poems for seekers

malingerer · Apr 23, 2022

malingerer said:
BLOSSOM

Drifting West

ahead of a bitter biting

Eastern wind

The Blossom reminds me

of the children of conflict

unable to withstand

the charlatans of cruelty

till they die

like the blossom

underfoot

often

unsung

Vaya

con Dios

I whisper

thinking also of pilgrims

trudging West

past markers of those

who could

like the blossom

float

no further.

walk soft

stay safe

pray hard

think deep.

Samarkand.

APRIL

I scrape the late

April sky

of evening dark

looking for signs

of the early swifts

of May

en route

to me

with dreams

then leaving me

in Autumn's southern flight

calling me

calling

to follow

and so it goes

ebb and flow

as breathes the world

to grow

a time

of mind

and pave the heart

with stones

cobbled from

quarried yesterdays

that I might walk a Way

and let my Soul

fly high

with swifts of May

a-wing

on late of night

sipping

April showers.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Apr 25, 2022

malingerer said:
APRIL

I scrape the late

April sky

of evening dark

looking for signs

of the early swifts

of May

en route

to me

with dreams

then leaving me

in Autumn's southern flight

calling me

calling

to follow

and so it goes

ebb and flow

as breathes the world

to grow

a time

of mind

and pave the heart

with stones

cobbled from

quarried yesterdays

that I might walk a Way

and let my Soul

fly high

with swifts of May

a-wing

on late of night

sipping

April showers.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

HEARTBREAK

malingerer said:
APRIL

I scrape the late

April sky

of evening dark

looking for signs

of the early swifts

of May

en route

to me

with dreams

then leaving me

in Autumn's southern flight

calling me

calling

to follow

and so it goes

ebb and flow

as breathes the world

to grow

a time

of mind

and pave the heart

with stones

cobbled from

quarried yesterdays

that I might walk a Way

and let my Soul

fly high

with swifts of May

a-wing

on late of night

sipping

April showers.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

HEARTBREAK

The morning TV news

shows me a young man

receiving an accolade

from his Queen

The next item

shows a bubbly three month old little girl

shortly before

she too receives an accolade

from the invading murderers

in the form of a missile

which will take her life

and that of her mother

and grandmother

Her father thought they were safe

and had gone for some much needed shopping

He returned to nothing.

I weep

for I too lost a little one

many years ago.

What good are tears

I ask

except they turn to ice

in the river

of my heart

and perhaps

in a time

they will help to form a glacier

for glaciers crumble mountains

and love can surely crumble hate

But in this now

all I can do

is weep

pray

light candles

and wait for the road

that I might soothe my heartbreak

with the Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 1, 2022

malingerer said:
HEARTBREAK

HEARTBREAK

The morning TV news

shows me a young man

receiving an accolade

from his Queen

The next item

shows a bubbly three month old little girl

shortly before

she too receives an accolade

from the invading murderers

in the form of a missile

which will take her life

and that of her mother

and grandmother

Her father thought they were safe

and had gone for some much needed shopping

He returned to nothing.

I weep

for I too lost a little one

many years ago.

What good are tears

I ask

except they turn to ice

in the river

of my heart

and perhaps

in a time

they will help to form a glacier

for glaciers crumble mountains

and love can surely crumble hate

But in this now

all I can do

is weep

pray

light candles

and wait for the road

that I might soothe my heartbreak

with the Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

NOTRE DAME

I watch

the rebuilding

of a great glory

in stone

wood

and iron

by master craftsmen

of France

as a people

unite

in skills revived

to show

the spirit reborn

of an ancient

symbol.

I have stood

on the square

before the fire

decades ago

awaiting

my first Camino

closed my eyes

wept

and held my journey

in my heart

until its proper time

that came

soft

uncalled

on the mountain

and made me

Pilgrim.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 2, 2022

malingerer said:
NOTRE DAME

I watch

the rebuilding

of a great glory

in stone

wood

and iron

by master craftsmen

of France

as a people

unite

in skills revived

to show

the spirit reborn

of an ancient

symbol.

I have stood

on the square

before the fire

decades ago

awaiting

my first Camino

closed my eyes

wept

and held my journey

in my heart

until its proper time

that came

soft

uncalled

on the mountain

and made me

Pilgrim.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

MAY

A May morning

wrapped soft in mist

like a lover's gift

has me slowly

wandering

through the park

to sit at beach

and sip coffee

watching far of figures

at distant tide edge

almost motionless

like a Lowry tableau

black etched

still

as comes the day.

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 6, 2022

malingerer said:
MAY

A May morning

wrapped soft in mist

like a lover's gift

has me slowly

wandering

through the park

to sit at beach

and sip coffee

watching far of figures

at distant tide edge

almost motionless

like a Lowry tableau

black etched

still

as comes the day.

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

THEY

A I

created AII

and then crossed it with XR squared

to form

a new crypto metal organism

and it flew

PTERODACTYL

of tomorrow

leaving a razor edged line of precision

across

a leaden sky

filling me with horror

at the future-doom of morrows

when the seas

poisoned

heaved

new evolutions

hunting we

the last of living life forms

who had squandered our Eden

for the briefest of joys

ignoring the pains

and rights

of our fellow creatures

on a burning lifeboat

sacrifice

to forgotten Gods

long since fled.

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 7, 2022

malingerer said:
THEY

A I

created AII

and then crossed it with XR squared

to form

a new crypto metal organism

and it flew

PTERODACTYL

of tomorrow

leaving a razor edged line of precision

across

a leaden sky

filling me with horror

at the future-doom of morrows

when the seas

poisoned

heaved

new evolutions

hunting we

the last of living life forms

who had squandered our Eden

for the briefest of joys

ignoring the pains

and rights

of our fellow creatures

on a burning lifeboat

sacrifice

to forgotten Gods

long since fled.

Samarkand.

Hi kirkie, is that WOW a goodly WOW or OMG , shock, horror WOW? MANY THANKS ANYWAY! Samarkand

Former member 49149 · May 7, 2022

Instinct, and the best of the emoji options to try t express it. A nod of the head in agreement, and while I am here, you already know I love your gift of capturing the moment and offering it for others to reflect on.

malingerer · May 7, 2022

kirkie said:
Instinct, and the best of the emoji options to try t express it. A nod of the head in agreement, and while I am here, you already know I love your gift of capturing the moment and offering it for others to reflect on.

CROCODILE

Head down

full of the wild

of a yester poem

I met

The Crocodile

a long sinuous yellow chain

of high-vis

children

on their way

with smiles

to morrow

and I

smiled too.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 11, 2022

malingerer said:
CROCODILE

Head down

full of the wild

of a yester poem

I met

The Crocodile

a long sinuous yellow chain

of high-vis

children

on their way

with smiles

to morrow

and I

smiled too.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

MAY 9th

A hole in the clouds

and a pair of Swifts

falls through!

My heart leaps

as a singleton zooms by

turning on his side

to show his sickle wings

as if to say

YES!

We are back

So I go to Cheddar Gorge

to get my new boots:

ready for a " Bitsa" 29th August

I place my old ones

in my Camino Corner

and pay homage to them

They have served me well

for years

and will not be binned!

Already I taste good red wine

tortilla

and strong black coffee:

No wretched Café con Leche.

So the wind and rain come back

to acquaint my new boots

with fickle weather

and asphalt pavements.

I do not care

My Swifts

are my feathered prayers

that fly

but my booted feet

are my connection

re-connection

with The Way

and Mother Earth.

Walk soft

stay safe

and as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 23, 2022

malingerer said:
MAY 9th

A hole in the clouds

and a pair of Swifts

falls through!

My heart leaps

as a singleton zooms by

turning on his side

to show his sickle wings

as if to say

YES!

We are back

So I go to Cheddar Gorge

to get my new boots:

ready for a " Bitsa" 29th August

I place my old ones

in my Camino Corner

and pay homage to them

They have served me well

for years

and will not be binned!

Already I taste good red wine

tortilla

and strong black coffee:

No wretched Café con Leche.

So the wind and rain come back

to acquaint my new boots

with fickle weather

and asphalt pavements.

I do not care

My Swifts

are my feathered prayers

that fly

but my booted feet

are my connection

re-connection

with The Way

and Mother Earth.

Walk soft

stay safe

and as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

BECOMING

A slew of feelings

morph

into

thoughts

and become a self

in motion

past

my

window

and then

I

realise

it

is

me

on my way

to

the road

forever

changing.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 24, 2022

malingerer said:
BECOMING

A slew of feelings

morph

into

thoughts

and become a self

in motion

past

my

window

and then

I

realise

it

is

me

on my way

to

the road

forever

changing.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios

Samarkand.

A TUBE LINE TO YESTERDAY

I took counsel with my Tomorrows

and got leave of absence

from Today

so I bought an all-zone ticket

and took my mind

on a journey

with an old Thought

as Guide

to a distant

Yesterday

Something there

was troubling me

and would not go away.

I found the Memory Line

far

far

below

down countless

countless steps

and was guided on

at interchanges

by unknowns

hiding in the shelves.

DNA was lurking

at bookstores

of the yester time

where quiet

and rest

and mystery

are safe from Tube and Scope

till I heard the chuckle

from a Child of Time and Wonder

then knew it was but I

reminding me

of sunbeams

dancing

all along The Way

So I took an elevator

and came out on the mountain

to watch the Swifts

at break of day

giving back Tomorrow

my borrowed time

and my ticket

to a child

that Today and I

be one again

and soothe the Self of wild.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · May 25, 2022

malingerer said:
A TUBE LINE TO YESTERDAY

I took counsel with my Tomorrows

and got leave of absence

from Today

so I bought an all-zone ticket

and took my mind

on a journey

with an old Thought

as Guide

to a distant

Yesterday

Something there

was troubling me

and would not go away.

