Gentle as a whisper told.

I wrote this in 2009 for someone special who had lost a loved one, i was honoured that she saw fit to have it read at the memorial service, since that time it has brought comfort on other sad occasions, sometimes words really can say much more and people find comfort in them.

Gentle as a Whisper told.


Gentle as a whisper told
Soft as new born babe to hold

As quiet as the hush of prayer
As gentle as a breath of air

As strong as tallest forest pine
As safe the hands of father time

As proud as any lion born
As sure the Rose with prickly thorn

As fine a gift that God could bring
As fresh the flowing mountain spring

Your heart was pure as driven snow
It's thoughts alone for me to know

So having you to hold and love
Was like a blessing from above,

I'm left behind but still content
Knowing you were heaven sent.

In darkest days ahead of me
Beside me you will always be,

So tho your leavings tough to bear
Inside I know you're always there

The 3rd poem i ever wrote..

A little chocolate boxy but it was an early effort. Very innocent !.


I miss the way you wear your smile,
I miss the way you talked awhile,

I miss your gaze and sweet caress,
I miss your love, you know i guess,

I miss the way you held me tight
I miss the way we kissed goodnight,

I miss you most when i'm alone
I miss the warmth you brought our home,

I miss you when you're not around,
I miss you when there's not a sound

I miss your waft of perfumed scent
I miss your presence heaven sent

I miss the very air you breathe ,
I miss the fact you chose to leave  ,

I miss you so a love so rare,
I miss you now that you're not there

But most of all you know i miss
Your sweetest touch and softest kiss.

If ...

If i could share your shadow
For just the briefest time

And sink into your open arms
your body next to mine

This planet could stop turning
The sun could fade and die

The birds could all fall silent
And lose the will to fly




If I could share your shadow
For just the briefest time

Words could lose their meaning
Poets lose their Rhyme

The sky could fall tomorrow
The rivers lose their way

With you here right beside me
It's just another day.



If i could share your shadow
The song could lose its tune

Seasons could forget to change
Or come around too soon

So hold me closer to you
So close i hear you breathe

Let me share your shadow
And promise not to leave.....

How to make a farmer smile..

What makes the farmer happy? is a question i should ask,
It takes more than a sandwich and a drink out of his flask,

It takes more than an auction where his beasts take all the praise
It takes more than a crop of spuds that he will surely raise,

It takes more than a field of hay just basking in the sun,
It takes more than the lively calf just kicking out in fun,

It takes more than a silage pit thats bursting to the seams
It takes more than a bank account thats always in the teens,

It takes more than a pretty wife who cooks a meal or two
It takes more than a faithful dog who wouldnt work for you

It takes more than a combine that has worked without a fault,
It takes more than a plough that never breaks a single bolt,

There is a way to get our man just jumping up with glee
To make his day and have a laugh along with you and me,

To get our friend the farmer man to flex his chuckle muscles
Tell him he"s just had a cheque from those nice men in Brussels.

A Coffee with Billy Joel and Audrey Hepburn..oh and a poet from Pakistan.

It's strange how sometimes life leads you down different avenues in what sometimes is almost the length of a heartbeat. Sat drinking a glorious cup of coffee this morning at the kitchen table, unusually for me i flicked the television on and a song by Billy Joel, "always a woman" was wafting it's mellow soulful rhythm around the room and i glanced up from my morning paper to catch a glimpse of the video.
 I was met with images not of the said Mr Joel and his live warbling on stage as expected but by the imagery of a screen goddess namely that of Audrey Hepburn. The song clearly well chosen and i sat there yet again (as i have done many times when Ms Hepburn makes any entrance) completely mesmerised by this woman's beauty and screen presence a seemingly far cry from the trashy celebrity attention seeking whores who (presume fame to be their God-given right) swagger across our tv screens all too often with sarcasm and swearing their only tools for what is a "fast food" like trade nowadays.

Anyway, I am sure i could go on about the frailties of the British viewing public and its susceptibility to "fall" for the next gimmick or false star that says f##k or takes drugs in full view of the children they are trying to raise as the next generation (God help them) but that is not the point of my wittering today.
I watched Ms Hepburn taking awards during the video and strut her stuff on stage and also watched as some wonderful still images of this amazing star graced the screen, she really was a stunningly beautiful woman and i will never tire of seeing her or her work such is her enduring beauty and screen magnetism. Having watched this video i found myself wandering if Ms Hepburn was still with us (forgive me) which of course she sadly is not and (as per usual) i entrusted my search to the wonderful world of Wiki which gave me a full and complete history of this gorgeous human being at the click of a mouse.
I found out that (for the rest of you Philistines like me)  Audrey died in January 1993 from of all things appendictal cancer a rare form that took hold and eventually led to her demise in Switzerland where she is interred. While browsing this wonderful literal autobiography i noticed that at her funeral she had a poem read out that she had always loved, my ears pricked as i suddenly became intrigued at what such a person of infinite beauty in itself see's as beautiful.

