call it out
(calare – to call out)
no year is ever new
rather than old just our
arbitrary calendars that
lock us out of the gift
of spontaneous time
where everything is
everything ever new
ever old pre–existent
and dead all at once in
the miracle of living
where we are held not
by dates but palms
the hands of the
everlasting arms
the moment is
never and always
full of promise that
can be and will be
on terms undetermined
by any us our
way has to be risk
and trust the
setting down of all
we carry and
letting go the
precipice of
existence and
the mighty flow
of time are but
illusions mirrored
by the calendar
let’s call it out
© Neil Thompson 2024
Powerless Praise
(Commissioned as anthem text by Philip Wilby to celebrate
Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum’s 50th anniversary)
Beyond our power, paean’s praise
Sings out and to the heart of love –
Who formed the earth and all that is
Whose glory shines from high above –
The radiant sun and lambent moon
Bring light for us in night and day
As fire and rock and air and flood
Reveal and form as nature’s way.
The earth itself is hymn and prayer,
An act of love and art we share,
Where mind and will are free to choose
In common life where all show care.
Our world is rent by self and strife
And strangled by the lure of gain,
Ignoring love in poor and weak,
Inflicting heartless, pointless pain.
Yet glory heals and comes again
As Christ is raised in each new day:
Inviting us to change and grow,
Surrender all – to give and pray.
We sing this song of risk and truth:
Our words in music’s flight now ring
To take us into spirit’s realm
And soar with joy on beauty’s wing.
© Neil Thompson 2024