Connected

The recent solar eclipse made many feel a momentary connection with the whole universe.

As Thomas Berry wrote: “The universe is composed of subjects to be communed with, not objects to be exploited. Everything has its own voice. Thunder and lightning and stars and planets, flowers, birds, animals, trees, – all these have voices, and they constitute a community of existence that is profoundly related.”

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The wild birds

Inhabit these hills

And I, a walker,

Glancing down the valley

Dazzled by gleaming lights

Flung across the fields like necklaces

I feel I am connected

With the wind

The grass under my feet

God’s sky above my head.

Poetry collections, such as, Joy of Creation, are available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here.

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A Robin Sang

This poem features another robin, again photographed in Morchard Bishop in 2025 (see previous poem ‘Imbolc, Candlemas’)

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A robin sang

from the branches of a winter tree

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His belly was as bright as the day

his breast red as the sunset

~

Gracing my winter spirit

with tones of happiness.

~

‘The Robin’ comes from the collection of poems Joy of Creation which is available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here.

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‘Imbolc, Candlemas’

The robin featured in the image was photographed in Morchard Bishop in January 2025.

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Imbolc, Candlemas

All nature is in a rush

To sing their praises

From every tree and bush

First robin

Then the thrush

Join their songs

To celebrate rebirth

And we pray that light

Will spread again

To all the ends of earth.

~

‘Devon A Light’ comes from the collection of poems Devon a Light which is available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here and to read or purchase as an ebook on Amazon here.

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It is Quiet in the Wood

The photograph was taken in Morchard Wood in the autumn, 2025. Morchard Bishop is a village in Mid Devon.

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It is quiet in the wood
So quiet that it’s understood
You must walk silently.

Then you hear the birdsong
And you realise nothing’s wrong
With silence:

Let the sounds of nature speak
To all who would now listen –

Only in quietness seek.

~

‘It’s quiet in the wood’ comes from the new collection of poems being prepared. Devon a Light is available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here and to read or purchase as an ebook on Amazon here.

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Morchard

The photograph is of Morchard wood, taken in Autumn 2025. Morchard Bishop is a village in Mid Devon.

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It is the Great Wood:

“Morchet”, “Mor Coed”

Becoming “Morchard Bishop”

Or to locals just “Morchard”

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In winter impassable

Due to the mud

In summer a wonder

To Devon blood

~

The trees’ breathing

Ensures we survive

Each moment’s photosynthesis

Each moment we are alive.

~

‘Morchard’ comes from the new collection of poems being prepared. Devon a Light is available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here and to read or purchase as an ebook on Amazon here.

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Devon A Light

The photograph is of an autumn sunrise, taken from Morchard Bishop.

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The sky pinks and oranges

With red

Celebrations

After a stormy night

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And in imagination I’m led

By nature and a million words

Which in the silence I have heard

~

That might

Set Devon all alight.

~

‘Devon A Light’ comes from the collection of poems Devon a Light which is available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here and to read or purchase as an ebook on Amazon here.

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Arch of Glory – November 2025

The photograph was taken from Morchard Bishop in the autumn.

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We saw

the arch of glory

.

Which framed

our story

.

Of birth

Childhood and growth

.

What would be next

We wondered

.

Gazing

At the richest colours

.

In fascination

Both.

~

‘Arch of Glory’ comes from the collection of poems Devon a Light which is available for purchase as a book via my poetry store here and to read or purchase as an ebook on Amazon here.

~