So, I found myself clicking on said poem and it's author (easily done by Wiki's wonderful world of the highlighted important bits!) it was by Rabindranath Tagor and was called 'unending love'. I soon unearthed said poem (yes you guessed where)  and found myself reading a poem that was not the usual pretentious massaging of some overly educated inbred full of their own self worth but that of a man with simple straight forward words that when used together were clearly not only meaningful but heartfelt also, no wonder this man had captured such a beautiful heart with such pure writing skill as truthful as it was wonderful.
I realised at that point that my hitherto total refusal to write anything poetry-wise other than verses that rhymed was a total dereliction of duty on my part to the written word. How dare i surmise that just because i have never tried it then it should be ignored?. Here was a man putting into words everything that poetry had meant to me and everything i needed and wanted to get across (and mostly failing) yet not a rhyme in sight.

Those of you now thinking mmm.. this guy definitely needs to get out more, are quite possibly correct!, but having worked seven days a week for 25 years and not had the benefit like many of my piers in poetry of a "decent education" I was happy in my own rhyming little world and content that it was 'proper' poetry (ahem).
So there you have it, my eureka moment, my light bulb moment that will ensure I am a fully fledged fan and in fact writer of said literary verse without the rhyming bit.. all thanks to a cup of coffee, Billy Joel's video about a screen Goddess and a man with a wonderful enlightening way with words from Pakistan that i discovered only this morning..(told you my education was quite forgettable).
Anyway, to me a revelation and an opportunity to change my writing style and give another type of written word a chance. I cant wait, watch this space.

Unending Love by Rabindranath Tagor.

 I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times…
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.

Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age-old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time:
You become an image of what is remembered forever.

You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers, shared in the same
Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell-
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.

Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man’s days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours –
And the songs of every poet past and forever.

My tribute to a legend in rallying.

It was a sad day indeed when i learned of the deaths of Colin and Johnny Mcrae and two of their friends in a helicopter crash in Scotland. I had met Colin on odd occasions in my duties as a Motorsports Scrutineer and found him a great guy with time for everyone around him, a rare quality in a World Champion at the top of their game.
On hearing the sad news i put pen to paper immediately and wrote exactly what Colin had meant to me. I posted this on the internet book of condolences and was honoured beyond belief when i heard Colin's friend Campbell Roy reading my words in the pulpit at the Memorial service held in the middle of Carlisle for Colin and his boy.
A mixture of joy and terrible sadness is all i can remember. Since then the poem has been published in many places and websites all over the world, all with my blessing, it was written to be shared by a fan who enjoyed what Colin brought to the sport i love, rallying. The sport is so much worse off without him he was a complete one-off.

RIP Colin and Jonny and your two friends.

Tribute to a legend.

Up at five and really so keen,

To see the bond of man and machine

3 hours to drive to get to the start

We all have a laugh and so full of heart

We know it is early, the weather is damp

But we need to see cars come off the ramp

Through fog and rain we push on with style

We know the main man is due in a while

Then comes a whistle, the marshal says time

A car is now coming through forests of pine

Its howl is so frightening, like a banshee on heat

There is no escape, as we shuffle our feet

And suddenly now its why we are here

McRae over crest of course in top gear!

Its been worth the wait, the weather, the toil,

To see the brave Scot here on home soil

But now there is silence, and its deafening too

Cos you and the wee man have bid us adieu.

So rest in peace Colin you and your lad

You gave us your best, John be proud of your dad.

The memories you left us are above all the rest

You shone like a star, just simply the best.

Colin you"re a mate and thats what we all thought

It made you a hero and that just cant be bought.

Now your in heaven with your boy and at rest

But you left us the true meaning of FLAT OVER CREST!.

God Bless Colin and Johnny Rest in Peace.

My Shropshire.

Apologies in advance for using or mentioning parts of the County that may only be known to us simple Shropshire folk, surely worth a visit to see what all the fuss is about though eh..? ! 

If you enjoy reading this as much as i love the area i live in, then i achieved part of my aim.

 

This landscape that is natures best
The hills this county has bequest

Of Shropshire ilk and soil born
Such pride and dignity adorn

A beauty formed, such oral splendour
Melts the thoughts of every gender

Even men of simplest mind
Of natures beauty can't be blind

The very God's do cry and weep
Such beauty shared not their"s to keep,

For Shropshire's heart it knows no bounds
From rolling hills, historic towns

Of evenings splendour talk can I
On Myndds beneath the redest sky

'The Teme' in angered winters flow
The Hills of 'Clee' in depth of snow.

