Month: Jul 2023

Poem 195 – School’s Out

/ BenDQ / Leave a comment

The final word is written,
all pens put down, books closed.
The last bell rings and out
you flow, released, tears shed
in streams of joy and sadness.
Now certainty’s exchanged
for possibility.
When summer fades you will
return but not to us.
A new community
awaits, potential on
the cusp of being written.

I had the joy of playing a part in the Leavers’ Assembly for a local primary school last week. One of the delights of my position is being a part of their community, and seeing fine young people emerge, flourish, and take their next steps.
(24.07.23)

© Ben Quant 2023
Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

Poem 194 – The Importance of Space

/ BenDQ / 2 Comments

We gathered round and peered.
The husband said, ‘It’s deep,’
I nodded in agreement.
‘It’s deep so I can fit on top.’

I backed away to give
him space for thought. A moment’s
silence, and then, amen,
the hole was filled with prayer.

Leaving, I noticed that
his arms were full of nothing,
as was his car, and home,
his sentences left…

Sometimes the nothing hurts,
but not always. Sometimes
it takes familiar shape,
its contours reassuring.

I haven’t posted a poem for a while, partly because I’ve been distracted with other things, and partly because I’ve been grappling with this one. It started off as a poem about the importance of giving others space to be, but ended up as something else. I worry it’s a little glib, I hope not, but I don’t think I can take it any further right now.
(16.07.23)

© Ben Quant 2023
Photo by Valentin Lacoste on Unsplash