Reflections on life

A tiny trickle when I needed a flood sometimes the heart refuses to allow emotions to pour forth a torrent

In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost weapons and troops were blessed and off they went to shoot and kill imagining that God smiled at their slaughter "God is with us",they said, on both sides, and God weighed the odds. The battle raged and holy guns fired holy bullets that made holy holes in men. the blood that ran was not righteous blood but that of sinners no redemption in their sacrifice the broken bodies and broken minds returned forgotten heroes to many. some thanked God for their deliverance, on both sides, God himself was neutral As knees touched stone prayers ascended like rockets a late comer banged the church door some men dived for cover.

In the woods birds singing praises from a cathedral of trees

a book of verse the wine glass ring on the cover evidence of contentment

first buds of Spring inching forth through frozen ground victory of life amidst my adversities you hold out to me hope

had we not met and our hearts had not entwined in what state of life would we  find ourselves desires fulfilled or destinies crushed

your smile I feel it in my heart growing bringing to life my inner man

Outside the rain beating against the window washing away the tear stains at your door

on the edge of life she clings to the forlorn hope that the sun will shine and banish these rain clouds evaporating her fears

Stillness of the pond disturbed by a pebble small disturbances causing ripples in our lives.

Patchwork of light and shadow arched cloisters where many feet have trodden a sacred path.

The tide drifts lazily in lapping over stones,pebbles smoothed over countless ages We stand and watch in awe of the scene a sublime serenity mountains reflected in perfect symmetry clear waters wavelets caress the ear a birds wings swish the air a fish breaks the surface sending out ripples wishing I never had to leave

Amethyst, jasper, ruby stones in your name and your names in stone you brought the rain to this parched land gave life to this desert yet in an instant you were quickly gone and this land withered you flooded my soul with soft words flood waters of deceit washed  away my soul drowned me with your final words

Gentle flowing water lapping against the banks soothing my tired soul from somewhere a leaf floats to the ground

the days continue we move onwards our necks stiff and painful from always looking back

this evening as the fire glows radiating its warmth I catch your eye the embers smoulder

In the town streets shiny with rain I walk across the bridge no accordian player today no guitars , violins there's nothing extra for playing whilst wet cobbled streets slippery,wet waiting to turn someones ankle as they are distracted by the man selling "The Big Issue" I wonder if he knows what the big issue really is smells waft out and tempt  me burgers , hot dogs , coffee others assault me cigarette smoke , cheap perfume and body odour I walk on evading spiky umbrellas held as if in a military manoeuvre people short , tall , fat , thin an urban culture a melting pot we stir our own small space and walk on along shiny streets in the town

Beneath this cold earth my home awaits betrayed by lifes promises denials in a world of fools this life , mine full of pain no peace insensibilities and distain without escape my screaming soul feels the surge of blood accentuating the misery desperate for rest instead , before me a dark tunnel no light at its end a downward spiral ending in despair this death inside everyday renewed emotions drained squeezed from a bleeding heart and then the light and then the end and then silence

The docks,cold in the northern wind. I look out to sea,a lone fishing boat returns to the quay. Surrounded by a flock of squabbling gulls like excited children waiting for a party. They swoop and soar dive and dart like victorious warriors after spoil. A feast for free. So many copy their style in a world of "I want" and "I deserve". Taking the plunder,wolf-like,ravenous. What is left,what remains is injustice and despair.A desperation that binds itself to the culture,inseparable untill the fabric b r e a k s and the last remnant of hope leaves on  the final tide.

He throws a pebble into the pond his life disturbed by small things

pink sky at evening I hope the shepherds bring the delight they always promise

From the river,the wooded slopes rise steeply to the foot of the old city walls. Patches of early snowdrops spring up at the foot of still dormant trees.High above them, from sandstone towers,the cathedral bells sound on the hour as they have done for centuries.Along the river a cormorant flies upstream. cathedral bells an ancient tone snowdrops bow their heads

early morning driving in the dark last nights memories viewed through the windscreen

nest building sparrows winter survivors

walking in the park the full moon rests on a branch

after the funeral I walk by the sea eroded coastline reminds me things take time

a man of comfort yet his words ignite a fire bringing fear and dread angry fists shake at heaven when he preaches them to hell

She struggles with shopping crying children cling to her inside her head she screams her life spiralling down a purgatory she chose

our paths have crossed in a time before we knew that we would walk one way with one goal nothing can be assumed

sitting alone he works out his plans beside the glowing coals a melody becomes one step closer

"Life is precious" cried the anti-abortionist as she shot the doctor.

In the vegetarian restaurant he took his card out to pay from a leather wallet

Finally reunited- the lost child receives a spanking

The used battery kept in a drawer  just in case.

at journeys end hoping to look back with contentment

marching along the fence gaurdian of the garden a magpie

alone in the street the lost child in a forest of giants

page after page this notebook of poems grows into Spring from old words grow new poems fresh and green

As the tears fall and the pain stabs as the memories haunt and emotions well up remember me in fields of flowers where hearts ran free in summers sun remember me by gentle waters skimming stones and having fun the night will bring its own dark phantoms but sunrise always follows light remember me as the sun is rising remember me bathe in my light

an empty forest the moonlight paints leaves silver

Empty trees paying tribute to forgotten summer

strugling inside ebb and flow of emotions leaving me empty   swimming against the tide      good intentions left stranded

Sitting alone the old man stares at the sea the tide carries his thoughts     beyond the horizon.

Beneath the great oak a gentle tumbling stream serenity

he fought in the war dreamt of a better world amidst the carnage he sheds a tear for the dead by the grafitied monument

Marriage a sacred garment held together by love

Her memory gone she repeats the same words an aged catechism

beyond the mountains the sun continues to shine where once they had walked a bitter sweet memory since the sun set on their love

trawling slowly the fishing boat ploughs its course circling in its wake seagulls scrutinize the deck seeking an easier life

An old photograph in monochrome and grain I look back through time wondering why you left.

unlocking my heart you enter into my life define me my life is shaped in the hollow of your hands.

We parted friends a misnomer I realized  for  friends stay in touch           our boats now drift                           to opposite shores.

A silver halo               shines above you                                 as you pass the moon

half moon reminding me without you I am less than whole

                                                              The wind disturbes the river                                                                                           wavelets undulate                                                    the rising and falling of gulls                                                                                    matching my heart beat

Searching the internet for examples of haiku and senryu I came across haibun. A new form to me ,  a new discovery in the seas of Japanese poetic forms. A simple idea. I thought I would try to write one. Trawling the web a new discovery haibun

Striving for perfection I remind myself that even monkeys fall from trees.

Long empty silences                           suffocating                                       in a hospital                                                   waiting room

The frozen ground gives way to life a new green shoot.

Life long companions they sit by the river - two swans

Enduring hope anchoring the soul: sun breaks through the clouds

bees attracted to beauty a rose of reddest hue I picture you and my heart grows wings

a new year dawns not a new beginning just continuance