Fiona Halliday

The unfriendly hand of age
Creeps up and takes hold
Of my fingers, twisting them

The hand lovingly pats me on the back
Until I bend and crack
Small movements stab me with pointed bones

The hand passes over the knees
And they buckle and grind
I wish my failing ears could not hear them

My ankles are stiff and swollen
The hand of age has found them
But I will not be beaten!

Age is a reality in body but
My heart remains the same
Dancing in the summer sun.

Halloween is spooky,
Halloween is fun,
Zombies have such pointy teeth,
Ghouls and ghosts have none.

Halloween plays lots of tricks,
Rag dolls lose their stitches,
Unravelling like ancient mummies,
Chased by cackling witches.

Halloween makes eerie noises,
Shrieks and screams abound,
Can you hear the loud footsteps,
Of those no longer around?

Halloween feels scary,
But Halloween is not,
Taste the sweets and tasty treats
From a pumpkin pot.

Teach me patience, when there is anger,
Teach me strength, when there is injustice,
Teach me compassion, when there is need,
Teach me empathy, when there is sadness,
Teach me silence, when there is noise.

Allow me laughter, when there is joy,
Allow me tears, when there is grief,
Allow me forgiveness, when there is guilt,
Allow me healing, when there is hurt,
Allow me growth, when I’m feeling change.

Let’s share ideas about the future,
Let’s share lessons from the past,
Let’s discover new horizons,
Let’s uncover the best of ourselves,
Let’s live alongside one another.

Tears of anger,
Fear, anguish,
We pray for Ukraine.
Tears of worry,
Desperation,
We pray for Ukraine.
Tears of disbelief,
Words fail us,
We pray for Ukraine.

May you know you are loved,
Every step of the way,
May you always have time,
For one another each day.
May your journey be joyful,
With plenty of smiles,
May you have comfort and strength,
Throughout all of life’s trials.