nicks

I was sent a mustard seed today By post, taped to a calling card Inside a small envelope and the Message said: "Faith as small as a mustard seed". In church, when the choir stopped Singing, my correspodent said: "In Israel, I saw trees clapping hands". As her coach slowed, the large heavy Leaves were stirred by the wind Against each other. On the train to London I had An epiphany: the mustard seed In my heart was alive and I could feel God's love And I had discovered its Eternal strength. Between Peterborough and Northampton, I looked to my right Out the car window and saw A perfect stand of trees: I saw the big sky of blue and Epic clouds. I smiled. I smiled as I drove towards Home.

I dread the time for lights out: Knowing you are waiting. I fear your desire for me: Your dreams must stop. I like the idea of you: But only when you are away. In bed you are too hot, I would rather floss my teeth. Why not surprise me, I say. Doubt that you will any day Soon. Wait! I suggest Friday. The mood may be right. Or not.

Gone, Archie lies still, facing away from the door, his toes to the wall, his beautiful head resting, the tip of his tongue just visible, his eyes staring forward, four feet from where I had last seen him alive, frozen in time. O Archie, I held you, stroked you, hoped you would revive. O Archie, gone. Gone your optimism. Gone your joy in life. Gone your scrapping, your stick chasing, your ball shredding, your compost bin charge, the walk to the Unicorn, your wait by the local store, your fart from beneath the dining table. Gone.

Her eyes flit across the rafters, Count motes in a sunbeam, Reluctant to engage with my gaze; Obscuring her discomfort. Her body is heavy yet hollow. It does not yield to my touch But remains still, almost breathless; As she hides close by me.

I want to write about passion, And how to ignite it in you: How to get you to communicate The great things that we have achieved, Are attempting, and will do. If you could stand tall and talk Down the doubters and the doubts, If you could give our followers A picture of the promised destination, Then our team would be complete, Driven by our common desire for success. You must be our vision. Too long we have limped along, Hedging our bets, playing the Political percentages. It must stop: This self-strangulation; This slow asphyxiation. Revive! Shake off our inertia, Realise your potential And empower our team to do Great things. 16 November 2005