More poems I have written

A

Alan Heeley

Christmas is cancelled



Christmas is cancelled

Cos they’ve run out of CO2

Not enough turkeys to go round

The supermarket shelves

Won’t be heaving with tasty treats

This is a disaster

What are we going to do?

It’s affecting meat supplies

Hospital Operations

and fizzy drinks too



I blame the Americans

And the French

The guy from the gas company who

Keeps putting up the price of gas

Brexit

COVID-19

Have I left anyone out

Oh yes

And those greedy politicians

Out to make a fast buck



They will have to cancel Christmas

They can’t fill the shelves with toys

Can’t get enough drivers

To trundle across the motorways

To fulfil our consumer needs

Maybe my stock pile of toilet roll

Would make an ideal gift this year

Shall we just skip Christmas

And go straight to Easter

Use up last years sinmel cake



If they’re going to cancel Christmas

Are the staff parties still going to take place

I love a good knees up

an excuse for a rave

May be we could have a pop up

Christmas when things get sorted out



Christ knows what we are going to do

To celebrate

Think I’ll google and find out why,

Why Christmas,

What’s all the fuss about

Why still celebrate

have lost the point?

What’s all the fuss about

Have I already said that once?



Think I’ll face book the vicar

That guy who puts his services online

Ask what happening ?

Is he cancelling Christmas

Has he pared back activities

Or going to hold services outside,

Is it going to be limited

to just those who are in the know,

For the Christmas nativity show

Do you have to book a pew

Can I get a front row seat

Can we buy a programme so we know what’s going on?



He said he was

Putting Christ back into Christmas

What ever that means

He said he was going to celebrate

Jesus birth

Somehow in my mind I never connected the two

He said I could come to the party

Didn’t need to bring a gift

Although we’re on still in September

Maybe they’ll sort it all out,

I’ll resist panic buying

Not enough room in my freezer

For a twenty pound bird

I wonder if they’ll still be presents

I could do with some new socks?
 
Chronologically gifted?

Im told I’m chronologically gifted
Follicley challenged
A bit rotund,
Lost my original lustre
An also ran,
Don’t hold back
Don’t spare my feelings
say what you mean!
They say:-
I’m like the before photo
On a slimming advert
Not matured like a fine wine
But more like a cheap plonk
A prune rather than peach.
Past my best before date
Not into the latest trends.
All fingers and thumbs
Computers baffle me
Dress like I’m still in the seventies
Nylon shirts, no dad jumpers and flairs.
Started life in the baby boom
Seen the first landing on the moon
Lived through the millennium
And the world didn’t come crashing down
getting a bit long in the tooth
Well in those I’ve got left
Loosing my friends as fast as my hair
Wonder who’s next?
Like living in God‘’a waiting room
And getting close to the top of the list!
Don’t want to buy new clothes
Won’t be here long enough
For them to wear out,
Music is not tuneful
Why do people keep mumbling
Can’t hear what they’re saying anymore
You can laugh you’ll be next,
You could see an old man
A reborn teenager
A space cowboy
From another time
Or as my granddaughter sees
just ‘Grumpy Grandpa’
 
When your guilty conscience is having a go…

Start the week with a grouch
Or a guilty conscience?

Like a bulldog with a wasp
Gnashing, growling at life,
Mr angry of Mayfair
Stressed Eric about to blow blood vessel
Asking why me?
Why does it Always
Have to happen to me?
Did you plan it?
Or allow it to happen?
Hey GOD!
I thought you were
Supposed to be
Looking out for me


Not impressed with your
guardian Angels either
Thought they were supposed
to be there,
twenty-four seven
saving me, protecting me
Not allowing me to sin!

It was all good and happy clappy
when fired up at church yesterday,
Full of the spirit
Praising God
Happy to accept the commission
to go out and
Save the world

But this morning
like a bottle of cola
when the lids was left off last night
My zeal for this life’s gone flat

They’ll not be interested
Won’t care
Won’t want to know
I get the feeling I’m wasting my time
And all this before I’ve even
Opened my eyes
and got out of bed
I’ll bury my head in under my pillow
Put the alarm on snooze
Hide under my bed cover
The world can’t get me here

Or should I stop blaming God
Not justify, make excuses
Blaming someone else?
Accept I was wrong
Have that conversation with Jesus
At the foot of the cross,
Start again,

But there is no again
With Jesus, He says
“Your sins are forgiven, forgotten,
Go sin no more!”
Every time is like the first time?
Its only you that has kept a record
Of past crimes…
The only thing that is recorded
In heaven
Is your name in the
‘Lambs book of Life’?
 
