tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58882822946306983902024-03-05T06:18:09.464-08:00po'em, n. [Fr. poeme; L. poema; Gr. poiema, anything made, a poem, from poiein, to make]Welcome to Sarah Fordham's poetry blogSarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-33872169294470877952022-10-01T08:32:00.001-07:002022-10-01T08:32:08.031-07:00 Are we nearly there yet?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we nearly there yet?
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When can we see the sea?
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Driving over a humpback bridge
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Making me feel like my stomach
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was rolling off a ridge</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-60547176-7fff-a5ff-a2d4-ff8f0ec695c7"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we nearly there yet?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The games of I spy exhausted</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No music to listen to</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only the hiss and crackle</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coming from the dodgy car radio</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we nearly there yet?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So bored, hungry and thirsty</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strapped in my seat difficult to see</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My sister to my left</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mum and Dad in front of me</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we nearly there yet?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh yes, yes! There is the sea</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not long to the beach now</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brought my bucket, spade</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And flags with me</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On our way back home now</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Been a long day for me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Playing on the beach</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And swimming in the sea</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So tired and weary</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My bed is calling me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 18pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are we nearly there yet?</span></p><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700;"> by John Larkin </span></span></div></span>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-91331519653235590302022-03-18T16:10:00.004-07:002022-03-18T16:12:57.797-07:00I do not want to write of war<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not want to write of war
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'll write instead of the Spring sun
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the solace of longer days</span></span></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not want to write of war</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll write instead of Autumn's falling leaves</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">And of sadness ending </span></div></div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">I do not want to write of war </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll write instead of Winter's hope </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: arial;">And Summer's sure returning</span></div></div>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-15198244010948135902021-05-24T15:18:00.000-07:002021-05-24T15:18:02.012-07:00Lark Ascending <p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We look
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We strain our eyes
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To see
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The bird wing
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unburdened so
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To fly and soar
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And we behind our doors
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do pine
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
We listen
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We strain our ears
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To hear
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The bird’s song
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfettered so
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rise and swell and fall
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And we enthralled
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do dream
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
The lark ascends
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Above
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Above the trodden earth
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Winged heights
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are calling
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Birdsong unfurls
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And we must follow</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-8163715681409448632021-04-08T02:12:00.005-07:002021-04-08T02:19:23.551-07:00Abide with Me +<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The inspiration for this hymn by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) is Luke
24, where the disciples on the road to Emmaus say to Jesus – “Abide with us,
for it is towards evening and the day is well spent.” Lyte wrote it two weeks
before his own death, having a memory return to him of a visit to a dying friend 20 years previously who repeated and repeated to Lyte ‘abide with me’ as his life slipped away.<br />
The first time the hymn was sung was at Lyte’s funeral. He died from TB at the
age of 54. Since the 1920s the first and last verse of the hymn has been
sung at the FA cup final. It was also sung at the opening ceremony of the
London Olympics. <br />
Lyte was an Anglican minister and accomplished poet. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><sup><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">Abide
with me; fast falls the eventide; <br />
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; ~<br />
When other helpers fail and comforts flee, <br />
