I am not a religious person
I am a person who seeks a safe space
In a church, at a mosque or a temple
I like to be able to immerse myself in a space
Where I can sit in the uncomfortable of silence
Where I am not known to anyone
Where I can position myself amongst the architecture and become lost
Momentarily.
I often witness prayer gatherings, call to pray and ringing of a bell.
I understand some of what I witness
I appreciate the space, the chants, the gatherings, the suspicious look
Prayer comes in many forms, in many languages, in many rituals
For me right now it is the space, the silence, the ambience and the knowledge
I am evolving as a person.

A Mirror

I smile in the mirror,
15 seconds; maybe more,
It’s’ a daily practice
That brings joy right to my core.

This smiling in the mirror,
Turned my life around for good.
Now I SEE her, LOVE her,
Like a true best friend would.

I know she’ll always be there,
Smiling back at me,
And we get to share a moment,
Every time I need to pee.

This tiny room; a temple,
In the reflection our eyes meet.
And we’ll be here with each other,
Until our last heartbeat.

PISHIOBURY MON AMOUR

White hawthorn blossom, like snow
One pink intruder amongst them, in self-isolation
So green: cow parsley replacing wild garlic
One sweet smell for another
Trees on the central path with their unique shadows
Unseen faces on trunks, previously invisible
Wood chip underfoot, crunchy and dry
Noisy woodpigeon nearby
But other birds quite crystal clear
Did I not pay attention before?
I’m learning to listen, learning to hear, learning to see, that’s all

I walk into the space known as the “warm space”.
A welcoming space
Offering refreshments and cup a soup.
Where individuals and families can meet up safely.
Parents supervise their children doing homework
All sockets are in use with telephones, tablets and computer plugged in.
I overhear snippets of conversations.
I feel a sense of belonging, a sense of community.
With the rise in energy prices and the return of the colder weather
I am grateful that I can be part of this warm space
Until 7.30pm
When it is closing time
Until the next day.

She smiles at the world
She wants the world to know
To acknowledge that she is a working progress
She has much to learn
She has much to give
She has the smile that invites the world in
With 26 muscles used
She is ready.

She opens her journal
Scribbles down brief notes for the day
She sighs
Closes the journal
Out of her head
Onto the page
She will continue the ritual daily
To express her gratitude
About life, about love
About evolving and growing into a better me.

It’s a new day

Lay your burdens down and play
Say goodbye to the night
Step into the light
See it shines so bright

Reach for the sky with all your might
Even if you must fly or put up a fight
Do nothing else but try
To be worthy in His sight
Take every step living right

I am on a journey
I do not know where it may end
I know where it started
The journey has been hard, long and painful.
I start small and move outwards.
I have started to spread my wings and started to fly.
I wobble every now and again.
I retreat until I can carry on.
With words of encouragement, of support
I begin to spread my wings
To grow, to learn, to love and to find a safe space
In a world in a landscape overcrowded I start small

I have shouted at her
I have shoved past her
I have pushed past her
I have screamed at her
I have stolen from her in my youth
I have rarely expressed my gratitude for her
I have rarely said ‘I love you’ and ‘thank you’.
Now I want to say
Thank you for being there for me
When everyone else left or abandoned me
I will never forget the love of a woman
The love of a mother who never gave up on me.

The first sunny celandine of Spring
Horses as they gallop over fields down the lane
Insects busy buzzing on the flowering currant
Saturday supper, fish chips and mushy peas

Making art, and art for art’s sake
A golden dawn peeping round the kitchen blind
Keyboards and guitars and drum-kits and saxophones
Each and every time you hold me close
Silly pups as they frolic and lick my face

Mountain summits with a view of the ocean
Yellow and purple crocus by the garden path

Hearing a song that makes me dance and sing along
Every bus journey on a bright blue morning
Asking for help, and then receiving it
Random acts of kindness from a total stranger
Terns in murmuration over Thornton Reservoir

Smell of the freshly baked bread you have made
Imagining worlds in far off galaxies
Night time walks under clear, starry skies
Gifts that arrive in many different guises

Could it be life is
Reflected in the stream
And the water flowing just like the
Echoes of my dream
When the spring flowers
I am serene
And the beauty of the hours
Here is warm
And reveals the answers
To everything

We are all flying
Down the waterfall
And when our lives are
Over we hear its
Every call

Into the water is the way
To know the other side
And the spirit of the sky
Says we must all abide
But the strange thing
About our love
Is it is found all around
And we are never alone
We can hear every sound

For the beauty of the hours is here
And reveals everything
We’re flying
Down the waterfall
For we must make our offering

So wash yourself clean
For life’s reflected
Inside our dreams
Flowing like the rain
Living in the stream

Woke up this morning and the sun greeted my eyes
feeling grateful for this day
Walked out this morning and my smile was greeted by
another smile passing me by
Thoughts arise within me of those folk that helped to lift me throughout my life
Now memories flowing of the times I helped to raise a smile in others lives
Singing notes of thanks
It’s the key to be
Aware of all the gifts
that surround me
Singing notes of thanks
It’s the key to be
Presence is the gift
unwraps before me
Noticing nature pass me by and I smile
surrounded here by so much life
Now memories flow of all the species
that connected with my life
I raise a smile