Month: Sep 2025

Poem 702 – Beware!

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Beware! Bare flesh and filthy language lie
ahead. Hold firm if frightened of loud bangs.
Take notice, sexual naughtiness in store.
Greek legends clash in hungry rival gangs.
The author of this violent, grim discourse?
None other than the English Bard of course.

Written in response to the warnings by the stage door at The Globe for Troilus and Cressida tonight.
(28.09.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 700 – Heart Surgery

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I met him in a queue once
a line inside a theatre
a few snatched words thats all
and yet he diagnosed me.

A handful of lyrics paired with
a simple tune – that’s all
it took to bypass my
defences, strike the mark.

My voice broke long ago
so why do I now hear
a creaking in my song as
I sing along this morning.

I’ve been enjoying the latest Divine Comedy album ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ this week. I sense that he and I are hitting similar life stages right now.
(26.09.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 699 – Truth

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A hidden beauty disguised beneath
time’s veil, erosion and graffitti,
tucked behind irrational fear and
under hope’s blind shadow sat.

Hatred rails against it, whilst
vainglorious proclamation rants,
but come what may, in quiet
stillness, unmoved and firm it stands.

But just because we wish its change
and close our eyes, place fingers into
ears and make such childish noises,
there is no metamorphosis.

And from its judgement seat the truth
returns our judgement back on us
and casts its verdict cold and clear,
untouched by lies and ignorance.

A response to recent assertions in the public arena.
(25.09.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Hennie Stander on Unsplash

Poem 698 – Impossible Tightrope?

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Attempting to both
Move into the neighbourhood
And be a pilgrim

Walking the tension
Between putting down deep roots
And living lightly

Trying to invest
In other people whilst not
Losing his footsteps

I’m currently reading Joanne Harris’ new book Vianne, which explores the risk of losing freedom by putting down roots, and in so doing captures the tension as some Christians present it between being ‘in this world but not of it’.
(24.09.25)

© Ben Quant 2025

Poem 697 – A Surprise Visitor

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This morning, as I walked through town
I unexpectantly bumped into
a wizard walking down the street.
I’d never seen him there before,
or come to think of it the shops
that suddenly surrounded me.
He shrieked and fell, his purple cloak
enfolding him, a flighty flame
that lifted him back to his feet,
and with a flash and violent bang
he vanished out of sight, his spell
fading, normality returned.

Much to the neighbourhood’s surprise, Hoddesdon was transformed today as filming for the new Harry Potter series came to town.
(23.09.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

Poem 696 – Embracing Awkwardness

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The respectful awkwardness
When something is said that everyone
Disagrees with and yet
The decision has been made
That all are welcome here.

The love that says we’ll hear
Your views and not dismiss
You or your right to speak
Because we value you
And therefore what you say.

The tension that we live with
Because we are a family
And that’s what families do
As relationships are more
Important than being right.

I love watching groups embracing awkwardness instead of insisting on their own interpretation, political view or doctrine.
(22.09.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash