Category Archives: Uncategorized

Rulers who rule by force are afraid And people who are ruled by force Often live in fear And fear cripples honest life Takes away our power We live a vicious circle Salvation has no hour   Where there is acceptance People enjoy trust And honest life can flourish in the main And if theContinue reading “Banish Fear”

  War makes things worse Never better Six years of his life my father fought Millions died and why? One angry man allowed to have his way And Churchill went to war No way could he win Unless enemy mistakes Brought the US in   We’ve been making films ever since About the war andContinue reading “A Morning of Invasion”

We have to live with ourselves The bottom line First line really but definitely bottom line With what we’ve done And what we failed to do With how it went And yes what happened you?   Some things we can confess Yes that’s my fault And kneeling down and contrite Put it right But othersContinue reading “Atonement”

Mind your head when going in the door Latticed windows ivy edged – the floor All paved sturdy tread to take Girl behind the bar thirst to slake   Comfy seats shiny table tops Polished wood beer mats for our slops English ales pour a goodly draught Settle down enjoy what sun is left  Continue reading “Cosy Corner”

I came back Sunday evening A student met me then What happened to you? He queried Upon seeing my mien He was right to question My face it had a glow A new way of seeing Since Friday night so low   A weekend course refreshed me  A direct talking to A confrontation set meContinue reading “Face It”

We can’t be always doing We need to sit a while Listen in the silence Thoughts come single file   Always doing something Who does that impress? Quiet contemplation Leads to happiness   Morning meditation So many years ago Laid a good foundation Showed me how to go   Trouble was when trouble came NoContinue reading “Help is at Hand”

She gets her water from the well Cooks on an open fire Lives in her ancestral home All her heart’s desire   She knows her neighbours knows them well Involved in local life Books surround her on a shelf Butter on the knife   Irish country cottage The world comes to her door See herContinue reading “Margaret Gallagher”

Love your enemy Jesus says It makes perfect sense It brings an end to war Hostility banished hence Do good to those who hate you Disarm misguided hearts Be open-handed generous Consider others’ hurts   Examine the life of Jesus See this text played out All of his encounters Never hear him shout Fit forContinue reading “Seriously”

Power tends to corrupt Lord Acton said And absolute power corrupts absolutely Vladimir Putin a man of power to dread Absolute power I say it resolutely   Once you cross the line you can’t go back Unless upon your knees your sins confess And Putin is way way off the track His power has putContinue reading “Political Problems”

Don’t cast your pearls before swine A lesson we all have to learn Disclosing our innermost soul To people who trash it in turn   Telling a secret to someone Who scatters the story abroad Treating your story like pigswill Plunging your heart with a sword   Jesus in transfiguration Reveals himself to his friendsContinue reading “Intimacy”

I used to play for Clapham Harps London SW4 A football team of Irish lads Sawf London lads and more Johnny Harte he was our manager A native of Kildare Lovely fellow gentle man Never heard him swear   I was upper twenties then Slowing down a bit But happy to be playing I couldContinue reading “South London Times”

Living on my own has taught me well We cannot live alone Not all alone We need to speak to others Talk and listen too Without the other It’s a fine how do you do!   And Captain Boycott learned that to his cost When his heartless ways Were practised round Lough Mask The neighboursContinue reading “Local Difficulty”

Peter Would have sided with Clint Eastwood Retribution justice the order of the day Stand up to all who threaten you Take the sword in hand No one should get away with it Do you understand!   But Jesus knows his enemies will get him Overwhelming force at their command Offer the wicked man noContinue reading “Make My Day”

Police station Interrogation The questioning begins Suspect with his head down Hiding all his sins Question follows question To each the same reply ‘No comment’ is the answer This is do or die   A straight bat now my one defence To every ball that’s bowled Just knock it dead don’t let it in Don’tContinue reading “Question Time”

1966 and I nineteen Robed in black Clerical gaberdene Came to see my uncle Uncle Tim On his deathbed Fond memories of him   Lovely gentle man as I recall Strong Cork accent Kindness most of all Granted audience I sat upon his bed He talked to me Don’t remember all we said   ButContinue reading “Tim Coffey”