When I consider the genetic maze
Which brings me to the rising of this day
And count, as stars across the winter sky,
The obstacles to Life along the way,
Then do I worship at the shrine of Chance
And flowers of ardour on her altar lay.
Let me not cease my grateful praise to sing
And, by my living, Life’s oblation pay.
18th January 2001
A song of hope for the dark days of the winter solstice.
The season turns and Advent’s candles bright
Dispel the darkness of the winter night.
Of hope and comfort men and children sing
And fashion garlands for their winter king.
Arise, Great Sun, in answer to our praise,
To warm the passing of our winter days.
The Solstice dawns and sacred mistletoe
From winter apple trees outlined with snow
All gathered in, now decks the household shrine
Where Man’s humanity and God’s entwine.
Arise, fair Star, in answer to our praise,
To light the passing of our winter days.
I have pulled away from the shores of faith
And made for the open sea,
With the wind of reason cold in my sails
But no sirens calling me.
I have left behind the dogmas of youth
With their golden certainties.
No more for me at each end of the day
The comforting liturgies.
In the misty regions of un-belief
Where master and boat are one,
Without sextant, compass, landmark or stars
I must navigate alone.
But an aching grows in the heart of me
And a sadness fills my mind
At the thought of promises shared no more
And traditions left behind.
I’ll travel no more the Emmaus road
Nor see in faith’s cloudless light
A saviour revealed by the breaking of bread
In an inn at the fall of night.
In my questing to find the Tree of Life
Across the uncharted sea,
Perhaps I will find, when journeying’s done,
That its roots are anchored in me.
1988
I have a homing instinct for the stars 
You must be logged in to post a comment.