Category Archives: Events

Poems for special events and occasions

The Promise of Spring

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The Promise of Spring
[for the vernal equinox]
 
Is it too good to be believed?
Windows still recovering from March gales
When hailstones stung our cheeks
Dark clouds shrouded the lowering sky
New shoots fighting for life
Ground yet sodden by endless rain
At last a brighter dawn emerges
For today is the equinox
A twice-yearly event
When night and day are of equal length
The day when the sun’s centre
Passes through the equator
The promise of more light and warmth
But above all this it is
‘The First Day of Spring’
Creatures stir from hibernation
The rebirth of flora and fauna
Perhaps new hope arises
In our weary souls

KEN FISHER

 

 

 

29th February

29th February

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The bonus day
Helps to keep the calendar
in tune with the earth’s rotation
round our star – the sun
Otherwise the clocks would get out of kilter
Sometimes also known as a leap day
In a leap year
those who were born on this day
can at least celebrate on the right date
Apparently the chances of having a Leap
Birthday are one in 1,461
About 4.1 million people
around the world were born on 29th February
and they are sometimes called leaplings

So here is a little rhyme for
those born on 29th February

When February contains full 29 Days
Those born on this date join together in praise
‘Cause only on years that are said to be leap
Can they know it’s their day as the wake up from sleep

We would not want to deprive them of joy on their day
Because of whatever the calendar may say
So if February contains a mere 28
I hope that their pleasure it will not frustrate

And for all of us whose birthdays are clear
Who enjoy the right date no matter the year
Spare a thought for the others who seem to miss out
Unless it’s a leap year when there is no doubt

Ken Fisher

 

In or Out? Musings on the EU Referendum

In or Out?

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It will soon be decision time again

This routine is quite a bane

Once more we really must decide

Set aside our national pride

 

I was hoping for the settled life

A break from political strife

After a surfeit of elections

A time just for quiet reflection

 

We’ve endured the Scottish Referendum

The UK-wide General election

Soon we decide on our SNP’s

Will the EU poll bring us to our knees?

 

Perhaps the only ones who will be pleased

Are the school-kids thus from class released

No doubt the pollsters will be filled with joy

As their crystal balls they each employ

 

Anyway we should not complain

As protagonists join their campaign

Perhaps we should be sympathetic

And enjoy our life so democratic

 

Ken Fisher

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday

 

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This is the day when we should confess all our sins

And thus duly shriven a new chapter begins

We must be open and honest in making confession

Pay our due penance and receive absolution

 

I fear that only those who are faithful and devout

Are willing and eager on their vices to speak out

After all, in our modern world, the sins of past days

Would hardly an eyebrow nowadays raise!

 

But that does not mean that a little reflection

Would make it clear we have not reached perfection

And taking the time to resolve to be better

Will not result in our pleasures being totally fettered

 

While on self-improvement we should contemplate

A little sweetener for all, we might advocate

And as Shrove Tuesday stands at the gate of Lent

We might find some feasting quite convenient

 

So let’s have a party with pancakes galore

Bring out all the goodies we have in our store

Put deadly sins behind – except perhaps gluttony

And cover those pancakes with sweet oceans of honey

 

 

Ken Fisher

 

 

Looking Forward

LOOKING FORWARD

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A brand new year, its days stretching out before us

What might they hold, of good or ill, who knows?

Does it fill our minds with hope or trepidation

Will it bring joy or sadness, pain or pleasure?

 

In childhood life is lived forward day by day

In youth, excitement and anticipation

Each year a preparation for the next

When confidently we will take flight

 

The middle years building a career

Vying with others for pride of place

Not only in the world of work

But in relationships yet now so transient

 

Then life casts upon us its heaviest burdens

As we seek to nurture those around

While responding to the call of duty

And yet still trying to be ourself

 

 

Each day seems to pass like a blurred photo

No time to look at each image one by one

Responsibility must be our watchword

Commitment is our master of all things

 

And then suddenly we ask – another year?