It’s not an option

Sitting back
saying nowt
Letting it all wash over
Not reacting
One way or another
Sitting on the fence
Being indecisive
But not sure now
Not reacting
Responding
Just pew warmer
When God touches your soul
Your either for or again Him
You got to make your choice
Right now
Procrastinating is not an option
 
Start the week with a grouch
Or a guilty conscience?

Like a bulldog with a wasp
Gnashing, growling at life,
Mr angry of Mayfair
Stressed Eric about to blow blood vessel
Asking why?

Why does it Always
Happen to me?
Did you plan it?
Or allow it to happen?
Hey GOD!
I thought you were
Supposed to be
Looking out for me

Not impressed with your
guardian Angels either
Thought they were supposed
to be there,
saving me, protecting me
Twenty four seven
Not allowing me to sin!

It was all good and happy clappy
when fired up at church yesterday,
Full of the spirit
Praising God
Happy to accept the commission
to go out and
Save the world

But this morning
like a bottle of cola
when the lids was left off last night
My zeal for this life’s lost its fizz
And all this before I’ve even
Opened my eyes!
Think I’ll bury my head
under my pillow
And hide

Should I stop blaming God
Not justify, make excuses
Blaming someone else?
Accept I was wrong
Have that conversation with Jesus
At the foot of the cross,

But there is no ‘again’
With Jesus,
He says
“Go sin no more…
Your sins are forgiven and forgotten!”
Every sin is like the first time?
Its only you that keeps bringing it up
Keeping a record of past crimes…
The only thing that is recorded
In heaven:-
Is your name,
In the
‘Lambs book of Life’
 
No charge
It’s been payed in full

There’s no credit card statements
No reminders
over due demands
Red letters
Court bailiff coming
Demanding payment in full

There’s no debtors prison
No IOUs
Credit notes
No black lists.
No Experian credit score
you have to maintain

There are no application forms
No body has to stand as guarantor
No loan sharks to take advantage
No cadging off friends
No one else could pay the price
For our sins

The cost, He paid
With His life
On the cross
A penny was too much,
A million pounds not enough
For what He did
One else could
Unconditional love


Have you laid up treasures in heaven
Does Jesus know your sort code?
 
A lament to a new bathroom

(A reflection:- a twenty first century
race for life)


She said as we’re not young any more
we must have a new walk-in new shower
Measuring up, the decision made
There’s not enough room
for a bath and a shower


So that lovely space
That sanctuary
Will no longer be my place
Of refuge

No longer will I be able to lock the door
Lock out the world
my wife and the children
Spend time wallowing
in the hot water.

With my rubber duck
Loofah and sponge
Ready to act out
The story of Noah


It’s a time when I lie
With out t.v.
In a foot deep of hot foaming water
The phone is on the other side of the room
It doesn’t like water!


Bend my knees slide down
Hold my breath
Slide
Under the water
Reminding of that commitment
Going through Baptism’s water

I’m warm throughout
Head to toe with this life reviving water
Far better than standing
Naked in a shower

Some say it reminds them of showers of blessing
But to me it like being Christened
In tepid water
A sprinkle,
And when the water
Get half way down
It freezes
What it shouldn’t ought to.
Got the shock of my life
being wrapped round
with a soggy cold shower curtain


It’s only memory now
Some one knocking at the door
saying
“You not finished yet”
“Hey chill I’m having a bath
Can’t be rushed
I’ll be down later”

Finding it hard remembering the times when
A bath meant something special,

Do not disturb
The next hour is:-
Hot, deep,
reviving water
Bubbles
Wrinkled fingers and toes
And time
Undisturbed
One on one
With Jesus
 
Does God Get Lonely?

