I do not yearn for higher places
Give me green and open spaces
Not for me the code of conduct
Nor the loyalty to the firm
Let me dance in fields of daisies
For expectations make me squirm
Not a trouble maker me
But a soul to be set free
Leave me in the cheapest seats
Where my fellow people meet
Where amidst the mess we dwell
Lower places serve me well
Bullet points and many words
Might impress the boardroom team
I'll stay with my intuition, seek to live my highest dream.
Karen
27 May 2021
The thief of all that brought me joy has broken in this year
And stolen every ounce of joy and and all that I held dear.
He left a bag of sorrow and a box brim full of shame
And I now wait in terror in case he comes again.
But what is left to take now, what reason could there be
To visit once again so soon for what is left of me?
He's taken health, he's taken hope, he's taken love and dreams
And I am just an empty shell or that is how it seems.
And all I ever wanted was to have a chance, be me
So much for that, I fight no more, there's nothing I can be.
Karen Holmes
I wrote this last night. I thought I would share it being as we had "beautiful things" today.
Thoughts triggered by a palm cross I saw under a park bench. Also linked to my heartache after my ministry was deemed unacceptable by people who had never spoken to me.
Were those palm leaves cast aside after the procession?
Lay amidst the dust, trampled on, dirtied, broken.
Discarded - beyond usefulness, carelessly dropped without a thought.
Did many feet tread upon them as the crowds drifted away?
I wonder, had they been torn from the trees? Or had they already fallen?
Did the trees stand bereft whilst their foliage was turned to dust?
They had been used to good effect - waved in excitement, in expectation and hope. "Hosanna" "Save" "King of Kings"
Their moment of glory perhaps, a purpose fulfilled, a proclamation.
Sometimes it happens - celebration and participation and belonging and then unwanted,
When we have given - our - all.
Given of our soul, our life breath, our passion, our fullness
Cast aside, suddenly unwanted, dirty, soiled, dying.
And around us the world continues, treading unthinkingly over the dry, dusty remains of wonder, energy, wholeness and life
And they do not even realise.
Karen Holmes
3rd April 2021.
Creative writing
I played with the dog this morning and then had a sit down shower.
Now I'm completely exhausted and have been fast asleep for an hour.
I still feel decidedly tired
And the brain fog's severe once again
So I'll sit on the sofa with Helen
And look out at the clouds full of rain.
Karen Holmes
14 November 2020
Today's piece of creative writing is in prose.
A Biblio Affair
I trace the embossed image upon the smooth, glossy cover
Letting my fingertips caress and explore.
I run my fingers down the spine, down and up, discovering the smoothness.
I gaze at this thing of beauty, unwilling to rush
Taking my time to allow the essence to overwhelm my senses
I inhale it's newness and am transported into memories of similar encounters.
I cajole it into opening and touch the rough edges of unread pages.
It yields and I begin to read.
Karen Holmes
13 November 2020
Life with alfie
He is an opportunist if you leave him for a mo
Medical notes and newspapers into his mouth will go.
He has a basket full of toys but these don't qualify
For the cherished cuddly toy becomes the apple of his eye.
He loves to steal a tissue and used ones are the best
But a nice full box will do as well
It's the highest doggy quest.
He decides the time that we should rise
And wakes me with a nudge
And when reluctantly we wake
He sleeps and doesn't budge.
At mealtimes he's on full alert
He thinks that food is great
But it's hard to eat your sandwich
With a dog sat on your plate.
But when I'm sad and tearful
Brought low by all life's issues
He comes and sits beside me
With one eye on the tissues!
Karen Holmes
12.11.20
