How are you feeling, what are your thoughts?

Have you been burdened by ‘ought not’s and ‘ought’s?

Do you feel anxious, worried and stressed,

Like just getting through every day is a test?

By heavy clouds do you feel weighed down,

Thick like a fog, every smile turned to frown?

Listen, I’ve no easy answers to tell,

I’ve been there too, got the T shirt as well,

Sometimes there’s no simple fix and no balm

To soothe away troubles and usher in calm,

But it’s important, I want you to know,

No matter how deep the dungeon, how low

You may feel, believe me, you’re not there alone,

Even on days drenched in sepia tone,

Lift up your head just a little and see

Things won’t stay dark as they now seem to be,

Though crumbs of comfort now seem out of sight,

One day you’ll catch that first sliver of light,

For now though, just reach out, place your hand in mine,

I’ll tread this path with you, step at a time,

One foot in front of the other, and then,

One day you’ll feel that warm sunshine again.

I saw the news the other day – and it’s not gone away.
It’s proving hard to put out of mind. Impossible, I find. 

A frail child, lying still. I wondered, was she alive?
Until… I saw a movement, tiny, small. And that was all. 

Delicate limbs, needle-thin. Doting father, only kin.
Daughter in his lean arms held. Courage, felled. 

Sorry plight, fragile, weak. Mercy now, all he could seek.
And all he had to hold her there – was love and prayer. 

Those pictures flickered on my screen. In countless homes they too were seen.
Not sure our hearts can yet contain – such bitter pain. 

I wonder can such crying need, pierce our apathy & greed,
For a far off child’s sake, can our hearts break? 

I doubt that I can fully rest, till such injustice we arrest.
Until the bombs and guns will cease – I’ll have no peace.

Audio:

In the shelter, by a bus stop, do I see you standing there?
Will I take a moment now to think of you, and will I care?
Will I spare some head space, and reflect what life here’s like for you,
Step into your heart and soul space, put myself into your shoes?
I don’t know quite what it feels like, being in limbo, not at home,
Feeling different, disconnected, not quite part of things, alone.
Far from friends and family, loved ones, system here is sometimes cold,
Living with uncertainty, a sense that life’s been put on hold,
I don’t face the pain you’re facing, long protracted painful wait,
Feeling like you’re sinking, drowning, just about to suffocate,
But I’ll take some time to just be there and say a prayer for you,
Be a friend and not a stranger, take an interest – smile too,
As I step outside my comfort zone to know you, make a start,
I may find I’m on a journey too, the journey to your heart.

Audio:

Image by <a href=”https://pixabay.com/users/fsHH-1451325/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1226611″>fsHH</a&gt; from <a href=”https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=1226611″>Pixabay</a&gt;

What does this strange story mean,
Of something heard, and something seen,
A violent wind, hurricane roar,
That fell from heaven, slipped through door?

Yes what strange power filled that place
Through corridor and room did race,
That swelled with such majestic sound,
And rooted each one to the ground?

And what to make of ‘tongues of fire’,
That did not hurt, but did inspire,
That this strange day, did not consume,
But rested on those in that room?

What Spirit made them shout aloud,
What strange commotion drew the crowd,
And what divine mysterious art
Produced such languages of the heart?

Was it that they were humble, pure,
And ready for such presence sure,
With hearts receptive, like a child,
To heed a power so raw and wild?

And what of us, who count and measure,
Could we receive heart-stopping treasure,
Could we, who think we know so much,
Accept that melting, humbling touch?

Audio with music bed:
Image by Holger Schué from Pixabay

A few poems inspired by the Anglican-initiated global ecumenical call to prayer, this year 21-31st May:

What brings joy without alloy
To Father God above?
And what may lure strong pleasure pure
From his deep heart of love?
To see lost sheep step out (or leap)
To seek him in this place,
One ounce of trust enough, He must
To such reveal His face.

A sudden shock your boat may rock
In life’s tempestuous seas,
Or worry creep and steal your sleep
And leave you ill at ease;
Yet Christ alone, the Living Stone
Can take the helm and steer,
Instil his peace, and bring release,
Dissolve your crippling fear.

Though made to soar, by some strange lore
This world keeps me confined,
A flag to fly, past ‘work, play, die’?
Elusive, hard to find;
One pure and brave rose from the grave,
Unlocked a wider view,
Of greater scope and deeper hope –
And offers it to you.

To trust in ‘truth’ may seem uncouth
In our world-weary age,
Faith may be lost, abandoned, crossed,
“Move on, turn over page”;
Yet Spirit-fire may yet inspire
Faint embers of the heart,
And on them blow, that we may know,
The joy of a new start.

Image by Couleur from Pixabay

Faded footage of bygone celebration,
A carnival spirit of joy and vacation,
Buckingham, Trafalgar, and lining the Mall,
A people determined to party, “We shall…
Rejoice through the night!”,
they might well have said,
And struggled to put manic children to bed;
A nation in lockdown now fights novel foe,
A fresh incarnation of trouble and woe,
We hail our key workers with rainbows so bright,
A rich ancient symbol, yes let’s not lose sight
Of their role as God’s pledge, to never again
Strike world with a flood-like disaster, and then,
As a king on VE day thanked God up above,
May we learn, perhaps slowly,
Him once more to love.

Audio:

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

What is love?
Love? We think of roses and dinner for two,
But I’m not sure right now that this picture will do,
It’s not just nice feelings with a sweetheart or stunner,
The love we need now is a marathon runner,
A care for each other that lasts and has grit,
Be there for each other long term, and not quit,
The love we need now – and maybe a while,
Is one that keeps slogging, for mile after mile.

Roar
It’s a difficult time, and you may feel afraid,
Don’t stay there, but climb, take courage, you’re made
To face down your fear, not cling to the shore,
But draw strength right here – yes rise up and roar,
Like the king of the beasts, we’re called to be bold,
From ‘greatest’ to least, whether you’re young or old,
& if you start to slide, at the end of your tether,
Like a strong lion pride, know we’re in it together.

‘Roar’ was broadcast on BBC Radio Leeds Sunday Breakfast, 26th April.

Audio:


Image by Ajay Lalu from Pixabay