An experiment in poetic doodling
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Sat in the back of a foodbank van, the sunis beating on my face. Right now this isa happy place. I note the irony. I tell myself it doesn’t matter whatyou have, that things don’t fill a soul or makeyou whole. That’s easy to say when you have things. I have things. Too many things … Continue reading Poem 977 – Contentment
The perfect tonicAn evening spent with good friendsMaking time stand still A lovely evening.(18.08.26) © Ben Quant 2026Photo by OurWhisky Foundation on Unsplash
‘If only one who stands with him,Would willingly betray,That rascal deep in bog and sin,Before late in the day.’ ‘We do not wish to dwell in marsh,Amongst the dismal reeds,The penalty will be too harsh,If we are forced to seek.’ ‘His foolish men should have no doubt,We’ll have to kill the lot,If we are forced … Continue reading Poem 975 – Wanted, One Traitor (The Ballad of the Wake cont.)
One for each of youTwelve stones for rememberingPromises still held This morning at church we remembered the story of Elijah taking on the prophets of Baal. At the heart of the story, Elijah builds an altar of twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel.(16.08.26) © Ben Quant 2026Photo by Tyger Ligon on … Continue reading Poem 974 – Building on Memories
Soon the Earl and his men arrivedUpon the opposing bank.One of them drew close and called,Enquiring if they were with that appallingHereward, who’d caused the fallOf many within their ranks. Keeping things ticking over with another stanza.(15.08.26) © Ben Quant 2026Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash
It’s hot.So hot that I’ve started to melt. I find myself dreaming ofa long refreshing drink,hallucinating visionsof a pint; can you see it? And so, upon returninghome, I find I aminevitably pouring myself… …onto the sofa and leakingabsolutely everywhere.It’s hot, so very, veryhot. It’s been a tad warm in the foodbank warehouse this week…(14.08.26) © … Continue reading Poem 972 – It’s Hot
And relax,Feel the gentle rhythm:In, out, in, out.The flow of paint upon the wall,The careful application until allis covered, an even coat.And as you breathe let go of thought,Of fear or threat, anxietyAnd simply be.In, out, in, out.Don’t bite your lip in concentration,Drip the paint upon the floorOr door or carpet. HesitationLeads to messy lines, … Continue reading Poem 971 – Decorating Therapy
Once rounded up, these guards he quizzed,To ascertain their purpose.From them he learnt of Warenne’s plans,To come next day to this marshland,To seize him with his own foul hands,So Hereward stationed men on the banks,And archers hid along its flanks,And waited for him to surface. Learning of Warenne’s plans to capture him, Hereward hatches a … Continue reading Poem 970 – The Waiting Game (The…
In murky Fenland waters lurkFine fish safe in the rushes,Amongst the reeds where warblers singAnd eels reign, the undisputed kings.Here kingfishers take to vibrant wing,To catch a fleeting flash of fin,Blazing iridescent sting,In unexpected ambush. I thought I’d add a stanza somewhere before yesterday’s, to give a Fen-foreshadow or reflection of Hereward ambushing those who … Continue reading Poem…
But unbeknown to WilliamHis schemes were soon made known,He’d set a guard around the marsh,To catch Sir Hereward as he passed,But they were caught, indeed outclassed,And ambushed with a groan. The Earl’s trap is disarmed.(10.08.26) © Ben Quant 2026Photo by Luke Hodde on Unsplash
