PROLIFIC VISABLE POET

After a very busy and hectic morning serving in church kitchen on Sunday morning . I decided to have some down time to myself. So I went on a little train ride (a carriage to myself) on the Cambrian Heritage Railways. It's a short journey along the heritage line. I love the film,'the railway children' I think there may have been a little bit of the film in me today.  Cambrian Heritage Railways, in the heart of historic Oswestry, offers a journey through time with its railway museum, restored signal box, period ticket office, and more. Located near the town centre, market, and castle, the Oswestry station provides convenient amenities like a shop, toilets, and parking, making it an ideal starting point for exploring local heritage. Heritage trains operate on selected days between Oswestry and Weston Wharf, featuring steam, vintage diesel, and diesel multiple units. The 1.75-mile scenic route leads to Weston Wharf’s period station with a café, picnic area, and railway artifa...

WE HAVE BEEN We have been in it, We have been through it, We been been on it, We have been over it, We have been timing it, We have been beneath it. We have been watching it, We have been above it, We have been round it, We have been reading it, We have been near it, We have been avoiding it. We have been riding it, We have been running it, We have been making it, We have been past it, We have been trying it, We have been developing it. We have been walking it, We have been buying it, We have been leading it, We have been seeing it, We have been selling, We have been sharing it. We have been against it, We have been writing it, We have been under it, We have been drinking it, We have been holding it, We have been loosing it. We have been winning it, We have been eating it, We have been timing it, We have been building it, We have been creating it, We have been off it. We have been playing it, We have been ruling it, We have been learning, We have...

NAME: William Tyndale Birth: c.1494 Death: 6th October 1536 Occupation: Linguist William Tyndale was born around 1494, in the county of Gloucestershire. Tyndale lived and worked during the era of Renaissance Humanism. A conjecture is that Tyndale’s family had moved to Gloucestershire at some point in the 15th century, probably as a result of ‘War of the roses. The Tyndale family also went by the name Hychyns (Hitchens), and it was as William Hychyns that Tyndale was enrolled at Magdalene Hall, Oxford. Tyndale began a Bachelor of Arts degree at Magdalen Hall The English biblical scholar and linguist became a leading figure in the Protestant Reformation. He was a gifted linguist and became fluent over the years in French, Greek, Hebrew, German, Latin, Italian and Spanish. Tyndale became chaplain at the home of Sir John Walsh at Little Sodbury Gloucestershire. His opinions proved controversial to many clergy. And in 1522 he was summoned before John Bell, the Chancellor of the diocese of...

Grace was a Labourer in the field of her home counties. From dawn till dusk there you would find her, working along side her father. Grace was in her 40's and her father showed the wisdom of his years. There was also Keith and Will the hired farm hands. Whilst mother stayed home doing the good duties of a devoted mother and wife. Whatever the season or circumstance there was always plenty to do. The neighbouring farm would sometimes lend a hand if needed. Grace, Keith, Will and father would return the favour whe a neighbour needed. Sometimes Grace mother would also lend a hand. No greater time was needed on the farm than when it was harvest time. Everyone would pull together to get the harvest in on time. From first light till dusk, Father and farm hands would be tending to their crops. Grace would stay on the farm tending to the needs of the farm yard. Whilst mother can be heard singing whilst going about her daily chores; For Autumn harvest prepares for the winters feast. Afte...

The book of Psalms is an anthology of Hebrew hymns. In the Jewish and Western Christian traditions, there are 150 psalms, The book is divided into five sections, each ending with short verse or a hymn of praise. There are several types of psalms, including songs of praise, communal and individual laments, royal psalms, imprecation, and individual thanksgivings. The book also includes psalms of communal thanksgiving, wisdom, pilgrimage. While many of the psalms contain attributions to King David and other Biblical figures including Asaph, the sons of Korah, and Solomon. The book of Psalms is found in the middle of the bible. The middle psalm is psalm 118:8-9; It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes . The longest psalm is Psalm 119 with 176 verses; that would take awhile to read the whole 176 verses in one go. The shortest psalm in the bible if found in 117 which only contains two verses...

This is an extension of one of the two poems I have written this week, in response to the tragic events that we have witnessed this week in Southport. - THE MATTER OF TIME -  When times where good, When times where hard. These times we've had, These times now passed. When times have mattered, When times have changed. Those times we've acted, Those times we've deliberated. When times have united, When times have separated. These times we've treasured, These times we've marked. Those times we've trusted, Those times we've prayed. When times we've sinned, When times we've pardoned. When times we have reacted, When times we have paused. Those times we've inspired, Those times we've rebelled. When times we've listened, When times we've ignored. Those times we've blamed, Those times we've loved. They are times unreturned, They are times consigned. These are times remembered, These are times captured. ©️Midlife Writer ~ S.J.Holden

"Hi, how are you, how you doing?...." I can't believe it's been a week since I boarded a train to Criccieth at 9am. I know God was in it especially train travel and meeting new people (no anxiety - ptl). At 1am Sunday I wrote my story plus another little story (I don't write stories, so watch this space), Making it 8 stories written since last years retreat. I met some amazing fellow Christian writers, old and friends; some I've only met via a screen.  Have  you ever heard of the Biblical friends Mary and Martha. Mary, is the artistic poetic philosopher, who is thrilled to just bask in the moment. She is stirred, thrilled, touched and inspired by the presence of Jesus. Maratha, is certainly a doer, she worked her fingers to the bone in her super-efficient way. Yet, here in the story, Jesus rebukes Martha, It’s a gentle rebuke. I guess I've been a bit of Maratha always doing and finding it to rest.  "There was long moments of stillness and silence....

