Messengers – a poem

Messengers – a poem

Pay close attention to the wisdom of your body in the quiet seasons, in the waiting times, in the desert times. This is where those you had no time for, demand your attention once more. Rumi suggested you invite the unexpected visitors in for tea. Jesus suggested you...
Humility – a poem

Humility – a poem

Perhaps humility feels like this: to shut my mouth, quiet my critique, and make space for sappling and seed only time away from tallness. To leave generous gaps in the canopy of wisdom. To recall that I too remain dependent on the elements and shelter of neighbours...
Write a Poetry Collection with me in 2023

Write a Poetry Collection with me in 2023

I’m looking for 14 people who want to learn to write and publish poetry to join me in this 5-month immersive writing and publishing adventure.  All the details are here: https://poetrychapel.com/poetry-chapel-collective-experience/   Poetry Chapel...
The Rhythm of Your Day

The Rhythm of Your Day

My father cleaned offices weeknights.My mother took the weekend night shifts, as a nurse.My wife is a night owl. My teen kids too.I’m happy to get up when it’s early.I write best when the dawn breaks.That quiet morning fridge hum is the perfect companion...
Long Goodbyes – a poem about dementia

Long Goodbyes – a poem about dementia

Fading like the day.Life had been kind to mother’s bodybut not her memory. Mother called her by many names;Alice, Betty, Corrine,as if to scour the alphabet -but never guessing beyond E. She didn’t mind though.She knew her mother’s bodyremembered...
The Incarnation – a Christmas poem

The Incarnation – a Christmas poem

Take all your hope and longing;cover it in blood, urine, faeces, straw.Cut the chord to your dreamswith a field knife or clenched jaw. Here lays the King of the Jews.Crowned between thighs,Held in arms of exhaustion.Bathed with tears, sweatand the soft tonesof a...
Hope – A poem for Advent Sunday #1.

Hope – A poem for Advent Sunday #1.

The longing for lost thingsbegins as you do. Your mother was more mobilebefore you filled her belly.She lost her balancealong with sleepand shapeand random acts of selfishness. It’s strange;even thoughwe breathe lossinto our forming lungsbefore air enables a...
Sneak Peek!  New Poetry Collection

Sneak Peek! New Poetry Collection

This is the cheeky post before the official launch date post but I can’t wait to share this with you. This new poetry collection was written and published with a number of emerging poets. And I must say, it is simply beautiful. If you are a physical copy lover,...
TO MY SON: ON DATING AND I DOs –  a poem

TO MY SON: ON DATING AND I DOs – a poem

A woman’s body is not yours, son.And yours not hers.Never forget,  she’s not yours to possess. Before you hold her  to your hip,hold her in your heart, son  in love.  in adoration.  in mutual respect. A woman is not a goal to...
A poem for Pentecost

A poem for Pentecost

25 years ago I was born again into a tradition where speaking in other tongues was taught in a hyper-personal context. Reading Acts Chapter 2 again this year over Pentecost, I came to see a different picture – one that meets me in my current season and stage of...