Christmas and Rainbows

I was honoured to be asked to assist in the leading of the worship at a retreat day led by Jennifer Rees Larcombe at the Red Hill Christian Centre on 17 Dec 2011. Whilst taking great pleasure in serving with the main lead through voice and poetry, it was a wonderful opportunity for some down time and reflection on the realities behind the Christmas festivities that we often forget. The day was full of both laughter and sadness, reflection and fun. During the lunch break we witnessed a beautiful full arched rainbow stretching from one side of the fields to another with the Red Hill barn in the middle. As I gazed at the wonderfully clear colours, from one perspective the rainbow ended slap bang in the middle of the farm house roof. It was a beautiful picture to see which many of us were fortunate to witness. I only regret not having taken a photo!

Thoughts of a Poet

This is one of my latest poems taken from my "Thoughts of a Poet" collection. When appropriate, I offer poems out to those to whom I feel the words might be a comfort if they are going through something which I have also experienced. My heart felt hope is that this will encourage them on their path through the trial that they may be facing and help them emerge triumphant on other side. However, at times this is a risky venture as when the words are "out there" they leave a window into my soul that is unprotected.

Naked / Carefree

Sometimes I don’t want to think like a poet.
I want to think normally, carefree

Without the depth of thought
From which I cannot hide the true me.

I want to be carefree
Without a soul that exposes the true me,

Laid bare, for others to see
Whilst I stand exposed and naked be.

These words express my frailty
Or my inner strength through the trials that be.

Yet, no matter which the side you see,
I still stand exposed and naked be.

(Copyright EH 2011.
All Rights Reserved)

Michelangelo - The Poet

I didn't always enjoy learning about history at school. However, I do love art, and when I learn about history through art, making connections between historical figures or events through art or poetry, it fascinates me. Having read some of Michelangelo's poetry in his book "The Complete Poems of Michelangelo", and also being a great fan of Michelangelo's artistic portrayals of the human body, as well as the detailed attention to fabric by Leonardo da Vinci, I was intrigued to find a book entitled "The Lost Battles" by Jonathan Jones, whilst browsing through the National Gallery shop on a recent trip through London. It details the bitter feuds between the two artists during Renaissance Italy. Interestingly it describes how Raphael, a rival painter to Michelangelo, painted Michaelangelo amongst the characters found in the wall painting entitled: "The School of Athens":

"Raphael wittingly included Michelangelo in his mural, brooding massively, leaning his head on his hand whilst he scribbled poetry on a sheet placed on the stone block beside him. His face is downcast in introspection beneath his unkempt black hair."

And here is the painting. A glimpse into the life of the poet at work! See if you can spot Michelangelo in the painting.

A New Beginning

I cannot express how much I have valued and appreciated the last week that I spent at the Penhurst Retreat Centre in Battle, East Sussex. Such a beautiful and peaceful place where you can escape from the world and REST. I met some wonderful people too. Lots of love to you all in your new beginnings! Thank you also to Richard and Storm, and all the other staff at Penhurst Retreat Centre.

Well hello Mr Bee!
(Or another of He)
How honoured am I
To see you buzz by
Doing your daily rounds.

I don’t know why you are here,
There are no flowers near.
Oh but look, there is just one - no two!
Ah ha! A whole field for you!
So in fact your wisdom is sound.

(Penhurst Retreat Centre Orchard
13 Apr 2011)

(Copyright EH 2011.
All Rights Reserved)


The retreat entitled "A New Beginning" was led by Jen Rees Larcombe, author of the book "A Year's Journey With God" and many others.

World Book Night 5th March 2011

I'd only been to one poetry reading session before, back during Book Day 2009, and that was filled with secondary aged students eating their lunch with crumbs dropping into their laps as they eagerly listened to the next poem to be read. A kind audience. I braved reading one of my own poems at that one too. This time, however, on World Book Night 2011 the audience was comprised of seasoned poetry lovers, cooing with excited appreciation for the next "Betjeman" or "Keats". I discovered "Diary of a Church Mouse" to be rather entertaining when read with the voice with which it was intended. I also discovered that my knowledge of our poetry heritage was dire. (I need to either read up, or learn to nod or coo in the right places.) The local Book Night organiser, whose focus on poetry readings was responsible for enticing me in, via a good friend's invitation, read her selected poems like a stage actress whose pronunciation of vowels were all simply perfect (a history of elocution lessons it transpired). She put her heart and soul into each reading, not thinking for a moment to feel subconcious of the onlooking audience. She read with her whole body emphasising the roll of the poem's rhythm. I looked on in awe wondering if I had the same sounds when I spoke or if my lack of elocution would betray me. I jumped in when the chance came to read my poem with an announcement that I was offering "one of my own". (It's a hard job to follow Keats but someone's got to do it). I stayed safe with the first one "The Peace of 6.a.m. on a Sunday". Then later, once others had the chance to read too, I offered two more to give them some air, (there is no point in writing 479ish poems just to leave them gathering electronic dust on my hard drive): "For She Who Hates Herself Not to Eat" and "The Cycle that Turns", both based on my observations of young people during my time either as a teacher in a secondary girls school or as a volunteer youth worker. I had some good feedback and was encouraged to keep writing. This was a good day in my journey into the sub-world of poetry readings.