Poetry that moves the heart!

I have always admired those who have a gift for writing poetry, and particularly enjoy reading what friends have written. This past week has been a time for reflection following the sudden death of our nephew Ewan, and two poems and one hymn have particularly touched me. The first poem was written by a friend of Ewan who came with her husband from N. Ireland to live in the North East corner of Scotland. Ewan was a quiet man, but this poem written for his fiftieth birthday gives insight into his love for God and his love for others.

To Ewan

We came across the Irish sea, And up the road we drove

To a little place beside the coast,  To our exciting new abode.

We thought they spoke our lingo, But we got an awful fright

The “mannies”, “wivies”, “quines”, What was it all about?

There were “coos” and “chuckies”, And lots of “kens”,

How confusing it all was “ The back of ….” – what did that mean?

We were nearly up the walls! We settled down as well we might,

But lonely times we had, No family, friends, the first few weeks

We felt a little sad.

Then one night the doorbell rang, And this little man appeared

We thought he wanted lodgings, 

But there was no bed and breakfast here.

We told him it was now a home, And nearly sent him away

Then suddenly we recognised him, From the church, across the bay.

He came in for a cup of tea, And what a chat we had

He offered us his friendship, For which we were so glad.

You now are such a good, old friend, 

And we owe you many thanks

For all the love and care you showed, All the help and sound advice.

And now that you’re hitting fifty, We wish you all the best

For many years of joy ahead

God bless you Ewan – You Are the Best!

Winnie and Stephen

Then there was this poem from my friend Terri Kneipp in Vermont USA, which resonated with me, and co-incided with a visit of our lively great-grand children. It speaks about the beauty of life, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Life is Beautiful

Yesterday…the smell of beignets was wafting through the air

A jazz band was playing in the courtyard


Sandaled feet were splashing in midday puddles


Life was beautiful

Life was beautiful…when

Lived…spent

Love was shared…then

Laughing…present

 

Today…the smell of hot coffee is lingering in the kitchen

A dog is barking in the yard

New flowers are soaking up the sprinkling rain

Life is beautiful

Life is beautiful…now

Live…well

Love is growing…somehow

Blossoming…a magical spell

 

Tomorrow…the smell of dew will start the day

A cat will lay basking in the sun

Bodies will sway to the music on the radio

Life will be beautiful

Life will be beautiful…again

Living…free

Love will thrive…remain

Happiness…foresee

Life is beautiful…

Terri Kneipp

And lastly the words of this lovely hymn by Horatius Bonar, I found was a great blessing and comfort, and I commend it to all my grieving friends and family.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me, and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down, Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in Him a resting-place, And He has made me glad.

 

I heard the voice of Jesus say,  “Behold, I freely give

The living water: thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live.”

I came to Jesus, and I drank, Of that life-giving stream;

My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,

  And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;

Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright.”

I looked to Jesus, and I found,  In Him my Star, my Sun;

And in that Light of life I’ll walk,  Till trav’lling days are done.

Horatius Bonar