I found the Memory Line

far

far

below

down countless

countless steps

and was guided on

at interchanges

by unknowns

hiding in the shelves.

DNA was lurking

at bookstores

of the yester time

where quiet

and rest

and mystery

are safe from Tube and Scope

till I heard the chuckle

from a Child of Time and Wonder

then knew it was but I

reminding me

of sunbeams

dancing

all along The Way

So I took an elevator

and came out on the mountain

to watch the Swifts

at break of day

giving back Tomorrow

my borrowed time

and my ticket

to a child

that Today and I

be one again

and soothe the Self of wild.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

GUN-TALK

A dreadful day

of senseless slaughter

when children's laughter

whilst at school

is drowned by chatter

from a gun

to which they can not reply

I weep for you

and as an elder

beg your forgiveness

and that of children

round the world

who do not ask

for such brutality

Via con Dios

Samarkand.

antoniu · May 25, 2022

Just wanted to say that this is so unusual, go on!

Former member 49149 · May 25, 2022

antoniu said:
Just wanted to say that this is so unusual, go on!

@antoniu, you do not know what you have been missing.
aka Samarkand/Malingerer is a treasure.

antoniu · May 26, 2022

kirkie said:
@antoniu, you do not know what you have been missing.
aka Samarkand/Malingerer is a treasure.

Agree!

malingerer · Jun 9, 2022

antoniu said:
Agree!

THE POST BOX

My mind has become

a drop zone

for thoughts from Other

who leaves dreams

like postcards

in my sleep.

just recently I saw an envelope

with scrawled Cyrillic pencilled out

and in English

in a corner

a little message

"Democracy is not dead in .........."

and I wondered

was I being told

not to demonise the many

for the actions of the few?

On another night

in what passes for sleep

I was at a meeting

with a few

at a farewell meal.

All were packed and ready

for a journey

but knew not where

or when

or why

they were going.

Was I getting a postcard

from the last

of the Six Million?

In the late evening Turner Sky

of deep reds and blacks

I whispered to the wind

and

My sickle-wings

my Swifts

heard me

and a small group

flew past

my window

to remind me

of connection

re-connection

and the Way

where I will light my candles

for all

and in the great Cathedral

of Santiago

I will pray

for an ancient dream

of journey

is upon me

and my mind is onward posting

to

Jerusalem the Golden

and hills to walk

another day.

And I wonder:

are Poets the Postmen

of the Universe?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 10, 2022

malingerer said:
THE POST BOX

My mind has become

a drop zone

for thoughts from Other

who leaves dreams

like postcards

in my sleep.

just recently I saw an envelope

with scrawled Cyrillic pencilled out

and in English

in a corner

a little message

"Democracy is not dead in .........."

and I wondered

was I being told

not to demonise the many

for the actions of the few?

On another night

in what passes for sleep

I was at a meeting

with a few

at a farewell meal.

All were packed and ready

for a journey

but knew not where

or when

or why

they were going.

Was I getting a postcard

from the last

of the Six Million?

In the late evening Turner Sky

of deep reds and blacks

I whispered to the wind

and

My sickle-wings

my Swifts

heard me

and a small group

flew past

my window

to remind me

of connection

re-connection

and the Way

where I will light my candles

for all

and in the great Cathedral

of Santiago

I will pray

for an ancient dream

of journey

is upon me

and my mind is onward posting

to

Jerusalem the Golden

and hills to walk

another day.

And I wonder:

are Poets the Postmen

of the Universe?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

PRAYERS REQUESTED

after a lovely trip to Scotland to sprinkle ashes and see my Mum's grave, there was a rude awakening. Dot had a recall from the breast screening dept. She had tests yesterday and it has been confirmed she has " a lump". They are not sure what it is or why so she has to go for biopsies etc. She is determined however to go on our planned " Bitsa" camino, i.e. a bit walk here and a bus there etc. As she is 68 and I am 84 ( with attendant discrepancies) it will be luck if we achieve more than 5miles on any given day! We are busy booking -places to stay at both ends of the trip and flights are already booked. My local canon, TOM, is already praying for her. SO, pilgies, a prayer please, or a candle lit, will be most welcome. Thank you.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 10, 2022

malingerer said:
PRAYERS REQUESTED

after a lovely trip to Scotland to sprinkle ashes and see my Mum's grave, there was a rude awakening. Dot had a recall from the breast screening dept. She had tests yesterday and it has been confirmed she has " a lump". They are not sure what it is or why so she has to go for biopsies etc. She is determined however to go on our planned " Bitsa" camino, i.e. a bit walk here and a bus there etc. As she is 68 and I am 84 ( with attendant discrepancies) it will be luck if we achieve more than 5miles on any given day! We are busy booking -places to stay at both ends of the trip and flights are already booked. My local canon, TOM, is already praying for her. SO, pilgies, a prayer please, or a candle lit, will be most welcome. Thank you.

Samarkand.

thank you .

samarkand.

Former member 49149 · Jun 10, 2022

Here is my favourite almost real candle. I silence it.

malingerer · Jun 11, 2022

kirkie said:
Here is my favourite almost real candle. I silence it.

THE POSTMAN

I trudge

from time to time

with a sack

that never empties

for it carries the letters

of yester-morrow

from the tired

lost

cast-down

who need to rest

and sleep

an age

then make a tool of sorrow

to carve a niche

in olden stone

where sun-light

it may borrow

till dream will quicken

and soul-heart surge

to postman's pace

round the boxes

of tomorrow

with laughter in the wind

scouring a Way

across the sands of day

uncovering footprints

always there

for seekers.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 13, 2022

malingerer said:
THE POSTMAN

I trudge

from time to time

with a sack

that never empties

for it carries the letters

of yester-morrow

from the tired

lost

cast-down

who need to rest

and sleep

an age

then make a tool of sorrow

to carve a niche

in olden stone

where sun-light

it may borrow

till dream will quicken

and soul-heart surge

to postman's pace

round the boxes

of tomorrow

with laughter in the wind

scouring a Way

across the sands of day

uncovering footprints

always there

for seekers.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

UNCERTAINITY

looking high

over tall trees

I feel

I am on a mountain

The gulls have transformed

to eagles

the crows

to ravens

and there is a sigh in the Western wind

calling me

home

But

"Not yet

not yet "

I whisper to my old and ancient Gods

for I must go

a-camino

with the love of my life

who awaits

perhaps

dreadful news

and without whom

my life would be

as blasted ash

and my heart

a dying star

But

" Look up

Look up "

my sickle-wings do chirrup

slicing past in the evening blue

as my love and I

continue plans to make

holding hands across the miles

to dream of eagles

Spain

Finisterre

where we have stones

to lay

in ocean's deep

and be glad

Our Way

was part

of this

the Greater Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 14, 2022

malingerer said:
UNCERTAINITY

looking high

over tall trees

I feel

I am on a mountain

The gulls have transformed

to eagles

the crows

to ravens

and there is a sigh in the Western wind

calling me

home

But

"Not yet

not yet "

I whisper to my old and ancient Gods

for I must go

a-camino

with the love of my life

who awaits

perhaps

dreadful news

and without whom

my life would be

as blasted ash

and my heart

a dying star

But

" Look up

Look up "

my sickle-wings do chirrup

slicing past in the evening blue

as my love and I

continue plans to make

holding hands across the miles

to dream of eagles

Spain

Finisterre

where we have stones

to lay

in ocean's deep

and be glad

Our Way

was part

of this

the Greater Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

THE LITTLE THINGS

I watch a stream

and listen to it

babbling over the stones

at Cheddar Gorge

High

the swifts

are hawking at insects

like my mind

stooping

at thoughts

So

I treat myself

to coffee

and a large

freshly baked scone

with cream

and jam

Then I sit contented

for a while

on a bench

near my bus stop

An hour

and a half

will see me home

via the supermarket

and I will have

some chicken wings

a glass of wine

and siesta

Summer filters its way

into

my bones

teaching me

of

little things

like the knots

on a rope bridge

holding us all

together.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand

malingerer · Jun 18, 2022

malingerer said:
THE LITTLE THINGS

I watch a stream

and listen to it

babbling over the stones

at Cheddar Gorge

High

the swifts

are hawking at insects

like my mind

stooping

at thoughts

So

I treat myself

to coffee

and a large

freshly baked scone

with cream

and jam

Then I sit contented

for a while

on a bench

near my bus stop

An hour

and a half

will see me home

via the supermarket

and I will have

some chicken wings

a glass of wine

and siesta

Summer filters its way

into

my bones

teaching me

of

little things

like the knots

on a rope bridge

holding us all

together.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand

malingerer · Jun 18, 2022

SEASONS

A flickering of wings

in the lowering sky

tells me

swifts this day

will not fly high

in fog and spitting rain

as drink I coffee

then slowly walk

to town

with thoughts aground

like wounded kites

whilst forum news

has fires hard

on camino

where I must go

when comes the time

with swifts ahead

and at harvest

grapes are in

to make the wine

and bottle sunshine

whilst baking bread

to keep the circle

turning.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 22, 2022

malingerer said:
SEASONS

A flickering of wings

in the lowering sky

tells me

swifts this day

will not fly high

in fog and spitting rain

as drink I coffee

then slowly walk

to town

with thoughts aground

like wounded kites

whilst forum news

has fires hard

on camino

where I must go

when comes the time

with swifts ahead

and at harvest

grapes are in

to make the wine

and bottle sunshine

whilst baking bread

to keep the circle

turning.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

PRAYERS REQUESTED FROM MY FELLOW PILGRIMS

It has been confirmed that the love of my life has breast cancer. There is hope that surgery to remove "the lump" will stop it from spreading. Treatment and counselling has commenced and surgery date awaited. We are on the floor but hopeful. Both she and I will have to be in hospital before we give up on our planned "bitsa" camino at end of August. !

