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

Sonnet

Greetings.
Do not be afraid.
Was this the greatest of all meetings.
Where at last all doubt and fear was laid.

If we leave our own present place of fear.
We too will meet him somewhere.
We cannot know if on the way we will find joy or shed a tear.
We cannot tell the time or the where.

If our soul does rise again.
Will they say it was never there to be taken away.
Will we sleep for ever and never awareness regain.
Or will we, at last in great light, all our fears lay.

I may search restlessly but I do not know for certain.
I have not yet met him on the road, the truth lies behind an impenetrable curtain.

Haiku

Not met on the road
The truth lies hidden by death
But then I will know

Sonnet

That Christ is truly risen from the dead we know.
Victorious King, thy mercy show.
Now in the depths of our hearts we truly know.
All his works, bright resplendent do truly his victory show.

But once this King for a crown was given only a circlet of thorns .
A thousand years on, a reliquary holding a thorn, rests in glorious Sainte Chapelle.
Given to the new French Queen from Scotland who soon mourns.
Taken by her into cruel English exile, what despair she suffered we cannot tell.

Passed by her to a Duke’s family and then to fugitive Jesuit priest.
And finally allowed to rest in peace at Stonyhurst.
What tribulations, but finally cast in gold and set in pearls on it our eyes can feast.
But once its wearer, we think, only suffered from dire pain and thirst.

I cannot know if this truly rested on my saviour’s head.
But a thousand years of sincere veneration cannot be gainsaid.

Haiku

A reliquary
Cannot know if true or false
True veneration

Sonnet

Let us make man in our own image.
In the likeness of ourselves.
Now we approach the end of our Lenten pilgrimage.
We have sought to clear the clutter from our mind’s burdened shelves.

Last night I dreamt the world was at peace.
I felt a great unusual love for all.
But I knew I would wake and all that joy would cease.
Unconscious I was truly aware, conscious I would wait in vain for God’s call.

Now we are expectant in the dark at the Easter vigil.
Night is descending on the Cathedral.
Yet the city outside has yet to become still.
But here at least we are one people.

Surrexit Christus, soon the bonfire will be lit.
Et Dominus de Caelo intonuit, and we will feel in our hearts the resurrected spirit.

Haiku

The bonfire is lit
Feel resurrected spirit
In all of our hearts

Sonnet

Like a root in arid ground.
Without beauty, without majesty we saw Him.
We can but wonder, all we who are sound.
His face is bloodied and grim.

We were at the children’s stations.
Surveying the wondrous cross.
And hearing it sung to all nations.
Together content as a family yet mourning our loss.

Our greatest gains counted but loss.
And contempt poured on our pride.
Bearing in our mind only the weight of the Cross.
We heard at the end in his death agony how He cried.

A tear rolled down my cheek.
But was it for him or me, what do I truly seek, I am weak.

Haiku

A tear rolls down cheek
But is it for him or me
What then do I seek

Sonnet

O God who have called us to participate.
In this most sacred supper.
We search aimlessly against our fate.
We are overwhelmed with life’s clutter.

In the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
The Cardinal was skilfully preaching.
My granddaughter tapped me on the shoulder.
Tired after a days work, I was gently snoring.

But waking, I felt a profound sense of peace.
And of patent understanding.
In my dream I had seen a vision of life given a new lease.
The gentle voice at the Passover supper had been quietly demanding.

But it was in the utter silence of the great Cathedral at the veneration.
That my soul passed at last from all agitation.

Haiku

In utter silence
At the veneration
Comes a sense of peace

Sonnet

Each morning he wakes me to hear.
To listen like a disciple.
I pray that he opens my ear.
That I can seek to be one of his people.

But honestly, did I, do I turn my back to those who strike me.
Do I like the prophet cover my face against insult.
No I act like so many members of my family have done and act like a Leigh.
I am resentful and don’t act like a mature adult.

Only if the Lord comes to my help and aid.
Will I be untouched by insults.
But I must have prayed.
On my own, I could barely have achieved any results.

During many a long night, I do not hear his voice.
But I will persevere, I have made my choice.

Haiku

During the long nights
I hardly hear his voice at all
But I persevere

Sonnet

He made my mouth a sharp sword.
And hid me in the shadow of His hand.
It is not enough to cry Lord, Lord.
We must wade through doubt as through clinging sand.

Are we really that sharpened arrow.
Concealed in His quiver.
Or is our witness buried deep as in an ancient barrow.
Do we hold truth close to our breast or are determined to deliver.

Do we really see ourselves as his servant.
In whom and only in whom we can be glorified.
Or do we drift in life’s rising and ebbing current.
In what or in whom do we truly take pride.

Can we say hand on heart, my cause was with the Lord.
Or did we just go with the horde.

Haiku

Can I truly say
My main cause was with the Lord
Or went with the crowd

Sonnet

He does not break the crushed reed.
Nor quench the wavering flame.
He answers when we sincerely plead.
He welcomed us when into his arms we came.

Justice he will bring.
His kingdom will be established.
He is our rightful King.
His law is written on an everlasting tablet.

He who created the heavens and spread them out.
Who gave shape to the earth and what comes from it.
He can expel in hearts all doubt.
The whole universe does He knit.

