Sonnet

Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God still and trust in me.
Can our hopes and fears be stilled.
Can we our fate see.

We are always so restless.
When young worrying about the future.
When old regretting life’s mess.
Always resentment is the lure.

Left to our own we are never happy.
No toy of our delight can last.
We wander trying every new fancy.
We make an endless cast.

But there is one who has many a room opening.
In his restful mansion welcoming.

Haiku

There are many rooms
In his father’s mansion
Always welcoming

Sonnet

If we say we have no sin in us.
We are deceiving ourselves.
Self awareness is something about which we should make a fuss.
We are not honest about ourselves only themselves.

I bless you Lord from hiding these things from the learned and the clever.
And revealing them to mere children.
Catherine of Siena’s words live for ever.
Her burning heart of love could not be hidden.

Yet she only learned to write in her last three years.
And now she is one of the churches doctors.
Her dictated writings brush away our tears.
She resolved the churches schism better than any lawyers.

We wish we had true simplicity.
We might then have more felicity.

Haiku

True simplicity
Brings much more felicity
We wish we had it

Sonnet

I the light have come into the world.
So that whoever believes in me may not stay in the dark anymore.
I was in a dreamworld.
Perhaps here and there a little snore.

Against trouble, I was asking for an intercession.
And by chance I turned to St Alphege’s interception.
Dead for a thousand years, could I ask him the question.
Strangely I felt a reception.

I felt I was being listened to.
And there was an atmosphere of contentment.
Maybe it was just a dream too.
But maybe here was some kind of presentment.

You never know when to a saint you pray.
What if anything they will say.

Haiku

You pray to a saint
You may not know they hear
There is an echo

Sonnet

On the holy mountain.
Is His city cherished by the Lord.
This is hope’s flowing fountain.
To which we inch painfully toward.

He had told us, despite our unfitness.
But we did not believe.
Are not His works witness.
In acceptance we will receive.

If we were His sheep.
We would listen to His voice.
He knows us, His reward to keep.
But do we know Him, we cannot rejoic.

If only we understood.
He is eternal life, the greatest force for good.

Haiku

If we understood
He is the true eternal life
And the force for good

Sonnet

I am the gate of the sheepfold
Anyone who enters through me will be safe.
The truth is as it is told.
Following him we need not chafe.

I was in the village church, alone.
Suddenly I felt a presence.
I was not alone.
I cannot explain this sense.

But I felt contentment.
As if watched by the loyal shepherd.
Dispelled was all resentment.
It was as if my fears were heard.

We do not know the path to avoid mortality’s fate.
But surely it is through his gate.

Haiku

We do not know yet
How to end mortality
Except through his gate

Sonnet

This is the stone rejected by you the builders.
But which has proved to be the cornerstone.
We all feel rejected at times, we are no pillars.
But somewhere within all of us is one small worn useful stone.

Our lives may be one of deepest obscurity.
Our value may not be revealed.
We may be despised and have no security.
Yet our hope in him is forever sealed.

We are wandering sheep.
Our life short and lonely.
But the shepherd awaits to hold us in his kindly keep.
He will always come to our aid all and one and only.

We think we are secure in our individuality but Christianos.
Hope lies in spirituality, alter Christos.

Haiku

Individual
Or hoping in the shepherd
That is our true choice

Sonnet

It is the spirit that gives life and freedom from care
The flesh is of no avail.
But how often is the spirit in a spond of despair.
We walk sometimes in a depressed shadowed vale.

But there is a loving spirit, a holy salve.
We feel it on a wind from our parents, a mere essence.
They are beyond beyond the grave.
But we feel their presence.

Sorrows and death may encompass our space.
But we can always make a prayer.
And our soul can travel to a better place.
A place where no ills can wander.

It is not certainty that is required.
Just an honest attempt made and inquired.

Haiku

The loving spirit
By generation passed
It does liveth on

Sonnet

I read that through faith we are judged righteous.
Since it is by faith that we have entered this state of grace.
And so I ask what then of being meritorious.
What of doubt’s ever nagging trace.

Intellectually I struggle with faith’s happy grace.
Rationally I fear I am a passing speck in an unconscious universe.
But I was thinking this sitting alone in the vast cathedral space.
Unable with prayer or God or happiness to converse.

Then high up a ray of light pierced the window.
Blinding me for an instant, intently.
What calm joy and fears laid low.
A peace enveloping, gently reverently.

Such is the call, it cannot be analysed.
Or indeed in any way surmised.

Haiku

Light, such is the call
It cannot be analysed
Or indeed surmised

Haiku for Saint George

Christopher is the
Saint of Christmas and George is
The saint of Easter

Sonnet

It is written in the prophets.
They will all be taught by God.
Sound the glorious trumpets.
Let the chariots horses be shod.

Philip met the Ethiopian on the road.
As he read Isaiah in his chariot.
Soon his head in baptism was bowed.
And forewarned of the fate of Judas Iscariot.

Why do we spend so much thinking about number one.
And too little about others save in resentment.
And even less about the one.
But we know that to help others is the only road to contentment.

