O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM - FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

O Little Town of Bethlehem

As the years pass by, in the blink of an eye

Or at Galapagos pace,

And dependent of one's time on The Planet,

We arrive, yet again,

At that time of the year

When memories of past delights

Flood the pressing days

Of preparation and loving reunions.

Christmas is a time warp -

Delightful for many but not for all.

We tend to believe that it is a tradition

Carried on from one generation to the next.

In reality it is ever-changing,

Sometimes subtly, other times less so.

Christmas, like Life, is an ever changing vortex.

Our present generation will look back differently,

As we did, with the passage of Time.

There is, however, the fundamental meaning

Of this blessed time,

Which we must hold dear in our hearts

And pass on to those who will follow.

Long, long ago,

A cold and hazardous journey lay ahead.

What unknown dangers lurked

On unfamiliar trails,

Before the town of Bethlehem offered shelter?

Here, in a basic refuge,

A Child was born.

Saviour of the World.

Prince of Peace.

This Christmas, may He bring his Peace

To the tragically, unsettled land of his birth

And fill all hearts with love and understanding.

Eileen Murray © December 2023

IN THE BEGINNING FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

In the Beginning

Once upon a Time,

When the world was –

Not young, but younger –

Simpler, friendlier, not technocratic,

There was a quiet, suburban road

Bordered by neatly tended, gated gardens.

Few cars graced the driveways,

People communicated politely,

Walked, smiled often

And, generally, kept themselves to themselves.

Just over halfway down the road,

In a neighbouring garden,

A young couple planted a Weeping Willow.

In the middle of their burgeoning back garden.

It kindled their dreams

Of future generations of unimaginable wild life

Nurtured amongst the feathery foliage

Of its incipient beauty.

Ah! Sweet dreams.

Today, a Colossus bestrides the gardens,

Its impact only diminished by someone

(Incomparable in stature)

Who has lived quietly and contentedly

In her world of unchanging mores.

Happy Birthday, Maureen.

Ad multos annos!

Eileen Murray © 3 August 2023

ON WINGS OF SONG

A fluttering of heavy eyelids,  

As early ping of WhatsApp 

Presaged a day of unexpected joy. 

"Having drinks for my birthday. 

Any time from 4pm onwards. 

Would you like to come?" 

A speedy affirmative reply 

Set the routine for the day. 

No hazardous, time-consuming journey involved - 

Just next-door-but-one.  

A ring on the bell announced my arrival.  

The sunny, bedecked garden -  

Already the happy venue for earlier arrivals - 

Warmly enclosed the Chosen 

Who had come to yet another celebration 

Of a very propitious occasion! 

There is nothing like a large, cold glass 

Generously filled with clinking ice cubes, 

Chilled tonic, lemon or lime wedges 

And of course, a generous measure of gin  

(Unless you are a beer or prosecco aficionado) 

To float you away from Life's realities.  

For the next X hours,  

We drank, ate delicious, summer food, 

Talked of this and that and even reminisced. 

Smiles transfixed faces, 

Laughter chortled from lubricated lips. 

The sun shone in glory until,  

Lest we became too indolent, 

Nature reminded us that twilight was afoot.  

Blankets, wraps, jumpers, jackets, 

Almost magically materialised, as dusk gently fell. 

Merriment, even laissez-faire, 

Spread a mantle over even the most retiring. 

Strains and sounds of popular vocals 

Filled the suburban surroundings.  

Celebrities were simulated in voice and action. 

Applause and laughter rewarded the brave.  

A glance at watch belied the time. 

My heart sang - even if really my voice didn't!  

Lights swayed gently; the garden twittered 

As happy relatives and friends celebrated the joyous occasion. 

How touching it was to realise 

That just for fleeting hours, 

You have been invited, unequivocally, into a private world 

Not long ravaged by torment of the unknown, 

Fear, pain, and relentless waiting.  

No element of surprise: 

This stalwart family has emerged even more united, 

Loving, generous and ready to share Life's simple pleasures 

Which will light the path ahead. 

Now, all that awaits is the delight 

Of living again, the memories of a perfect day, 

Wrapped in the enfolding arms of Slumber. 

Eileen Murray © 5 June 2023 

AND STILL WE MOURN

Staccato explosions drift

Into the oblivion

Of dark November evening.

Bonfire Night dies, yet once again

Evoking memories of long past times

When guns fell silent

And a spark of Hope for a lasting Peace

Was rekindled in the hearts

Of a world drowned in Loss and Sorrow.

Throughout the intervening years

Of our ever-changing world,

Many have worked assiduously

To keep the flame of Remembrance

Alight and relevant,

So that we never forget all who died

In past and present conflicts.

This year, as the two minutes’ silence

Is observed around the world,

Poignant memories, some long stored,

Will re-emerge.

Tears will fall and prayers from trembling lips

 Will rise in supplication

For the lasting Justice and Peace

That so many died, and are still dying, for.

Eileen Murray © November 2023

GLORIA - FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

Gloria

As years pass by,

On Special Birthdays we recall

Those times when Life

Brought excitement, joy,

 Enlightenment, love and change

Into our evolving world.

Now, you have time

To reflect on the kaleidoscope,

Which has made you,

Among countless Beings,

Loving, loved and – Unique!

Eileen Murray © 30 July 2023

DESTINY -  A POEM MARKING THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

In Life, there are those rare moments

When one suddenly becomes aware

That we are an integral part

In the tapestry of History.

As the days speed on to the Coronation of King Charles lll,

I shall recall, with affectionate nostalgia,

A world which has irrevocably changed.

