Author: poetryandliving

Like a pilgrim 

I return to the familiar.

Seeking solace 

In a landscape of memories.

No matter now

That sod has turned

And stone has crumbled,

All is still graced

By the child within,

Longing to be again

In days filled with family and friends.


No school today!

The joy of waking early

To a world full of promise,

Excited by the sounds

That shape the day,

The distant rumble of a tractor

A dog barks, A donkey brays,

No time to sit

Away to the fairy fort!

Let’s play hide and seek!


Your footsteps I can still trace

In the morning dew

Running through grassy fields

Chasing rainbows

Or rambling in the dusky wood

Home to a winding stream

Or a submarine

Or some imaginary tribe

Lost in a timelessly world.

Happiness was found

In our dreams and schemes.


I remember the sweet scent of hay

Carried on the Summer breeze.

And the cold embrace of Winter

On our hands and feet,

And cows to be milked,

And calves to be fed,

And dogs to be walked,

And plans to be made for “BallyB”.


How good it is

To have known and shared

That magic place

Of hope and home and heart.

Looking across the narrow bay

From Cromane;

On a clear day 

I can see a stretch of road 

Running beneath green fields

Etched from the slopes

Of Slieve Mish.


Cars on the road

Leading to Inch Beach and beyond

Glisten in the sun like beacons

Guiding my mind

Towards Foley’s pub -

A sleepy place,

Roused by a wave

Of visitors each Summer

Eager for the chat

And thirsty for more.


Further on,

Past the church,

And hidden from view,

A mountain stream

Begins to slow

And pool between the rocks,

Making beds for trout

As they rest before the tide.

A field nearby,

Once used by folk from far and wide

And their fad for horse drawn caravans

Now hosts a tented village


Then on to Inch beach,

Its beauty versed 

And framed by the eye,

Where sand and sun 

And wind and surf arise

To pleasure, awe 

And soothe the seekers soul.

Time takes its toll on the body,

Wear and tear

Slowly changing the joints,

Stressing the weak points,

Exposing bone on bone

Rendering pain.

Stopping the stride,

Restricting,

Forcing change

And challenging mood.



With suffering comes wisdom

And a time to see more clearly.

When nearly all is done,

Still recognising the need.

Blessings on the skills

Of surgeons and staff,

The know-how and wisdom,

The miracle of healing hands

That bring hope and joy to life again.

Dear ‘Squeak’

We cannot wait to meet you.

You’ve been hiding

Safe inside your Mom

Like all babies do,

Secretly growing your fingers and toes,

Your ears, your eyes and your nose.

I wonder what colour your hair will be?

Will you have the cutest little smile? 

Will your eyes be as blue as the sea?

And when you are older

Will you love Peter Rabbit

And Paw Patrol and me?




Now it’s nearly time to greet you,

Your big sister, Nia

Has a squeezy hug and lots of kisses

Just for you!

We know you are only a tiny tot,

But don’t worry,

You have the best Mom and Dad

And sister of the whole lot.

By the way, I’m your Cratloe Gran, 

You are a sweet Summer Joy,

Welcome little Man.

A young robin

Inclined to trust

Landed beside me as I knelt

To weed some flowers.

Still new to the world

With a fluffy look,

A curious eye

And being wise to a ready meal,

Followed close on my trail

And claimed her prize.

 

Time does not matter now,

Being is all that counts.

A candle beckons,

Enter the mystery,

Go gently,

Be guided,

Sit with,

Pray deep from the heart,

It is always heard.

Notice,

Listen,

Hear the unspoken.

Hold hands,

Share memories,

Shed tears,

Anoint,

Bless,

Be one with the breath.

Trust and be held

In the goodness of love.

You are not alone,

I am with you

And I LOVE YOU,

I know that can be hard to believe

But trust Me.

Accept My love.

Know that it is already within,

Gifting all you need.

Allow it to overcome you,

To envelope you.

Let it flood you,

Become my love.

Keep coming back to Me,

Receiving

Then – give love,

Nothing else matters.

 

That day the first daffodils,

Coaxed by the winter sun

Burst into bloom

And words proudly spoken

Announced your being to us.

Like magic,

We were held in that moment,

Touched deep by delight.

Just knowing you are here

Brings a smile.

Like a rainbow

Revealing the colours of the sun

You open love in our hearts

And bring joy to our lives.

There is always the unknown in change

Which asks for our courage.

Planned or imposed

Time is needed  

To be and sometimes to wrestle with,

To understand,

To get to the sure point

Inside the wave

As we are tumbled and tossed.

Sometimes trust is the only way

As we are swept along.

The season is already changing,

Even as we wait to be held and to hold.

Long awaited,

In an instant Jupiter and Saturn align

Low on the horizon,

December 2020.

Two cosmic giants merge

Into a Christmas star.


Remember the Christ child,

Born into the human state,

Bridging time and space.

Arriving at the murky middle,

Growing into the mystery,

Revealing the way.


Still bringing hope

To a world at the edge.

Awakening hearts to be free,

Revealing places of connection,

Opening wellsprings of love,

Gateway to beyond.