That Distant Space
Shadows slide, silent, across the cold church floor
As pallid wraiths form in the fast fading breeze
Where no human wanders that way anymore.
And come to rest by the broken vestry door
To meet in far off realms beyond our short lease
In that abandoned place we walked before.
A new moon rises unseen above the trees,
Grey ghosts return on this night of dark unease
And far from busy life’s bright domains explore
By hidden, shaded paths that no human sees
Where shapeless souls their earthly forms restore
And at All Hallow’s Eve meet in dark rapport
In that distant space where the dead convene,
To speak apart before daylight intervenes.
Barry Stebbings
Oct 2024
Cassock dance
The heaven hangs low today, just above
the spire of the village church, which
is closed since the priest hung himself
in the vestry.
He drank, you see
lifted his cassock and danced
lost respect among the parishioners
he had humiliated them
the men in the bar gave him whisky to drink
and he danced like a drunken tart.
The bishop remonstrated with the fallen
who promised to do better
He was seen in prone before the cross
Pale and suffering, etched into his still
handsome face, women said he looked
Jesus, when the ladies of mercy took
him down and cleaned his wounds
Alas, the call from the bar grew louder
intolerable
a breeze from the open window
he danced the last waltz in the vestry
"Bedouin"
I stand here
holding time in my hands
for you yet you remain hidden
watching
black sands on closing air
bedouin messages written
in code invisible to most
it blooms you open
the envelope silently spits
words, they escape into you
you breathe what's left quietly in
consider the path between
dreams and reality
I hijack your solitary cells daily
you’re a Skinwalker like a Selkie
shedding freedom for a bad marriage
the godless god
considers you not worth
a conversation, like a stalker
he follows you silently
without speaking
swallows what’s good
from the black buzzard perch
he sets the trip wire
unknown in the dark
there he sits
hidden in his vestry
shuffling the bad poetry parishioners
he weighs your worth
smirking he
watches on
turns your music off
(LadyLabyrinth/2021)
https://youtu.be/WU8m9m58XFI
A devout choir leader from Garriston
insisted that her choir were all Christian.
In anthem and song
with harmonies strong
they enhanced the Parish's mission.
or
An amorous choir mistress from Garriston
did seduce a bass choirman. They kissed and
cuddled in the belfry
as well as the vestry,
deeply shocking the pious old sacristan!
Another contribution to our collection of local Limericks.
Sad Thought Came To Brain
Found this sad thought on my brain;
Effort to find good priest was in vein;
We pulled off shelf;
Loves hearing self;
Listening to his sermons we refrain.
Sermons priest must be sure to record;
Relationship only casual with the Lord,
And if grim,
Blame them;
Was all that vestry board could afford.
About new priest we have been bitter;
Always wants to be an attention getter;
Voice be heard,
That is absurd;
Only few here we know need babysitter.
Service overburdened with technicalities,
And of life seem to be one of the realities;
When knelt;
Difficult;
Both knees were creating many fatalities.
Jim Horn
A member at Large
Who does embarge.
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poets/top_100_poets_most_poems_all_time.aspx
You can call up all of my poems at this website locxation.
We have heard that the latest rage,
Is to read my poems page by page;
Profit care less,
With my mess;
Realize I am a knowledgeable sage.
Jim Horn
https://www.poetrysoup.com/poets/
top_100_poets_most_poems_all_time.aspx
Down Path of Peace Jesus Led
Jesus often said,
Down path of peace will have led;
On cross bled and bled.
Your sins I shall shed;
Always comfort you in bed;
Do raise from the dead.
My food you have fed;
Wore crown of thorns on my head;
Stories to some read.
Death often do dread;
From sin have forever fled;
Love Jesus instead.
Jim Horn
Must remember that us older people
have a difficult time driving in the dark.
As many church activities as possible
should be done in daylight hours
including vestry meetings This is
something to seriously think about.
Anxious, I was at the door
to the vestry, rehearsing
words, visualising movements,
roles of others, checking prompts.
I've left it behind! Have I
the time to go back? Panic.
No.
Before the altar
collecting, connecting – God
– stillness? Racing random thoughts.
We've begun; announced, onward,
processing.
Lord, have mercy.Christ, have mercy.
To the altar, offering,
naked. Exposed as Adam,
unrobed.
Lord, have mercy.
Awake, cold sweating, relieved,
rising again.
Lamb of God,
grant me peace.
Take With Grain of Salt
What we did was start praying to Our Lord,
And hardly anything could we ever afford;
On our vestry we need,
Someone was agreed;
So God sent great person for vestry board.
