Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Bismarck is still sinkingKevin saidPoking fun at me for my storyA group of boys in GlasgowI was teachingAbout might and rightAnd the power of self-control For all the might of battleshipsAt seaThe British and the GermanReich navyFor all the bombs blastedAt her sideTorpedo traffic firedTo pulveriseOne simple luckyRear end strikeJammed a rudder12 degrees toContinue reading “Sinking The Bismarck”

Some people cannot preachThat is the long and the short of itUsually the long!Some can take offBut don’t know how to landThat was a special giftOf one James Corrigan (God bless him!) In training daysWe were given set sermons to reciteTo become familiarWith standing up in public Out on missionsSome set sermons lasted for aContinue reading “Ministry Of The Word”

Feeling tiredI said no walk todayThough it was bright and sunnyWhat a shameWhen the good LordHas gone to all this troubleI stay indoorsAs if I’m simply lame And then I felt closed inJust like in prisonSo out the backMy garden to enjoyWhat simple bliss it isTo be outsideTo feel fresh breezesBetter than a toy ThenContinue reading “Open Air”

I did not take charge of priesthoodI let it happen to meNot like footballWhen I put on shirt and shortsAnd tied my bootsAnd went out there to play that gameAnd give out shouts and lead No, priesthood gobbled meAnd I stayed gobbledA very long time I am glad of God and gospelOf Scripture’s daily readIContinue reading “Alpha And Omega”

Mother and fatherGrandparents I knewSisters and brotherCollie dog tooCousins and auntsUncles, uncle HughSome of my treasuresI share now with you School friends and parishFaith in the pewFootball promisingCup Final tooMeeting with MargaretMichael my sonGrandsons around meEndless their fun Home here in StirlingComfy and warmFree bus pass in ScotlandWaitrose has charmMaking my soda breadMum’s recipeThe QueenContinue reading “Gratitude”

I am no ScotBut I favour independenceI have my reasonsAverse to Tory ruleAnd keen to seeEach nationOn its meritsChoose self-determinationAs it’s cool Blair and BrownWere once the nation’s favouritesThe gruesome twosomeActually I likeI got the feelThey are cleverAnd intelligentNot the sort to say‘Get on yer bike’ I listen when they speakI think them honestIn manyContinue reading “A View”

Today is the 6th of JuneMichael’s birthday soonAnd today is a dayTo rememberThe beaches and the battlefieldsThe screeching soundsMotorised wheelsGun emplacementsBarbed wire fencesTiger tanks on the offensiveSte Mere EgliseCarentanArromanchesPort en BessinHobart’s FunniesPoint du HochNot so funnyBedford VirginiaField of slaughter My father spent that year in fightingFive behind himDesert sightingThis time FranceAnd dense BocageMichael WittmannOn theContinue reading “D – Day”

The Quakers have it rightSit still sit quietAnd let the Spirit comeFor come it willTo guide your mindTo quiet gentle placesTo soothe the soulTo offer kind embraces So often we live lifeUpon the surfaceSkittering aroundHere and thereStop and take a seatBe still as on retreatListen to the silenceIn the air We need some depthWe needContinue reading “Time To Be Wise”

Corpus Christi8th of June 1944And the boys of Bedford VirginiaFell two days beforeFalling out of landing craftApproaching OmahaThey walked into the jaws of hellThey fell to rise no more The Lord whose feastWe celebrateBody and Blood of ChristWas torn apartAt CalvaryThat was the fateful priceCarrying the sin of all the worldFaithful to the endAnd theContinue reading “Jesus On Omaha”

Owd Mick FoyThey called him – my granddadMedium buildMoustachePlayed the fiddleWatch-chain from a waistcoatGentle naturedWorked into his seventies in the middle Came to EnglandWith his father workingSummer timesOut on Cheshire farmsSleeping accommodationWas in a hay barnPat and MichaelMade a solid team His father getting on a bitFor this gameGranddad said, ‘Go homeLeave this to me’AndContinue reading “Accomodation”

Across the roadDougie does his gardenDigs and does his flowersMows his lawnMakes his world all beautifulThe hours he puts inDusk and dawn I get the benefitThe beautySitting in my loungeI see it allRed and purple bloomsAnd neat hedge trimmingA garden round the backA shed and all He has gotAll the implements requiredSpade and fork rakeContinue reading “Gardening”

Mark 12:38-44 The more we haveThe more we have to loseThe heart grows tightWe need to turn the screwsLock all awayKeep it safe and soundObsessed with havingMoney underground Driving cars make us all go fasterUsed to speedWe cannot get enoughImpatient of delayWe court disasterAnd traffic jams are thingsWe cannot master The widow’s miteA timely lessonContinue reading “Money Talks”

No one like himBrian CloughNo one like himFascinating study for anyoneAll his faults writ largeOn public stageAll his virtues thereFor all in every age Let’s play psychology The injury sustained in ‘62And he but 27 at the timeDamaged him moreThan I’ve ever heard people sayHe was just a lad whoSimply wanted to play I missedContinue reading “Brian Howard Clough”

Your prayers are asked for the followingWho are sick…And for the following lately dead…And those whose anniversariesOccur about this time…. We sat in our rowsAnd listened as the priestUp in the pulpitRead out recited all the namesSick and lately deadAnd anniversariesNames familiar sounding to us allFor this is our parish familyAnd all of us belong‘To-one-another’Continue reading “Old Days”

I was marooned in Elie1973Chaplain to a conventFor a monthA house in the groundsWorse than being a monkTotal isolation I was sunk Kindly nun gave me a few beersFed me wellOtherwise left aloneSent there a mass to sayEach morningThat was itMarooned in Fife forlorn The old priest I relievedThought it so funnyQuoted me Alphonsus aboutContinue reading “Forlorn In Fife”