In The Quietness Of The Night

In the quietness of the night 

I hear your voice 

An echo of the past

Or the whisper of the future?

A call through the ages

To stand tall 

To fight 

To hold the front line

To aim for the foe

Not relinquish the ground

That is hallowed and ploughed

Bring in the harvest

Bring in the wheat

Bring in the new life

Don’t except the defeat. 

A little humour...

🐵🙈🙉

Those of you accustom to Facebook may have seen the 'Be like Me (Be like Bill) ditties that have appeared curtesy of http://en.blobla.com the idea is you in put your name and gender and it comes up with a 'Be like Bill' or 'Be like [insert name]' poem. I hope you like my own version....

This is Jo

She is unique

There is no one the same

Or as madly insane

Jo likes to laugh 

And hopes you do to

Be like Jo...

No! Be like you :-)

Revdjo 24/1/2016

Where memories linger

Sometimes words aren't enough
And seem so empty
When the void of love stings
Where memories linger
Pain now frequents
Those places we wandered
Entrenched in my mind
In the pit of my stomach
My body it aches
My spirit is lost
In a pool of depression
A hopeless omission
Of passion now lost.

Copyright revdjo 20/8/15

Loss

Sometimes words aren't enough to say what we mean. They paint pictures but still leave much unsaid. Poetry whispers and shouts emotions more eloquently than other forms of words on a page. I guess that's why I enjoy reading the psalms. This year has been one where perhaps lament has been more appropriate than joy. It started with me taking the funeral of an uncle. My father died. A good friend died. An aunt has also now sadly passed away. Why? I guess it was just their time.

Life is short. It's meant to be lived and enjoyed. Why do we spend so much time arguing and falling out with one another?

We are left with the memories of loved ones ingrained in our hearts. They remain a reminder of joy shared and lives entwined.

In memory of Pauline....

With painted nails
          hair in style
                  and raspberry lips
                          from which you
                                      smiled.
Dainty tiny feet
             danced a tale
                            of long ago
                                 of joy and
                                      soul.
Dark brown eyes
          twinkled to the
                           dawn of yesterday
                                     no more alight
                                           this 'morn.

Revdjo 23/6/2015

Daddy on the train!

For those of you wondering why I haven't continued with my blogging every day through Lent unfortunately my father was taken ill. I have been visiting him most days for the 5 weeks that he was in hospital. At 4.45am on the 5th March he passed away. I held his hand as he slipped away. It was peaceful and my prayer of being there was answered. I think Dad had been waiting for me. My husband and I were only there 5 minutes before he died. 

I have written about my Dad before, you can find it here.

When I was a little girl I would wait for him to come home on the train. I could see the station from the bedroom window and would shout, "Daddy on the train!' when he came home. One evening there was no Daddy on the train, he had missed it, but that's another story. I wrote this poem in memory of Dad. It will be read out at his funeral which takes place on the 25th March, it would have been his 80th birthday on that day.



Daddy on the train!

"Daddy on the train!"
"Daddy on the train!"

I waited for you
As I called out your name
Home you would come
To give me a hug
You read me a story
And turned out the light
I always felt safe
When you held me tight.

"Daddy on the train!"
"Daddy on the train!"

You brought me books
And painting sets
Beano comics, Dandy too
And icecream cones
On sunny days
That dripped down my arms
And made a mess.
I'll never forget.

"Daddy on the train!"
"Daddy on the train!"

Memories live on
Although we can't be together
For walks in the summer
Or a drink in the pub
But the journey continues
And so will our love
Until we meet on the platform
In heaven above.

"Daddy on the train!"
"Daddy on the train!"

Tears of goodbye
Are never enough
There's a hole in my heart
A vast empty space
As I wave in the distance
I know you are there
waiting for me
As I call out your name.

"Daddy on the train!"
"Daddy on the train!"

copyright Revdjo 23/3/15

Stroud

A poem about the unique place where I grew up...

Searching they came 

Tramping the hills

Roaming the valleys 

Observing it all

Utterly transfixed in

Delight and wonder

Stoping to gaze

The travellers see

Round-about and Ecotricity

Obscurity and eccentricity 

Unusual may be

Dull it is not

Seeking the country

Tractors and Wellies

Roaring log fires

Overeaten bellies 

Unseen big cats

Dandelion meadows

Standing in awe

Tasting the beer

Rugby and football

Oh we have it all 'ere

Unique mills and

Derelict mansions 

Surveying the cows

The ice-cream factory

Rambling footpaths

Over common land

Untold history and

Delights to be found

This is the place that we call STROUD.

©revdjo 13/11/14

Dawn chorus cries

Dawn chorus cries,

'Wake up!'

a new day beckons

full of surprise

of untold mysteries

yet to unfold

the light breaks through

a vision to behold

of love and beauty

truth and joy

waiting,

unraveling, 

moment by moment

time unwinds. 

©revdjo 19/10/14

I hear the sound of footsteps

  

I hear the sound of footsteps

echo far and near

as people search in anguish

lives lived out in fear.

Round and round in circles

over hill and dale

they wander through the countryside

and through the market square.

Aimlessly they travel

shoes worn out by tread

weighed down by their own burdens

some completely off their head.

Minds restless from life's worries

bodies tired out from pain

they look like they're contented

but heads bow down in shame.

©revdjo 3/10/14 

My Old Friend, Laughter

Laughter

I remember her

somewhere inside 

in the corner 

of my mind

tucked away 

in an envelope

marked,

'Do not open until...'

