John Twisleton’s poems

Queen of Heaven  I look up to the sky on this mid-August day watching clouds skimming across the blue in the sun. I believe this immensity has been brought to a point, microcosm containing macrocosm in the Virgin’s womb. In return Mary is assumed, a human being reigns above,  the divine One she bore makes her Queen of Heaven. A ‘three-decker’ universe  has gone but not left us. The sky invites aspiration to  grandeur beyond put within reach. John Twisleton 15 August 2023

  Brompton Oratory On Sunday afternoon I stroll Across the field of Hyde Park  And past the Museum queues To be put in my place. Climbing from Brompton Road I enter the Temple of God And kneel in the crowd To be put in my place. The organ bursts out And the Oratory Brothers enter To lead Solemn Vespers And put me in my place Timeless plainchant flows Carrying me along with Prayer seasoned by the ages  Putting me in my place. After Vespers the altar lights As Christ in form of Bread Is lifted to his grand throne And all kneel in their place. With family and friends and The world’s anguish on my heart I welcome Love’s Benediction  putting all in the best place. John Twisleton   23 July 2023

Speakers’ Corner I had an argument on Hyde Park as I often do on sunny Sunday afternoons Joining hundreds engaging in dialogue on Speakers’ Corner. Getting on a soap box Gains you a hearing though shouting  At one another is a vexing feature  Of Speaker’s Corner. Truth telling can be soft or loud  But percolates our being Through the ears of the heart Down through our lives. My Muslim friend admitted his prophet lies dead in Medina Whilst ‘prophet’ Jesus lives with God And we both await his return. Speakers’ Corner is a refreshing place Helping make sense of difference Schooling amicable disagreement  On a Sunday afternoon. John Twisleton  23 July 2023

Coventry We were ‘sent to Coventry’ in 1990 a good term, at first, and nothing alien  spending six years in a vibrant city out in the suburb of Holbrooks as a family just made five by the birth of Anthony James. Our sending we thought came from God through the invitation of Bishop Simon to further grow Saint Luke’s Church in faith, love and numbers following 39 years of Father Henry a legend in the land! Fr John set to work visiting,  James often in his backpack. Anne made the Vicarage home studying, drawing and painting. David to Bluecoat and University, John to Cardinal Newman. What a privilege to live in a city after years in the forest of Guyana! A city like Christ, dying then rising, with bombed ruins beside a new Cathedral, image of forgiveness extended to all through the Coventry cross of nails. At St Luke’s the Anglocatholic vision became a Cross through being set apart  from mainstream Church of England  by the ordination of women priests,    the need to rejoice with the rejoi

  Chichester Cathedral Prayer and praise for half the Christian age contained within your ample walls, so many joys and sorrows enfolded here by almighty Love reaching from above! Chichester Cathedral seat of Bishop’s chairs from Wilfrid and Richard to Bell and Kemp handing down the faith of the Church for centuries with courage and prudence. Privileged to join Eucharist and Divine Office enriched by choristers young and old we joined your congregation for a time lifted into God’s praise and service. One day your walls will crumble to dust as the praise here melts into heaven at the return of One who stays the same yesterday, today and forever. John Twisleton 23 May 2023

  Cleopatra’s Needle It stands on the Embankment above the flowing waters of the Thames, a reminder of time’s ever flowing stream.   Three thousand five hundred years ago it’s granite was quarried from Aswan by the waters of the Nile. Erected by Pharoah at Heliopolis,  moved to homage Caesar at Alexandria Cleopatra’s Needle then bit the dust! Preserved by sand it rose again through British enterprise and carried by sea  came to preside over the Thames. Cleopatra’s Needle points heavenwards  lifting the soul as it has for millennia  inviting an eternal perspective. John Twisleton  9 May 2033