John Twisleton’s poems

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,    ...

  Oxford Gaudy Chemistry brought me to Oxford and a scholarship at St John’s College. Seven years of study bore fruit in a thesis  on polythene and Teflon and an open door  to research and teach as Fellow of St John’s. Fifty years back I pondered that door. One Sunday sitting in the College Garden I saw another door beside it  and a voice of invitation as if from God which I answered by opening that door. Pursuing and uncovering truth took another turn with Truth pursuing me! I handed back my Junior Fellowship once selected to train as a priest heading back to Yorkshire. Mirfield, Bentley, Moorends, Guyana, Coventry, London and Haywards Heath trace my itinerary over fifty years,  instrument of Christ’s priesthood bringing God to man and man to God. ‘Gaudeamus omnes’ acclaimed the narrator at yesterday’s Gaudy Dinner shared with my peers. I rejoice with them at being used over fifty years, some in business, some in education, some in science. All part of a rich t...