You advertised a prayer meeting
At 7 o’clock Tuesday night
In your little chapel
It’s in the building you decided
To keep God ring fenced in
Safe from the world

nobody turned up
Is it Tuesday,
Have I got the time right?
Were they doing their own thing?
Praying on zoom from the comfort
Of their home
Was there something good on tv?
Or was everybody off down the pub?
They certainly not here

I gave it up as a bad job
And went for a Big Mac and fries
But couldn’t get a parking space
The place was heaving
Had to go for a drive through,
Off to park at the beach
So this is where everyone meets

I’ll be back on Sunday
Cos you’ve advertised
A family special with coffee and cake
Wonder how many will turn up?

Second thoughts

Shall I bother going to the
New Beginnings We worship God Family Christian Centre
Or go straight to the mall?
Go put a towel
On a deckchair
To make sure
Go early to make sure
I’ve a place to park


Has grandma’s ham teas,
(They must be good
She’s been making them
From year dot,)
And Dad’s hallelujah hoe down
Worship
Taken from the usual liturgy
(Written down, or not)
the artisan fair trade, sale of work
And meditation
All past their sell by date?


Have they gotten tarnished
over the years?
Need retiring
Laying to one side
Putting in a museum
Have they lost their vision
of
‘Singing a new song’?


It did not work ten years ago
It’s not working now!


Am I in a majority,
of one?
Should I hire out a unit
In the shopping mall
Take over the
Punch and Judy show
Feed the beach party
With fish and loaves of bread

Covert the chapel
Into an art studio?
God, I’m turning into my grandad!
A grumpy old man,
Preferring trying to keep a dinosaur
going
Than to moving on with God
 
Seasonal Christianity

When was it we last saw you
Was it Easter time?
Or was it your cousins wedding
Or when your Darren got confirmed
Or was it the christening of the twins..
Or the barn dance.
At the Harvest Home?
Don’t be a stranger
Come again, soon!

See you again at Christmas?
There will be a right big party then,
Bouncy castle and festive food
This year if you’re really good
Father Christmas will attend!
With festive songs around the tree
And back by popular request,
Don’t forget the Easter egg hunt!
This year sponsored by the slimming club!
Mother and toddlers will be there
with a tableaux of Christmas past…
It starts with Dickens’
Christmas Carol,
And songs from ‘Nativity 2’
.... But what about Jesus?
Funny, I thought you’d never ask!
 
Just a thought

Will the religious and the do gooders
Get to heaven by their good works?
The robber, murderer, the pauper
who’ve been saved by grace,
Stand shoulder to shoulder
With the royal family
and claim their heavenly reward?
When their sins were forgiven
when they came to the foot of the cross?

Will the leaders of the church
Be exalted?
(That’s if they make it ),
Or be just one of the throng
Singing with the heavenly host choir
Praising God?

Has my place been made ready
Will I meet Jesus face to face?
Will He know my name
Recognise me? as the new creation
He promised I would be?

Will millionaires and bankers get all pompous
Because the streets are paved with gold? Will my pets be…
Hang on a moment, we’ve not enough time to go there…
Will earthly thing
So precious
Position, status, wealth
Fade into insignificance
In the light of Gods glorious face

Heavens not just for the
beautiful people, as I see it,
But also for those with warts and all
There’s no ‘luvies’ in heaven,
No tradesmen entrance,
Heaven’s gates are wide open
for all sinners saved by grace
To go on inside!

There’s no looking down on the rabble
No one more special than me
There’s no second class citizens
No county family’s
Upper crust social circles
No political parties
claiming the higher ground.

The tramp with His faith in Jesus
The only thing he posses
Will be equal to evangelist!
And all others who have committed their lives to God

The only royalty in heaven
Will be the Holy Trinity-
God the Father
The Holy Spirit
And Jesus Christ, King Of Kings

Just Can’t Wait!!!
 