I'm currently sitting on a train heading home after a fabulous 5 days at Criccieth on a christian writers retreat, this is the second year I've been. What a fabulous bunch of creative writers that I've had the blessing of sharing fellowship with and God even blessed us with glorious weather. I  believe I was the only poet amongst the story tellers. I soon discovered that didn't matter as we all write in different genre's, it has one central purpose; we are ' Kingdom Writers', we write to glorify the name of Jesus to our peers and communities. One thing or one word even that was very evident to me was the word 'wait', it appeared at least once in every session. Yes I have all material (actually to much), I'm the person who wants it out now; but perhaps right now isn't the write time. Over the few days I discovered it's a mine field out there in the publishing world, something that is still alien to me. Weather it's next year or in twe...

Hello, how are you today ?  I recently attended a Makaton workshop in my area. I am familiar with Makaton as I have virtually grown up with it. But it only in recent years through my church and using when I was undertaking a child care course, that I used it. Sadly I've gone a bit rusty so the course was as a refresher. And actually there were signs and that were new to me. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestions below in the comments. I have tried to use the information in this blog to the best of my knowledge, any helpful comments will help how I research and create future blogs.  Makaton was first developed by a speech therapist named Margaret Walker in the 1970s. It was named using a few letters from the names of the first three Makaton teachers: Margaret Walker (MA), Katherine Johnston (KA) and Tony Cornforth (TON). Margaret Walker, founder won the Pride of Britain, Special Recognition Award , in 2019 for her dedication to and creation of Makaton.  Today o...

We often question how long or short our poetry ought to be. To long and we risk the audience getting bored and nodding of before the end. But have you ever wondered what is the long ever poem, my brain asked me that question this morning. The answer apparently is said to be ‘The Mahabharata’, written by . Telling the tale of love and warfare between rival families It is seven times the length of The Iliad and The Odyssey combined. And would definitely exceed the word count on any social media platforms, and on here. I’ll let you find it for yourself if you desire to do so. The longest poem in English is ‘King Alfred’ by John Fitchett (1766-1838) of Liverpool, Merseyside, which is said to be 129,807 lines and took four decade’s to write. His editor, Robert Riscoe, added the concluding 2,585 lines. ‘Phew’ and I think beyond 16 lines is to big, and to when it was written there will have been no technology, no spell checker back then, possibly all written by hand and memory; is it any wond...

GOOD FRIDAY In all plain sight I see my saviours plight At Calvary in the daylight Until daylight turns night I turned my face away As I heard his anquish cry Mary cries 'no not my boy' For my sins Christ died today I see the sign above his head 'King of the Jews', it said From his hands 'n' feet he bled At His cross, here I am stood He said 'he'll never leave me' For this we all must believe Holding on with Faith and Hope There is a greater day to come L is for the love Jesus has for me I am the reason He died on the cross For His sacrifice we've been set free Every thankful for the sacrifice He gave. ©️Sarah Joy Holden https://youtu.be/c6gLvOHqFlo?si=sIu2gpJxSE7lCFdj

GOD OUR FATHER Our master has spoken, We are His children, It me He has chosen, He's our strong foundation. I'll give Him all of my devotion, Picks us up when we are broken, In our weakness, He will strengthen, He love's us without condition. He is our daily portion, Our life's daily hydration, He's our daily oxygen, Our daily destination. For us, gave His life as a token, By His wounds we're forgiven, We share in His communion, He is my life's precious reason. For us, His door is always open, Creator of all earth and ocean, He shows each of us compassion, Serving Him, is my mission. Nothing from Him is hidden, On His heart our name is graven, He is our exhalation 'n' adoration, Always available to guide 'n' listen. He holds our captivation, He is our daily mediation, In Him is our salvation, In Him the victory is won. ~ Midlife Writer  Wishing all of you a blessed Easter. Please don't forget to leave a comment below and remember clocks g...

   JOYS AND PERILS OF WORDS  I love to play with with words Words we all use in our everyday I love discovering new words Watching how they form and play I love being a prolific daily wordsmith Poetry and verse is my daily fix There isn't one subject I write about I write about things as they happen It helps us process the world around me Our world is filled with endless content Never missing an opportunity to write Fitting it in alongside our daily routines We don't have to look very far for words For they meet and greet us all day long Words that inspired greatest ever speeches Words that have defined the course of history I love to hear polite spoken words Words from all poets old and new Poets and writers like me and you Zephaniah, Keats.....to name just few Words written the rules of five or ten Poetry comes with all kinds of definitions Don't be alarmed, by rules and opinion Let creative words, flow from your hearts Words fall easily from the tongue Sometimes withou...

Horatio Garden is an award-winning, national charity which improves the lives of everyone, affected by spinal injury; Through creating and nurturing beautiful garden spaces in NHS spinal injury centres. Renowned garden designers and architects develop these peaceful havens, creating a thriving community that becomes an integral part of people's lives whilst in hospital. The charity employs a head gardener who works with with a dedicated team of wonderful volunteers (including me). They tend to the garden to ensure it is a stunning sanctuary year-round and organise for patients enjoyment and supporting their rehabilitation. The charity is named after Horatio Chapple, who was a volunteer at the spinal Centre in Salisbury during his school holidays. Horatio came up with the original idea for the garden. His life was tragically cut short in the summer of 2011 at the age of 17. He died while on an adventure holiday to Svalbard with the British Schools Exploring Society, He was was ...