Snippets from Simon

 This is a retro post of poems from 2019 that were originally on WordPress. Picture: Olive Grove, Garden of Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Israel (February 2010). I Couldn’t Go to Jerusalem or Good Friday For Christians, Good Friday is a day to remember a life lived, and given away for others, even in suffering. This is for those who want to remember, but are not able to join others in Churches. I couldn’t go to Jerusalem – My mother-in-law just Died And we are mourning as Burial is prepared.   I couldn’t go to Good Friday – I’m a nurse But I saw the arms of the cross In the open arms Of a man Reaching from the chair As I moved him To his bed.   I couldn’t go to Good Friday – I’m at Lifeline Taking calls But I heard the cry “My God, why have you abandoned me!” In the tone of a caller Still reeling from abuse By one once trusted.   I couldn’t go to Good Friday – I’m old and My days of driving Are in the yesterdays of my life. Family staying here Won’t take me to Church It mea...

  Picture: From Better Reading's Podcast with Leigh Sales. Podcast episode link here . So, having returned from the Portuguese Camino (Camino Portugues), I no longer trudge the trails of Portugual and Spain.  Yet, I continue the walk of life. As I walk, I look and listen - on good days, that is. This is a post I did not want to write and yet I found myself needing to do so. I saw the ads for Leigh Sales' book. I was a bit curious. But I put the curiosity aside. As often is the case, I was listening to the Better Reading Podcast with Cheryl Akle . She interviewed Sales about this book: Any Ordinary Day . The curiosity came back around the corner like a mischievous mate inviting me to an adventure. Then, after dinner one night, my channel-flicking landed on Gardening Australia where, Costa was working in the garden of Leigh Sales! I was avoiding the book, yet it kept coming up. I was avoiding it because my impression of Leigh Sales from 7.30 (The Weeknight Austral...