
There’s always somewhere,
a place to hide from the world
Safe spaces inside
copyright Francis Barker 2020

copyright Francis Barker 2020

copyright Francis Barker 2020

Where water once flowed
like rivers of belief,
diverted elsewhere or underground.
Yet the three-in-one bridge remains,
a reminder that I am a father, a son
and a brother too.
copyright Francis Barker 2020

The County Antrim coast in Northern Ireland is spectacular. This picture was taken in June 2019.
copyright Francis Barker 2020

One day we will live by the sea,
take our time like we always said.
We shall walk along the strand
come rain or shine,
while dinner cooks slowly back home.
Though we won’t have much,
we won’t ask for any more: it will be enough.
Contentment is making do,
inevitable like the tides,
the changing season
and the portals of life
copyright Francis Barker 2020