I’m still your Father…

You took your inheritance
And then moved away
Got angry when things went wrong…
When you looked around for some one to blame,
You didn’t care who it was…
I was an easy target.
Took your anger
Both barrels
Full blast

But I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you…

When you couldn’t comprehend
Why?
When you couldn’t take it all in,
And My words of reassurance
Sounded like an empty cracked bell…
Im still here
Waiting-
Loving-
Caring-


I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you


Go on…
Run to the furthest land
Up the highest hill,
Into the deepest valley
I’m still there beside you,
You can’t get rid of me …
That easy…


I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you


When you want to beat your fists
against my chest,
In anger, heartache, frustration and pain…
Go ahead, no problem,
It’s nothing
compared to
The pain of the cross
To save you from all of this,
And when you are ready
My arms are open
To welcome the prodigal home


I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you…
 
It has been said that being a Christian is almost like being a neurotic.
It is you alone (you with God) in the secret chamber desiring to yield to the unknown.
Reminds me of St. Paul on trial in front of king Agrippa.
 
2404 said:
It has been said that being a Christian is almost like being a neurotic.
It is you alone (you with God) in the secret chamber desiring to yield to the unknown.
Reminds me of St. Paul on trial in front of king Agrippa.
Click to expand...
Be it as it may, being an unbeliever, I wasn't 'like' a neurotic...I was neurotic.
 
Alan Heeley said:
I’m still your Father…

You took your inheritance
And then moved away
Got angry when things went wrong…
When you looked around for some one to blame,
You didn’t care who it was…
I was an easy target.
Took your anger
Both barrels
Full blast

But I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you…

When you couldn’t comprehend
Why?
When you couldn’t take it all in,
And My words of reassurance
Sounded like an empty cracked bell…
Im still here
Waiting-
Loving-
Caring-


I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you


Go on…
Run to the furthest land
Up the highest hill,
Into the deepest valley
I’m still there beside you,
You can’t get rid of me …
That easy…


I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you


When you want to beat your fists
against my chest,
In anger, heartache, frustration and pain…
Go ahead, no problem,
It’s nothing
compared to
The pain of the cross
To save you from all of this,
And when you are ready
My arms are open
To welcome the prodigal home


I’m still your Father
I’m still here for you…
Click to expand...

I'm still your child, despite my selfish attitude, deep embedded anger, not being able to know and understand myself, still I lay these confessions of my weaknesses at your feet between you and me.
For that, I thank you, Father.
I'm still your child, I'm still your child.
 
Alan Heeley said:
Christmas is cancelled



Christmas is cancelled

Cos they’ve run out of CO2

Not enough turkeys to go round

The supermarket shelves

Won’t be heaving with tasty treats

This is a disaster

What are we going to do?

It’s affecting meat supplies

Hospital Operations

and fizzy drinks too



I blame the Americans

And the French

The guy from the gas company who

Keeps putting up the price of gas

Brexit

COVID-19

Have I left anyone out

Oh yes

And those greedy politicians

Out to make a fast buck



They will have to cancel Christmas

They can’t fill the shelves with toys

Can’t get enough drivers

To trundle across the motorways

To fulfil our consumer needs

Maybe my stock pile of toilet roll

Would make an ideal gift this year

Shall we just skip Christmas

And go straight to Easter

Use up last years sinmel cake



If they’re going to cancel Christmas

Are the staff parties still going to take place

I love a good knees up

an excuse for a rave

May be we could have a pop up

Christmas when things get sorted out



Christ knows what we are going to do

To celebrate

Think I’ll google and find out why,

Why Christmas,

What’s all the fuss about

Why still celebrate

have lost the point?

What’s all the fuss about

Have I already said that once?



Think I’ll face book the vicar

That guy who puts his services online

Ask what happening ?

Is he cancelling Christmas

Has he pared back activities

Or going to hold services outside,

Is it going to be limited

to just those who are in the know,

For the Christmas nativity show

Do you have to book a pew

Can I get a front row seat

Can we buy a programme so we know what’s going on?



He said he was

Putting Christ back into Christmas

What ever that means

He said he was going to celebrate

Jesus birth

Somehow in my mind I never connected the two

He said I could come to the party

Didn’t need to bring a gift

Although we’re on still in September

Maybe they’ll sort it all out,

I’ll resist panic buying

Not enough room in my freezer

For a twenty pound bird

I wonder if they’ll still be presents

I could do with some new socks?
Click to expand...

Joseph and Mary were in a cold manger setting and were pretty happy that Christmas morning.
 
Last edited:
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