it’s not what people say
it’s what they do
i am taking a long look,
a dispassionate view
no high ideals, no altruism here
no respect for heartfelt commitment and love
self-preservation is all that we have
the changeable masks of the hawk and the dove
i am beyond reach
on my fortress rock
no one should request
the key to my lock
silent as the inside of a turtles shell
lost on an island, washed by no wave
the question is how to swim back
when you’re cut off, alone and adrift
you might think its lonely,
you could say that it is,
but if it was wouldn’t I speak
not sit here sadly quietly withdrawn
don’t reach your hand inside my armour
i have waited far too long to be touched
nothing’s within todays carapace
you won’t find me there, so try not to look
when spring returns her dress is yellow
bluebell garlands round her ankles
snowdrops scattered in her hair
where she walks the buds burst forth
daffodils her orchestra
could any maiden be more fair?
the sky is blue, the breeze is gentle
all is fresh and new again
birdsong fills the sweet soft air
life renews in endless cycle
gone the bitter cold and darkness
away, away with winter care
soon the meadow banks will fill
with the flowers of warmer days
i will rest, for dreaming, there
My lover gave me a rose
It meant a lot to me
She placed it amongst my poems
Where it could simply be
My lover gave me a rose
I gave her all I had, gladly.
Her rose was a heart-felt gift.
Now I mark its absence sadly.
My lover gave me a rose.
It bloomed so strong and red
When she left she took it
Stale perfume remains in my head
My lover gave me a rose.
Now, in my heart, it’s a knife
It’s blade is the red of blood
But it will not take my life
My lover gave me a rose
And a rose is a lovely flower
As a symbol of love its complete
The thorns also have power
If I am asked to choose a rose
I would choose the one that is white
The rose of gentle love and hope
The one you can see in the night
The white rose is given in friendship
With a true and faithful heart
It does not burn with passion
Or vanish when lovers depart
The white rose grows wild at the wayside
Untended, uncared for yet strong
Touched by pink at its tender centre
Couched on a breeze and a birdsong
I don’t need to bind it or cut it
I love the white rose
It shines with compassion
It’s the fairest flower that grows
at end of day when all is done
and i am in my lovers arms
i fall asleep in sweet repose
counting all her charms
any troubles of the day
mean nothing in comparison
our love has washed them all away
our day has been replete
and full of loving smiles
her head now rests upon my arm
with the sinking of the sun
and the circling stars
all our dreams are sweet
let us not to the marriage of true minds admit impediment
build walls of gossamer and light against it
keep sweet endeavour to our true intent
lift our hearts entwined above
though time will take its toll
build towers of tenderest respect
fly high the joyous banner
i will love you heart and soul
let graceful fountains in the garden flow
with open truths that will refresh us
and make our flowers to grow
i will watch your changing moods
amidst them i will always know
that we are free yet bound as one
whatever breeze may blow
thrust up from earth belly deeps
rising through coal seams
born on a rocky peak
the spring bursts forth
crystal pure
running clear
reflecting diamond
ripples of light
dancing to pastures
gentle and green
tumbling through gullies
flowing through valleys
and back to back houses
gathering coal dust
tadpoles
cartons and cans
and children fishing
for fish long gone
with sticks and pins
and old beaten buckets
barefoot on muddy banks
the mountains still rise
high up above
as the river runs over stone
and finds the sea
and rises to cloud
to bring rain
to the fields below
The Jack of Diamonds spilled the cup
The Queen knelt down and lapped it up
The King turned in slow disdain
The Jester gurgled like a drain
The Jack got up and walked away
The Queen wept in deep dismay
The King would go and find another
The Jester soon became her lover
He gave her the gift of laughter
They lived happy ever after
the sun, the shine,
the shadows fall beneath the trees,
tranquil trance of leaves, triumphant,
leaning, lofty, lovely, light
the love, the lost, the found, the learning,
light of love, looping flight
flight to night, the moon, the stars,
stars that lead the navigator
star of wonder, star of hope
tent of sky, singing songs
sounds of battle, lullaby and funeral marches
swords and strangers, the strong, the mighty
might have been, may be still, morning comes,
comes with chimes, chime of bell,
bells of silver, shiver, shatter, shards,
sentinels of silence, stone
stones in water, stones in sea,
the rivers rush, rolling, waters rising into cloud,
rain and rainbow. what of us?
What of us? we were. we are.
walking, wandering, wondering why,
where and when, will it, wont it come again
the sun, the shine and is this all?
are we really all so small?
the sun, the shine, a burst of light,
burgeons, blossoms, blooms and grows,
glows and gladdens, glancing eyes,
eyes that see, the world, the life unfold,
enfold, enshrine, delightful,
dancing, woven in delicious dream,
the globe, the glow, eternal, bright,
entrances me – this glorious world
In one year we travel four billion miles around the Sun
Without even stirring a limb.
We dream fifteen thousand dreams,
Remembering almost none.
How significant those that we do.
In a lifetime we may see nine hundred New Moons
Twenty-five thousand sunsets,
Twenty-five thousand dawns.
How many do we really see?
How significant those that we do.
How many times might my love smile at me?
How many times will we kiss?
How many dreams can we make come true
Before time flees and is gone?
How significant those that we do.
If I thought I’d be gone tomorrow
What would I say and do?
Nothing significant
The light comes and goes across the earth;
A clock hand that sweeps us away.
Butterflies, unaware
The Dreaming Path 