John Twisleton’s poems

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

  ODE TO TOM A century on and your words are still read for the truth that you tell is undying, of the beauty of Craven, our dialect, our farming, the power of speech and of rhyming. The untruths we live among, some of them new such as ‘post-truth’ bring misinformation so the call for integrity’s never been louder. We need such as you in our nation. The Truth that sets free was your inspiration. You spoke and folk saw their deceit. Many were freed from addiction and wrong as they willingly sat at your feet. Your humour and warmth shine out of your poems as you make yourself one with your fellows setting forth to them truth which has power in itself needing whisper or rhyme and no bellow. ‘Lang Tom’ you lived as a giant among men but your words are no truth spoken down to us rather the truth that flows up from the humble for you are one who lived his life close to us. Speaking truth unto power you shake off the shackles of bondage, vain thought and hypocrisy through allegiance to Go...