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. <o:p></o:p></span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><sup><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></sup><!--[endif]--><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">Swift
to its close ebbs out life’s little day; <br />
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; <br />
Change and decay in all around I see— <br />
O Thou who changest not, abide with me. <o:p></o:p></span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><sup><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></sup><!--[endif]--><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">I
need Thy presence every passing hour; <br />
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? <br />
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? <br />
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. <o:p></o:p></span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><sup><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></sup><!--[endif]--><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">I
fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; <br />
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; <br />
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? <br />
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. <o:p></o:p></span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><sup><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></sup><!--[endif]--><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">Hold
Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; <br />
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; <br />
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; <br />
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></sup></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt;"><i><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Extra verses by Sarah Larkin (April 2021) <o:p></o:p></span></span></sup></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: verdana;"><sup><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></sup><!--[endif]--><sup><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
alive today, abide with me <br />
Open my failing eyes so I can see <br />
The Lord of all life who was crucified <br />
Risen today, ascended, glorified</span></sup></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><sup style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #202122; line-height: 14.2667px;">•<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> A</span></span></sup><sup style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 14.2667px;">bide with me, my sunrise from on high<br />My bright morning star, always in my sky<br />Abide with me, all my years revive<br />This Resurrection Day, Jesus you're alive!</span></sup></p><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #202122; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></span></sup><p></p>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-19113754039639695762020-08-15T03:05:00.006-07:002020-08-15T03:24:23.991-07:00The cooler air carries calmness<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <i>I’ve swept the sins of my father’s out <br /></i><i>Can I get a drink that is not stained by history? <br /></i><i>(from<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOz8hxHRRPs"> Sins of the Fathers, </a>a song Poor Bishop Hooper)</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">-------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cooler air carries calmness<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who is speaking?<br />
Who hears?<br />
Who wants to understand?<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hurried, harried, hustled into a thousand things<br />
Unloved and unwanted<br />
Giving rise to a thousand things to unlearn <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Who will teach us other ways <br />To the ones that have bound us so tight <br />Within constriction and pain and unacknowledged losses?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p> <br /></o:p>The cooler air carries calmness<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Great uncertainty looms like a storm soon to break<br />
To drench us with the dread of disease <br />
And dying a lonely singular death<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
What flickers on in our dreams?<br />
A candle soon to be snuffed out<br />
Or the promise of sunrise?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p> <br /></o:p>The cooler air carries calmness</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Could there now be an end to evil empires<br />
Citadels of sin<br />
Palaces of shame<br />
To ignoble ignorance <br />
That shamelessly exalt the utmost guilty <br />
And condemn the most innocent?<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thousands and thousands of humanity<br />Brush in bloodied hands <br />Weeping <br />Sweep and sweep their ruined city of shards of glass <br />A people pierced by anger and grief in equal measure<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Where is my broom?<br />
What are those shards hurting my feet?<br />
From what horrifying blast did they come?<br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And where will strength come from<br />
To ingest rage and work toward a quiet acceptance<br />
Of that which cannot be changed<br />
But must be reckoned with?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">From He who lived<br />
From He who died<br />
From drinking to the end<br />
The so bitter dregs<br />
Of humanity’s horror<br />
The cup did not pass<br />
From Him<br />
The most innocent slain<br />
By the utmost guilty<br />
The most holy<br />
Stained <br />
By the utmost filthy <br />
He did not protest to die such a lonely singular death<br />
But Sunrise came<br />
And there He appeared drenched in glory<br />
And victory’s shout<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">‘’’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Godless generations can now stop<br />
Dead in their tracks<br />
And sweep the sins of their fathers out<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I can sweep the sins of my fathers out<br /> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The cooler air carries calmness<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What flickers on in our dreams?<br />
A candle soon to be snuffed out<br />