Bottle-green clad, lisle-stockings adorned,

Disparate in age, size and background,

We gathered in gym-cum-assembly hall

Waiting to hear the previous day's recording

Of world-breaking news.

"H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth has been safely delivered

Of a Prince."

Over 400 schoolgirls, shepherded by

Beaming nuns and lay staff,

Smiled and twittered happily.

A telegram to be sent, in our names.

Another significant date to be stored away

For future History exams!

And so, the intervening years have passed

Amidst times of sorrow and joy,

But always with thoughts of the unknown future.

On May 6th, you will tread in footprints

Marked by your forebears.

Traditional rites and ceremonies will bring to mind

Fleeting memories, particularly of loved ones

Who have trod this path since you were born.

As you, with sacred oil are anointed,

Prayers and acclamations

Will signify the fulfilment of your destiny.

May you, and all that you hold dear,

Be blessed by a future

Gilded with Promise, Peace and Love.

Eileen Murray © May 2023

TENDER REFLECTIONS - FROM OUR RESIDENT POET

TENDER REFLECTIONS

Life is a lottery.

No matter the circumstances

Surrounding birth, relationships, environment,

We come into this world

Helpless, dependent and unaware of our destiny.

Even from our earliest years,

We soon become aware

Of situations, experiences and particularly people

Who will have an influence on our journey through Life.

It is impossible to quantify

How many encounters are made -

And yet, amazingly, there are recollections

Of images which flutter across the intervening years.

So it has been with my family

And countless others.

Once seen – never forgotten!

Ted was an ever present Spirit

Wafting through our community,

Benevolent, smilingingly efficient, capable

And adaptable to the changing circumstances.

His devotion and commitment to Bishop Eton

Knew no bounds.

We look back affectionately

On the expert collection and marshalling experiences,

The smile, the distinctive voice, the joy of service

And all his unique attributes.

Deep within the grieving hearts lies the consolation

                                                                      That we shall meet again - God willing!                           Eileen Murray © October 2023

ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD

Perhaps, you too will relive

The magic of long-forgotten memories -

If your curiosity impels you to read on!

There are certain chores in life

Which are assigned to "The Tomorrow Catalogue."

Tomorrow came, unexpectedly, last week.

Moving, discarding, vacuuming, dusting, all complete,

Just the final bag to be checked.

A sneak preview revealed another container

Packed with cards, photos, letters

And even a couple of small, tissue-wrapped packages.

It is never in my remit to resist further investigation!

For the next three hours, I was transported.

Neither my sister, my brother nor I existed,

Just a folded, faded Irish Marriage Certificate.

My heart swelled with pride and love;

 I smiled, laughed and cried

As I explored the trove of cherished memorabilia -

Too many to be listed here,

But some irresistibly movingly relevant.

A tattered Primary School Report

Which my lovely brother had amended,

By adding an obviously childlike "V"

In front of all the "Satisfactory" comments.

Touching messages of sympathy on the death

Of my beautiful, fifteen year old sister

Who had just started work in the millinery department

Of the prestigious Bon Marche.

Well over one hundred postcards to my parents

Recording the delight of holidays across a Europe

Which has changed, in many cases, so unbelievably.

No Mothers' Day cards then,

Just an immaculately written letter,

When I, as a ten year old,

Promised to offer “To My Dear Mother,

My Sunday Mass and Holy Communion.”

So much to be recorded in this poem,

But Time and space do matter.

And, after all, small, curious packages

And collections of mysterious photos and letters

May well become a source of future verse!

Just a fleeting thought.

You might regard housework as a chore -

But, surprisingly, it can be pleasantly inspirational!

Eileen Murray © July 2023

AND SO IT WAS

Once again,

We have lived fitfully

Through the darkness of Winter

And the vicissitudes of modern life.

No wonder that sight has been lost

Of the true meaning of Easter.

Swept along by changes in social mores,

It is so hard to stand firm

When all around us

Ancient, traditional beliefs and rites

Are disregarded and cast aside

As trivia of a bygone age.

Yet, almost miraculously,

The quintessence of our faith,

The Glorious Resurrection,

Dawns once more.

Light floods our world,

As Nature in pristine glory

Welcomes again, Re-birth

And bounteous promises

Of a world redeemed.

Eileen Murray © April 2023

IN MEMORIAM

It was one of those unpredictable, early Autumnal days

When dark, lowering clouds made decisions difficult.

Somehow, the twenty-odd,

Suitably clad parishioners and friends

Had resigned themselves to the vagaries of the weather

Or had decided, hopefully,

That the emerging sun and mild weather

Would carry them through the planned meander

Through the unique woods and fields

Of Childwall’s hidden gem.

Once through the heavy, iron gates,

A premature pause,

Followed by a simple, touching eulogy

For one, whose earlier morning funeral

Had presaged the planned events.

How many times, Sue, have you wandered

 Through these gates and such like,

Rejoicing in Nature’s Bounty

And miraculous regeneration!

Rest peacefully now,

Free from pain and worries,

Reunited with loved ones,

And the knowledge that the torch you lit

Will be proudly borne

By those you loved and held dear.

And then we were off,

Musing on words of wisdom about

Trees, mycelium, fungi, insects, birds, mammals,

Survival, long-life, death feeding rebirth;

Not forgetting negotiation of hazardous roots

And muddy terrain!

As we gazed up through the canopy of symbiotic trees,

Some vigorously young, others living fossils

Of what once was a world of privileged grandeur,

What thoughts drifted through our minds!

The sun now shone, appropriately,

On the lilac swathes of Michaelmas daisies.

Gentle breezes blew across the wetlands

And all was right with the world.

So it is with you, Sue.

Eileen Murray © September 2023