Poems and verses

July wakes

Looms are swept, and t'brass is drawn
Me and Jack will be up at dawn,
For we're off to beg or steal or pawn,
Fer t'July Wakes.

We've sweat for one and fifteen weeks,
And human limb just like looms will creak.
And we'll go and climb up Pendle cheek.
And we'll rest us limbs.

We'll roam in t'woods and we'll stroll in hay,
Watch great clouds swing up at play,
And if they pass then we'll turn that way,
And we'll taste the clean rain.

We'll follow rivers reight up to t'sky,
Watch great fishes swimming by,
And we'll sup from t'brooks when we get dry,
And we'll stand up men.

We'll have days carefree till Jack's downcast,
Watching hawks and linnets racing past,
Hear the hooters moan through the linnets blast,
To hell wi't'looms.

'Cos Monday'll see us back in t'shed,
watching shuttle spewing out miles and miles of thread,
We'll be weaving fifty one weeks of bread
And just one of life.

Author unknown

Finding faith in a flower

Sometimes when faith is running low
And I cannot fathom why things are so,
I walk alone among the flowers I grow
And learn the answers to all I would know.
For among my flowers I have come to see
Life's miracle and its mystery.
And standing in silence and reverie
My faith comes flooding back to me!

Helen Steiner Rice

The seeker

A seeker went exploring to find happiness and love.
He sought them in the city and in the hills above.
He travelled many a highway,
Asked many a passer by, Where's the path to happiness?
And this was their reply.
We're also on a journey, seeking just like you.
These gifts of love and happiness are found by very few.
Then he met a shepherd whose countenance shone bright.
Can you tell me, asked the seeker,
How your face took on this light?
It came as I stood gazing at a babe upon the hay.
God's gift of love and happiness abides with us today!

Author unknown

The newcomer

I recently moved house and home,
After quite a lengthy search,
And as soon as I was settled in,
Joined the local Parish Church.
On Sunday I walked through the doors
Where the people of God all meet
To be told by a lady in a royal blue hat,
You are sitting in my seat.
I turned up at the craft class,
I said, Shall I put up the tables?
They told me Well that's kind of you,
But that job is Fred and Mabel's.
Still, undeterred, I went along,
To help at the Autumn Fayre,
but I quickly go the feeling
That they didn't want me there.
They said, Each person has their task,
and everybody knows,
we just must not upset folk
or step upon their toes.
Then at the Christmas pantomime,
I looked to play my part,
But they said, You've only just arrived,
Perhaps next year— you can start.
I asked if there was any way
I could offer them assistance,
But they said, No thanks, we'll manage fine,
Despite my strong persistence.
What is it with some 'Christians'
That they make you feel dejected?
You've got a long apprenticeship
Before you'll be accepted.
Our Lord was not so fussy,
He took folks for what they were,
And he welcomed them with loving smile,
Not an 'ummm' and 'errrrr…'
So I'll just sit quiet each Sunday
And blend in with the crowd,
And when I offer to help in 2010,
Maybe then I'll be allowed!

Colin Hammacott (from The Parish Pump)