A spectacle compared to none
To watch the Wrekin's setting sun,

The span of steel on Severn's spine
A bridge of Iron marking time
 
A County true to it's own heart
My soul will hold and never part

And though I see through favoured eyes
The greenest land, the bluest skies

Shropshire stands amongst the Kings
As if so etched from angels wings

But none so rich consider I
That live amongst her bye and bye.

If life should lead you down our way,
Then be prepared... You'll want to stay.

Father Time...

 Seamless silent no emotion
 Never alters from his path

 Always follows never leaves us
 All must answer to his wrath

Cold and ancient, hard and silent
Has no need of masters voice

Incoherent to the masses
friend of no-one by his choice

Father time is much less father
more akin to spoilt child

Keeps us moving ever forwards
Careless reckless free and wild

Titled folk would give their kingdom
To delay his marching feet

He has no respect for ranking
No-one is allowed to cheat

so squander not a single second
ever mindful time's intent

He will rob you in a heartbeat
moving onwards till your spent

Enjoy the day enjoy the hour
Every minute, seconds too,

For time is master has the power
Sheds no tears for me and You.

Open up your mind to others
seize the day and make your stand

Mortal sisters mortal brothers
caught in times relentless hand

A new Shropshire Lad on 'his' hill !

                                              Atop Brown Clee Hill in Shropshire. My Hill..



A proud Shropshire lad..  indulge me..!


Tread softly forward filled with pride
Amongst the Shropshire Countryside

Atop the The Brown Clee standing tall
Such beauty Summer,Spring or Fall

Though Winter time displays her charm
So harsh for stock from farm to farm

I stand and breath the thinnest air
Walking tall with not a care

For God has filled our cup to brim
With Shropshire's bounty here within

Money has no worth to me
While I am rich in all I see

From Clee Hill's view of countless spires
To Acton Scott and working Shires

While Long Myndd has the Counties Crown
High above The Stretton's Town

Such beauty that can scarce be found
Does lie in Shropshire all around

The sprawling Dales that mark her girth
No finer place upon this Earth

Tho travel I great distance past
The one thing that will always last

It may just be my heart is torn
This Shropshire lad so bred and born

To stroll once more with aching pride
Amongst my Shropshire Countryside

The Lazy River..

 The Lazy River...

Fresh, inspiring, silent, thoughtful
Overwhelming strength and beauty
Haven to the smallest creature
Coping well as is her duty

River has a tale for telling
Should you wish to hear it told
Silent Witness in our lifetime
Many secrets she must hold.

Flowing onwards never hampered
From her course with destiny
Majestic strength and inner calling
Knowing where she wants to be

So I sit beside her thoughtful
Mindful of my own existence
Taking time to understand her
and her path of least resistance

I'm reminded of my lifetime
Struggling through just one more day
Never taking easy options,
But that's life ...so come what may. 

Day's of Summer.

The scented air of summers breath, the warming summer sun
The tree-top call from Nightingale says Spring is on the run

The cattle graze at snails pace the sheep are being shorn
The cat has found the perfect place lay flat-out on the lawn

The background air is filled with noise, a tune the insects play
The crickets dance their noisy tune as they go on their way

The shimmer of the warming fields play tricks upon the eyes
The land it seems to dance and leap towards the very skies

The summer yields her grace and beauty right throughout the day
The lazy brook now slowly warming, trout in shadows stay

The fields of corn bring colour's bright, the insects sweetest potion
The ripening oats and Barley sway like waves on deepest ocean

The summer show... the best on earth no tickets here to buy
The limit just your senses and a clear blue open sky

False Idol

What is wrong with us today? what ails the human race?
What lets religions make decisions that are common place?

From continent to continent the wars just rumble on
About whose friend all ills can mend, while praising him in song

Buildings rise from every corner, clothing's strictly worn,
Daily prayer, you must be there, or suffer deadly scorn

People tortured, flogged and beaten simply for "blaspheming"
A mockery to you and me of any God's true meaning.

We have lost the plot it seems, religion has such powers,
As highest priest dines on a feast and sits in Golden Towers

So here's a thought, a simple one, that slipped into my head,
Stop killing people under steeples, lets make friends instead.

Scuffed.

The school run beckons early morning

Kids begin the same routine

Police car sirens break the silence

Drugs bust mayhem, same old scene

 

Noisy neighbours Pit Bulls barking

Last nights chips strewn on the floor

Swearing loudly morning drinking

Giro drops through open door

 

Tesco van pulls in the driveway

Shopping on the state is here

Bags of crisps and frozen Pizza

Wine and Whisky six pack beer

 

Dad's still sleeping its mid morning

Last nights drinking hits him hard

Bills need paying "Final Warning"

Same old scene in this back yard

 

Have no moral's have no backbone

Never seen a day at work

Social worker rings on home phone

It's the school, son's gone berserk

 

Uproar midst the morning silence

Someone must be made to pay

Been brought up on life of violence

Nothing more that we can say.

