Faith

Poem 501 – Upon the Cusp

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The husk rests dry and dead
within the dark cold ground,
and sleeps the winter through
until the warm spring’s tug.

The right conditions call
it forth; a conversation,
a word, a revelation,
that stirs and wakes potential.

A downward delving for
the deepest nutrient
and reaching for the light,
the outshoots of new growth.

And from Good Friday’s husk
comes Easter’s child, who reaches
up with outstretched hands
and tottering first steps.

A conversation earlier today reminded me of my first steps to faith.
(30.04.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Dibakar Roy on Unsplash

Poem 495 – Seeking Faith

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Tonight, a room of strangers
Set out on an adventure
Not knowing where they’d end up
But setting out regardless

Guided by their questions
And listening to each other
They found a path together
Searching for some answers

Having different perspectives
They expected different opinions
But overlapping views
Lead to a richer treasure

Tonight was our first Alpha session, always an exciting exploration of faith. https://alpha.org.uk/
(24.04.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Felix Rostig on Unsplash

Poem 479 – Home to Roost

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Each dusk they fly in flocks
Across the inky sky
A gathering murmuration

And as the starlings gather
Bats begin to flit
And weave their frantic patterns

This transit brings to mind
Another distant view
The passing of the sun

We gathered in your garden
Equipped with tinted glasses
To watch the solar eclipse

Back then, as now, the birds
Flew across the horizon
Going home to roost

But soon it’s time for you
To take to wing and pass
Go heading home to roost

Fly safely, my old friend,
Through this liminal place
And soon the sun will shine

The starlings are massing as night falls.
(08.04.25)

© Ben Quant 2025
Photo by Jan Haerer on Unsplash

Poem 124 – Hallowed Stands

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The game’s afoot, it’s all still on
A thousand possibilities
That might transpire before this season’s
Last match is played and whistle blown

From hallowed stands the crowd embolden
Their vantage point affords them sight
Of opportunities and threats
Yes, passionately they roar us on

So keep your eyes upon the goal
Follow your humble captain, brave
Who leads the way in giving all
Know this, you’ll never walk alone

On Tuesday Liverpool FC rescued the chance of an historical quadruple, turning a 2-0 deficit to a 2-3 victory. Songs from the stands cheer us on.
(06.05.22)

© Ben Quant 2022

Poem 27 – Silence

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It is not empty, so
Those in matured relationships
Need not feel obliged to
Fill every moment
With words

They can simply be
Not threatened by silence
Nor disturbed by
What is left
Unspoken

Content to be vulnerable
Before the other’s thoughts
Trust fills the gaps
And plasters over
The pauses

I’ve been married for 27 years. This week in isolation has underlined the simple yet profound pleasure of simply being in the same room together. Thank you K. As a Christian, this pleasure and these verses point towards the human-divine relationship too.

(06.11.21)

© Ben Quant 2021