Author: BenDQ

Poem 343 – Ancient Echoes

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A line of bird-like steps
strut confidently up the cliff-face,
towards its sandstone crest.

With toes outsplayed, they tread
through time, a shadow traced
on ancient tracks and paths.

Relentlessly, the waves
crash onwards, their roar
an echo of past voices.

Once permanent, now fleeting,
these footprints quickly fade,
the tide flows out, they’re gone.

Today we went dinosaur footprint hunting on the coastline near Albufeira. We found them, but they were already much eroded. (https://www.portugalresident.com/dinosaur-footprints-uncovered-at-albufeira-beach/)
(04.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024

Poem 342 – The Lure of the Sea

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The sound of seagull shrieks, their ow, ow, oowl,
pierces through the swooshing wind and waves.
The hanging horizon, hazes into infinity;
its rolling waves reflect the rising sun.
A gentle warmth whispers around my ankles,
a welcome relief from home’s oncoming winter,
whilst the taste of breakfast, lingers on my tongue,
just as we lazily lingered over it. The scent
of salty ocean, a siren call, summons us
to stroll along its stretch and search its pools.

I’m writing, sat on our room’s balcony, admiring the southern Portugal coast.
(03.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024

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Poem 341 – A Happy Exchange

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This face is weary but its smile
Expresses it all having travelled miles.
To finally arrive and leave behind,
The travails of demanding times,
Exchanged for days of expectation,
Of sunny days and relaxation,
Lightens the step and lifts the soul
Brings life and joy and hope all told.

Day one of our holiday in Portugal. The 4.15am alarm call was not appealing, but was totally and utterly worth it.
(02.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024

Poem 340 – Packing

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Suncream, have you packed the suncream yet?
And a mac in case it rains, because it will.
And don’t forget the currency and tickets,
As if that’s something I would ever do!

A laugh at the passport photos, a line up of
Stern looking criminals on holiday.
Clothes for hot and cold, a stack of books.
Let’s tidy up in case a burglar looks.

Who’s going to have the pets while we are gone?
Is there enough fuel to get us there and back?
Has anyone seen my trunks since last time around?
And just what was the combination to my lock…

Do you really think you’ll get all those shoes to fit?
Along with the charger spaghetti that’s tied itself
in knots? It’s only a week we’re going for…
You do? But only if I sit on it.

It’s time to go, let’s go, go, go!
You’re kidding, what do you mean you’re not ready yet?
You’ve had all week just like the rest of us.
We’ll wait in the car and get the SatNav set.

Don’t slam the door! Be quiet let me think!
What do you mean? Of course you can breathe it’s just
A small suitcase or two upon your lap.
What’s that? The tickets? What do you mean they’re lost….

After a really busy season we’re taking a break. Some of the above is based on painful memories…
(01.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Eminent Luggage on Unsplash

Poem 339 – Ghosts

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I am haunted, accompanied by ghosts,
the shadows from my past that lived and laughed
with me, shared my life, my joys and struggles.
These shades have made me who I am, they are
my friends, my skin, my thinking and my guides.
They aren’t to be exorcised but celebrated,
recognised, remembered, invited in.

At Halloween I celebrate my friends and family that went before me.
(31.10.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Erik Müller on Unsplash

Poem 337 – Hopefully-Not-A-Talking Heads Haiku

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We’re on the road to…
Somewhere, but we don’t quite know
Exactly where yet!

The second day of our church movement’s annual conference is done, and so am I – I help run it and only ever make it through with a combination of adrenaline, caffine and prayer! We’re on a journey over the three days of thinking about where we’ve come from, where we are, and where we might be heading next.
(29.10.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQiOA7euaYA
Photo by rafa espada on Unsplash

Poem 336 – Completed

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The exhalation as shoulders relax,
Quiet satisfaction from being spent.

A sense of peace from a task discharged
Being completed when at last the job’s done.

Embracing the tiredness when you finally stop,
And finding sleep when the dark night comes.

If you’ve been following my poems, you’ll be aware that I’ve done a few on the Countess of Huntingdon recently. I’ve been reading up on her, in order to give a talk on her legacy for our ‘denomination’. Today was the day, and it went well. It’s good to have it done.
(28.10.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Anna Pascale on Unsplash

Poem 335 – Helpless

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In the corner of my eye
the phone flashes
urgently. But why?
Why are they calling?
I can’t answer now,
they know I’m at work.

But why are they calling?
Has something happened?
Is that why they’re
calling? A thousand
permutations present themselves
but I still can’t answer.

I’ll have to get someone
else to answer
while I press on
with the task in hand.
I pretend to work,
time on hold.

I was in the middle of leading a song at church when I spotted my phone was ringing… It turns out there had been an accident at home, but thankfully, all was ok in the end.
(27.10.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Oliur on Unsplash

Poem 334 – A Life Given

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‘O that I may be
more and more useful
to the souls of my fellow creatures.

I want to be every moment
all life, all zeal, all activity
for God, and ever on the stretch
for closer communion with him.’

A life poured out fully.
Every single
last
drop.

On Monday I’m giving a talk at The Connexion conference on Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon. In my preparation I’ve been struck and struck again by the way she dedicated her whole life to her work. The two opening stanzas are her own words.

See also Poem 327.
(26.10.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Portrait by John Russell, used with permission of Trustees of the Cheshunt Foundation, Westminster College, Cambridge.