One for each of you
Twelve stones for remembering
Promises still held
This morning at church we remembered the story of Elijah taking on the prophets of Baal. At the heart of the story, Elijah builds an altar of twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel.
(16.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Tyger Ligon on Unsplash
Soon the Earl and his men arrived
Upon the opposing bank.
One of them drew close and called,
Enquiring if they were with that appalling
Hereward, who’d caused the fall
Of many within their ranks.
Keeping things ticking over with another stanza.
(15.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash
It’s hot.
So hot that I’ve started to melt.
I find myself dreaming of
a long refreshing drink,
hallucinating visions
of a pint; can you see it?
And so, upon returning
home, I find I am
inevitably pouring myself…
…onto the sofa and leaking
absolutely everywhere.
It’s hot, so very, very
hot.
It’s been a tad warm in the foodbank warehouse this week…
(14.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash
And relax,
Feel the gentle rhythm:
In, out, in, out.
The flow of paint upon the wall,
The careful application until all
is covered, an even coat.
And as you breathe let go of thought,
Of fear or threat, anxiety
And simply be.
In, out, in, out.
Don’t bite your lip in concentration,
Drip the paint upon the floor
Or door or carpet. Hesitation
Leads to messy lines, just flow
With it,
In, out, in, out,
Until it’s time to lay your brush
Upon the tray, step back and look
And say, it’s done and all is good.
Life’s a little busy right now, but decorating seems to be a great way to let go at the end of the day, one walk at a time.
(13.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash
Once rounded up, these guards he quizzed,
To ascertain their purpose.
From them he learnt of Warenne’s plans,
To come next day to this marshland,
To seize him with his own foul hands,
So Hereward stationed men on the banks,
And archers hid along its flanks,
And waited for him to surface.
Learning of Warenne’s plans to capture him, Hereward hatches a ‘cunning plan’.
(12.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Zac Edmonds on Unsplash
In murky Fenland waters lurk
Fine fish safe in the rushes,
Amongst the reeds where warblers sing
And eels reign, the undisputed kings.
Here kingfishers take to vibrant wing,
To catch a fleeting flash of fin,
Blazing iridescent sting,
In unexpected ambush.
I thought I’d add a stanza somewhere before yesterday’s, to give a Fen-foreshadow or reflection of Hereward ambushing those who thought they were hidden and secure in their attempts to catch him.
(11.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Vincent van Zalinge on Unsplash
But unbeknown to William
His schemes were soon made known,
He’d set a guard around the marsh,
To catch Sir Hereward as he passed,
But they were caught, indeed outclassed,
And ambushed with a groan.
The Earl’s trap is disarmed.
(10.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Luke Hodde on Unsplash
Preparing to juggle cans
of ham and spam, and jam,
to deal with warehouse keys
and sort out packs of cheese,
to answer the telephone
and deal with people’s woes,
to manage volunteers
and listen to people’s fears,
drive the electric van
and do the best I can,
to keep the foodbank going
and keep the parcels flowing.
I’m taking over running the foodbank warehouse for a week, this week, and so here’s a hasty verse that’s really just for fun.
(09.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
The Earl of Warenne stewed in horror
Haunted by the death
Of his brother Frederic recently slain,
Now under the earth forever to stay,
A cold oak coffin his lonely domain,
No light, no hope, no breath.
This ghost grew large in his fevered state
And called for his revenge,
‘My brother rise be still no more,
Go bring him down with fist and claw,
Come strike him down unto the floor
To satisfy my end!’
William, Earl of Warenne (pronounced Warren) is driven to seek revenge upon Hereward.
(08.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Photo by Seven Colors on Unsplash
A complacent start
Then momentary panic
But calm minds prevail
Victory tonight in the modern classic boardgame!
(07.08.26)
© Ben Quant 2026
Ode for the Day 