Where have they gone – much less ahead

Than once there was in front

The summation of life in days and years

[Is this it? Surely not!]

 

Ken Fisher

 

 

At The Threshold of the Year

AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE YEAR

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Time is sometimes called the Fourth Dimension
Length, breadth and height the other three
But time can fill our hearts with apprehension
No wonder that it’s often said to flee

‘Tempus fugit ‘ we plead as ready-made excuse
When everyday concerns and never-ending cares
A sense of guilt and failure doth induce
Our quest for peace and freedom thus impaired

But time cannot be stalled; its steady progress will not falter
It’s march like Roman legions moving ever onward
Along straight roads, their fixed direction does not alter
The army moves in steps that take them ever forward

And so it is that in these dark fading days of late December
As we approach the threshold of yet another year
Thoughts filled with joy and sorrow as we remember
Hopefulness for days ahead but not without our hidden fear

What lies ahead beyond the gate of this New Year?
We’ve been warned: ‘the past no guide to future performance’
Would life be simpler if the way ahead was clear?
Why do we ever have to seek for reassurance

And so as we peer into the void beyond this New Year’s Day
We simply must accept that unlike length or breadth or height
The realm of time brings with it ‘come what may’
Our prayer remains that faith and hope will bring us light

And so my friend step onward with a steady pace
Give thanks for many blessings in the past
Let love for life and all mankind your heart embrace
And to God’s providence our trust remain steadfast

Ken Fisher

 

Will You Still Say to Him – No Room?

 

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The words of the familiar Christmas song say:

“No room for the baby at Bethlehem’s Inn

Only a cattle shed,… nowhere to lay his head etc.”

……………………………………………………..

Will you still say to Him – no room? 

I wondered if in this modern sophisticated age
There is even less room now than in those ancient days?
A glance at the nativity scene no longer can our souls engage
The conjunction of God in man fails to set our hearts ablaze

We’ve grown beyond such simple tales of the incarnation
Who needs God when mankind becomes of all things the true measure?
The manger scene no longer commands awestruck prostration
Our hearts now drawn to the shrine of our own worldly treasure

We have ensured that in our life so self-sufficient
The only saviour that we need, immortalised in our possessions
Achievement and success regarded as omnipotent
No more obliged to appease a God with praises or confessions

So why I wonder do we still cast a wistful eye
Towards that stable bare where power was turned upon its head?
The star still twinkles in the dome of that celestial sky
Pointing to the Holy Infant in the manger bed

But perhaps in all our self-assured and confident living
We may just falter for a moment, our souls yearning for a home
And for all life’s blessings make our own thanksgiving
Discover, for that Baby, in our heart there still is room

Ken Fisher

A happy Christmas to all who read this, and other poems, from thebardofkelvindale

WINTER SOLSTICE

Winter Solstice

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Winter Solstice

 

The shortest day the longest night
Benighted souls seeking the light
The sun in deepest declination
Darkness shrouds the northern nations

The solstice marks a time of change
From the light we’ve been estranged
For longer days our hearts do yearn
Sunlight surely must return

For in due time by steady progress
The sun’s climb will this dark suppress
And soon its penetrating rays
Bring the lengthening of each day

As the solstice now we mark
Entombed in gloom and shadows dark
Let’s look to brightening days ahead
As light again becomes widespread

Ken Fisher

CHRISTMAS CAROL – FOR PARTY PEOPLE

Christmas Carol – for Party People

[This is a re-posting of a poem from Christmas last year]

[Sing this to the tune of ‘Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown’]

CHRISTMAS CAROL - FOR PARTY PEOPLE

We left God alone with his throne and his crown
For we had little time to spare
We were too busy spending our hard earned cash
Buying gifts and grooming our hair
For it’s party time and we must look good
As we’re all heading off to town

