Gathered Together

On this day, of venerable meditation
Friendships are formed
Out of shared beliefs, hobbies, and pastimes
That, and having a common sense of humour

An odd sort of way:

To meet a poet before breakfast
To meet a handyman over lunch
Then, at the dinner table, to meet
The ex-steelworker; a TUC delegate
Who had spoken with Tony Benn

Not to mention those two ladies
Who meditate at Matlock Bath
And Kate’s new friend Gita
Who cook's curries in Bradford

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Don’t Need Anything Now

Head out to the wood pile
Sorting, and moving
Living here, and living there
Living anywhere at all

Easier away from Christmas
Closer to that other self

Head out to the field, and the stile
Disassociating, and approving
Giving here, and giving there
Giving anywhere at all

Easier away from society
Closer to that inner self

Head out to the anvil, and the file
Forging, and smoothing
Forgiving here, and forgiving there
Always forgiving, forgiving anywhere at all

Easier away from strife
Closer to that loving self

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Bumpity-Bump

I can feel my heart pumping
I know I am alive
It is night time
The morning not yet arrived

I can hear my ears ringing
Almost all the time
It is a reminder
That energies are being refined

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Barker Slack

Where else
To find a John Cooper Clarke fan
Than on
A Buddhist meditation, weekend retreat

Where else
To find a Buzzcocks or Sid Viscous man
Than by
The muesli, the bananas, and anything but meat

Where else
To enter rooms, with no shoes upon our feet
Than in
That golden space, where the Buddha we greet

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Back to Back

With a heavy heart
Drifting across the high ground
Listening for the sound
As the past plays its part

Damp leaves on the grass
Before the circular iron railings
Observing those failings
That I took into the class

With the fear of doubt
Worried by quarried stone
All that time spent alone
On life’s Magic Roundabout

Thankful for your voice
With those words of mine
Happy for that time
When we really had no choice

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