Perhaps one day I might meet a Philip on the road.
And appreciate how much he is owed.

Haiku

Philip on the road
Explains Isaiah to us
He is always there

Sonnet

He says I am the Bread of Life.
He who comes to me will never be hungry.
Yes we search for an end to strife.
That is something on which we can all agree.

But is there really a way to end all desiring.
How can we be sure we will never thirst for anything again.
Can we banish with just our own self will all wanting.
How do we break desire’s heavy chain.

I do not believe we can do it on our own.
We need someone’s help.
We are never all alone.
He is waiting to help.

But in our pride we never quite accept this.
We are determined to reject bliss.

Haiku

He is there to help
We want to do it alone
We then reject bliss

Sonnet

The witnesses put down their clothes.
At the feet of a young man named Saul.
During the mass I fell gently into a doze.
The words a distant gentle drawl.

At the death of Stephen I woke up.
He asked for the Lord to forgive his enemies.
And he then fell asleep and gave his spirit up.
His words seemed to ring down the centuries.

There is an intensity of insight sometimes.
Especially when the senses are relaxed on waking.
I seemed to be there witnessing these crimes.
The scene inspiring and heart breaking.

For Saul’s approving attention.
Led to his redemption.

Haiku

Saul’s attention
Led to his redemption
And will it for me

Sonnet

After Jesus had fed the five thousand.
His disciples saw him walking on the water.
They saw, made their vows and
Put their doubts to the slaughter.

But we who have not seen still doubt.
Our faces will not shine like an angel.
We are not called to martyrdom like St Alphege Often in faith we encounter drought.
But we can still make our pledge.

Do we follow our dreams over the lake.
Because we hope for more bread.
Or because we are doing it for his sake.
And because in hope we look ahead.

From the distant past we listen to his word,
Amplified over water, our faith stirred.

Haiku

Over the water
Sound is greatly amplified
Thus we hear his word

Sonnet

Look at the rainbow and praise its maker.
It shines with supreme beauty, rounding the sky with its gleaming arc.
Light glitters on the running water.
Song rings out from the rising lark.

The warm sun melts the white snow.
Nature springs forth in glorious abundance.
From north then from the warming south does the wind blow.
All arises in God given romance.

But what bends the light and sends the river on its course.
Do we move only by the laws of physics and gravity.
And what is the ultimate source.
From what and who do we return, is there eternity.

Surely everything has a mover.
It is he, in him time is never over.

Haiku

All had a mover
All time is never over
Is eternity

Sonnet

Set aside O Lord the bonds of sentence written for us by sin.
Which in the paschal mystery you cancelled.
There is an immortal crown to win.
We can all don, whatever our life, a glorious mantle.

The Church need not concern itself with any part of our reality.
It can inspire us with the joys of spirituality.
Whatever our life, we are all part of the same community.
Nor do we ever again need to fear mortality.

We may never in this life walk on water.
But deep in our hearts we surely can.
We can put fear and anger to a gentle slaughter.
Even now he is walking towards every man and woman.

Even now he is holding out his hand, he is the link.
If we grasp it we will never sink.

Haiku

He holds out his hand
We will not sink in the lake
If we grasp it now

Sonnet

There is a boy here with five barley loaves and two fish.
But what is that between so many.
We are always seeking in life for a new exciting dish.
We always see denial and scarcity in the midst of actual plenty.

Yesterday I sat by a chalk stream day dreaming.
Bubbling, flowing and caressed by light.
What is it about a stream that is so calming.
It always is in motion but never changes in our sight.

And then this morning I stood outside at the first light of dawn.
There was a cacophony of bird song.
Silence, a distant rumble of a plane and a car and then gone.
The frost on the ground, grey light, far from the sounding throng.

If we trust to those few scraps of bread promised.
And stay in the present, all will be well as sung by the psalmist.

Haiku

A few scraps of bread
That was enough for many
Trust in the future

Sonnet

He who comes from heaven bears witness.
To the things he has seen and heard.
But what of us earthly things are we any less.
Coming from earth perhaps we are good just to hear the word.

But we can at least accept his testimony.
And attest his truthfulness.
We may be inadequate, fearful and lonely.
But in some small way we are part of his oneness.

We can though taste and see.
That the Lord is good.
It is as if we travel in a rough sea.
But in the end we find everything is to the good.

But I wonder if we truly believe that believing, we will see eternity.
One thing is certain if we don’t, we are rejecting immortality.

Haiku

If we do believe
Will we have eternal life
If not we will not

Sonnet

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son.
So that everyone who believes in Him may not be lost but may have eternal life.
Is this just a question of saying thy will be done.
Or a way of healing worrying strife.

All that survives death is love.
All else that we value is lost.
When my wife dies she will live on for the rest of my life only as love.
When I die everything of me will be lost save her love.

When we are both dead we will be together.
But only in love.
United with God’s love for ever.
This is the everlasting peace dove.

So all that beguiles us most is so much rubbish.
And all but love will be for ever finished.