Thanks to all

Samarkand.

GettingThere · Jun 22, 2022

malingerer said:
PRAYERS REQUESTED FROM MY FELLOW PILGRIMS

It has been confirmed that the love of my life has breast cancer. There is hope that surgery to remove "the lump" will stop it from spreading. Treatment and counselling has commenced and surgery date awaited. We are on the floor but hopeful. Both she and I will have to be in hospital before we give up on our planned "bitsa" camino at end of August. !

Thanks to all

Samarkand.

So sorry to hear this, @malingerer - a worrying time for you both. Sending prayers and good wishes.

Former member 49149 · Jun 22, 2022

malingerer said:
PRAYERS REQUESTED FROM MY FELLOW PILGRIMS

It has been confirmed that the love of my life has breast cancer. There is hope that surgery to remove "the lump" will stop it from spreading. Treatment and counselling has commenced and surgery date awaited. We are on the floor but hopeful. Both she and I will have to be in hospital before we give up on our planned "bitsa" camino at end of August. !

Thanks to all

Samarkand.

You know you can count on prayer. Here is a photo of a carved statue of St Anthony. I saw it in Killarney on Monday. I was there to get my citizenship! My forebears are from the Inishowen Peninsula, so it is full circle. No matter where we are born, we are all Jock Tamson's bairns. Wiki will tell you more.

malingerer · Jun 22, 2022

kirkie said:
You know you can count on prayer. Here is a photo of a carved statue of St Anthony. I saw it in Killarney on Monday. I was there to get my citizenship! My forebears are from the Inishowen Peninsula, so it is full circle. No matter where we are born, we are all Jock Tamson's bairns. Wiki will tell you more.
View attachment 128185

MARTHA D

I stand inside

a circle

of seven candles

whispering my ritual

of connection

to old forgotten Gods

who fly at dusk

as Swifts

from the Other Time

I remind them of who they are

and who

I am

as I make a plea

for my Martha D

the sunrise of my life

who faces peril

far from me

but always here

within the circle

of my love

where I can see

the smile

within her eyes

my love

my life

my Martha D.

Vaya Con Dios.

Samarkand.

Camino Chrissy · Jun 23, 2022

@malingerer, wishing you and your loved one "all the best" for a positive outcome when "all is said and done".

Scott Sweeney · Jun 23, 2022

I was a published writer years before I walked the Camino. I am not a professional writer. I've written poems about my love for her, poems of a lost marriage and of the ocean. I've written poetry about my Ireland and achieved what I feel is a fairly good use of metaphors..but I've never been able or felt the right to share word's of my walks. I will leave that to others.

malingerer · Jun 23, 2022

Camino Chrissy said:
@malingerer, wishing you and your loved one "all the best" for a positive outcome when "all is said and done".

thank you.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 23, 2022

Scott Sweeney said:
I was a published writer years before I walked the Camino. I am not a professional writer. I've written poems about my love for her, poems of a lost marriage and of the ocean. I've written poetry about my Ireland and achieved what I feel is a fairly good use of metaphors..but I've never been able or felt the right to share word's of my walks. I will leave that to others.

I forgot to say "Hi! and welcome". you made an interesting comment but I am not sure if it was a "criticism " I have always felt when on Camino that it was that I was doing and have never considered it a "walk". Whatever, buen Camino and keep on writing. I will have a look in my bookshop and see if I can get some of your works. Thank you.

Samarkand.

Scott Sweeney · Jun 23, 2022

malingerer said:
I forgot to say "Hi! and welcome". you made an interesting comment but I am not sure if it was a "criticism " I have always felt when on Camino that it was that I was doing and have never considered it a "walk". Whatever, buen Camino and keep on writing. I will have a look in my bookshop and see if I can get some of your works. Thank you.

Samarkand.

No criticism at all. I read your poems with much interest. Thanks for sharing and indeed, hello.

malingerer · Jun 25, 2022

Scott Sweeney said:
No criticism at all. I read your poems with much interest. Thanks for sharing and indeed, hello.

LOSING THINGS

FINDING THINGS

Unable to find my scissors

Then

brainwave

There is a set

on SWISS A

I cannot find IT either

F...k you Swiss A

I snarl

and F...k you too

comes the reply

from where it sits in a somewhere

deciding to play

so I hunt

pockets

rucksack

everywhere

it should be

could be

but aint

BUT

I find the missing COMPEED

and HOORAY

yells my toes

rejoicing

So I sit down

and

of course

there it is

beside my passport

waiting for The Way

and we laugh our forgiveness

at

my frailty.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jun 29, 2022

malingerer said:
LOSING THINGS

FINDING THINGS

Unable to find my scissors

Then

brainwave

There is a set

on SWISS A

I cannot find IT either

F...k you Swiss A

I snarl

and F...k you too

comes the reply

from where it sits in a somewhere

deciding to play

so I hunt

pockets

rucksack

everywhere

it should be

could be

but aint

BUT

I find the missing COMPEED

and HOORAY

yells my toes

rejoicing

So I sit down

and

of course

there it is

beside my passport

waiting for The Way

and we laugh our forgiveness

at

my frailty.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

A TRIBUTE TO DAME DEBORAH JAMES

You have left us

I read it in the news

and it breaks my heart

You were so bright

beautiful

no cringing victim

but a warrior

and a star

to the last moment

of your life

I have lost so many

during my life

family

friends

colleagues

clients

and now the love of my life

has breast cancer

but we have hope

and you

will always be

a flame in the sky.

I cry my heart out

but they are not the tears

of despair

but the anger and the fury

that will not go lightly

into the night

but help us all to stand

against a loathsome foe.

I salute you

and offer love and peace

to you

and yours.

Vaya con Dios

Smarkand.

Former member 49149 · Jun 29, 2022

malingerer said:
A TRIBUTE TO DAME DEBORAH JAMES

You have left us

I read it in the news

and it breaks my heart

You were so bright

beautiful

no cringing victim

but a warrior

and a star

to the last moment

of your life

I have lost so many

during my life

family

friends

colleagues

clients

and now the love of my life

has breast cancer

but we have hope

and you

will always be

a flame in the sky.

I cry my heart out

but they are not the tears

of despair

but the anger and the fury

that will not go lightly

into the night

but help us all to stand

against a loathsome foe.

I salute you

and offer love and peace

to you

and yours.

Vaya con Dios

Smarkand.

Thank you for your poem today. Without details, my gp recommended checks as a family member had what that lovely lady died of. I am clear, as of Monday.
I keep your loved one in my prayer, and you of course.
As you say: vaya con Dios...

malingerer · Jun 29, 2022

kirkie said:
Thank you for your poem today. Without details, my gp recommended checks as a family member had what that lovely lady died of. I am clear, as of Monday.
I keep your loved one in my prayer, and you of course.
As you say: vaya con Dios...

Thank you. I keep you in my prayers.

Samarkand.

Bristle Boy · Jun 29, 2022

kirkie said:
Thank you for your poem today. Without details, my gp recommended checks as a family member had what that lovely lady died of. I am clear, as of Monday.
I keep your loved one in my prayer, and you of course.
As you say: vaya con Dios...

indeed a lovely poem. To quote a National newspaper..."Achieved more in weeks than most do in a lifetime".
She is not alone.

malingerer · Jun 29, 2022

Bristle Boy said:
indeed a lovely poem. To quote a National newspaper..."Achieved more in weeks than most do in a lifetime".
She is not alone.

PRIDE COMETH BEFORE A FALL

and boy did I fall

right outside the hospital door

I was racing to keep an eye appointment ( and yes, I had both open when it happened!)

There was a swarm of people around me , dusting me off, mopping up the blood ( I bleed easily thanks to the blood thinner for my heart!) and then I was in a wheelchair and huckled off to Accident and Emergency, for ECG, HEAD SCAN, BLOOD PRESSURE ETC before finally being allowed out, My love says I shouldn't be allowed out on my own anyway I came back in the main entrance to have lunch as my original appointment had been switched. I asked one of the ladies doing guide etc if she had seen what had happened and was told I had come in quick, put my pole on the floor, it went off and so did I. Rubber tipped poles on wet floors don't match.
I rang PACER POLE when I got home and it was agreed I shouldn't be going so quick under the circumstances! I think the hospital staff were in agreement without saying, " you daft old coot, pay attention to notices saying WET FLOOR"

What puzzles me , is I knew was going to fall about 20 yards back from the door! I call it THE RUNAWAY, and it has happened to me before, but going down hill, my legs speeded up and I had to head for a wall in order to stop! In urban settings this can scare the billy be Jesus out of MOTORISTS COMING UPHILL!! This has never happened to me on the flat however, so I thought if any of my fellow pilgies have had a similar experience would they mind telling me WHY

a fault in the nervous system perhaps, lack of blood sugar etc and yep nary a drop of drink in me blood

Thanks for reading!

Vaya con Dios

and of course

WALK SOFT

samarkand.

malingerer · Jul 1, 2022

malingerer said:
PRIDE COMETH BEFORE A FALL

and boy did I fall

right outside the hospital door

I was racing to keep an eye appointment ( and yes, I had both open when it happened!)

