Hamnavoe

Stromness (Hamnavoe) Harbour, Orkney.

Passing thoughts run wild through my mind
Like a river in flood, flowing
To an ocean memory, growing
Stronger, as with others they bind
The present with moments long past,
With such a torrent of regret
Where can satisfaction reside?
Where will overwhelming guilt hide?
Could future deeds settle the debt?

Who can swim against such a tide?
Like a salmon returning home
From deep waters, no more to roam
But fight to finally abide.
The beginning becomes the end,
A circle is closed and time takes
End to a beginning, then wakes
New life for courage to defend.

So send shafts of steel high and wide,
Build a haven between straight poles,
Round which wind and rain merely rolls,
Lay brick on brick their strength as guide,
Sing the song an open mind heard,
Hold unconquered love wide and high,
A heart full of hope shall not sigh,
Watch a home grow with every word.

My Mind's Haven

Acrylic painting (the only one of mine hanging on my wall!)

I’m in my haven, what do I see,
The sea, the sea, coming for me,
I hear the waves crashing on rocks,
This is the place my heart locks,
I hear the gulls’ plaintive cry,
I see them wheeling against a blue sky,
I will be there, soon, by and by,
This is the place I’ll go when I die.




My haven’s a river, flowing free,
Water is safely holding me,
I’ve travelled far, I’ve further to go,
With much to see, hear, feel and know,
My life is running a simple straight course,
Birth to death; time the driving force,
With space to explore large and small,
Until I reach destiny’s call.

Image credit ROB

This verse I’ll write when far from you,
Over the horizon, out of view,
I’ve not the words to give you now,
Where I go the future will allow,
Stand on a beach, look out to sea,
Hear wind and waves carry song to thee,
Lift your eyes up to the skies above,
Look everywhere, find and hold love.