The Revd Alec Brown, vicar of Aston-by-Budworth and Great Budworth, has written two poems, that have taken their inspiration from the times we are in. They are titled 'Lockdown 3' and 'Winter walking'.
Lockdown 3
Why so sad my soul within me,
at the start of this new year?
Which came with such promise and such hope
banishing, as we all thought, most of our fear,
but the virus and its variants have yet more cards to play
and we must learn again to live with this and fight each day
as it comes, with fortitude and courage,
giving thanks once more to all those blue clad heroes
and key workers we clapped for months last year,
and as we grapple with new restrictions and guidelines
we know, as we’ve been told so many times before,
that this is much more of a marathon than a sprint
and the only question really is, can we stay the distance?
And the only answer is, with God’s help, yes we can!
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Winter walking
The sound of gunshot fills the cold afternoon air at the close of the year,
and as I round the corner the shapes of shooters
come into view against the darkening western sky,
standing silently, and very socially distanced of course, along the fence line,
with their shotguns cradled in their arms, waiting,
and a pheasant near the roadside pond is startled by my presence
and hurtles off, squawking loudly and indignantly, but away from the guns;
while in the distance some children are sledging down the hillside
with shouts and screams of happy laughter, revelling in their winter freedom,
and as I turn to follow the path back to the village
a group of snowmen and women gaze out at me from the school field,
with cheerful smiles and grins on their faces, as if to say to all
who may be passing by that though it’s still bad, there’s less now to fear
with the coming of the second vaccine – so, to one and all, Happy New Year!
© The Revd Alec Brown
Aston-by-Budworth and Great Budworth
30th December, 2020.
Poetry Break event
Poetry Break is a monthly coffee break for poetry lovers to gather. This will be an opportunity to hear poetry from others across the diocese. Those who come for coffee will be able to share a poem (either a poem of theirs or a favourite poem) or they can come simply to listen and join the conversation. Register here.