There was a swarm of people around me , dusting me off, mopping up the blood ( I bleed easily thanks to the blood thinner for my heart!) and then I was in a wheelchair and huckled off to Accident and Emergency, for ECG, HEAD SCAN, BLOOD PRESSURE ETC before finally being allowed out, My love says I shouldn't be allowed out on my own anyway I came back in the main entrance to have lunch as my original appointment had been switched. I asked one of the ladies doing guide etc if she had seen what had happened and was told I had come in quick, put my pole on the floor, it went off and so did I. Rubber tipped poles on wet floors don't match.
I rang PACER POLE when I got home and it was agreed I shouldn't be going so quick under the circumstances! I think the hospital staff were in agreement without saying, " you daft old coot, pay attention to notices saying WET FLOOR"

What puzzles me , is I knew was going to fall about 20 yards back from the door! I call it THE RUNAWAY, and it has happened to me before, but going down hill, my legs speeded up and I had to head for a wall in order to stop! In urban settings this can scare the billy be Jesus out of MOTORISTS COMING UPHILL!! This has never happened to me on the flat however, so I thought if any of my fellow pilgies have had a similar experience would they mind telling me WHY

a fault in the nervous system perhaps, lack of blood sugar etc and yep nary a drop of drink in me blood

Thanks for reading!

Vaya con Dios

and of course

WALK SOFT

samarkand.

HIGH JULY

and this

the first day of my birth-month

has a late evening

full of clouds

all shapes

all colours

all speeds

like the wild things

of some forest in the sky

where swifts do play and hunt.

There is news already

as my love gets her breast op 27th

and my brother

has had a bad fall

The TV dominates with a game

played at WIMBLEDON

whilst children die of starvation

and missiles rend the innocent

It was ever thus

as ROME'S citizens

kept themselves in thrall

to bread and circuses

whilst her legions enslaved the world

A fine rain splatters my window

to cool small dogs

at their evening yap

and I will soon to bed

to be ready in the morn

for what my month may bring

from stars a-peep in midnight's

deepest blue

to dreams of love and laughter

midst the pain.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jul 7, 2022

malingerer said:
HIGH JULY

and this

the first day of my birth-month

has a late evening

full of clouds

all shapes

all colours

all speeds

like the wild things

of some forest in the sky

where swifts do play and hunt.

There is news already

as my love gets her breast op 27th

and my brother

has had a bad fall

The TV dominates with a game

played at WIMBLEDON

whilst children die of starvation

and missiles rend the innocent

It was ever thus

as ROME'S citizens

kept themselves in thrall

to bread and circuses

whilst her legions enslaved the world

A fine rain splatters my window

to cool small dogs

at their evening yap

and I will soon to bed

to be ready in the morn

for what my month may bring

from stars a-peep in midnight's

deepest blue

to dreams of love and laughter

midst the pain.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

TRILLION

I

am Trillion

the trillionith part

of another trillion

observed

by

a physicist

capturing

a sudden burst of energy

huge

that only lasted trillions

and I

wondered

at the connection

between all of this

and soul

which

for many years

to me

has left

the question:

is soul

The Grain of Consciousness

The G.O.C

of existence

that has migrated

across

these plurals

of Universes

hidden by the veils

of time and space

woven by a crone

sitting by the tumbril

of ideas

knitting

a

Now?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

Former member 49149 · Jul 8, 2022

malingerer said:
TRILLION

I

am Trillion

the trillionith part

of another trillion

observed

by

a physicist

capturing

a sudden burst of energy

huge

that only lasted trillions

and I

wondered

at the connection

between all of this

and soul

which

for many years

to me

has left

the question:

is soul

The Grain of Consciousness

The G.O.C

of existence

that has migrated

across

these plurals

of Universes

hidden by the veils

of time and space

woven by a crone

sitting by the tumbril

of ideas

knitting

a

Now?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

woven by a crone

sitting by the tumbril

of ideas

knitting

a

Now?

Move over, ye mystics - Samarkand is on your trail.

malingerer · Jul 15, 2022

kirkie said:
woven by a crone

sitting by the tumbril

of ideas

knitting

a

Now?

Move over, ye mystics - Samarkand is on your trail.

GULL

I watch

the swifts of dusk

as a Gull

glides

through my dreams

and whispers to me

" I

am the bird

of the North

Guardian

of your birthplace.

Do not forget this"

and the visions come

of the white bear

in his vast

and frozen kingdom

Loner

Seeker

and where my fate

is etched on whalebones.

Is that why I follow The Way

South

to drink the sun

and good red wine

to warm my soul

as turn I slowly

with fear dragging my heart

to face the Old Ones

of a time

that I may open the gate

and venture forth

to challenge the fear

and in this

find Freedom?

Walk soft

and as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jul 18, 2022

malingerer said:
GULL

I watch

the swifts of dusk

as a Gull

glides

through my dreams

and whispers to me

" I

am the bird

of the North

Guardian

of your birthplace.

Do not forget this"

and the visions come

of the white bear

in his vast

and frozen kingdom

Loner

Seeker

and where my fate

is etched on whalebones.

Is that why I follow The Way

South

to drink the sun

and good red wine

to warm my soul

as turn I slowly

with fear dragging my heart

to face the Old Ones

of a time

that I may open the gate

and venture forth

to challenge the fear

and in this

find Freedom?

Walk soft

and as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

BLUES FOR THE WAY

You can thin my blood

saying

it good for the heart

but don't mess with

my soul

cos that's too hard

and I need that beat

so's my feet can walk

and I need high notes

so's I can moan

when talk of the Way

just makes me groan

as I stumble

and fall

at the crossroads

I seek

and a voice will speak

you cant play a note

but you sure can write

and that's good enough

for poets

and seekers

just another good word

to say

and play on the strings

of the mountains

where swifts play harmonica

and I

just learn

to play.

Walk

and Vaya

con Dios

for the words I give you

but the music

you must make

yourself.

Samarkand.

.

malingerer · Jul 19, 2022

malingerer said:
BLUES FOR THE WAY

You can thin my blood

saying

it good for the heart

but don't mess with

my soul

cos that's too hard

and I need that beat

so's my feet can walk

and I need high notes

so's I can moan

when talk of the Way

just makes me groan

as I stumble

and fall

at the crossroads

I seek

and a voice will speak

you cant play a note

but you sure can write

and that's good enough

for poets

and seekers

just another good word

to say

and play on the strings

of the mountains

where swifts play harmonica

and I

just learn

to play.

Walk

and Vaya

con Dios

for the words I give you

but the music

you must make

yourself.

Samarkand.

.

THE SHADOW-MAN

Today

is the last

of my 83 years

Tomorrow

I am 84

At midnight

I shall hover

between

the cycles

one of completion

the other

a beginning

each one twelve years

Each cycle

a great journey

The Way

has opened my eyes

to that which my feet

already knew

and pain

has sharpened my senses

like a new quill made ready

as the words have often

come unbidden

like the shadows

at end of day

but a dawn will find me

on the road

with a shadow

pointing West

forever

like

The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jul 25, 2022

malingerer said:
THE SHADOW-MAN

Today

is the last

of my 83 years

Tomorrow

I am 84

At midnight

I shall hover

between

the cycles

one of completion

the other

a beginning

each one twelve years

Each cycle

a great journey

The Way

has opened my eyes

to that which my feet

already knew

and pain

has sharpened my senses

like a new quill made ready

as the words have often

come unbidden

like the shadows

at end of day

but a dawn will find me

on the road

with a shadow

pointing West

forever

like

The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

LINE

Across my universe

of blue

a line

of Grecian purity

angles

with no explanation

of whence

it came

or explanation

of where

it goes:

should there be?

Samarkand.

Former member 49149 · Jul 25, 2022

malingerer said:
THE SHADOW-MAN

Today

is the last

of my 83 years

Tomorrow

I am 84

At midnight

I shall hover

between

the cycles

one of completion

the other

a beginning

each one twelve years

Each cycle

a great journey

The Way

has opened my eyes

to that which my feet

already knew

and pain

has sharpened my senses

like a new quill made ready

as the words have often

come unbidden

like the shadows

at end of day

but a dawn will find me

on the road

with a shadow

pointing West

forever

like

The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

Sorry I missed this - happy year, Samarkand! - all 365 days of it.

malingerer · Jul 25, 2022

kirkie said:
Sorry I missed this - happy year, Samarkand! - all 365 days of it.

thankee

malingerer · Jul 26, 2022

malingerer said:
thankee

A BROTHER IN ARMS

I was your social worker

you

were old and frail

not surprising

you had been a prisoner of war

in Japanese hands

building their death railway

But the sun had set on them

and you

had come home

I do not know exactly

when your wife

had become

a double amputee

but she was your love

and you

hers

You were always a soldier

and I knew the cost to your pride

when I tried to put in a care package

And I knew

that you knew

that I understood

for I too

have been a soldier

You confided in me

that through

all the years of cruelty

and deprivation

that coming home

to your love

was what had kept you alive

and now

you could no longer care

Your family did not live near

and knew you needed help

but everyone was over stretched

and you accepted my help

I knew what would happen

and I knew you understood

that I knew

When all was agreed

you died

a soldier to the end

I salute you sir

down all these years

for what you taught me

that in the midst of all the hells

it was Love

that raged defiant.

I think of that when the darkness

falls on me

and I do not forget

so accept these words as tribute.

Vaya con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jul 31, 2022

malingerer said:
A BROTHER IN ARMS

I was your social worker

you

were old and frail

not surprising

you had been a prisoner of war

in Japanese hands

building their death railway

But the sun had set on them

and you

had come home

I do not know exactly

when your wife

had become

a double amputee

but she was your love

and you

hers

You were always a soldier

and I knew the cost to your pride

when I tried to put in a care package

And I knew

that you knew

that I understood

for I too

have been a soldier

You confided in me

that through

all the years of cruelty

and deprivation

that coming home

to your love

was what had kept you alive

and now

you could no longer care

Your family did not live near

and knew you needed help

but everyone was over stretched

and you accepted my help

I knew what would happen

and I knew you understood

that I knew

When all was agreed

you died

a soldier to the end

I salute you sir

down all these years

for what you taught me

that in the midst of all the hells

it was Love

that raged defiant.