Laughter

I remember her

her sound

bubbling up

making me smile

eyes twinkle

in a time

gone by,

Christmas maybe?

Laughter

I remember her

she knocks

once more

an old friend

returning

sharing

merriment 

and glee.

Laughter

I remember her

she's here,

with me.

©revdjo 31/8/14

A poem came tip-tapping

Tip-tapping on the window 

     the softly falling 

               rain 

running down the glass

     weaving a merry

               dance 

filling up the bucket

     with a resounding

               plop

the tip-tapping starts

     once more

               again

you think you 

              understand her

                   ways

                         but really you do

               not.

©revdjo 11/8/14

    

          

     

Do you hear her?

The truth speaks

do you hear her voice?

She whispers in creation

and calls you by name

repeatedly she beckons.

Do you hear her?

Echoes through the ages

dancing through the moonlight

mirrored in the stars

directing all who listen

loud and clear she calls.

Do you hear her?

Will you surrender to the call

will you stand up 

be accountable 

and stop the lies

the cover up?

Do you hear her?

Will you answer her call?

©revdjo 11/5/14 

I listen

I listen 

in the dead of night

silence beckons

anxiety wains 

in moonlight dances.

I listen

at the break of dawn

choruses singing

revelation heard

as creation blooms.

I listen 

stark choices

reality biting

faith grows 

in daytime choices.

I listen

your voice 

exposed.

©Revdjo 22/4/14 

Streams of Living Water part 1

I went to the recent Fresh Streams Conference and wrote this when I was there...

Lent 2014 - 10 March: Poetry

Today's simply pleasure to thank God for is poetry. I can't say I know that much about poetry only that I enjoy writing it and occasionally reading it. I really ought to read more. It seems of late every time I have gone to blog a poem transpires. It is a great way in which to express emotions. Sometimes my poetry express my own emotions, other times I try and place myself in other peoples' shoes. I can't say I have a favourite poem but here is one I learnt as a child. 

Here am I with my four daughters

Dead from drinking Cheltenham waters.

If I'd have stuck to Epsom Salts

I wouldn't have been in these here vaults.

Anon

I like it because it is local (Cheltenham is not far from Stroud where I grew up) and because it amuses me. The voice from beyond the grave has a certain sarcastic tone that always makes me smile. Growing up I spent many a happy hour in the local grave yards looking at the graves. Destined to be a vicar don't you think!

What is your favourite poem or poet?

Lent 2014 - 5th March: Memories

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. This year I will try and do a quick blog every day. More importantly, my aim is to appreciate and give thanks for the simple things in life that give me pleasure. For today here is an old photo of me and mum on Juniper Hill, Stroud. We often use to walk from the Uplands, were we lived, up Folly Lane and either we would turn right down into the Slad Valley or left to Juniper Hill, along Wick Street and back. Mum and Dad loved to walk and so do I.

Simply pleasures of memories. 

Full to the brim.

Overflowing with laughter,

Squeals of delight.

Fun in remembering

Times gone by.

Thoughts of a lifetime

Of you and I.

© Revdjo 5/3/14 

Today has been a blessing

Today has been a blessing 

That lights the darker times.

A glimmer of moonlight

It ignites the evening sky.

The joy of knowing Jesus

Reflected in their eyes.

Simplicity of childlike faith

Unknown to you and I.

The love that radiates

Across unknown divides.

Smiles that echo truth

Amidst the world's lies.

They may not have an answer

To the mysteries of life.

But grace and mercy meet

Inside a heartfelt rhyme.

Today has been a blessing

That lights the darker times.

Something to hold on to

In months and years gone by.

©Revdjo 21/11/13

Seasons of the soul

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~ For everything there is a season ~ and a time for every purpose under heaven

Seasons change as time unwinds

Leaves fall and sorrow grows

Tears flow

Loss is mourned.

Winter hits

Cold bites

What once was 

Now is ice.

Look and see

Green shoots

Flowers bloom

Spring unfolds.

The sun shines

All is well

Summer joy

Warmth and fun.

Seasons change as time unwinds

We wonder why

But life goes on...

©revdjo 6/11/13

Time, love and grace entwined

Time is precious so is love

Beating together,

Held forever,

Shared.

Time ticks minute by minute

Moments inspired,

Thoughts transpired,

Lived.

Love wrapped as a gift

Grace expressed,

Width, breadth,

Depth.

Time and love delicately held

Hand-in-hand,

Past, present,

Future.

Loved memories held in time 

Encapsulated heart

Felt emotion,

Love, pain... And grace entwined.

©revdjo 27/10/13

The Purple Teddy Bear

My purple teddy bear sat in his favourite place.

 A poem for Joyce...

 

I have a purple teddy bear
Who sits upon my dresser.
Head to toe in big white spots
He looks like he is poorly.
I wonder what's inside of him
But that's another story.

Should I take him to the hospital?
Should I wrap him in a blanket?

Today I simply say to him,
'You're lonely not forgotten.'
I gaze upon his smiling face
Remembering his warm embrace.
I say a silent prayer for him
And remind him he is loved.

Should I try and make him laugh?
Should I talk of days gone by?

I place him by the tissues
And mop his silent tears.
Endless hours he sits and stares
Days and months and years.
He doesn't say a word to me
But I hear him and his fears.


©revdjo 15/10/13
 

My heart is God's

My heart is God's

My life is his.

I will follow his call 

And entry in.

Where next God?

My spirit yields.

I seek a church 

With open doors.

I see a church

Within my soul

Without a roof

Without the walls.

I long to serve

My Saviour, King

To follow his lead

And set sail with him.