Jim Horn
Had Been Horn Bull
As usual had been a bunch of Horn bull;
She had her car with much food all full,
And must mention,
Was good intention;
Told her in church she had a lot of pull.
Woman is a member of our Board of Vestry
whose husband died a while back. She was
all by herself in desperate need of some help.
Had dropped off my wife for choir practice.
I helped women unload her car. She had
everything on wheels. Told her that in our
church she had a lot of pull.
James Thesarious Hilarious Horn
St. James Episcopal Church
Shallotte, NC
"i like muslims",
whispered in newfangled vestry
for Viv might anger.
(She's said they'll blow us up in Leominster.*)
They won't, though, for Leominster is small,
bigger than London Bridge
and they're not strangers,
for all love us here, the veiled ones too.
"I LIKE MUSLIMS",
I venture, for Viv's not bothering.
A veiled lady sits beside me.
Vespers now.
***********************************
* pronounced Lowminster
6/11/2017
Contest - I Like Muslims
Sponsor - Kai Michael Neumann
1st place (Trophy) win in Premiere Contest.
Dedicated to Bishop Curry, Skirving and Father Davis
Why do some people have to be hurt?
By despicable person and treated like dirt
Trying to gun down everyone in sight
Either during day or else late at night.
Is it disorder related to a personality?
Someone who has trouble facing reality
Maybe mind warped from being mistreated
Never reaching goal and is always defeated.
Regardless of what happened God forgives
And His spirit in us does continue to live
As well as love, patience and complete purity
While we exist in his presence, not obscurity.
God's Son Jesus died to save us from sin
And later to earth will return back again
Should seek to find what They are about
And Episcopal Church be sure to try out.
That was me sitting in the front pew.
James Serious Mysterious Horn
Retired Veteran, Poet and
Member of Board of Vestry
https://www.bing.com/search?q=bishop+curry+episcopal+church&qs=AS&pq=bishop+curry&sk=HS1AS1&sc=8-12&sp=3&cvid=DA86C66741E1461595CF8D9CCA75E1C7&FORM=QBRE
April 17th, 4th Day of Easter Psalm 23; Gospel: John 10:22-30
St. James Episcopal Church, Shallotte, NC.
At Church Next Sunday
There are only a few who I ever knew
Of course, none could compare with you
From heaven by God had been escorted
Near and next to me were transported.
Each time by me you were often seen
Things seemed so quiet and also serene
With all my anxiousness I anticipated
Your presence you daily demonstrated.
Here it is another Sunday morning again
Certainly go to church I always do intend
Great songs and sermon are sure to hear
Knowing that my Savior is close and near.
With great singing my ears you would fill
To me, each sound sure was such a thrill
And after home again we both did return
Hear you at church next Sunday I do yearn.
James Serious Mysterious Horn
Retired Soldier and Poet
Member of Board of Vestry
Church Service Yesterday
Will follow Jesus and won't pass me by
Never do resist Him or ever try to deny
My mind and body He travels through
Daily on me continually grew and grew.
My Jesus will wait for me day by day
Pray to Him having many things to say
Then everything of mine to Him I offer
Knowing I am poor and will not prosper.
Choir meant more to us than anything
And as soon as they all started to sing
Sounds were accomplished and dear
We knew Jesus was close and near.
James Serious Mysterious Horn
Retired Veteran and Poet
Member of Board of Vestry
My Weeping At Night
My weeping at night was without warning
But joy had met me the next morning
When great new day was soon to engage
And I wrote more poetry page after page.
Rather then both of my eyes being tearful
With God's compassion I became cheerful
Kneeling before Him in prayer each day
While He was washing my sins away.
Clear night created such a serene scene
Gladly sang God save our great Queen
Knowing that next day again would see
Safe and sound she meant for me to be.
James Serious Mysterious Horn
Retired Veteran and Poet
Member of Board of Vestry
A Silver Spoon
In my mouth was not born with a silver spoon
So God when you take me to heaven soon
To many facts I must become resigned
Hardly anything have I ever left behind.
One is wife who I love through and through
Who was always faithful to and then true
Children who to us from God had been born
And each came to us on an early morn.
Numerous friends behind will also leave
Yet still knowing in God I should believe
Knowing in my life what was meant for me
From all earthly things will set us all free.
On earth are material things all around
While God's love is there and does surround
Us all as we shall start to see His open door
Which will be way to heaven forevermore .
James Serious Mysterious Horn
Retired Veteran, Poet and
Member of Board of Vestry
http://www.poetrysoup.com/poets/top_100_poets_most_poems_all_time.aspx
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