WHEN you feel your world is empty,

Your prayers have gone unheard,

Reach out across the silence

With just one precious word.

A word to bring fresh warmth and joy

Recapturing the past,

With happy thoughts of sunlit days

And love designed to last.

..

THE skies are bruised and black out there,

With sudden bursts of light.

A storm’s been brewing in the air

And it’s letting loose tonight.

At times like these, I will not hide

Or cover up my ears;

I go to the window, look outside

And try to face my fears.

It helps me weather stormy days

Of life’s hardship or sorrow,

And trust that the peace of golden rays

Will return, perhaps tomorrow.

YOU brought us through the winter, LORD,

And through the joy of spring,

Now help us to rejoice once more

In all each day can bring.

The woods and fields are full of life,

There’s colour everywhere,

And so much summer beauty, LORD,

For all of us to share.

The cottage gardens are ablaze,

The days are long and light,

And we are grateful once again

You make our world so bright.

Be close to us when summer fades

And autumn comes along,

And help us keep within our hearts

A joyful summer song.

WE cannot choose our challenges,

For most times they choose us.

We cannot pick the easy ones

That cause no fret or fuss.

And sometimes we meet troubles

That seem to overwhelm,

We feel adrift in stormy seas,

No hand upon the helm,

Yet somewhere in the darkness

A steady light shines clear,

To warn us of the danger,

To show which way to steer.

So though we may feel helpless,

And small and weak inside,

Remember, just by asking,

We’ll always find a Guide.

HOW wonderful is nature

As she sets for us the scene

Of lakes and woods and waterfalls,

Rolling hills and glorious greens.

The scent of summer flowers,

Showers shining in the sun

Is balm upon the spirit

And beauty newly spun.

How wonderful a crashing sea

To pound upon the shore

The roller-coaster wanton waves

Where seagulls screech and soar.

How wonderful these images

Friends forever new

Take time out, reflect, rejoice,

The natural world welcomes you.

HE is the kaleidoscope of the rainbow,

The chuckle of a stream,

The lark’s glad call, the lily’s perfume.

He is the bud on the branch,

The rich gleam of the fox’s fur,

The shy gaze of a fawn,

The small cloud caught in a crate of trees.

He is the gold that crowns the daffodils,

The whisper in the wind, the song in the rain,

The story of the seasons.

He is life and love, the beginning at the end,

An hour, a day, an eternity.

TURN on your senses, unlock the key

And learn to enjoy what the world has that’s free:

The scent of a rose as it opens its flower,

The welcoming peace of an undisturbed hour;

A butterfly flitting, a hard-working bee,

A thrush singing sweet at the top of a tree;

The garden refreshed by a brief, passing shower,

A feeling that nature, like love, has the power

To make the day better than we might have known

And to show, with God’s help, that we’re never alone.

THIS bench around the damson tree:

It’s slightly broken, I’ll admit.

It’s rustic, faded, needs some work;

Yet it’s my favourite place to sit.

From here, I see the shrubs and trees

(I’ve let them grow a trifle tall),

The stones, the pond, the scattered logs,

The ivy clinging to the wall.

I stretch my legs out on the lawn:

It’s getting long – could do with mowing –

But I don’t mind meadow grass

Of buttercups and daisies growing.

Best of all, my visitors:

I watch the graceful birds arriving.

Shy hedgehogs and cheeky squirrels

And insects: busy, wild and thriving.

Maybe one day – in good time –

I’ll clear it. Now I’ll let it be.

I’ll sit and watch, content and still,

Beneath my shady damson tree.

NO sunbeams pierced the sky today,

We huddled in the rain;

Relentless storms kept pressing in

To soak us once again.

..

Now, as day gives way to night,

Clouds billow just the same,

But out upon their distant edge

There glows a rim of flame

…

Reminding us that when life’s storms

Around us crash and roar,

There, beyond the darkest cloud,

The spirit yet can soar

….

And see the glory still to come,

A future yet unknown;

God’s promise of a brighter day

When stormy times have flown.

BIRD song at twilight, the sun as it sets,

Surely this must be as good as it gets.

The day will now draw gently to its close

And the petals will fold on the pink briar rose.

Owls in their belfries will call to the night,

And bats will prepare for their nocturnal flight.

Mist patches will form in both woodland and lane,

A hint that tomorrow will be warm again.

So for the day that’s been sunny and bright

Let’s give thanks, as we wish one another “Good night”.

THERE’S no such thing as boring,

Or Common or mundane,

And if you truly think so,

It’s time to think again!

For everything around you

Holds powers to entrance,

Just choose to stop and notice –

Your life you’ll much enhance.

So keep your mind wide open,

It’s easy once you start,

For even in a cobweb

You’ll find a work of art!

OUR way is not a grassy path

With sunbeams all around,

But rather like a mountain track

Where boulders can be found.