Or the promise of sunrise?</span></span>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-38888430086846747942019-09-22T09:20:00.001-07:002019-09-22T09:23:35.857-07:00Frost-locked all Winter*<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The key in the lock now turned<br />
But it was hard in the turning<br />
Slow and cold<br />
But the time of turning was promise-filled<br />
As light and warmth and birdsong<br />
Filtered through the slowly opening door<br />
<br />
We wait for Spring and Spring comes<br />
Stays a while and then gives way to a fiercer fire<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Before the frost-locked time returns<br />
There is a vibrant interlude of red and orange<br />
Deep earth-tones of beauty to be beaten back to wood and bark<br />
<br />
But for now I’ll stand out in this season's showers<br />
And wait for its full flowering<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
* From Christina's Rossetti's poem SpringSarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-77420963534893383402019-09-22T09:15:00.001-07:002019-09-22T09:16:04.063-07:00Equal day, equal night<div style="direction: ltr; line-height: 90%; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Light to equal darkness is two dozen hours<br />
Half and half, fifty percentage<br />
Split right down the middle<br />
That seems very fair not to have more of one or the other<br />
Light or dark, day or night<br />
<br />
When there is more light does joy rise?<br />
The desire to go outside, be revealed as awake and alive<br />
The birds singing from their branches and nest-making<br />
Reminding us we can fly <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />When there is more darkness does sorrow increase? <br />
The desire to stay inside, hide, hibernate is what many creatures do<br />
And I am not of the earth like they?<br />
Called to sleep the sleep of renewal<br />
<br />
Equal day, equal night<br />
Flight or rest <br />
I like to think that I am woven in with heavenly matter <br />
Sprinkled with some stardust that glints <br />
Like stars twinkling even on into the darkest of nights ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-69205043304010065022019-09-09T01:12:00.002-07:002019-09-09T01:18:59.037-07:00Summer Slow Fades<div style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Summer slow fades towards a cooler clime</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But oft throughout the day there’s bright sunbursts<br />
Clouds may linger longer against its shine<br />
As bees work hard against their winter’s curse<br />
As summer slow fades towards cooler climes<br />
There’s fullness in the air of ripened fruit<br />
There’s early Autumn flowers in their prime <br />
And trees heavy with leaves and deeper roots<br />
As summer slow fades towards cooler climes<br />
There’s memories of longer, sweeter days<br />
There’s the knowing that it is now the time <br />
For ghosts to vanish into summer’s haze <br />
The seasons grow, they glow and on we go<br />
The sun stays in the sky and winds still blow<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-86715232681295766432019-04-28T13:27:00.000-07:002019-04-28T13:27:23.878-07:00I do not have you close by<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3882b719-7fff-5052-71b1-8d48f33ab143" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do not have you close by</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And you did not have yours near </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Either </span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And neither are we broken</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are hard</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We made it and lost it</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because we would not let</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The self</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> tremble</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the evening breeze</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moulded it into stone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Round and hard</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Un-smash-able</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tired [we are]</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tried [we did]</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tread [soft now]</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sweet-lipped waits</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Waits and sighs</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the fading light</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But our hearts have flown</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have reaped </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What we have sown</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have buried our treasure</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep within</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And inside</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Him</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The unexplored galaxies</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And our undiscovered space</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria,serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Swirls on and on</span></div>
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-4838281597239559942019-03-11T07:35:00.002-07:002019-03-11T08:23:17.885-07:00This Poet's Prayer<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The exiled poet's words fell between concrete cracks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To incubate in darkness for unnumbered days</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No one to count time passing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No one to add up the word-truth of the man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who wept himself into his grave</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Century</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Snow </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Came </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Torrents</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You were well and truly buried</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">O how we now shiver in this biting cold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But today unearthed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your remains gleam in a certain kind of