Preaching with a purpose

The link below will take you to my Poems of Loss. On this page I have collected together my own original poems expressing grief. Many of the losses are other people's but some are my own. I show which is which as I progress through the page. For me tears do not come easily, instead I grieve by writing poetry. I hope my poems will touch your heart and help you in the grieving process too. Poems of Loss

Written a few days ago. 'Tis July And the day is sultry. A seagull keens overhead. I sit in the car park at Tesco's I've just bought a loaf of bread. My friend's in the town As I wait here For her, in the car. The day around is sleepy As I wait on the melting tar. Drowsiness creeps upon me, Ensnaring me like a drug. The air is still and warm Holding me in it's hug. Last year I wrote a poem every day for the year. You can find some more of my poetry here. A Poem for Every Day in August Poems of Loss

Playing for a funeral is quite a responsibility. The family and friends are grieving and they don't want hiccups from the organist. Fortunately all went well. They had recorded music for the coming in and going out of the coffin. So I was just required to provide some music before hand and accompany the hymns. Organs are supplied with rear view mirrors so that you can see what is going on behind you in the congregation. For the hymns you have to give a solid lead and not be put off if the congregation don't seem to be singing very much. The secret is to set a good pace, not to quick and not too slow. I did not know the departed man but noted that he was six months younger than myself, a significant thought. As John Donne said,"Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee." We all have to face up to our own mortality. If you are recently bereaved you might find my poems helpful Poems of loss