The path of life is often steep

And clouds obscure the view,

But keep on climbing, mile by mile,

Towards a sky of blue.

The path goes onward, forward, up

To where your hopes can soar,

And one day, from the mountain top

You’ll see the sun once more!

WATCH out for the rainbow, its beauty behold,

Each delicate colour of pastels unfold.

A spectrum of nature to dazzle the eye

Though somehow uplifting, we cannot tell why!

Perhaps it’s the feeling that comfort is found

In the wonder of nature we see all around

To give us at least a small breathing space

Apart from the everyday problems we face.

Perhaps in the colours the rainbow imparts

We may find inspiration to brighten our hearts;

For it’s moments like these that bring grace to each day,

So watch for the rainbow – it’s heading your way!

SEEK a fresh goal every day,

Look on all things new,

Show a smile along the way,

Let happiness shine through.

Don’t give up, if plans may fail,

Make another start;

Keep a trust if hope is frail,

Find faith within your heart.

Set aside a time to care

And then you’ll find it’s true,

A kindness passed around to share

Will be returned to you!

WE have sparks of inspiration always deep inside,

Keep them all shining bright and they will be your guide.

Sometimes we need encouragement to do or say what’s right,

To reach out to the ones we know and offer love and light.

But trust that still small voice within and you will do what’s best,

A little inspiration will always do the rest.

So if you’re undecided just brush away the doubt,

A moment’s pause, then once more just let that spark shine out!

IF we are afraid of what the future has in store,

It helps to focus on today. One thing we know for sure:

A day that’s lost in brooding, fearful of a future sorrow

Will not ease any plight or pain that may arrive tomorrow.

And when it seems that every anxious moment lasts for ever

And conquering each task is such a difficult endeavour,

Remember, the view from the top is always worth the climb,

And that the future comes to us just one day at a time.

A BRIGHT April morning,

A brisk April breeze,

It hops through the hedgerows,

It tickles the trees.

It dusts down the alleys,

Through houses in rows.

It whispers, it teases

Wherever it goes.

And folk in the city

Lift hopeful heads high

To breathe in its freshness

To feel it dance by.

They hear its glad message,

The promise that’s clear:

The blue skies are coming,

Springtime is here!

I WISH for you a smoother path,

All problems left behind,

A little joy, a lighter heart,

A calm and quiet mind.

..

I wish you hope and happiness

Along the path you tread,

And gentle, sweet tranquillity

To fill the days ahead.

…

I wish you peace to soothe the soul,

Each doubt and fear dispel,

And love which grows and knows no bounds  

And whispers, “All is well.”

WHAT a world of miracles,

Of angel clouds and crescent moon

Still smiling in the morning sky,

As planes streak silver contrails behind,

And restless rooks awake and cry!

What a gift, God’s masterpiece

Of galaxies and mysteries,

Our wealth of nature’s flowers and trees,

Of verdant valleys, mountains, hills,

Eternal, mighty, endless seas!

Morning – fresh absorbed I stood,

Awash with thoughts and morning light.

Filled with awe to hear birds sing,

I lifted up my heart with thanks

In gratitude for everything.

THERE’S a man who owns a candle,

And a man who has a match;

They’d like to get together,

But alas, there is a catch,

For neither trusts the other

Not to steal the precious spark.

So blinded and divided,

They stay stranded in the dark.

So let us draw a lesson

From this sad, misguided pair,

And try our very utmost

To love and trust and share.

For with determination,

And faith in human worth

We’ll light so many candles

As will brighten all the earth.

I PAUSE on the footbridge and gaze at the stream

So often I stop here, to stand and to dream,

I watch as the water goes dimple-dance by

Reflecting the sun and the blue of the sky.

A dragonfly skims on a rainbow of light,

A ribbon of minnows slides swiftly from sight.

A blackbird is singing, bright notes fill the air

The water runs chuckling, bereft of all care –

It’s just an oasis of coolness and calm

A welcome small moment of Nature’s soft balm.

DAFFODILS on my doorstep

Greeted me today,

Bright as morning sunshine,

Although the skies were grey.

..

Two bunches tied with ribbon,

I picked them up with care.

I hadn’t heard the doorbell . . .

Who could have left them there?

…

But once I found the little card

It all became quite clear.

The writing was unmistakeable –

“Spring flowers for you, my dear!”

….

Ah, friends make all the difference.

I felt my spirits sing

At this lovely gift of kindness,

Holding promises of spring!

WHAT does friendship mean to you?

Does it lift and warm your heart?

Does it comfort you by night?

Does it help the day to start?

Just a kindly word or deed,

Now and then a cheerful smile,

An unexpected card or letter

To make life’s journey so worthwhile.

Never underestimate

The friendship you have found,

And share the love, the hope, and joy,

Then spread it all around!

The knots that lie

Inside my head,

Slowly dissolve

And unwind.

I turn to a friend

And smile and say,

‘It’s good to talk –

What’s been on your mind?’