light</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A heap of warm embers glowing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May they now grow hotter and burn within the bones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of the living</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May they now raise the dead to new life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br />~ From the top of my ruins I say only this ~</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bless, O Lord, those bones with your unquenchable fire <br />To burn and burn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">["I regret only this perhaps,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That I shall not be given my own grave,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such as I have requested from my friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what? Have I missed anything on this earth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With Words? I have waited for everything until</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My heart is broken as great organs break.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This too - who knows? - will happen to my grave." *]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[[And so it did **]]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* Cyprian Norwid, A letter from America, 10 April 1853</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">** On 24 September 2001, 118 years after his death in France, an urn containing soil from the collective pauper's grave where Norwid had been buried in Paris' Montmorency cemetery, was enshrined in the "Crypts of the Bards" at Wawel Cathedral.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The cathedral's bell </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">heard only when events of great national and religious significance occur, resounded loudly to mark the poet's return to his homeland. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-7814569047457723332019-03-11T03:11:00.000-07:002019-03-11T08:25:46.671-07:00Please let the Discourse Begin *I read a poem by Cyprian Norwid today that so reminded me of one I wrote years before discovery the supreme genius of Norwid. His poem is called 'A Meeting'. The title of my poem 'The Power of the Word' comes from the title of an academic conference on poetry that I attended, which deeply depressed me.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Meeting</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rubbish is swept away and every chair <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the vast hall is dusted. Great men come in,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sit down with a scrape like swords sheathed, and then<o:p></o:p></div>
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They announce - what? That all of them are there.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And they sit and they sit – until somewhere<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the world a madman discovers steam,<o:p></o:p></div>
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A mediocre artist nails down a sun-ray,<o:p></o:p></div>
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And some untutored dentist with supreme<o:p></o:p></div>
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Skill saves man from his supreme agony.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Academies keep silent – all the members there. **<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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(1851)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Power of the Word</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The academy is gathered
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suited, ageing men going grey
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Growing into texts, so bending
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And swaying like overbearing </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">trees
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And those listening, lost in </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">the forest
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The frost settling on the ground
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cold biting, the dark </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">deepening</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The care is only for ideas</span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those of self and others who </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">have threaded
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thought-waves of a similar ilk
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Into a silver-surfaced mirror </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">reflecting
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The one image of manifold </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">unafraid Man's folly
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Singular Wisdom waited a while
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">and then left, weeping
</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">locked the door to protect those on the outside</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
(2010)<br />
<br />
* 'End of discourse' is a phrase used by Norwid at the end of his poem <i>Bagatelle (1) </i><br />
<br />
** 'Cyprian Norwid - Poems - Letters - Drawings' translated by Jerzy PeterkiewiczSarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-17105931408924185172018-12-14T15:02:00.001-08:002018-12-14T15:04:42.034-08:00HumanityHumanity, no longer wrapped<br />
But exposed<br />
Removed from the womb<br />
Of personhood and remembrance<br />
<br />
Humanity, no longer housed<br />
But outside<br />
In the cold of eviction<br />
And forgetfulness<br />
<br />
Humanity, no longer clothed<br />
But naked<br />
Exposed to the deception<br />
Of all that is in the Idol<br />
<br />
The Idol of humanity<br />
Turns and turns<br />
There is a beast<br />
There is a harlot<br />
<br />
There is wanton destruction<br />
<br />
But there is a Lamb<br />
Slain<br />
But wreathed in victory<br />
King of all Kings<br />
Lord of all Lords<br />
Standing, standing for war<br />
<br />
Standing for Man<br />
Standing for Woman<br />
And her seed<br /><br />
Bloodshed inevitable<br />
<br />
O sin in the flesh<br />
Is killed only by killing flesh<br />
<br />