I think of that when the darkness

falls on me

and I do not forget

so accept these words as tribute.

Vaya con Dios

Samarkand.

LAST.........

...........this day

of High July

My month

so frail

fractious

It commences with wind

rain

cloud

and I think

my Swifts

have already flown

but no

three have stayed behind

to remind me

that Camino

is of the heart

and I smile

watching them weave

like aerial surfers

in the clouds

taking my dreams

with them.

Walk soft

stay safe

and as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand

malingerer · Aug 4, 2022

malingerer said:
LAST.........

...........this day

of High July

My month

so frail

fractious

It commences with wind

rain

cloud

and I think

my Swifts

have already flown

but no

three have stayed behind

to remind me

that Camino

is of the heart

and I smile

watching them weave

like aerial surfers

in the clouds

taking my dreams

with them.

Walk soft

stay safe

and as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand

PAINTING

I dip the thought-brush of my mind

into

a pot of words

and gaze on my canvas

a late evening blue

empty

or so quails my heart

as my swifts

have long since flown

South

But there

in the corner

hangs a small crescent moon

a warmth of yellow

to complement my candle

The trees

are strangely dark and silent

as if to remind me

of other trees

in another time

in a far place

when midst their green

I did patrol

rifle-handed.

"Obscene"

they whisper

as I come back

to this now

where

a small sickle moon

reminds me

of the cycle of life

triumphant.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Aug 11, 2022

malingerer said:
PAINTING

I dip the thought-brush of my mind

into

a pot of words

and gaze on my canvas

a late evening blue

empty

or so quails my heart

as my swifts

have long since flown

South

But there

in the corner

hangs a small crescent moon

a warmth of yellow

to complement my candle

The trees

are strangely dark and silent

as if to remind me

of other trees

in another time

in a far place

when midst their green

I did patrol

rifle-handed.

"Obscene"

they whisper

as I come back

to this now

where

a small sickle moon

reminds me

of the cycle of life

triumphant.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

A DARKNESS OF NUMBERS

...........................

known as a Tyranny

gathers in secret

lest the alphabet

proclaims them

ENEMY

for a seer

has shown

their ambition

to rule

by way of creation:

soul less machines

spewing formulae

enabling energy

to dance of Death

in guise of boon

and travel

to the stars

enslaving the Universe

But

sound is also

quantified

and music is born

with notes of voice

to challenge Tyranny

and subjugate the numbers

who must now

refrain

until

their time

comes

again.

Perhaps

a Union may be found

and with it

a freedom

For I

am wordsmith

and need allies of them both

to count my footsteps

weigh my rucksack

and reduce great matters

to a NOW.

Walk soft

stay safe

and as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Aug 11, 2022

malingerer said:
A DARKNESS OF NUMBERS

...........................

known as a Tyranny

gathers in secret

lest the alphabet

proclaims them

ENEMY

for a seer

has shown

their ambition

to rule

by way of creation:

soul less machines

spewing formulae

enabling energy

to dance of Death

in guise of boon

and travel

to the stars

enslaving the Universe

But

sound is also

quantified

and music is born

with notes of voice

to challenge Tyranny

and subjugate the numbers

who must now

refrain

until

their time

comes

again.

Perhaps

a Union may be found

and with it

a freedom

For I

am wordsmith

and need allies of them both

to count my footsteps

weigh my rucksack

and reduce great matters

to a NOW.

Walk soft

stay safe

and as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

DREAMS POSTPHONED

The Dream delayed

does not fade

but

like the Salmon

on its seaward run

goes deep

until

when Time is right

it surfaces

like the Salmon

in its homeward run

to follow

the path of heart

Unending Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Aug 18, 2022

malingerer said:
DREAMS POSTPHONED

The Dream delayed

does not fade

but

like the Salmon

on its seaward run

goes deep

until

when Time is right

it surfaces

like the Salmon

in its homeward run

to follow

the path of heart

Unending Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios

Samarkand.

THE LAST WORD

Am I

the last word

in someone else's

poem?

Is that

why

I seek a way

behind clouds

over mountains

through passes

with eyes

ever skybound?

And the trees

whisper

" mind your feet "

as small lizards

dodge

and birds whistle

in the bush

as my feet

make connection

with the Earth

and build the platform

from whence

my soul

can fly

beyond

the

last

word.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Sep 5, 2022

malingerer said:
THE LAST WORD

Am I

the last word

in someone else's

poem?

Is that

why

I seek a way

behind clouds

over mountains

through passes

with eyes

ever skybound?

And the trees

whisper

" mind your feet "

as small lizards

dodge

and birds whistle

in the bush

as my feet

make connection

with the Earth

and build the platform

from whence

my soul

can fly

beyond

the

last

word.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios.

Samarkand.

QUO VADIS

A new direction

or simply

an old one

still calling me

into The West

and the setting

sun

to that point

where I will leave

this self

and journey on

beyond The Timelines

where my Guardian angel

smiles

and waits

forever

whispering

" Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand

Vaya

con Dios"

and I shall smile

for this

there is no app

or GPS

or Brierly

but a wayward

and singing

heart

Samarkand.

malingerer · Sep 8, 2022

malingerer said:
QUO VADIS

A new direction

or simply

an old one

still calling me

into The West

and the setting

sun

to that point

where I will leave

this self

and journey on

beyond The Timelines

where my Guardian angel

smiles

and waits

forever

whispering

" Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand

Vaya

con Dios"

and I shall smile

for this

there is no app

or GPS

or Brierly

but a wayward

and singing

heart

Samarkand.

THE LEAVES OF MEMORY

Looking out

over the autumn park

watching leaves

changing colour

each one a memory

that soon will fall

like mine

but giving richness

to the soil

as mine will do

to a future self

seeking

the way back.

walk soft

take care

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Sep 13, 2022

malingerer said:
THE LEAVES OF MEMORY

Looking out

over the autumn park

watching leaves

changing colour

each one a memory

that soon will fall

like mine

but giving richness

to the soil

as mine will do

to a future self

seeking

the way back.

walk soft

take care

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

AN AUTUMN OF THE SPIRIT

The sunrise is later

morn by morn

and I begin to wrap

my outer

in "appropriate" clothing

as befitting

an old pilgrim

But my spirit

senses

the dark

and the long wait

till a new spring

fledges

and my Swifts

will Northward

fly

There will be oases:

Equinox

Winter solstice

Christmas

New Year

Spring Equinox

Easter.

Way stations

on my way

Hoping

Hoping

that this time surely

my love and I

will go

a-Camino

to lay down stones

of sorrow

and of joy

at Cruz de Ferro

and the deeps

of Finisterre

where prayer

will guide me

through the seasons

of

The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Sep 18, 2022

malingerer said:
AN AUTUMN OF THE SPIRIT

The sunrise is later

morn by morn

and I begin to wrap

my outer

in "appropriate" clothing

as befitting

an old pilgrim

But my spirit

senses

the dark

and the long wait

till a new spring

fledges

and my Swifts

will Northward

fly

There will be oases:

Equinox

Winter solstice

Christmas

New Year

Spring Equinox

Easter.

Way stations

on my way

Hoping

Hoping

that this time surely

my love and I

will go

a-Camino

to lay down stones

of sorrow

and of joy

at Cruz de Ferro

and the deeps

of Finisterre

where prayer

will guide me

through the seasons

of

The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

DUST

.............and unto dust

ye shall return.............

I wonder

as a mote drifts

gently

by

Who had it been

and where

was it bound

had it a message for me?

I'll never know

unless

in a time

I attend The Great Convention

an ongoing Antiquity

waiting to form

futures

for a Self

that might be me?

And I wonder

am I

in this Now

an unwitting

and as yet

unlearned

Host?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

Samarkand

malingerer · Sep 24, 2022

malingerer said:
DUST

.............and unto dust

ye shall return.............

I wonder

as a mote drifts

gently

by

Who had it been

and where

was it bound

had it a message for me?

I'll never know

unless

in a time

I attend The Great Convention

an ongoing Antiquity

waiting to form

futures

for a Self

that might be me?

And I wonder

am I

in this Now

an unwitting

and as yet

unlearned

Host?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

Samarkand

VOICE

God gave me words

to go with tears

both

spring from the soul

and burst my heart

like an overflowing dam

They can be as salt

ocean's child

stirring

or as points of light

reflecting off a rose

in pre-dawn rain

chorusing my words

and tears

to voice

anew

my prayer

when lone

to that which is

and to which

I walk.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

DoughnutANZ · Sep 25, 2022

Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb
You are my favourite
Why is my Uncle's bigger than mine?
I give you a sunny spot, out the front
I feed you heavily
I have tried moving you
I have tried different soils and drainage
I have even replaced you
And still you are small and thin
Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb
Why don't you love me?

malingerer · Sep 25, 2022

malingerer said:
VOICE

God gave me words

to go with tears

both

spring from the soul

and burst my heart

like an overflowing dam

They can be as salt

ocean's child

stirring

or as points of light

reflecting off a rose

in pre-dawn rain

chorusing my words

and tears

to voice

anew

my prayer

when lone

to that which is

and to which

I walk.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

WHEN MOUNTAINS TALK

.......................................................

they are seldom heard

for it is often

a low rumble

deep

from root to root

across the chain

There are times however

when the winds

high

circle about the peaks

and they sing

as tenors

At other times

I simply sense them

sensing me

as I slowly walk

towards them

with respect

No conqueror I

but glad to be amongst them

with eagles floating

amongst the wholeness

and we talk

In the Universal Tongue

that has never

gone away.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Oct 4, 2022

malingerer said:
WHEN MOUNTAINS TALK

.......................................................

they are seldom heard

for it is often

a low rumble

deep

from root to root

across the chain

There are times however

when the winds

high

circle about the peaks

and they sing

as tenors

At other times

I simply sense them

sensing me

as I slowly walk

towards them

with respect

No conqueror I

but glad to be amongst them

with eagles floating

amongst the wholeness

and we talk

In the Universal Tongue

that has never

gone away.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

UR

an ancient city

in the present of IRAQ

whispers to me

in a forgotten tongue

and allows me to change her name

into my RUNES

and I am given

self

to examine

and then flow

of understanding

which gives me in turn

strength and patience

of the great Bulls

Sumerian

and this floods me

with joy

for the journey

and My Way

through Time.

