story bones
flesh full tales of woe
clenched between lips and teeth
willing foes pull to throw
growling low
tighter till we had our fill
of sinewy knuckle-down
marrow of will
no contest met
nor tissue left
parade around the outside wall
to paddock graves of earthen domes
in quiet of night the remains give way
the story flowers grow tall
Photo by Warren Wong on Unsplash
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Photo credit:
It’s the things that aren’t said that hurt the most.
I can hear the tower clock chime from my pillow
It is the only constant I hear.
But even this clock;
I envy the care and attention
it receives for its restoration.
I hope to have its constancy at heart.
Spiritus Sanctus:
‘O Holy Spirit, as the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water,
Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.’
I love all the unseen things about you
I wait for them to make themselves known
a word, a look, a gesture, a smile
a gift of Love – one treasure I own.
When I stand before the body, in the flesh
I am confused. It’s You that I miss.
I respond in words I don’t understand
I lose part of myself in this.
Waiting for the unseen,
the centre of our being
to come forward again
In the Spring.
When you play, your work, your dream
it is there – the unseen
making music in my ears
as sweet as a song of songs.
Sweet fruit. Spring flush
Eat, dear friends, and drink your fill of love¹
The days were Made for this.
The season of singing has come.²
Love stronger than death
burns like a Mighty fire
Many waters cannot quench
Nor rivers sweep it away.³
By day the Lord directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life. –Psalm 42:8
Image source: ‘Looking through the trees to the stream’ by John Groves
Our position does not give purpose
Just our faith.
Ours is a Kingdom which cannot be shaken.
Jubilee, for me will be a far more glorious year
Years ago we dreamt of a foster child
before our numbers grew
We believed a child
could grow in our home
yet affection would misconstrue
no desire to return the favours you give
no gratitude for the way we live
With this in mind I watered the soil
to love and care for you
Walked to the top of the bridge
Held all the things you said
Cast off over the edge
Whipped by the wind and the current
Drowned out on the sea bed
Never again to evoke a frown
Stepped down from the ledge
Over the bridge
Stand on new ground
Warm air surrounds
The happiest place to be
Under soles of feet
Some stories better left untold
Others build us prison walls
but when uttered they dissolve
unchained altar call
Like a caged bird flapping
fighting endlessly
Decides to sing its heart song
then gentle hands set free.
Poem inspired by:
Prison Fellowship of Australia – Art from Inside Project
Count the stars of heaven 