 

Blame it lies on parents shoulders

Shouting out is so inane

The lad should look to those much older

He is not the one to blame. 

 

Someone reminded me today of a saying by Winston Churchill, "if someone is angry with you it means you stood up for something you believe in, thats to be commended" I think that has more bearing these days than at any other time in living memory. It would be great if we all stood up to those that would argue their way through an issue, very refreshing and perhaps something our own politicians could take on-board.

Thoughts.

I stay awake in empty darkness
Thinking thoughts that shape me so
A recompense of all the harshness
That my life has come to know

The sanctity of dreams and worry
Weigh me down and cloud my soul
The thoughts across my mind they scurry
Searching for that lifelong goal

Seldom as I lie there thinking
Would such actions ever find
Doomed as sure the ship thats sinking
Playing stories in my mind.

I have no answer to this haunting
Safe but sure I can survive
Though life itself alone is daunting
Thoughts will keep my dreams alive.

Let the darkness sooth your senses
Take such prescence by the hand
While building bridges not just fences
Drift off to my promised land.

Crown Of Thorns.

A breeze so fresh it cut me through
As darkness all around me grew

This strong and silent man in tears
Betrayed by angst of all his years

A suffering of epic heights
That saw such pain and endless fights

The crown of thorns my head adorned
Less selfless types had judged me warned

A cast of thousands i had met
A path for me so soundly set

To serve all others lest i mind
And give myself to all mankind

What life what chance had i begat?
My own self worth an upturned hat

No use am i no thoughts betray
Not for me to seize the day

Instead extremes of endless strife
A pawn to all who valued life.

Embrace life now and take your shot
Believe in you ..as I dared not.

The Comfort Of The Storm

.


I sit inside a warm dry room
And peer outside at darkest gloom
The wind is howling blowing hard
The leaves all dancing round the yard

The rain just pours and falls at will
The wind exerts the fiercest chill
The willow's flowing branches twist

And dance a dance that can't be missed

For here inside my safety lies
As winter plays before my eyes
No ill I feel from natures wrath

As she selects her chosen path

The glowing fire as if alive

While wind and rain just duck and dive

The warmth of embers glowing bright

cascade around me hold me tight
  

To me this is my perfect storm

As if upon this moment born

Forgetting all that's in the past

A place of safety.. home at last.

I hope that some of the poems and general obs i place on hear will be of interest to those reading this, its a strange place to come and write or even talk to even though i am used to social media sites, i am personally hoping that it gets my writing and poetry out to a greater audience.  I think the words for describing mutterings in a blog would be "indulge me". Hopefully you will and if i give anyone some pleasure from reading any of this then surely its worth it !. From my own point of view i hope it stimulates my writing to a previous level that i really did enjoy.

Freedom always costs.

This one i wrote to mirror some of the troubled times we live amongst and perhaps serve as a warning to those that let guns do all their talking for them, hope you enjoy it.

Raise your daggers raise your guns,
Rant and rave near burst your lungs
Chant on highest mountain top
Seal the roads make traffic stop

Shoot to kill as you think right
Blast with bombs in deep of night
Spread all rumours in your favour
Win each battle stop and savour

Preach to all converted lands
Shoot unless they show their hands
Send the soldiers brave and true
To do the dirty work for you

All things equal in your world
As long as it's your flag unfurled
Make your mark as you see wise
Grow your empire in the skies

Just one thing before you go
Something that you need to know
If but one pen is left to write
You may just lose this fiercest fight

That pen the ranks of soldiers swells
Such written words of courage tells
Can turn a battle on it's head
And leave the Generals counting dead.

Here we go then..

I am a Shropshire born and bred man with the good fortune to have seen quite a bit of life all over the world, I have struggled with life in the fast lane at times found I was more at home sat amongst the beautiful scenery that carved my early years, that however has begun to change as I grow. I have an affiliation with the sheer beauty of all that nature puts before us and I feel we often miss that beauty by living life at the pace modern life dictates, but I can also embrace what the world has to offer.
Hopefully i can give you a glimpse into some of my writing styles and poetry ramblings, some of which i really love and some I needed to say quite simply because I was thinking about that subject at that particular time.

I am no-one special, just an ordinary working guy who likes to write about the things I think are important. I am always pleased when my work is commented on because praise is something that my family rarely bothered with, I have made a point of praising my own two wonderful children as often as I can find an excuse to do so. If I am a little uneasy with your wonderful comments you now know why. I thank you in advance.

So if you can stand the suspense and enjoy heartfelt poetry and conversation I welcome you, if you don't well I welcome you anyway and hope my writing brings you some comfort.

 Dave James.