Poems by Fiona Halliday

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

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

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

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

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

I have a strange addiction,
It often sets off sparks!
I really cannot seem to stop,
Using exclamation marks!

They appear when I am writing!
Even in a shopping list!
If I don’t put one at the end
I feel something’s been missed!

It started as a positive!
It made people feel happy!
But now, I fear, it may bring tears!
It makes my teacher snappy!

Exclamation marks (!!!)
Can show how to command,
They show when things are exciting!
Or getting out of hand!

As you can see this problem,
Is one I now must end.
But, I can’t help but feel, maybe,
The question mark’s my friend?

(Anyone heard of the interrobang?!)

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

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

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

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

He’s coming! He’s coming!
Santa Claus is on his sleigh!
He’s coming! He’s coming!
Magic reindeer – up and away!

He’s suited, he’s booted,
Snow-white bearded, dressed in red,
He’s coming, he’s coming!
Quick now, children, go to bed!

He’s landed! He’s landed!
Reindeer hooves upon the tiles!
He’s landed! He’s landed!
Bringing gifts and lots of smiles!

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

One kind word can change a thought,
It can change an opinion,
Change a mind.

One kind word can offer hope,
It can give happiness,
Change an experience.

One kind word can bring growth,
It can give someone strength,
Change a day.

One kind word can make a difference,
It can show someone cares,
Change a life.

Creeping, crawling creatures scurry in the night,
Rats and bats and spiders, nibble, out of sight,
Don’t look too carefully,
You’ll get a nasty fright!

Monsters in the bathroom, witches in the hall,
Hairy beasts and demons climbing every wall,
You won’t want to catch them,
When they start to fall!

Vampires’ stealthy footsteps cross the wooden floor,
Werewolves howling fearfully, beyond your kitchen door,
Don’t look outside now,
You won’t want to find out more!

Zombies with their wild eyes and their soulless grins,
Skeletons with their bony cheeks and their missing skins,
Listen for their rattling sounds,
But do not let them in!

Halloween is coming, what a scary night,
Ghosties, ghouls and goblins dancing in the light,
Here they are all coming now, feel the spooky beat,
If you listen, hear ‘em shout:

“TRICK OR TREAT!”

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

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

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

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