Category Archives: Uncategorized

A shaft of light That moves across an altar And lands on the face of Christ At the moment Nelson died On the very day At the very hour The great man lost his life The light returns Christ Jesus light of life   How clever of the architect Calculation sound To build a churchContinue reading “A Gentle Light”

Every year of childhood The great adventure came Suitcases to Tyldesley station And begin Train and boat and train and bus Tom Comny’s vanguard car The quiet lake the Big Turn The homestead spied afar   In later days my knowledge Expanded from the glen I came to know the Mayo coast Blacksod and AchillContinue reading “Encircling Universe”

  I came home from Rome And from my studies And found my dad Studying the form I consulted him About the state of the nation This miners’ strike What’s the right and wrong?   There’s right and wrong on both sides First he told me But what disturbs me most To you I’ll tellContinue reading “Social Care”

A poem a day keeps the doctor away The latest news I hear A word of wisdom word of cheer Word to inspire Cast out fear Words to help you find your way To help you just get through today Tell me your diagnosis true I’ll find the verse that right for you   IContinue reading “Finding Poetry”

I saw the moon on television Bright above Parliament Square I looked out through my window Only black night was there But coming out this morning And standing in my street I saw the moon a bright balloon In pale blue sky And laughing all the while At me   I can only say ‘OctoberContinue reading “Moon Shine”

He makes a joke of it Not wearing masks In a crowded space The House of Commons chamber I ask you   He likes to be polite And to speak in gracious tones The member for the 18th century That double breasted slender bones   So forgive me for a joke I make upon his nameContinue reading “JRM”

Judi’s dad a doctor Had been a soldier First World War Military Cross and Bar A damaged knee saved him from disaster Missed the Somme And Messines Ridge Recovering afar   Later on He came to live in Tyldesley Two sons born there Before they moved to York So Judi when she came along AContinue reading “Doctor”

Our Michael great walker Bolton way Out in God’s fresh air near every day Wrapped up warm against the winter chill Walks the miles not far from Winter Hill   Sends me photos of his daily trek Jumbles Wayoh Entwistle by eck We talk about the Wanderers how they’re doing He’ll be home e’er longContinue reading “Our Michael”

We were not meant to flourish We were meant to be the same Like tins of Heinz beans upon a shelf Uniformed in black in a regiment Do not stand out or we’ll put you at the back   Self-denial taken to extremes Your personal gifts are not for showing off Deny yourself in everyContinue reading “Poet ~ Makar”

Horse and cart Two men sit either side Behind above around them A light and brooding sky They say farewell to Mayo Himself and Millington Synge The Guardian paid them handsomely But so much more they bring   Paintings done in Erris Walks upon the strand Geesala in their memory Belmullet where they land AndContinue reading “The Journey”

At this evening hour in my youth I knelt in college chapel Silent prayer Forty students Dressed in black Rosary by their sides Redemptorists in the making Silent enterprise   Prayer was so important Morning noon and night Silent meditation with the Lord I am grateful for the habit I learn its lesson still TheContinue reading “Evening Prayer”

It’s a terrible thing To wake in the morning And feel you don’t want to get up I don’t mean that childhood laziness My sister Tricia bottom in the air Head in the pillow Just leave me there No – depression I mean Its deadly grip Has drained all your spirit Eyes don’t want toContinue reading “Morning Light”

Words can save us When we use them well They can speak our truth The truth to you I’ll tell In quiet homes And on the public street Words used well Can help us when we meet   The word of God It feeds us every day Guard your house Do not go astray DoContinue reading “What Words Can Do”

We must change from within I read today The world’s not going to change Anyway It’s your spirit within Can eradicate sin And with God’s grace Each new day begin   Brendan Kennelly tells us ‘begin’ Read his poem and see How vital it is in sunshine in rain To open your eyes To lifeContinue reading “First Light”

  I wouldn’t call an Aussie twang Sweet sounding And emphysema brought a rasp to bear But his dying voice So full of life’s unfolding Rejoices in the Maple tree out there   His long goodbye was full Of this world’s beauty He relished and tasted its perfume Each moment now so precious Celebrated AndContinue reading “Clive James”