Tempest-Tost

A patch work quilt
in greys and muted blues
unravels in the dark horizon.

The wind-whipped lake
foams at the mouth like miniature horses
drowning in their freedom.

Tawhirimatea (God of winds)
bursts his bellows.
Each squall a heaving primal breath.

Mother Earth, Papatuanuku
bows her head in deference
to her offspring:

Who Is Wild,
long since released
from her embrace.

Sky God, Ranganui
shakes his fist with untold fury;
Eyes flash fire

And rent in two an old man pine.
The heavens open.
We taste those first fat tears, then run.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2015

Shine your light

When I was but a child,
I would read all day and night,
Shine my torch beneath the blankets,
Create shadows with the light.

Why now afraid of shadows?
They're just illusions of the mind,
If you shine your light upon them,
Truth and beauty you will find.

Be filled with light, not darkness,
Keep that torch switched on,
And whenever you resist it,
Chase those shadows right along.

They’ll slink into the corners,
Til your light scares them away,
Keep them running, do not waver,
Soon they won’t be back to stay.

Mandy Edwards. (c) 2015
(Edited version)

Bits and Pieces

I looked into my fridge tonight and all that I could find,
Were lots of bits and pieces, which had me in a bind.

Oh, what could I create, to satisfy the rumblings,
From lots of bits and pieces and associated grumblings?

A cup of curly pasta, a grater full of cheese -
A dash of chilli sauce - yes! Surely that will please.

A bowl of last night's rice. A chunk of pepperoni,
Onion, pepper, ham - hands off. That's for adults only.

How about an omelette? Whisk up the milk and eggs,
Eyeball down the wine bottle; sniff sadly at the dregs.

Two tins of spaghetti! Oh, what a find!
Toast the crusts of stale bread, nobody will mind.

A limp looking lettuce, grated carrot and some rocket,
Sorry 'bout the bits and pieces! Today I'm out of pocket.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2015

Learnin' the guitar

Three little birds

Gotta get the rhythm

da da-da da da-da

gotta keep in time

da da-da da da-da

no more thoughts

da da-da da da-da

a–crowdin’ my mind.

Changin’ to an A

da da-da da da-da

fingers in pain

da da-da da da-da

it’s gonna be alright

da da-da da da-da

kinda sounds the same,

Don’t worry ‘bout a thing

da da-da da da-da

searchin’ for a D

da da-da da da-da

 “three little birds”

da da-da da da-da

are singin’ to me.

Changin’ to an ‘E’

ah ah-ah ah ah-ah

haven’t gotta clue

da da-da da da-da

it’s gonna be alright

da da-da da da-da

that's the message
for you.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2015

Unravelling the threads.

I'm knotted up inside
knit one, purl one
As panic starts to rise
slip one, drop one
Tears betray my eyes
knit one, purl one
The child in me cries
slip one, drop one

It comes as no surprise
knit one, purl one
Fear is my disguise
slip one, drop one
My ego tries to hide
knit one, purl one
The truth of me inside
slip one, drop one

But damn it I shall try
knit one, purl one
To darn out every lie
slip one, drop one
And as my needles fly
knit one, purl one
Stitch love into the sky
slip one, drop one

Done.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2015
(Edited version)

Favourite Hymns

Make me a channel of your peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT8bybL_DqY

Here I am Lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcxOkht8w7c

Be still for the presence of the lord.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZugvUQ4m90U

The Servant Song

Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, sister let me serve you.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.

Richard Gillard of New Zealand
1976-77

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL3vStmoMDw

Autumn Rains

Our lawn is in a state of disrepair; the grass
Lies dormant, trampled brown and dead.
For only hardy weeds can thrive out here,
And even those - our urge is to de-head.
My neighbour's patch is brilliant, emerald green.
Not for him this gasping, drought struck land.
He has the liveliest grass I've ever seen,
From founts of water hosed by liberal hand.
Not us! We wait for autumn rains to fall,
And though my fingers itch to bring back life,
I must desist, we are in Nature's thrall,
To interfere may cause some future strife.
    So in this desert moment we just wait,
    For autumn rains to come and satiate.

Mandy Edwards (c) 2014