So much has changed
in the past 50 years or so
one thing is the word shame
once a friend now our foe
Half a century ago it had a fear
a true fear of God was felt
among a generation back then
when one's heart would easily melt
Churchgoing then was popular
not to attend brought one shame
generally, most of the time did believe
it's all changed but who's to blame?
Today to believe in God and Christ
one's told you've gone completely mad
mankind thinks they know it all
such anti-God foolishness is so sad
Jesus said in the latter days this would come
Man would love self more than God
believers must keep hold of the faith
despite shame hold fast to your sword
Don't be ashamed of God's word
keep on believing no matter what
for God will reward your belief
defeating His enemy's deep dark plot
Two cars in every driveway
the '60's economic boom
In 2023, a screen or three
~ in every single room
one of the wee folk
a munchkin
lands in my lap
stands on his nose
then takes a nap
he sighs
I reflect
he's aged a bit
last time, no nap
his face shone, sunlit
my days have become a dream
as hope has flown away
leaving the sand
to slip through my fingers
while hiding in the shadow of the sun
in secret we met
in silence I wept
floating in eternal space
on a moonless night
I try to enjoy the peace by the lake
as hours pass me by
allowing my mind to drift with the tide
I see the sorrows of your changing face
only you can gaze into my hungry eyes
igniting the fire from within
as I wait for the miracle to come
judgement is severe
my days have become a dream
as hope has flown away
leaving the sand
to slip through my fingers
while hiding in the shadow of the sun
in secret we met
in silence I wept
floating in eternal space
on a moonless night
I try to enjoy the peace by the lake
as hours pass through me
allowing my mind to drift with the tide
I see the sorrows of your changing face
only you can gaze into my hungry eyes
igniting the fire from within
as I wait for the miracle to come
judgement is severe
Not so many years ago
I revelled in rebellion,
Derided seniors
In sportsmobiles,
Comfortable bellies on
Wheels. Waistcoat
Fillers. Surreptitious
Pint spillers.
But now I sit and scoff
At youth and all its
Awkward agonising
Over lack of truth.
Merrily I mow the lawn
And curse because I
Can't get my wellies on.
And my wife orders me
To buy a larger pair.
And I cry 'No!' and
She groans and I ignore
Her as I turn the telly on
And I revel in my rebellion.
Autumn’s nakedness
becomes robed in virgin snow
footprints prove there’s life,
yet the secrets of springtime
in hibernation till birth.
Brian Strand Formal poetry contest
12/3/2022
The deepest cut those
striking at one’s very heart
verdant to golden
transformation of nature,
another’s death for a life
© Harry J Horsman 2013
The Changing Face of Europe
So we are the last true Europeans in the sea of changes
and conflicting religions as old certainties disappear and
we bewildered look at a world we don’t understand.
Israel is drowning in a demographic pool and their fight
to remain pure Jewish is doomed. Christianity is singing
its last hymn and churches in the future, if not razed to
the ground will be places for tourists to marvel over.
Empires and countries might rise and fall like the tide.
Cultures too have their days before discarded as quaint
but useless for a new time’s need. But we are not totally
doomed, the new society, perhaps not as white skinned
as us, will hopefully adopt the ancient idea of democracy;
to predict the coming is impossible, but one thing will
always remain: Man’s hunger for freedom.
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