Interviews and in-laws
No time to type today
But perceiving poetry in
All its alliteration
A busy day with no time for more than a quick scribble.
(12.09.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash
Work
Poem 635 – They’re Back!
A torrent of toddlers teaming in,
A stream of squealing, screaming sound,
A shouting, shoal of shiny din.
Pouring past our open doors,
Abandoning bags and boots around,
And flowing onto every floor.
Playdough, crayons and other craft,
Friendships on a seesaw found,
Filling the church with fun and laughter.
After the break we’re back on track,
So look out folks, toddlers are back!
Our toddler group returned today after the summer holidays. It was wonderful to have them back.
(10.09.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by E Hillsley on Unsplash
Poem 634 – Redeveloping Faith
Another grant sought
Moving forward step by step
Believing in God
Another busy day seeking grants for the church redevelopment project: https://wormleyfreechurch.org.uk/redevelopment-project/
(09.09.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Poem 628 – Inspiration Needed
A day writing grants.
Need poetic ways to say,
‘Give us your money!’
Long day staring at forms. Brain dead!
(03.09.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash
Poem 558 – And I Failed
The art of talking
To the camera whilst walking
Is a tricky thing
I’m currently preparing a video for a grant application. Managed to trip over both my own feet and tongue…
(26.06.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Samantha Borges on Unsplash
Poem 557 – Revealed
I’ve known you for a year or so.
But then you turn to look at me,
Your identity is still unclear,
Personality unknown.
What lies behind those searching eyes?
What thoughts are hid, emotions felt?
I can but guess, they dwell obscure,
Kept veiled behind a lack of words.
Until today, that is, for then
I heard your voice. It caught me by
Surprise; you are not who I thought
You were, but now at last you’re heard.
One of the toddlers spoke to me for the first time today. It’s always fascinating to discover how the person it reveals matches up to your expectation.
(25.06.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash
Poem 552 – Embracing Hindsight
The quiet satisfaction
Of getting to the weekend,
Resting weary feet whilst
Looking back to see
The path that we have travelled,
Surveying with satisfaction
The turnings we have taken,
And admiring once again
The views and scenery.
This may turn out to be a significant week at work.
(20.06.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Ran Berkovich on Unsplash
Poem 536 – The Catch
She’s nearly two. Hiding behind her mother’s legs,
her eyes are like those magnetic links on wooden
trains, repelled when other eyes approach.
She risks a playful peak; it does not last.
Eventually she sees the toys surrounding her.
They call for her attention. She responds,
urgently dragging mum within her wake.
I see my chance and holding out a ball
I sit patiently, waiting for the catch.
She bites, I reel, and slowly draw her in.
Tentative fingers clasp the outstretched bait;
before she knows it’s happened we’re at play.
Toddler Group again today, and my regular quest to overcome their shyness.
(04.06.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Clark Young on Unsplash
Poem 525 – Ironing
Trying to impose
Order despite the ingrained
Habits of the world
Doing the chores
(24.05.25)
© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash
Poem 520 – Caught In Dissatisfaction
Between faith and doubt there lives a tension
that neither pulls towards belief or tugs
towards betrayal. It sits in hesitation.
The story that you tell me calls for action,
begat the growing urge to spring to help,
but something in my bones warns me to hold.
I stand, suspended; caught between the move
to love and the opposing withdrawal of suspicion. I’m trapped, arrested in dissatisfaction.
I’ve had a couple of calls from someone seeking help. They might be genuine, but I find myself hesitating. This sits uneasy with me.
(19.05.25)
Ode for the Day 