CARLISLE CATHEDRAL

A former officer and former soldier come every Friday to read names from the Book of Remembrance. ‘In honour of fallen comrades- Father, daughter, husband, son Remembered in perpetuum..’ While settling in your chosen seat your own devotions you would keep. As the...

CARAVAN HOLIDAY

CARAVAN HOLIDAY In regimented lines they stand On swathes of once-green farmers land From north to south and west to east Resembling herds of sheep or beast And where the ground is steep to rise Patio doors point to the skies The wooden stiles you loved to climb Are...

MOBILE TELEPHONE BLUES

MOBILE TELEPHONE BLUES In cafes, restaurants and bars On buses, lorries, backs of cars It seems that people can’t leave home Without their personal telephone They’re walking down a busy street Oblivious to all they meet Chins tucked down against their chest As if...

WEDDING AT DALHOUSIE CASTLE

Tattered flags speak of a time long past A coin into a deep well’s cast. That wish for happiness, whatever comes The wheel of fortune ever turns… Though words may be a hollow thing- Love’s promise -bounden by a ring. The Drum Tower where no drumrolls heard- The Crown...

FAILING THE DEAD

One hundred years and still we fail The fallen dead of Passchendaele Who fought a war to end all wars Believing in their righteous cause Yet year on year we fight again Inflicting misery and pain Those Spirits of The First World War Must wonder what their death was...

On Happiness

These words were written in your praise No fireworks, no cannon, no trumpets’ blaze. Though like a queen upon her throne You’ll toast that happiness you’ve known. Though Life may cast a cloud or two Your friends were always there for you. And, come the Autumn of our...