POEMS

LEFT IN THE COLD MEMORY BOX FAREWELLS AT STONELEIGH

Now you have been praised and applauded, Appreciated and will not be forgotten. When you are tired and weary When evening comes, your body can rest Knowing the next day will be the same. You did not ask for a reward or a prize, Only the right not to be left in the cold. So easily forgotten, Words barely touching the ground, Promises left in another country. It is cold here in this place of praises, Praises do not feed the hungry Or give warmth or shelter. It would have been kind after all this time To remember the beginning. Does it seem so far away That it no longer means anything to you now. It is cold now, and your praises have turned old too.

Malcolm Price, Porthcawl

How uplifted we feel when the sun comes out On a warm sultry summers day, And the air smells sweet from the blossoms around, You hear laughter from children at play. How wonderful to feel this contentment inside, Brought about from these simple pleasures, And so easy to add to our memory box, Life has many of these amazing treasures. So when you wake up and the day is grey, Don’t forget your memory box, Think of those moments that lifted you up, And clear those self-imposed locks.

Marilyn Cook, Bridgend

It’s friends like you keep her heart beating With your caring and your sharing And in helping one another As we journey through each day

For we may be growing older But we’re growing wiser, stronger And we’re learning from each other As in all we learn to pray

And we’re thanking God for Stoneleigh For our meeting and our greeting And our helping one another Climbing mountains on our way

And yes, there may be partings Yet we won’t allow for grieving For though we may feel sorrow Yet your love is here to stay

You have been God’s gift from heaven And yes, we’re trusting, and believing In His word to us that Jesus Is our Life, our Truth, our Way.

Pauline Lewis, Porthcawl

FAR OUT

Over the channel and crashing sea, Years roll out to the distant coast, Cloaked in a timeless mystery. A ship turns slowly in the mist, Echoing down the halls of memory.

Far out A muffled foghorn blows And turns the ship about. A page of Life is turned, in some woody hollows, Years stretch out In healing, timeless sorrows.

Snow on Exmoor lifts the spell, Our spirits raised, ‘cross the sea we gaze, Brightening up the pages left to tell. Words, like windows open on fine days, Or recited in a dewy dell, Distil into a waking dream The pull of the sea and its sleepy swell.

Sally Richards, Porthcawl

NEW RUNNING SHOES

As I bend down to tie the lace, So many running roots to trace As pulling tight the tension grew Youth’s live mountain spring renew.

Tangible times tease - ego’s pride to please, As into laps, in brand new daps, we ease. Our digits in the toe box squeeze Hope’s bright adventure now we seize.

We offer up a motion prayer, As limbs go floating in the air Then as we settle in somehow, We are present - in the now.

So eating up the ground we feel, The simple pleasure of that meal Weightless dreams go floating by No need to ask us why we try?

Recaptured youth - we’ve found a portal A gateway to and from immortal And at the finish line - Amen, Our soles renewed - we go again.

Wilfy Edwards, Porthcawl Runners

GUITAR LESSONS SOUTH WALES

Catherine Tanner

BMus(Hons) ARCM PIANO TEACHER

*Beginners up to Diploma level * 25 years teaching experience * Progress through ABRSM Grades, or just for fun! * All ages welcome (01656) 782946 07779 555312

PICTURE POSTCARD

As we walked out along the shore, Our eyes were drawn across the bay. Clear blue skies and a blazing sun Made it a perfect summers day The tide was low, its ebb complete, It made the golden beach seem vast Fine footsteps printed in the sand Echoed those folk who had walked past. That special moment said it all, You simply can’t take it away. That perfect image filled our minds, A picture postcard of our day.

Judy Dee, Porthcawl

ENGLISH TUTOR

(BASED IN NOTTAGE, PORTHCAWL) 20 years of teaching experience as a comprehensive school teacher of 11-18 year old students Fully qualified for KS3, GCSE and A Level Current GCSE Examiner

Guitar Tuition

Russell Skellern BA (Hons) RWCMD Graduate of Guitar Institute, London

Online Lessons Available

• All levels • Grades • Theory • Composition • Performance 07834 772030