Strength of Magnus

Brutal Beauty

Huge columns of stone stand strong and tall

comprising of rich red and yellow sandstone 

creating an imposing atmosphere in this church

yet a place for prayer and contemplation alone

shafts of light stream through upper windows

creating different areas of shadow and light

beautiful vaulted ceiling above Norman arches

St Magnus Cathedral is an imposing sight

along the walls of the side aisles are gravestones

which are covered in symbols of `memento mori`

for the great were buried beneath the church floor

these carved stones are dated to the 17th century

this weathered church in the centre of the town

and even sometimes known as the pink Cathedral

starting point for the annual Christmas Baa

definitely an important building for the people

standing proud above the rooftops of Kirkwall

St Magnus Cathedral is the heart of the community

full of beauty and Orcadian tradition

this historically old masterpiece of dignity

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

Life can be frantic, so it feels good to slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.  Seeing all the this planet has to offer, can be relaxing, recharging, calming and even helps us to see everything around us in a new and better way.

Beauty of Nature

Red poppies in the summer breeze

bluebell carpeting all the ground

yellow and orange autumn leaves

white snow muffling every sound

cool clear lakes surrounded by trees

bright speckled meadows sway in the air

rough rocky mountains high in the sky

barren dunes carrying hope on a prayer

to the deep depths of the mighty oceans

dark, unexplored furthest reaches

crashing around rugged coastlands

or touching long golden sanded beaches

such awesome beauty of Mother Nature

showing amazing diversity to all

for this planet is so unique

from the mighty to the very small!

(C) Lissie`s Poems  2023

Chepstow

Castle stands high on The Dell overlooking the town
Horseracing course where Welsh National is hosted
Estuary trading occurred on suitable tides with Bristol 
Port of Chepstow exported timber, bark, wire and paper
Situated on the west side of River Wye on Wales border
Town center, a captured gun from a German U-boat stands
Old Wye bridge, an eye catching sight of iron and steel  
Welsh name is Cas Gwent, meaning castle of Gwent

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023

 Nuckelavee  Orcadian mythical and folklore character

These are demonic hybrid horse and human characters that cause crops and livestock to wither and de within 500 feet of them,  scary mythical creatures for sure!

                                                          

  

 Four Legged Trousers

  Nuckelavee, an evil mythical horseman

  combining equine and human elements

  never ceasing to do evil to mankind

  full of terrifying sentiments

  he was looking to find some trousers

  but having four legs made it very hard

  visited every clothes shop in the town

  but after an argument, he was barred

  back at home he took to the internet

  to shop for the clothing he needed

  finding a little back street shop in China

  he was ecstatic to find he`s succeeded!

(c) Lissie Bull 2023

Troubled times and stormy weather have the feeling they go together, ooops that sounds like the start of another poem !!,  Some times a storm clears more than tension in the atmosphere  this poem was one of those times.

Heart`s Storm

The rain is beating on my window pane

beating out the sad tune in my head

for nothing can be said or done

can not change this feeling of dread

drops of rain running down my window

like the stream of tear I`m crying now

wondering what`s happening to me

to end this storm, please tell me how

darkened skies like the blackness I feel

gives a sensation of decaying

going rotten from deep within me

I`m left here bewildered and praying

can this pain subside start to heal?

will the rot cease to eat away my heart?

just like the storm, only time will tell

as it rumbles on tearing the sky apart

© Lissie Bull 2023

image found on mothersheritage

 

Just a little reflection on life in general, plain and simple!

Reflections of life

My Life is painted in words and pictures

each part of it is a chapter

no matter what I say or do

every event plays a major factor

for what I see in front of me

will affect it in different ways

the good times and the bad ones

depending how I manage my days

I may see things quite differently

and that is good and right

for if we were the same as others

who would help me see the light?

as I grow older, so life changes

I learn from my mistakes

so when new challenges arise

I strike and claim my stakes.

in my twilight years, I`ll reflect

looking back upon what I've done

writing the last chapter as I go

my life has been full of love and fun!

© Lissie Bull 2023

To celebrate World Elephant Day

Majestic pachyderm

with crinkled grey skin

beady eyes watching everything

seen through the hazy heat wave

these gigantic herbivorous 

matching onward through dry grass

playful swings of his trunk

while foraging for a morsel of food

and emitting loud rumblings of interest

through the heat of the dry season

he flaps his huge ears to keep cool

surviving along with his family of pachyderms!

(C) Lissie`s Poems  2023

Belfast

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland

Errol Flynn, Australian actor, was taught here

Largest repair port for ships in the world

First street gas lantern appeared 200 years ago

Albert Clock tower leans four foot and is sinking

Sculpture of Big Fish has a time capsule inside

The Harland and Wolff cranes called Samson and Goliath

(C) Lissie`s Poems 2023