Walk soft

stay safe but open

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Oct 8, 2022

malingerer said:
UR

an ancient city

in the present of IRAQ

whispers to me

in a forgotten tongue

and allows me to change her name

into my RUNES

and I am given

self

to examine

and then flow

of understanding

which gives me in turn

strength and patience

of the great Bulls

Sumerian

and this floods me

with joy

for the journey

and My Way

through Time.

Walk soft

stay safe but open

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

Hurdles

A year of them

with problems

jostling like unruly sheep

refusing

to be penned.

I sit

with the dying sun

at my back

and gaze East

in the quiet of the park at dusk

and wonder

at the thought

of another day

as a tottering infant

concentrates

on it's next step

to make me smile

and totter home.

Walk soft

stay safe

And

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Oct 20, 2022

malingerer said:
Hurdles

A year of them

with problems

jostling like unruly sheep

refusing

to be penned.

I sit

with the dying sun

at my back

and gaze East

in the quiet of the park at dusk

and wonder

at the thought

of another day

as a tottering infant

concentrates

on it's next step

to make me smile

and totter home.

Walk soft

stay safe

And

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

A EULOGY?

Where are the streets

I used to run

in a yesterday

of itself

now shovelled aside

for the new today

and concrete blocks

in one of which

I have penned

this self

that watches passing clouds

lightning bolts

Nature's clocks

winding down

my allotted span

in space bestrewn

with rucksacks

boots

accumulated gear of

WAY

old Pilgrim's Museum

treasure house of memories

that will speak for me

anew perhaps

on someone else's back

or feet

Do you think

they will hear me?

" Only the good bits " I whisper

and then laugh

for WAY for me

was always

another

and

another

Day.

Walk soft

Stay safe

and

as always

Via

con Dios.

Samarkand.

Damien Reynolds · Oct 21, 2022

Walk alone
Along The Road.
Mind off,
Music on.

Right foot then left.
The songs resurrect
Some victories
And some regrets.

Wash the day.
Wake to next.

Walk again
Along The Road.

malingerer · Oct 27, 2022

malingerer said:
A EULOGY?

Where are the streets

I used to run

in a yesterday

of itself

now shovelled aside

for the new today

and concrete blocks

in one of which

I have penned

this self

that watches passing clouds

lightning bolts

Nature's clocks

winding down

my allotted span

in space bestrewn

with rucksacks

boots

accumulated gear of

WAY

old Pilgrim's Museum

treasure house of memories

that will speak for me

anew perhaps

on someone else's back

or feet

Do you think

they will hear me?

" Only the good bits " I whisper

and then laugh

for WAY for me

was always

another

and

another

Day.

Walk soft

Stay safe

and

as always

Via

con Dios.

Samarkand.

THE TEARS OF TIME

A seed waits within the wind

gathering strength

before it is blown

towards a cloud

to become

a raindrop

whilst the Earth

begins to tremble

and The Seas begin

to rage

in preparation

of the next stage

of Grecian tragedy

as life and death

take up the see-saw

of Monsoon

whilst a farmer waits in hope

to irrigate his crops

and prays

the times be gentle

and not bring the floods

to burst the rivers:

just enough for Life.

And I

like the Butterfly

gently sip

The Tears of Time.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Oct 28, 2022

malingerer said:
THE TEARS OF TIME

A seed waits within the wind

gathering strength

before it is blown

towards a cloud

to become

a raindrop

whilst the Earth

begins to tremble

and The Seas begin

to rage

in preparation

of the next stage

of Grecian tragedy

as life and death

take up the see-saw

of Monsoon

whilst a farmer waits in hope

to irrigate his crops

and prays

the times be gentle

and not bring the floods

to burst the rivers:

just enough for Life.

And I

like the Butterfly

gently sip

The Tears of Time.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

NEW-0LD

Strange

how shabby

the new building looks

with shuttered shop

and peeling paint

and yet

beside

an older dwelling

of ancient stone

that stands serene

resolute

with pointed arches

and chiselled carvings

all bound

with the mortar

of memory.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Oct 28, 2022

malingerer said:
NEW-0LD

Strange

how shabby

the new building looks

with shuttered shop

and peeling paint

and yet

beside

an older dwelling

of ancient stone

that stands serene

resolute

with pointed arches

and chiselled carvings

all bound

with the mortar

of memory.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via con Dios

Samarkand.

HALLOWED EVENING

Perhaps

a church

may open its doors

late

for a period of

quiet

with no music

or raucous

voices

just quiet

that Silence

may prevail

and we learn

to

listen.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Nov 5, 2022

malingerer said:
HALLOWED EVENING

Perhaps

a church

may open its doors

late

for a period of

quiet

with no music

or raucous

voices

just quiet

that Silence

may prevail

and we learn

to

listen.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios.

Samarkand.

QUO VADIS

A face

like rock

scoured by wind- blown sand

goes by

fag in hand

head down

and I wonder

what way

does he know

to go

and to whom

does it matter

passing across my vision

and fading

like a grain of yesterday

left behind

to leave a message perhaps?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Nov 10, 2022

malingerer said:
QUO VADIS

A face

like rock

scoured by wind- blown sand

goes by

fag in hand

head down

and I wonder

what way

does he know

to go

and to whom

does it matter

passing across my vision

and fading

like a grain of yesterday

left behind

to leave a message perhaps?

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

Costa Livin

Even the trees

have give up

their leaves

they can no longer

afford

to keep them

They'd like to be

a Tolkien Ent

and pick up their leggies

and leave 'em

For standing there bare

with a nip in the air

only conjures up

Hell

on a rail

but with drivers on strike

it's the handcart

or bike

and the Elders

hangin round

freezin

So as Crimbo approaches

should I get out my skates

or at 84

tempt Fates

and paddleboard

over the Channel

But Mon Dieu

they will cry

we have ate

the last croissant

and back home

you'll just have to fly

Walk soft

stay safe

Samarkand

malingerer · Nov 18, 2022

malingerer said:
Costa Livin

Even the trees

have give up

their leaves

they can no longer

afford

to keep them

They'd like to be

a Tolkien Ent

and pick up their leggies

and leave 'em

For standing there bare

with a nip in the air

only conjures up

Hell

on a rail

but with drivers on strike

it's the handcart

or bike

and the Elders

hangin round

freezin

So as Crimbo approaches

should I get out my skates

or at 84

tempt Fates

and paddleboard

over the Channel

But Mon Dieu

they will cry

we have ate

the last croissant

and back home

you'll just have to fly

Walk soft

stay safe

Samarkand

LONE

My rucksack stood

on the deserted railway platform

at Burgos station

I had stopped

at a small village earlier

feeling inexplicably sad

and unable to go further

I had hit the wall

so the owner of the place I stayed

did a taxi run for me

and there I stood

looking blankly at the

red and black station decor

which matched my rucksack

I took a photo

but when arriving back in England

I tried to print it off

it refused to come out in colour

and settled for black and white

I found out later

that that was the day

Naomi died:

She was the girl

I had been walking for.

Fitting then

that the picture

should be black and white.

It is very enigmatic

and now hangs

on a cafe wall.

I have however

her photo

in colour

on my moby

so

" Eeky-peeky "

sez me

and I hear her laugh.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Nov 21, 2022

malingerer said:
LONE

My rucksack stood

on the deserted railway platform

at Burgos station

I had stopped

at a small village earlier

feeling inexplicably sad

and unable to go further

I had hit the wall

so the owner of the place I stayed

did a taxi run for me

and there I stood

looking blankly at the

red and black station decor

which matched my rucksack

I took a photo

but when arriving back in England

I tried to print it off

it refused to come out in colour

and settled for black and white

I found out later

that that was the day

Naomi died:

She was the girl

I had been walking for.

Fitting then

that the picture

should be black and white.

It is very enigmatic

and now hangs

on a cafe wall.

I have however

her photo

in colour

on my moby

so

" Eeky-peeky "

sez me

and I hear her laugh.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

A PILGRIM'S BOX

I unlock the Waywards Chest

within my mind

and from it take

the soul-spoon

that I

might wait as Shadow

for The Dusk

and catch a Moon-drop:

silver from Time's own furnace

and pause:

I was going to cast a bullet

and slay a Ghost

from Ancient Line:

an elusive Harbinger

with riddles

omens

strange codes

all couched in ancient languages

that perhaps a self of mine

once knew

but cannot now recall.