Haiku

All that beguiles is
Just so much fleeting rubbish
Save love that does last

Sonnet

The wind blows wherever it pleases, you hear it’s sound.
But you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
You cannot just read the Gospel, you must feel it in the round.
You cannot tell from where or how the inspiration is coming.

The truth is intangible, unable to be touched.
It is lit not by the sun but by fleeting moonlight.
But it must be searched.
And in the end all things are put right.

It is difficult enough to be believed.
When speaking of earthly things.
We may think we have a truth received.
But it is impossible to be believed when speaking of heavenly things.

We hear this wind sigh.
But only we know it doesn’t lie.

Haiku
We hear the wind sigh
True we do not know it’s source
But it does not lie

Sonnet

You cannot tell where the wind comes from or where it is going.
This how it is with all who are born of the spirit.
The spirit hides behind that gentle mist of unknowing.
You cannot see or hear it.

Does this mean that it is some how less real.
If you cannot see it, can it exist.
It is however something you can feel.
It is a presence behind that mist.

Must we then be born of water and the sprit.
To ever enter this kingdom.
Flesh cannot become spirit.
This is a tantalising difficult wisdom.

Somehow we have to be born again from above.
I do not not the how or the where but somehow it comes from love.

Haiku

To be born again
I do not know the how that is
It must come from love

Sonnet

The doors were closed.
But Jesus came in and stood among them.
Even to our dearest our fears are not disclosed.
We stand in our own closed room deaf and dumb.

We have ourselves been self isolating.
Fearful of what lies outside.
Our hearts resisting.
Something in us has died.

But no closed door can shut Him out.
Even now He waits patiently.
We only quietly in our inner mind to shout.
And He will enter in instantly.

Like Thomas we do not need to be in another room when He comes.
For us too He is sounding the drums.

Haiku

Yes we were not there
He came among them and taught
Will we believe too

Sonnet

Go out into the whole world.
And proclaim the good news to all creation.
He who was lost lives, the wings of doubt furled.
All week we have been celebrating the resurrection.

He appeared first to Mary, the first to receive.
Then to the disciples on the road as they walked.
Then in the room to those who would not believe
And finally by the side of the lake as they fished.

This is a triumphant week.
Full of glory revealed.
Can we not delight in these paschal mysteries as we seek.
Renewing in us unending joy and having it for ever sealed.

Soon we will be back in ordinary time.
Why can’t this week last for ever, let the bells chime.

Haiku

This triumphant week
Resplendent with all glory
Then let us delight

Sonnet

The stone which the builders refused.
Is become the head stone of the corner.
Do we truly say only by His name can we be saved.
Or do I wander through life a questioning loner.

For one long moment today in prayer I believed.
I echoed Peter’s words as I read them.
And then the doubts returned.
Come faith, fleeting faith come.

I am like a fisherman after a long night with nothing.
But He is there today, every day, on the shore asking.
Friend, have you caught anything.
But I do not recognise Him despite my seeking.

Then someone in my mind says it is the Lord.
And casting away fear, I dive in and let go the the boat’s cord.

Haiku

I am in my boat
He is on the shore asking
Friend what have you caught

Sonnet

They offered Him a piece of grilled fish.
Which He took and ate before their eyes.
So simple a thing, to offer, just a dish.
But the eating of it by Him would defeat all lies.

If He walked into the room this instant.
Would we too think to have seen a ghost.
Would we our disbelief recant.
Or demand He eats a bit of toast.

Would we ask to touch His tortured wounds.
And stand amazed when He actually ate before our eyes.
And dispel from our minds all those questioning hounds.
Would truth in an instant dispel all the world’s ties.

But sadly He is not here.
But he was most certainly there.

Haiku

True He is not here
But most truly he was there
Then can we believe

Sonnet

We walk the long road oblivious.
Our thoughts meandering along the way.
If only we looked about ourselves to the obvious.
If we listened more to His voice by night and day.

He is mindful of His covenant for ever.
This is the true lasting mindfulness.
He walks always beside us, leaving us never.
But we do not recognise Him in our emptiness.

Our hearts should burn within us at words so said.
As He explains about Himself in all of scripture.
But only mindful at the breaking of the bread.
Do we recognise Him after His gentle lecture.

And will we then rush to tell our companions.
And slay for ever our minds’ dragons.

Haiku

He walks beside us
Do we then recognise him
Or listen to truth

Sonnet

We stand outside our own tomb weeping.
Afraid that our future is just nothingness.
Once long ago to a tomb a lady came seeking.
She too was amazed by its emptiness.

When we walk along our own path lamenting.
Will we recognise the stranger for what he is.
Is he the gardener to nurture us from dying.
Will we attempt open hearted to bestow a kiss.

For surely out of all humanity come before.
He knows all of us and by name.
Will we then cry Rabbuni from our soul’s very core.
Afraid, will we attempt to touch him just the same.

Will we go ahead to bear witness.
In all truth can we do any less.

Haiku

We see the stranger
Will we then recognise him
For he knows our name