Sticks and stones aside
words are seldom dangerous
But truth clearly is
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Haiku: Sticks and Stones
Category: poems
Poem: Light is Truth
Hiding a light
is like withholding the truth
One day it will emerge
and enlighten the whole
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Poem: Threshold
We stand at a portal,
doorways to possibility
but the threshold is daunting.
Some doors are plain,
you pass without a second thought.
Others make you pause,
stand and behold the architecture,
it’s a big thing.
But this door closes shut
once you enter –
there’s no going back.
The room is so different,
high and spacious
and suffused with so much light and incense
you will wonder why you stayed
so long outside
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Poem: Old Man
Old man, you have a story to tell,
brought up to respect those around you,
the parents who gave you life,
the country which supported you.
But no one wants to know,
your croaking, hesitant voice
may bring sympathy and platitudes,
though no one really listens
to the wisdom and light
you shine on a distant, distorted age.
Soon you will be silent,
like you had never been here
but the world will be emptier,
devoid of the smiles and hope
that you stood for
copyright Francis Barker 2019
Haiku: Glorious Church
So where is the faith?
Who would build and fill this now?
So many questions
copyright words and picture Francis Barker 2019
Ciscography 