Sacrifice embedded in humanity's heart<br />
It beats, it beats<br />
To forget<br />
[that sin in the flesh is killed only by killing flesh]<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TildVOSAQjU">It is finished</a><br />
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-91224564372368120562018-12-14T13:25:00.001-08:002018-12-14T13:32:23.615-08:00Softly, softly, tread softlySoftly softly, tread softly<br />
Lofty ideas range around in the air above<br />
Your head<br />
And within a distant song<br />
<br />
Softly softly, tread softly<br />
See the shard ready to pierce<br />
Your ready feet<br />
And heart<br />
<br />
Softly softly, tread softly<br />
Flee to the near path<br />
That is only lit from within<br />
Your feet, heart and song<br />
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-35302046201655370542018-03-29T13:37:00.002-07:002018-03-29T13:38:05.739-07:00Hope 2018<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">There comes a word <br />
To break small-stoned silence accumulating in the soul<br />
A whispered word, wisdom-filled <br />
For you<br />
<br />
There comes an image <br />
That is not self-filled, ego-driven or face-less<br />
It is faith-filled, faithful and evergreen through the seasons<br />
For you <br />
<br />
There comes a sound <br />
Swelling from the depths eternity-covered<br />
Pitch-perfect, shame-lifting with each beat in time<br />
For you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-52060154357991899262018-01-04T12:22:00.003-08:002018-01-04T12:36:38.320-08:00The fire falls<div class="MsoNormal">
The fire falls and burns behind eyes, within hands</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not long now until the chapter ends and the seal is opened?<o:p></o:p></div>
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And with Inequity unleashed, Justice’s heart will be
devoured<o:p></o:p></div>
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O Mercy will weep at such a sight - <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sorrow carrying her young and burying them one by one<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the ancient earth <o:p></o:p></div>
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She will fall silent - no lament or praise to hail this new
dawn<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Advent sign was not what we imagined -<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blackness yielding eternity from Time’s beating breast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It took such an age for this coming<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long-awaited, baited-breath, storm-stilled at last <br />
The whirlwind reaped leaving landscapes bereft</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Signs of life ripped up and just vanished <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
O Mercy, Sorrow and Justice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bowed witnesses, foreheads kissing dust<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
O Love, to behold beauty born of a woman’s seed <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the perfection of completeness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No incantation accompanied this
incarnation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just silent-night wondering and a heartbeat
buried so deep<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In eternity bursting into smoke-filled
air <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a cry to quench the fiercest
of fires<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And divide death’s domain in two
forever<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah Larkin, Advent 2016 and 2017<o:p></o:p></div>
Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-22007081601439885462017-05-06T14:34:00.003-07:002017-05-06T14:41:49.739-07:00The bridegroom is at the door<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Such a long wait in the dark<br />Lamplight and love<br />Fuel for the fire of longing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">For Him to arrive<br /><br />How long?<br />Tired eyes anxiously looking</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">At how much oil is left<br />To keep the lamp lit</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">What is that sound?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">A midnight cry: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">'Here's the bridegroom! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Come out to meet him!' </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">At last to come in<br />But O what is that din?<br />The door is now shut</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">To those whose oil has run out</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">There is a day</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">There is an hour<br />So keep your lamp alive</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Whilst waiting for Him to arrive</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-16501020119449020652017-05-06T02:54:00.003-07:002017-05-06T14:19:38.824-07:00The wolf is at the doorThe wolf is at the door<br />
Hungry for more than we have<br />
Waiting for a weakness to show itself<br />
And then to attack and quickly devour<br />
<br />
The barbarians are at the gate<br />
Rattling sword and shield<br />
Baying for blood<br />
And a sacrifice beyond imagining<br />
<br />
The enemy within<br />
Prowls around a beating heart<br />
Like a fox waiting to pounce<br />
When love is at its ripest<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-89400137446600678102017-02-06T13:20:00.001-08:002017-02-06T13:29:34.704-08:00giftedthe gift<br />
not the giver<br />
is revered<br />
<br />
the created <br />
not the <br />
Creator<br />
is held up <br />
high<br />
<br />
o my<br />
<br />
the gifted <br />
creature<br />
is hurled<br />
from such heights<br />
and spins<br />
spiralling down<br />
into deepening <br />
darkness<br />
<br />
sun-soaked stains<br />
seep deep<br />
from consciousness<br />
to unconsciousness <br />
<br />
sleeping so tightly<br />
and sometimes <br />
to dream <br />
of heaven's <br />
window<br />
<br />
o where are you<br />
in the day?<br />
<br />
lost in the vast<br />
universe <br />
of the unmade <br />
Maker<br />
<br />
the uncreated <br />
Creator<br />
waits and watches<br />
and weeps<br />
<br />
that your sleep<br />
may not be<br />
the sleep<br />
that is unto <br />
