queue for hours overnight A moment in the Hall It’s mesmerising so it is The relentless footfall   Yes ‘I was there’ is in it Reverence is inContinue reading “What On Earth”

It’s like a Parish Mission In the old days Packed church Everybody in Feeling all together Sharing the same space Warmth of human unity Glad to be in the place   Reverent procession Up and down the aisle All in this together May now take a while We all pull together Here now we belongContinue reading “Atmospheric”

A bow of the head Bow from the waist Curtsey genuflect Whisper a prayer of blessing, Ma’am Kiss of farewell instead Solemn faces Wipe a tear Ever moving line Then the RCs sign of the cross There goes one of mine   Playing ‘Spot the Catholic’ Easy game to play Sign of the cross isContinue reading “A Holy Sign”

Brian is good with words That’s what she said Maggie said And I heard After she was dead And that was like A match to light a flame It’s burning still I know no other game   I used to speak the word A preacher I Loved that too To reach the heart I’d tryContinue reading “A Parting Gift”

Four day watch They watch the Queen But I watch them They are the scene Painter in the park Was right These queuing throngs They are the sight   United in a simple goal Bow to her coffin Pray for her soul Walk those few paces Bow your head Salute or Sign of the crossContinue reading “Watch”

Dignitaries From a foreign shore Enter by Discreet side door Climb the steps To viewing place Dark skinned guests From a distant race   Distant places Were our forte Mercantile And military sortee Ruled the world This little island Empire builders Now asylum   People come In tiny dinghies Brave the water Many sinking TheContinue reading “Johnny Foreigner”