Welcome! This blog has a vision of verse and is in verse.
If you are looking for poetry, that is what you will find!
As a new student at a school in a Riverina winter, many years ago, some classmates told me,
“You’ll hate what we have tomorrow!”
It was poetry.
My response was the opposite of hate.
My life was never the same again.
School and uni came and went.
Studies for the catholic priesthood, followed by ordination, filled in the years.
In the background, and, at times, in the foreground, poetry travelled the journey with me.
Reading it and writing it has been a constant past-time.
I am not able to predict when a poem will come to me.
At times people or events will touch me deeply.
At others, I appear to be more present to who or what is before me.
Words and images rise up and a poem emerges.
Some have been impressions of events.
Other poems have been farewells to communities I have lived in.
Verses may respond to the plight of pain in a person or group.
I love responding to beauty in creation and, on some occasions, will add photos with the poems.
Stanzas may be shaped by coffee shops, scenes of nature or works of art.
I may also refer to other poets or poems – if that helps your overflowing reading list!
Simon's still stanza 
Happy New Year…Thanks for the follow.. always love new followers 🙂
And Happy New Year too you. Thanks for blogging what you do.
Thank you for showing interest in what I put out. I sincerely hope you continue to find my posts entertaining & pleasurable. Be safe.
Thanks for the ‘like’ on my comment. I see that you also were fascinated by the last two lines. Don’t know what it is that makes certain lines stand apart? Anyway, I like your site and am going to read more of your poetry.
Thanks for the follow on my site. It’s very much appreciated! I’m going to follow you back. I love the photo of trees and the rock formation. It reminds me the groves where the Druids are said to meet.
Thanks also to you. I gain so much from others blog. It seems to help us better understand ourselves and others.
Nice post, just dropped by to say “Hi” from America
Thanks for the compliment and for stopping by.
PS: and thanks also for the follow!
Have you read, “The Book of Awakening” by Mark Nepo? It’s wonderful and as a poet, you would really enjoy it.
No, I haven’t read it. But will look it up. Thanks.
Hello, Simon! Very Glad to meet a fellow Priest! Hearty Regards. …Am sure You have created many poems, but You do not seem to have posted them on the blog for Us! Please do that. Greetings in the Name of Jesus. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words. I will try and post more. The poems come to me in their own time and I cannot force them. But hope there will be more to share soon.
Thank You, Simon! Shall be waiting for them! Regards. 🙂
That photograph is a poem in itself. 🙂 Thank you for the still moment.
Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB
I totally understand what you mean when you say “I am not able to predict when a poem will come to me.” The same goes for me. I do look forward to reading your poem soon though!
Yes, it’s always been that way for me. Thanks for visiting.
You have a beautiful way of expressing, Simon. Thanks for dropping by my blog earlier. Looking forward to reading your poems.
Vinodinii, I’m sorry I didn’t get back to this sooner and thanks for your kind words. Don’t worry, I’ll be visiting your blog again.
I enjoyed your simple, but elegant stanzas. I also have a love for words.
Madelaine, My apologies for not replying. Thanks for your comment on the poems. I share your interest in words.
I enjoyed reading about your poetry, Simon. And thanks for reading my doubly uplifting post at https://www.authorlizbethhartz.com/lizbeths-world-blogpost-watwb/, your comment was a nice surprise.
You’re most welcome, Liz. And thanks for visiting mine.
Very beautifully penned down this poem. Love the way you express your views through this poetry . #WATWB
Thank you.
It’s a joy to find you Sir.
You said, “I love responding to beauty in creation…” And ultimately we tend to respond to God as the Psalmist says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Will look forward to your write ups for sure.
Thanks for following my blog – and for liking a post!
Hi Simon,
I remember you from last year, I like your poetry still, thanks for commenting about Ginger Boy kitty cat Toby. As a priest, I am wondering, what do you think about Centering Prayer? I was introduced to it by my Buddhist friend, who practices all disciplines.
Aloha noe
Lizbeth
Hi Lizbeth, Thanks for your appreciation of the poetry. As for Centering Prayer, yes, the best place is to google it to the Contemplative Outreach webpage. It gives the history, method and so on. Due to reasons of who you know and where, I’ve ended up having more to do with another parallel group called Christian Meditation who can be googled at The World Community for Christian Meditation. Centering Prayer appears to have a more North American history and tone. Christian Meditation has a more British and Irish history and tone, although both are widespread now. In my experience both groups have some good things to offer and some exemplary members. Both have also attracted some more quirky characters, as does happen. Both prayers use the repetition of a sacred word or phrase as a means of coming to stillness with God’s presence within. As an introvert, I personally find these prayers quite enriching, although I need to be circumspect, as I have to help people find what prayer best suits them, rather than push my own barrow.
Hi Simon
https://lookingforthelight.blog/2019/01/24/barrans-bears-how-police-are-spreading-cheer-to-kids-watwb/
Beautiful photo!