But my soul stayed me

and forged a small locket

to hang upon

a hawthorn tree

upon the path

when another Pilgrim Self

(Perhaps a me yet to come?)

will find the marker

and be glad

of Moonrise first

to still all fears

and prepare the Day

and Sunrise

on The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Nov 26, 2022

malingerer said:
A PILGRIM'S BOX

I unlock the Waywards Chest

within my mind

and from it take

the soul-spoon

that I

might wait as Shadow

for The Dusk

and catch a Moon-drop:

silver from Time's own furnace

and pause:

I was going to cast a bullet

and slay a Ghost

from Ancient Line:

an elusive Harbinger

with riddles

omens

strange codes

all couched in ancient languages

that perhaps a self of mine

once knew

but cannot now recall.

But my soul stayed me

and forged a small locket

to hang upon

a hawthorn tree

upon the path

when another Pilgrim Self

(Perhaps a me yet to come?)

will find the marker

and be glad

of Moonrise first

to still all fears

and prepare the Day

and Sunrise

on The Way.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

SIGH

The trees begin

their long slow exhalation

a sigh of leaves departing

taking the breath

with them

as approaching Winter

summons

Exodus

into the Stillness

whilst new migrants

birds and buds

await their time.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Dec 3, 2022

malingerer said:
SIGH

The trees begin

their long slow exhalation

a sigh of leaves departing

taking the breath

with them

as approaching Winter

summons

Exodus

into the Stillness

whilst new migrants

birds and buds

await their time.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

Wingbeats in the fog

quick and quiet

like an assassin's footsteps

and a Bullfinch flits

into the tree opposite

my flat

Is he lost

or staking an early

claim to this des res

prime location

knowing I

will feed him?

Samarkand

malingerer · Dec 5, 2022

malingerer said:
Wingbeats in the fog

quick and quiet

like an assassin's footsteps

and a Bullfinch flits

into the tree opposite

my flat

Is he lost

or staking an early

claim to this des res

prime location

knowing I

will feed him?

Samarkand

I'M GONNA BE A GREAT GRANDAD IN 2023!!!!! A GENUINE BORN IN AUSTRALIA GREAT GRANDCHILD DUE MAY 2023! A QUEENSLANDER TO BOOT

SAMARKAND.

JennyH94 · Dec 5, 2022

malingerer said:
I'M GONNA BE A GREAT GRANDAD IN 2023!!!!! A GENUINE BORN IN AUSTRALIA GREAT GRANDCHILD DUE MAY 2023! A QUEENSLANDER TO BOOT

SAMARKAND.

So thrilled for you @malingerer ! A beautiful new baby to bring joy to your whole family -
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

malingerer · Dec 6, 2022

JennyH94 said:
So thrilled for you @malingerer ! A beautiful new baby to bring joy to your whole family -
Cheers from Oz -
Jenny

Thankee! Got any STRINE dictionaries for Ozzonian baby talke?

Samarkand.

Kanga · Dec 7, 2022

malingerer said:
I'M GONNA BE A GREAT GRANDAD IN 2023!!!!! A GENUINE BORN IN AUSTRALIA GREAT GRANDCHILD DUE MAY 2023! A QUEENSLANDER TO BOOT

SAMARKAND.

I think that deserves a poem of its own. A new little pilgrim?

malingerer · Dec 7, 2022

Kanga said:
I think that deserves a poem of its own. A new little pilgrim?

As soon as it gets here, as that will be stage one of it's life journey and I get a photo and a name! Dear God let it be something reasonable the name that is
Thanks anyway

Samarkand.

malingerer · Dec 11, 2022

malingerer said:
As soon as it gets here, as that will be stage one of it's life journey and I get a photo and a name! Dear God let it be something reasonable the name that is
Thanks anyway

Samarkand.

ICE MOONS

I see two of them

big

bright

beautiful

on this early winter

morning

with ice forecast

One is probably

a reflection

of the other:

but which one?

Do I care

Do I need to

Should I ?

The trees

are budding

and birds

pairing

Soon

The solstice

and I can count the days

to equinox

and Spring

watching for my summer birds

The Swifts

who once again

will rake the skies

and call my soul

to Camino.

walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Dec 25, 2022

malingerer said:
ICE MOONS

I see two of them

big

bright

beautiful

on this early winter

morning

with ice forecast

One is probably

a reflection

of the other:

but which one?

Do I care

Do I need to

Should I ?

The trees

are budding

and birds

pairing

Soon

The solstice

and I can count the days

to equinox

and Spring

watching for my summer birds

The Swifts

who once again

will rake the skies

and call my soul

to Camino.

walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Via

con Dios.

Samarkand.

A merry Christmas to all, irrespective of race,religion,creed or colour and even those who DON'T like my poetry
Walk soft,
Stay safe
And
As ever
Vaya
con Dios.

Samarkand

malingerer · Jan 1, 2023

malingerer said:
A merry Christmas to all, irrespective of race,religion,creed or colour and even those who DON'T like my poetry
Walk soft,
Stay safe
And
As ever
Vaya
con Dios.

Samarkand

And now, have a great New Year, gird up your loins, study your pack and gear for the umpteenth time, pay homage to the myriad of gurus both on the trail and lurking here on the Forum and get on with it!

Buen Camino

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jan 4, 2023

malingerer said:
And now, have a great New Year, gird up your loins, study your pack and gear for the umpteenth time, pay homage to the myriad of gurus both on the trail and lurking here on the Forum and get on with it!

Buen Camino

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

Moderator please redirect to appropriate section!

Calling fellow pilgies with mobility problems. Recent bad fall due to balance problem necessitates me using my poles around the flat! I am two floors up and no lift. Awaiting medical assistance etc .HOWEVER come hell or high water my love dove and I are hopefully booking another go at a limited Camino next May. We have had 3 knock backs so far! She, with breast cancer ( hopefully now dealt with) and I with a whole string of problems are still young at heart She will be 69 and me, 84. Now, has anyone used a WALKER on the trail? Preferably the folding type with cutesy seat for the resting of one's sanctified arse? I have been doing Camino since 2003 and my Guardian Angel says she will be cutting me some slack This means we shall use trains, planes, buses, taxis and whatever to get to Finisterre which is our "heart-spot". All advice gratefully received and I shall light a candale for you all when I get to the great cathedral in Santiago.

Samarkand.

JennyH94 · Jan 4, 2023

Hi dear Malingerer - an alternative which might work is a foldable golf trolley. You could put your pack on it and it might be stable enough to give you the support you need when you push it along. Not as good as the walker with the seat but perhaps it’s something to consider. It could be a bit more travel friendly re your transportation to and from the Camino.

Onwards and alongwards and Buen Camino to you and your LD -

Cheers from Oz -

Jenny

malingerer · Jan 4, 2023

JennyH94 said:
Hi dear Malingerer - an alternative which might work is a foldable golf trolley. You could put your pack on it and it might be stable enough to give you the support you need when you push it along. Not as good as the walker with the seat but perhaps it’s something to consider. It could be a bit more travel friendly re your transportation to and from the Camino.

Onwards and alongwards and Buen Camino to you and your LD -

Cheers from Oz -

Jenny

Just heard a "golfie" remark from a sufferer! On a good day he can hit the wee ball over the horizon but on a bad day ( Often) he couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo!! Made me laugh. I cant play the banjo either!

Samarkand.

Camino Chrissy · Jan 4, 2023

malingerer said:
HOWEVER come hell or high water my love dove and I are hopefully booking another go at a limited Camino next May. We have had 3 knock backs so far!

I have no advice, but was inspired by your determination! All the best to you and your love dove as you work out a solution to be able to "go" again. Somehow I think you will make it to Santiago with such a positive attitude and your Guardian angel paving the way.

malingerer · Jan 4, 2023

Camino Chrissy said:
I have no advice, but was inspired by your determination! All the best to you and your love dove as you work out a solution to be able to "go" again. Somehow I think you will make it to Santiago with such a positive attitude and your Guardian angel paving the way.

Thankee! Gonna need a big BIG candale at Santiago!

Samarkand.

sunwanderer · Jan 4, 2023

I don't have any suggestion for the Camino, but for exercise in preparation around home you could ride a recumbent trike: https://www.icetrikes.co/products/adventure

We have used them for many years.

malingerer · Jan 15, 2023

malingerer said:
Thankee! Gonna need a big BIG candale at Santiago!

Samarkand.

THE GAMMY LEG

My gammy leg to Pacer Poles

said this:

"You

are my heroes

Many are your uses:

not just keeping upright

the old devil

who owns this leg

and inclined to cartwheels

on wet and slippery pavements

but enabling him to rise graciously

from his armchair

to extend you and open the curtains

and switch on the TV.

You are the props

when standing in the wind and rain

waiting for buses

often cancelled or delayed. "

I thanked my gammy leg for this outpouring

remembering ORISSON

when heading up the mountain

and delighting

in mountains all around

shoving their peaks thru the clouds

towards the skies

as if to say: "This way Pilgrim! This way"

Often my poles took my weight

as I stood and rested.

They have been my boon companions

for years

and now

in my time of declining

staunch

and irreplaceable.

I look after them by cleaning

and replacing rubber tips.

Yes

my gammy leg and I

salute you with thanks

for all that we

have shared.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jan 15, 2023

malingerer said:
THE GAMMY LEG

My gammy leg to Pacer Poles

said this:

"You

are my heroes

Many are your uses:

not just keeping upright

the old devil

who owns this leg

and inclined to cartwheels

on wet and slippery pavements

but enabling him to rise graciously

from his armchair

to extend you and open the curtains

and switch on the TV.

You are the props

when standing in the wind and rain

waiting for buses

often cancelled or delayed. "

I thanked my gammy leg for this outpouring

remembering ORISSON

when heading up the mountain

and delighting

in mountains all around

shoving their peaks thru the clouds

towards the skies

as if to say: "This way Pilgrim! This way"

Often my poles took my weight

as I stood and rested.

