Poem: Light is Truth

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Hiding a light
is like withholding the truth
One day it will emerge
and enlighten the whole

copyright Francis Barker 2019

Poem: Threshold

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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

action adult affection eldery
Photo by Matthias Zomer on Pexels.com

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

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So where is the faith?
Who would build and fill this now?
So many questions

copyright words and picture Francis Barker 2019

Poem: Paradigm

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The pattern repeats, 
it goes on and on stretching back
as far as the eye can see, 
as far back as memory can recall.
But what is this? A stitch

in the cloth has come undone
and someone is pulling it.
It’s both threatening
and comforting,
the pattern which has clothed the emperor
is now unravelling 
and truth is emerging – naked
right there before you

should you wish to accept it

copyright Francis Barker 2019