death<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-70683075539956097682017-02-02T08:43:00.002-08:002017-02-02T08:43:10.442-08:00Nicodemus goes public<iframe allowtransparency="allowtransparency" frameborder="0" height="300" scrolling="no" src="//embeds.audioboom.com/posts/5564172-nicodemus-goes-public/embed/v4?eid=AQAAAABhk1gM51QA" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; max-width: 700px;" title="audioBoom player" width="100%"></iframe>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-39741194564755809772017-01-12T14:16:00.000-08:002017-02-02T08:46:10.712-08:00Today I saw ...<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Today I saw a graveyard of Christmas trees<br />
Trees Christmassy no more<br />
Stripped<br />
Lying on forlorn sides<br />
Waiting for the shredding<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;"><br />The shattering of needle and bark<br />Remembering better days<br />Of sparkling, twinkling lights, and rounded laughter<br />And so many gifts scattered close in celebration<br />Did it make the cutting down worthwhile?<br />Did no one say about the cold and the wind and the dark<br />And the bitter, bitter waiting for non-existence?</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
The only hope<br />
Is resurrection</div>
</div>
Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-66738780846902951732016-12-04T13:32:00.001-08:002016-12-04T13:33:28.317-08:00Advent Vigil<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">We wait, wide-eyed not in wonder<br />
But shock, cold<br />
The world spins, stricken for so many reasons<br />
Darkness expanding, truthfulness receding <br />
<br />
We wait, wide-eyed, sleepless<br />
Resisting the inevitable<br />
Wondering if something else could happen to break the night<br />
Seeking warmth, seeing home, listening for a whisper to herald the light<br />
<br />
I wait <br />
Can I hold attention?<br />
To be patient someone said – is to be brave<br />
<br />
The world’s saviour was born blinking into evil’s glare<br />
An eternal mystery wrapped in time and space<br />
Truth come close<br />
To hold the shattered earth<br />
<br />
The shards of existence pierced hallowed hands and feet<br />
Before the descent into the deep depth of darkness<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">And then the rising </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><br />But not now <br />
Now is the wait, the waiting<br />
For the birth <br />
It’s so cold and so very dark <br />
<br />
Don’t fret<br />
Just stay awake for the miracle <br />
<br />
We need to be brave <br />
We need to be saved</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><br /><br />© </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Sarah Larkin
2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-88331408717662688622016-11-19T05:59:00.003-08:002016-11-19T06:00:33.861-08:00My next Advent-themed poetry workshop - all welcome ... No experience necessary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyLlocpQnCpfMWqoG7VHYE2yeWcGGc6BzFalpXmF1QX-3Jq2nouvYMqge_CM-gEhnw2d6V2nLSZo_aC2IpL5qPdLjdXHGEgnTYGWAOTTcfiIt7akX-qJUhYVznE_OW5d-YOIJvPO3Cag/s1600/advent+flyer+nov+16+image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyLlocpQnCpfMWqoG7VHYE2yeWcGGc6BzFalpXmF1QX-3Jq2nouvYMqge_CM-gEhnw2d6V2nLSZo_aC2IpL5qPdLjdXHGEgnTYGWAOTTcfiIt7akX-qJUhYVznE_OW5d-YOIJvPO3Cag/s320/advent+flyer+nov+16+image.png" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-88933902283860325682016-11-12T14:12:00.003-08:002016-11-12T14:12:49.232-08:00“Things don’t change now the way they changed of old” Cuis de Comoes (d 1580)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Things don’t
change now the way they changed of old</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The world
has morphed into a shape not easy to hold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Deepest
darkest sword thrusting through these times<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Piercing and
dislodging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dismembering
and forgetting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The human
story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What do we
remember?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dances, long
summer days<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Safety
between sea and sand …<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Things don’t
change now the way they use to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not in
degrees, a progression<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s a
gathering of disparate forces, uniting for a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tsunami<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">O my<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What will
remain under the surface of so many losses?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-24690682547965715772016-11-09T01:43:00.000-08:002016-11-09T01:43:00.393-08:00The morning after<span style="background-color: rgba(160, 200, 220, 0.117647); color: #292f33; font-family: Helvetica, Roboto, "Segoe UI", Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rain falls today
Soak the dry ground and our hearts
Turn, run towards home</span>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5888282294630698390.post-12891942266888091522016-09-19T08:14:00.002-07:002016-09-19T08:27:38.378-07:00National Poetry Day <h4>
National Poetry Day is on 6 October and is on the theme of Messages As this is the date of our next Poetry Club - we thought it would be good to use the theme as well.</h4>
So please bring a poem, yours or someone else's, on the theme of Messages.<br />
<br />
Poetry Club meets on the first Thursday of the month, from 7.30pm, for an 8pm start, at:<br />
145 Park Road, Crouch End N8 8JN.<br />
Free event; refreshments provided.<br />
<br />
Email sarahlarkin68@gmail.com or text 07983 042875 for more details.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFMurhgOlaO_0OGV9Jh9Lfcam58AX26NNoeXjxfevT092l-lshXvK2-He8iRnetp6ilcSIklzvh62F4XbOVaFsP50jTrqAO7oBzkXeofhs_a7ADAbNARAqbyGV2-NZLOTMCxiPtpsLiA/s1600/cool+of+the+day+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFMurhgOlaO_0OGV9Jh9Lfcam58AX26NNoeXjxfevT092l-lshXvK2-He8iRnetp6ilcSIklzvh62F4XbOVaFsP50jTrqAO7oBzkXeofhs_a7ADAbNARAqbyGV2-NZLOTMCxiPtpsLiA/s1600/cool+of+the+day+tree.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/">National Poetry Day website</a>Sarah Fordhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02150363897197665225noreply@blogger.com0