But then someone reminds us of that stable bare
With the Holy Child in the manger
And the ox and ass and wise men three
Then we thought of those living in danger
The sick and the poor and the refugee
And all those deserving our care

So that Baby of old and the twinkling star
Tells of God’s great love which came
Into the world to save souls in their need
By kindling that loving flame
So come dear Lord wipe out all our greed
With the light from that stable afar

God never says no when we celebrate
He is happy to rejoice with us all
So give thanks to God who loves each of us
He too will come to the ball
So come dear Lord, we won’t make a fuss
As again you with us incarnate

Ken Fisher

Christmas Gifts

Christmas Gifts [A reposting of last year’s Poem. Issued between Black Friday and
Christmas Eve]

Selfridges London

 

The Three Wise Men – is it them we should blame?
For starting this craze which can drive us insane
Each Christmas demands that we spend so much cash
As in our giving we are ever more rash

We know that it’s time that we all took a stance
And tried to control this needless expense
But somehow it seems we cannot reduce
As the desire to give still seems to seduce

We feel that it’s good to be kind to our friends
So to one and all our largesse extends
But we know that deep down their love can’t be bought
And much reckless spending is really for nought

So why don’t we reflect as did those Wise Men
Who sought out the Infant in far Bethlehem?
That gifts are mere symbols of their adoration
As to that Baby they bent in prostration

Now, as long ago, we need only one gift
As we too our faces to Jesus uplift
Just hearts filled with love for God and for man
Reflecting that glory whenever we can

Ken Fisher

 

The End of Christian Britain?

The End of Christian Britain?

[Following the Report of the Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life]

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The Commission on Religion and Belief

May cause our Church leaders so much grief

As it’s now claimed half our adult population

Are non-religious in this once pious nation

 

This Commission of illustrious grandees

Are unlikely the church’s clerics to much please

As ecclesiastical power they endeavour to diminish

And ancient privilege they certainly would finish

 

The influence of Bishops in the Lords

Is one thing they really do abhor

Being centre stage in national events

Another honour they’re determined to prevent

 

These reformers would cast their nets far and wide

And old traditions from them will not hide

Faith schools and religious education

Also seem to cause them great vexation

 

But it is claimed they do have positive views

Knowing faith issues feature highly in the news

Recognising what our people are today

Owes much to the Church’s loving sway

 

 

Ken Fisher

 

 

 

The Proclaimers

The Proclaimers [Inspired by hearing Craig and Charlie Reid perform (with others) at the Royal Concert Hall Glasgow on 2 Dec 2015]

The Proclaimers - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The Proclaimers – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Just as this feisty duo belted out their perennial favourites

To an eagerly attentive audience at a recent rock concert

These now evergreen ‘lads’ certainly still know how to ‘proclaim’

The boys from Auchtermuchty still spread sunshine, not only on Leith

 

It set me wondering if our life performance shows that we have

Something to proclaim, something that we too would like to belt out?

Doubtless our message would not reach the deafening decibels

pulsing forth from their mega speakers – rather more hushed or muted

 

Yet perhaps we too might have the thought of what ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’

Or we have some still unfulfilled ambition or a yet incomplete journey

we wish to take. Maybe we had an aborted start and it’s ‘Over and Done With’ and it’s ‘Bye Bye Love’.

And ‘Let’s Get Married, is not going to happen . I wonder “What Makes You Cry?’

 

Or we want to go somewhere but we have ‘No Particular Place to Go’

We are not yet ‘King of the Road’ and we’re still ‘Spinning Around in Air’

But perhaps in the end we really believe ‘Love Can Move Mountains’

And we wait for our ‘Letter from America’ to all who listen in Methil, or Bathgate or wherever.

 

Anyway as the music comes to its ineluctable crescendo and finally

a palpable silence follows and our ears still ring as they seek relief

We are left in no doubt that the Proclaimers do proclaim, loud and clear

Our heightened senses wrestle with what our message would proclaim

Ken Fisher