Friday, November 8, 2024

 1320


George Herbert had a way with simple words

Realising that the working man

Doesn't have much time amongst the herds

Of cows, his flock of sheep & goats to scan


Profound ideas, theology obscure

Even to those scholars of his age;

Also so he wrote for us, in ideas pure,

Unsullied by the wisdom of the sage,


Yet speaking to the heart because he knew

The Holy Spirit burns its fiercest fire

Within the breasts of those who love what's true

And seek it with unquenchable desire.


Brian Hick October 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 8.11.24


Wednesday, November 6, 2024

 1319


Another round of sonnets to relieve

The stultifying mess our minds are in

Trying to pin down what we believe?

Another round of sonnets?

After Ashburnham, what can we say?

Are there yet among us those who grieve

At the name of Jesus; who don't pray

And don't feel the need; who'd rather leave

The church than maybe find a better way

Of doing things?  Maybe we do need

Another round of sonnets?


Brian Hick October 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 6.11.24

Monday, November 4, 2024

 1318


                         Ibis


                Buffet breakfast

                 Sign for drinks

         Twenty four hour service

                Lifts to all floors

          But oh so much cheaper

                Than a cruise -

  and the floor stays level at all times!


Brian Hick October 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 4.11.24


Saturday, November 2, 2024

 1317


Equinox - Bewl Water


Silent sultry

Late September days


A watercolour sky

Soft-focussed brooding

Drifts over Bewl


We walk clockwise

From Three Leg Cross

Through damp woodland


Up and over gentle hills

Down toward the water edge

On churned up muddy paths


Yachts drift past

A soft splash of canoes


Solitary birds unseen

Call from across an inlet


Distant laughter

Children's voices

A peal of bells

From hired bikes


Family filled

The water-side restaurant

Shuts out drowsy wasps

Who strafe the sun-cut terrace


A time-lapsed photograph

To mark the day


Cajoled we sample

Free goat curry

Before we move on


The day cools

We trudge across a bridge

Down empty lanes

To our parked car

And home.


Brian Hick September 2013

©copyright Sally Hick 2.11.24