Green of day yields to black night
moonbeams stray across shadowed field and vale
Sheep lie down and cows grind on
and owl and badger begin to wake
Bright day gives to nights shadow-dance
The dark engulfs my every straining sense
Heart be still! Scenes come and go

by Richard and Angie

Endless Motion

I stood upon the storm washed deck
The horizon lost in spray and mist
My eyes beheld an air borne gull
Fighting, struggling, rising, falling, O wretched bird
The air hummed with his breathless struggle
Upon the desk the exhausted creature flapped
And beside him my shattered spirit lay

Eternity....

Entering eternity was not my choice
I didn't ask for this uncertain future
Untutored instinct soon found out my voice
Beginning muffled and broken in the silence.
Then other voices heralded my rude arrival
Gaining strength my voice joined with theirs
Yearning to communicate now that life's begun.

Walking

One foot peeled off the ground, lifted
Poised for progress, eyes on the hills
Setting out, the body in motion, upward, away,
Free green and wind on my face
New sights, new vistas, at the paths' turn
Rain rushing water over old worn rocks
Light brings the brightness into view.

Waking at Sheldon

Dark and confusion, lost in the rain
Closed in by trees, leaning and bending
Where is the light I long to see?
Still the rain falls, drenching and battering
Now, shelter at Sheldon, warmth in the smiles
Here is light, a shaft of brightness,
Morning's sun surprises the beauty of hills

Living Water

Beautifully clear shining brightly full of life
Thirst-quenching, joy-making, heart-lifting wonder
lifts my soul making me fully human
whole, beloved child, in the Creator's image
Glory to God great gifts springing forth
Burst of gratitude, making me long to share
the wonder and joy in being alive

by Simon and Pat

Sheldon Weir

Tumbling, encircling, breathtaking ring of rushing water
surrounded by green forest glades glorious countryside
space here to breathe, to think, to pray,
opportunity to change with so much potential.
How can I fail to ponder, as I pass,
so stop, look, listen all that's here
Hold it in my heart, give thanks.

Trees in Autumn

The first crisp leaf spiralled gently earthwards
Conspiring with gravity in chaotic free-fall
Before colliding gently with the soft ground.
The gusting winds weaving ever new patterns
Made autumnal colours dance in gleeful jig
Watched by naked branches motionless above
Till all lay quietly, awaiting fresh stirring.

The Darkness turns to light

The darkness mellows into light, informing it
of unknown day ahead alluring, bright.
The shadows cease and gloom clouds lift
Red tinges afresh the rain-washed sky.
Glimmer of sunlight emerging over the brow
Traffic up the hill begins to roar
Extinguishing traces of night with piercing day.

by Nicola and A N Other

Haiku's

Iced cracked shards of light
Reflections of jagged sky
Melt liquid rivers

Potted palm, erect
Echos of desert sunlight
Shade lighted window

In memory of Scott, my retriever

Man's best friend, dog eared
Faithful greeting, wagging tail,
He's gone, mournful eyes

Roof Textures (at Sheldon)

Nature's brush, wind slashed, reeds
Pheasant thatched,
corrugated streaks of sombre hue.
Clear plastic strands, surrounding sky lighted apertures,
A company, ill matched, unified in silent protection
from the elements without.

Bleak Blossom

Stark against the skeleton landscape, pink blossomed
The promise of spring, of life anew.
Renewing hope, through dying winter's frosted fingers
In quiet corners, snowdrops, a clematis bell
on vivid emerald carpets too early cropped
I stepped gently on the frozen sward
gazing at nature's welcome and warm embrace .

Snowflake

This fleeting moment of life
Insignificant among so many
Fragile yet so intricate in design
If only I'd stop and look deeper.
But all good things come to an ending
And no sooner has it settled
Its time has ended
And tomorrow, I will return from this safe place.
A better person.