A Mixed Bag # 11

ST MARTIN OF TOURS

Started out as a Roman soldier
But was baptized as an adult
And then became a monk
It is understood that he was a kind man
Who led a quiet and simple life
The most famous legend of his life,
Was when he was still a soldier,
It is the story about the time
That he cut his cloak in half
To share with a beggar
To protect him during a snowstorm,
Which saved the beggars life
That same night he dreamed that Jesus
Was wearing the half-cloak
Martin heard Jesus say to the angels,
"Here is Martin, the Roman soldier
Who is not baptised; he has clothed me"

SEASONED

When we were young
We began wandering aimlessly
Through leafy woodland.
We began when there were only
The early buds of spring
Wandering on through
The dappled shade of summer
And its comforting warmth
Onward then to the fall
With its crimson hues
Now we embark beyond
The crunch of autumns leaves
Into the cold metaphor
Of winters landscape
We still have each other
But we also have uncertainty
How much winter will we see?

PARLIAMENT ENACT THE LAWS

Parliament enact the Laws
To legislate our behaviour
Police officers patrol the streets
To enforce the law
Then the court system shows us
The error of our ways
Well that’s the theory anyway
Politicians call the tunes
And the police cherry pick
The laws that they enforce
And the crown prosecution service
Take only the cases they can win
Or that make them look good
And all three elements
Play to the media

OUR FRIENDSHIP IS SO STRONG

Our friendship is so strong
It will never come apart,
Because the bonds of friendship
Come straight from the heart

MY SHADOW WATCHES ME AS I WORK

My shadow watches me as I work
And I am thankful for its easy company
Because it means I’m in the sunshine
And it is a constant reminder to me

LUGHNASADH

Lughnasadh, on August 1st
Is one of the four
Gaelic seasonal festivals
Lughnasadh marks
The beginning of autumn,
The harvest season,
And the end summer
Celebrated with feasting,
Fairs and athletic contests
And the offering of First Fruits

I enjoyed the one about the shadow and St Martin of Tours.

The last two lines of the St Martin of Tours one reminded me of a Hindu story about a man and his dog who die and approach heaven. A sign says "No pets allowed". The gatekeeper says that the man could enter but not his pet, so the man walks away with his dog by his side. As they walk away the gatekeeper sees the dog transform into Krishna.

Loved it, loved it all a lot. I have been enjoying your poetry more and more. My favorite is Friendship - reminds me a good deal of Whitman. Thanks for these! :-)

Hi YesNo, I remember that story

Thanks Nikolail