Poem 369 – The Advent Wreath

Nov 30, 2024Nov 30, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

The hedge was out of control,
its branches lined their vicious
spikes beyond the fence,
like medieval pikemen
stood ready for the charge.

There was but one reply!
I grabbed my shears and set
about their ranks with wild
abandon, sending limbs
flying in every direction.

Resisting, they made their mark:
my blood was shed, but alas,
for them, victory was mine
as fast they fell, and soon
lay scattered on the ground.

But this was not the end.
In remembrance I gathered the fallen,
twisting them into a wreath
and hanging them on the door;
a holly crown for the Christ.

I spent this morning pruning our hedgerow, including the holly bush. I’ve often pondered making my own wreath, and so today I gave it a go, at least the holly framework. Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll add a splash of colour to go with it.
(30.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Poem 366 – Currently 2-0

Nov 27, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

I should be writing a poem,
But it’s been a busy day,
Dealing with toddlers,
Shifting food,
Discussing the Bible,
Talking to church members,
Now the day’s done, and
Liverpool are beating Madrid,
So this will have to do.

Hopefully that’s game, set and match (to mix sports!)
(27.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Jannes Glas on Unsplash

Poem 363 – 24th November

Nov 24, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

In our family, I suspect like many others,
the night before Christmas Eve is Christmas Eve Eve,
but what about the night a month before?

By now I have compiled a list of all
the tasks, and services, and carol concerts
to be conducted within that month.

There are cards to write and gifts to find and pack,
a turkey, cake and pud to source and cook,
and house to tidy before the family come.

This wall of tasks stands seemingly impregnable,
demanding time and creativity,
an imposing rock face needing to be scaled.

It will be daunting, how can we do it again?
What can I find to say, when all’s been said
and done? The pressure builds and builds.

However, the reckless thrill of expectation
draws me on, the joyful promise of
a labour’s end, found in Messiah’s birth.

We might not have started Advent yet, but there’s no getting away from the fact that the countdown has begun…
(24.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Edi Bouazza on Unsplash

Poem 357 – The End

Nov 18, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Opening the covers,
the end seemed far away,
but now the pages turn
more quickly; the epilogue
is closer than the start.

I long to read your lines
more deeply, to understand
their meaning and import,
so that our entwining lives
may be mutually enriched.

When all is said and done,
when the story has been told,
let it be known that I’ve
known love and fully loved,
for love’s our one true end.

Following on from yesterday’s poem and The Cure’s latest album.
‘And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love’ (1 Corinthians 13:13).
(18.11.24)

Poem 356 – Nothing Is Forever, But…

Nov 17, 2024Nov 17, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

SONGS can be sonic portals, dioramas,
OF youthful memories long forgotten,
A door through which, released, our senses tumble,
LOST landscapes wherein we dance with arms outstretched,
a WORLD of angst yet somehow hopeful.

I’ve been listening to The Cure a lot recently, especially their latest album, the terrific ‘Songs of a Lost World’. Despite Robert Smith’s obvious awareness of aging and mortality, and their classic gothic sound, I find so much of their music strangely uplifting. (And yes, that is me in the photo…)
(17.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024

Poem 353 – The Tree

Nov 14, 2024Nov 14, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

This heart,
With reaching veins
That stretch out heavenward,
And arteries penetrating deep,
Births life.

A short one tonight. I discovered the cinquain poem form this morning, that has a pattern of 1, 2, 3, 4, 1 stresses in each line in turn, and thought I’d have a go. The shape suggested the content.
(14.11.24)

© Ben Quant 2024
Photo by Brandon Green on Unsplash

Poem 349 – Remember

Nov 10, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

Pin on the poppies
Line up the flags

Lay out the wreaths
Grieve for the past

Stand still in silence
Remember the dead

Hold onto our history
Learn from those left

I had the privilege today of speaking at our local Scout Group’s Remembrance Sunday event.
(10.11.24)

Poem 339 – Ghosts

Oct 31, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

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)

Poem 338 – How? / Why?

Oct 30, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

The human mystery, the cryptic puzzle
of what makes minds and bodies tick.
The tick, tock, tick of chemical
reactions and emotional responses.
The mystery that makes us, us,
that charges love and triggers thought.

Conference is done and I’m home relaxing to House MD.
(30.10.24)

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

Oct 29, 2024 / BenDQ / Leave a comment

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)

Ode for the Day

An experiment in poetic doodling

Spirituality