Needs

NEEDS

The choked coughing
of winter's first flu
preventing sleep,
I watch the television appeal
for  "Children in Need"

Rain tap-dances on the roof
and the wind wails through trees

From next-door
rock music is punctured
by shouts I scarcely comprehend

A wife being raped perhaps ?
Or a child beaten ?

I watch the millions being pledged
I hear a husband walking out in anger

Outside the storm still rages

My dozing is disturbed
by sounds of sobbing


© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Ashton under Lyne, 13th November 1984

Publications

1990 The Affiliate (Canada)
1992 Outreach (UK)
1994 Tree Trunk (USA)

The Dog

THE DOG

The dog dodges puddles in the road
but is fond of creating them -
does not drink water he cannot see
the substance being transparent
Milk he sees and partakes of
with the vigour of a cat

At the coast he makes himself a sight
chasing stones into the sea
then running from the attack of waves
that roll and roar defiantly back at him

A daft dog that goes eagerly out
during the heaviest downpour
of rain or snow patiently
to wait soaking behind the door
until he is let in again
to shake himself, lie down and lick his paws

Ever eager to explore the house
only the sound of a running bath
will set him adamantly staying put
refusing all incentive to bound upstairs
Once there he submits, knowing
he must be dirty to deserve a bath

Dogs and water make strange companions.

© GERALD ENGLAND

Composed: Oldham, 15th May 1976

Publication

1987 Outreach (UK)

Christian Unity

CHRISTIAN UNITY

"And when he was departed thence he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him and he saluted him and said to him, Is thine heart right as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be give me thy hand: and he took him into the Chariot" — 2 Kings 10, 15

Heart to heart
is soul to soul
Your opinion is thine own
my own -- mine own
I drink the wine and eat the bread,
You have a silent still communion
I may baptise my children,
You when they become adult
My worship may be odourless,
Your air filled with incense
These are secondary things
for if heart is to heart
soul is to soul
If you truly hold your opinions
then be true to them
and I will be true to mine
If your heart is with my heart
then love me,
not as you love your neighbour,
not as you love a stranger,
not as you love your enemies,
not with latitudinarianism
as Wesley put it,
but love me as a brother in Christ
heart to heart
soul to soul

© Gerald England

Composed: Ackworth, 1st March 1969

Publications

1976 MEETINGS AT THE MOOR'S EDGE (West Kirkby, Headland)
1990 Outreach (UK)
2000 The Poetry Church (UK)