Category Archives: Uncategorized

War is a mug’s game My father said to me As British soldiers set off Falklands bound Nobody wins Everybody loses I have remembered ever since My father’s words My father’s words are sound   I fought with Tony Knowles one time In our own school yard A man of peace but he provoked meContinue reading “Courage for Kabul”

English village Village churches English country house The cosy world of England in our dreams Logs fires burning brightly In English country homes Warm settees a dog And proud oak beams   But this was for the favoured few Those of private means The moneyed class The gentry The aristocracy The rest of us twoContinue reading “To The Manor Born”

Siesta has come back into my life As a two year old I used to have a nap One day I came downstairs again No knickers did mum see ‘Todot der knickers’ A famous phrase with me   At seminary Afternoons were dead A quiet time miles from anywhere I wrote a public lecture ‘DeathContinue reading “Sweet Siesta”

Tsunami – harbour wave Crashing on the shore Unsuspecting people Swept away Beautiful world Beautiful sea Basking in the sun Holiday at Christmas time Boxing Day   Twin Towers standing boldly New York Manhattan sky Airplanes make them targets Playing darts so high Fire and burning metal Ash and cinders fall Human life obliterated GoodbyeContinue reading “An Evening’s Viewing”

Have you ever done the Enneagram? Those personality types I came across it many years ago I liked it very much – It seems to fit the bill I am a 9 the peacemaker Receptive at my best Slothful apathetic at my worst   And at my worst I need to aim for 3 ToContinue reading “Faithful Companion”

Another misty morning Greets my waking eyes Quiet too no noise to break the spell The sun will break through later A day of heat will come Another day of blessedness In my dell   Trouble in Afghanistan Murmurings at home And faces from the past to stir a tear Claudia Lawrence lovely girl MissingContinue reading “Misty Morning”

Changing room mirrors don’t lie Flattery isn’t their game Is that what I look like? Mm…I’m afraid that it is Where did that belly come from!   A few years ago when not well When my spirit was down feeling low I went to buy trousers Just like today And the mirror! Well we nearContinue reading “Changing Room”

  I received an email this morning from my cousin Michael Carey in America and it prompted this memory of the day my mother left home. Michael is the son of my uncle John.   My mother left for Manchester She left her peaceful glen She left her widowed mother Waived goodbye Her brother JohnContinue reading “Odyssey”

My mother’s home was wilderness The poorest of the poor My father’s father pretty much the same He came from a farm at Slinaun The shoulder of a hill Poor land there The last plot on the rise   My father’s mother English born Of Irish immigrants Was raised in Tyldesley Coalmine cotton town PovertyContinue reading “Lineage”

When you climb a mountain You leave the world behind All your troubles left there on the ground O sure they’ll be waiting for you When you come back down But maybe you’ll come down a better man   Climbing up the rising ground A world comes into view Which never can be seen fromContinue reading “Mountains Of The Mind”

First record I ever bought Warner Brothers label Cathy’s Clown The Everly Brothers One Saturday in Bolton Thirteen years of age I was Didn’t I have taste! Those boys from old Kentucky Money I didn’t waste   So many sounds around that time Elvis Buddy Holly Johnny Burnette and Dreamin’ Little Richard Fats Domino EverybodyContinue reading “Everly Brothers”

Ochil Hills horizon Wallace Monument Volcanic stump of Stirling town Castle prominent Ancient woodland Balquidderock Bannockburn’s quiet stream My road named after archers Achieving Scotland’s dream   Battles fought here long ago Battle of Stirling Bridge And on the plain a mile or so Bannockburn’s fighting ridge Today the only battles fought We watch nowContinue reading “Battle Station”

The World At War worth watching For history and reflection Western Desert the issue watched today My father fought with Rommel there Relentless sun and desert sand Like being on the moon A soldier said No hiding place just endless flat My father survived a Stuka attack All the others died   My grandfather before himContinue reading “Forefathers”

The weather now is turning Cooler days are here Football’s coming back again Something then to cheer   Each month has its loveliness If you have eyes to see Even the depths of winter A robin on frosty tree   A grandson turning four today And I at seventy-four A lifetime there between us He’sContinue reading “Advancing Years”

The greatest thing that I must do Love the Lord your God Why is this so I want to know And if I don’t believe in God Does it still apply?   Yes it does I’ll tell you why Life is made for love Love is the essence of your life Its meaning and itsContinue reading “Love God – Why?”