I the Lord have called you to serve the cause of right.
And you Lord are my truth and my light.

Haiku

I the Lord have called
And you are my light and truth
To serve the true cause

Sonnet

So they took branches of palm trees.
And went out to meet Him crying Hosanna.
Singing His glory they were on their knees.
It was as if from heaven had descended manna.

Once in our life will come shouts of acclamation.
Replaced all too soon with cries of criticism.
Turning in fate’s cruel breeze we fear damnation.
And our own fate is scattered as light through a prism.

You have the poor with you always.
And you can do with them what you wish.
We are the poor in spirit he says.
We have to eat from this humble dish.

But from pain and passion comes hope.
Upwards towards the light leads the slope.

Haiku

Then from passion
Comes hope on an upwards slope
Towards a bright light

Sonnet

I am a worm and no man.
Scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
I plead for help, I cannot divine your plan.
Do not stray far off, be on every horizon a holy steeple.

We all can be reborn.
But we do not have the strength to do it alone.
We could all be a royal priesthood to you sworn.
But only with your help can we approach your throne.

I plead with you to give me sanctuary for ever.
Now I wander disconsolate in the desert.
Never permit me this link to sever.
I pray only for doubt into faith to convert.

But it is so hard for this eternal covenant.
To be our constant government.

Haiku

I plead for your help
Do not stray far off I beg
I cannot do it

Sonnet

Is it not written in your law, I said you are Gods.
So the law uses the word Gods.
On this question do we have to be at odds.
Disputing in separate squads.

So scripture refers to us as Gods because it is addressed to all.
And he referred to himself as Son of God.
We grapple with the truth but want to receive the call.
Perhaps we can just stand awed.

With St Fulgentius we grapple with our own Arianism.
Is Christ just a holy man.
I can get lost divining the truth of an ism.
I prefer not to question the divine plan.

But if God was not prepared to come down to earth.
Where does that leave our true worth.

Haiku

If God not prepared
To come down to earth where is
In all this our worth

Sonnet

I am the handmaid of the Lord.
Let what you have said be done to me.
This question in us too is deeply stored.
We too can, if we want, be free.

But like her we have to choose.
We are free to say yes or no.
We have only our fear to loose.
We can be brave or go with the flow.

What if she had out of fear declined.
All history would have stopped.
She went happily into her tragic fate blind.
No she did it out of duty, the only chance not dropped.

Perhaps we should keep on praying she says yes.
asking for the chance hope to bless.

Haiku

Pray she does say yes
All history would now change
If she does say no

Sonnet

You will know the truth.
And the truth will set your free.
To discover the truth do we have to be a sleuth.
And do we have to bend the knee.

For me it’s not just about having faith.
Or following a man made rule.
It is joy, that insubstantial part of my dreams that appears like a wraith.
This is a tantalising jewel.

It comes often early on a spiritual journey.
And then is replaced with a long hard slog.
We fear our efforts do not concern he.
We still seek our destination, that sweet acceptance wrapped in fog.

Bu at the end there always will be joy.
From faith and prayer, the very sweetest alloy.

Haiku

Destination
Faith and prayer the very
Sweetest true alloy

Sonnet

Make a fiery serpent.
And put it on a standard.
We are given a gentle message to repent.
But we will not acknowledge our faults, we find it so hard.

Here we are a year into lockdown, a global pandemic.
At the chemist we still see the sign of the serpent on the standard.
We ignore the lessons of the past and become sick.
It faces face down, fate’s card.

But the wise trust to science too.
They put their faith in vaccines.
They take precautions, they clean through and through.
About lockdown they don’t make scenes.

But we are still overcome with hubris.
We never think this will happen to us and nothing rhymes with hubris.

Haiku

Nothing rhythms hubris
Yes we are overcome with
Hubris all the time

Sonnet

You are there with your crook and your staff.
With these you give me comfort.
All through life it’s best to have a little cry and a good laugh.
Assume you will emerge triumphant from all discomfort.

I don’t know if I will have life eternal.
I don’t even know for certain if I exist.
I may assemble from and dissolve into any kernel.
We peer through an impenetrable unknown mist.

We hope justice will be given fairly as to Susannah’s accusers.
We trust in our innocence.
We may however end up winners or losers.
But of our fate we may in the end make no sense.

But as we look back it was a good life, if sometimes rough.
A modest home, a job, a loving family, that was enough.

Haiku

It was a good life
job home loving family
That was then enough

Sonnet

Anyone who loves his life will lose it.
Anyone who hates his life will keep it for the eternal life.
Where do we find a ladder to climb out of this pit.
Why is fear and regret so rife.

We, all of us have one great disappointment when we survey our span.
Always at the decisive moment we lacked courage.
Our soul is troubled, it is the fate of man.
Once when given a vital choice we were discouraged.

We forgot that a grain of wheat has to die.
To yield a rich harvest.
We were afraid to take a risk, to break a tie.
So we never obeyed our destiny and went our farthest.

Once as we came to a precipice, we were afraid to do more than creep.
Glory we rejected because we did not leap .

Haiku

Once at precipice
We were afraid then to leap
Glory rejected