They have been my boon companions

for years

and now

in my time of declining

staunch

and irreplaceable.

I look after them by cleaning

and replacing rubber tips.

Yes

my gammy leg and I

salute you with thanks

for all that we

have shared.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

PREMONITION

I listen to an electric guitar

wailing

like a Prophet

from the

Dark Side of The Gloom

to mankind

who mistakes it

for background

to his favourite pastime

Fun.

Whilst the Earth burns

and the seas roar

at our shallow

disrespect

and Life begins

to roll the dice

and summons Forms

New

and

Terrible.

Walk soft.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jan 23, 2023

malingerer said:
PREMONITION

I listen to an electric guitar

wailing

like a Prophet

from the

Dark Side of The Gloom

to mankind

who mistakes it

for background

to his favourite pastime

Fun.

Whilst the Earth burns

and the seas roar

at our shallow

disrespect

and Life begins

to roll the dice

and summons Forms

New

and

Terrible.

Walk soft.

Samarkand.

THOUGHTS

And thoughts

fall

like a flurry

of snowdrops

reaching for the light

within my mind

but my sleep

is fitful

and my feet

are cold

I need to still

look at the green

of park

and listen

for The Something

making it's way

along The Way

towards me

slowly

My living room

is warm

I have coffee

I can survive

I do my physio

and watch The Silence

as it wraps the park

in the pre-spring

winter velvet

like a Polar Bear

snug

within it's Self

and I smile

for I feel a kinship

with the bear

and thank him

for the lesson.

Walk sot

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jan 24, 2023

malingerer said:
THOUGHTS

And thoughts

fall

like a flurry

of snowdrops

reaching for the light

within my mind

but my sleep

is fitful

and my feet

are cold

I need to still

look at the green

of park

and listen

for The Something

making it's way

along The Way

towards me

slowly

My living room

is warm

I have coffee

I can survive

I do my physio

and watch The Silence

as it wraps the park

in the pre-spring

winter velvet

like a Polar Bear

snug

within it's Self

and I smile

for I feel a kinship

with the bear

and thank him

for the lesson.

Walk sot

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

OTHER

I

am " other"

with ashes

and memory

as the sole reminders

of my people

who

once were neighbours

of their exterminators

but had become

" others"

.My heart chills

as my soul seeks warmth

in the smile

of strangers

and signposts

in the eyes

of that "other"

in the mirror.

Walk soft

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Jan 29, 2023

malingerer said:
OTHER

I

am " other"

with ashes

and memory

as the sole reminders

of my people

who

once were neighbours

of their exterminators

but had become

" others"

.My heart chills

as my soul seeks warmth

in the smile

of strangers

and signposts

in the eyes

of that "other"

in the mirror.

Walk soft

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

moderator please redirect. thank you

Want to know average numbers of pilgrims on trail in MAY.

samarkand

malingerer · Jan 30, 2023

malingerer said:
moderator please redirect. thank you

Want to know average numbers of pilgrims on trail in MAY.

samarkand

small thoughts:

Fragile as lace

new twigs trace

a lattice work

against the sky

through which

small birds

weave their way

as search they

diligently

for new homes

and larders

that Spring will bring

and with it

mouths to feed

and fill the air

with the sounds

and colours

of Life.

Walk Soft

Stay Safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios

Samarkand.

pepi · Feb 1, 2023

On the long stage from Logroño, near Nàjera, there is this poem posted on a large wall, that everyone notices when passing:

Most non-Spanish Peregrinos may be too tired to attempt to translate it at that point.

Dust, mud, sun, and rain
is the Camino de Santiago.
Thousands of pilgrims,
and more than a thousand years.

Pilgrim, who is calling you?
What hidden force pulls you?
Its neither the castellan's bonnets
nor the great cathedrals.

It is not the boldness of Navarre
nor the wine of the Riojanos
nor the Galician seafood
nor the Castilian pastures.

Pilgrim, who is calling you?
What hidden force attracts you?
Neither the people of the Camino
nor the rural traditions.

Not the history and the culture
nor the Rooster of the Calzada
nor Gaudi's palace
nor the castle of Ponferrada

I see it all as I pass by
and it is a joy to see it all
but the voice that calls me
I feel it much deeper.

The strength that makes me feel it
The force that draws me
I don't know how to explain,
Only the One Above knows it.

malingerer · Feb 4, 2023

malingerer said:
small thoughts:

Fragile as lace

new twigs trace

a lattice work

against the sky

through which

small birds

weave their way

as search they

diligently

for new homes

and larders

that Spring will bring

and with it

mouths to feed

and fill the air

with the sounds

and colours

of Life.

Walk Soft

Stay Safe

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios

Samarkand.

Summer Blue...

daubed on my mind

in future time

by a paintbrush of Wishes

I bought

in the Shop of Thoughts

as

against the odds

I rake the skies

for signs of Swifts

my summer birds

slicing my palette

with sickle wings

and churning formats

into simplicity

with a single flying curve

Grecian in its purity

and infinite

in concept.

"Walk quietly

amidst the noise

and haste "

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Feb 11, 2023

malingerer said:
Summer Blue...

daubed on my mind

in future time

by a paintbrush of Wishes

I bought

in the Shop of Thoughts

as

against the odds

I rake the skies

for signs of Swifts

my summer birds

slicing my palette

with sickle wings

and churning formats

into simplicity

with a single flying curve

Grecian in its purity

and infinite

in concept.

"Walk quietly

amidst the noise

and haste "

and

as ever

Vaya

Con Dios

Samarkand.

FOR TURKEY

Child

bereft by the Quake

is birthed

from a womb

of stone

whilst thousands lie

still

their tomorrows

frozen

So I light an extra candle

as a beacon

in the dark

that the small ones

might see

and hold my hands

when I too fall

and need their loving

when they become

my candles

of The Soul.

Walk soft

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

malingerer · Feb 21, 2023

malingerer said:
FOR TURKEY

Child

bereft by the Quake

is birthed

from a womb

of stone

whilst thousands lie

still

their tomorrows

frozen

So I light an extra candle

as a beacon

in the dark

that the small ones

might see

and hold my hands

when I too fall

and need their loving

when they become

my candles

of The Soul.

Walk soft

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios

Samarkand.

TAKEN

A little girl asleep

her parents

elsewhere

who find her gone

on their return:

Taken.

I have prayed for her

ever since

across the years.

I watch TV

and see a shell hole

where once was playground

and a marker for a little girl

blown to shreds:

Life taken.

An earthquake

shakes

and the little ones

lie

beneath the rubble:

Joy fled

at life taken.

Darkness

seems to rule

but still

I light my candles

and pray

for

Maddie Mc Cann

Ukraine's children

Victims of savagery

and those unspared by tremor

as Death takes their tomorrows

as payment

for their yesterdays

short-lived

and

Taken.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

malingerer · Feb 24, 2023

malingerer said:
TAKEN

A little girl asleep

her parents

elsewhere

who find her gone

on their return:

Taken.

I have prayed for her

ever since

across the years.

I watch TV

and see a shell hole

where once was playground

and a marker for a little girl

blown to shreds:

Life taken.

An earthquake

shakes

and the little ones

lie

beneath the rubble:

Joy fled

at life taken.

Darkness

seems to rule

but still

I light my candles

and pray

for

Maddie Mc Cann

Ukraine's children

Victims of savagery

and those unspared by tremor

as Death takes their tomorrows

as payment

for their yesterdays

short-lived

and

Taken.

Walk soft

stay safe

and

as ever

Vaya

con Dios.

Samarkand.

DRESSED TO KILL.........

.....................................

the Tanks and Troops

roll in

to murder those

later found

in mass graves

dressed

to live

in civilian clothing

but tortured

and buried

in the earth

I no longer weep

as the stone in my heart

has blocked my tears

and still the news

batters me

with a shooting

as history fans the embers

of hatred.

I light no candles this morn

and say no words

as I wonder

if a kindness per person per day

can outweigh a bullet

on its way

So I dress

put on my smartest jacket

and look sharp

for I will not give in

to the Darkness

and dress my best

in honour

and respect

to those

who have been taken

and I will continue

to light my candles

and say the words

as I wait

to continue on

my Way

with a ferocity of hunger

for Light and Love

that I

might dress to kill

The Darkness.

Vaya con Dios

Samarkand

malingerer · Feb 25, 2023

malingerer said:
DRESSED TO KILL.........

.....................................

the Tanks and Troops

roll in

to murder those

later found

in mass graves

dressed

to live

in civilian clothing

but tortured

and buried

in the earth

I no longer weep

as the stone in my heart

has blocked my tears

and still the news

batters me

with a shooting

as history fans the embers

of hatred.

I light no candles this morn

and say no words

as I wonder

if a kindness per person per day

can outweigh a bullet

on its way

So I dress

put on my smartest jacket

and look sharp

for I will not give in

to the Darkness

and dress my best

in honour

and respect

to those

who have been taken

and I will continue

to light my candles

and say the words

as I wait

to continue on

my Way

with a ferocity of hunger

for Light and Love

that I

might dress to kill

The Darkness.

Vaya con Dios

Samarkand

Moderator please help! need buses timetable if any for Saint jean pied de port to Roncesvalles in may 2023. cant seem to connect with any and yes I do know its seasonal. Thanks

Samarkand.

SYates · 2025-01-04T16:53:19+0100

I thought it would be great if we share music that reminds us of the Camino, ideally with a sentence about why it matters to you. This song, apart of the beautiful hunting voice that let's me...

VNwalking · 2025-01-04T14:27:00+0100

Over the New Year holiday I listened to this very nicely done podcast from the BBC about medieval pilgrimage. It was amusing to realize how completely familiar the medieval debates around...

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