ALPHABETICAL COLLECTION
Poems A–Z
Explore Alan’s published poems in alphabetical order. Read a poem here or follow its category to discover more from the collection.
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THE WORDSMITHS
Malachi (The Book of the Twelve)
God challenges the priesthood & the people one last time before the 400 silent years between the Testaments. My messenger speaks. My message is spoken. Why? Why have you doubted God’s love? Has not God chosen Jacob? Has not God rejected Esau? Why?
Read the written poem
Malachi – The Book of the Twelve
My messenger speaks.
My message is spoken.
Why?
Why have you doubted God’s love?
Has not God chosen Jacob?
Has not God rejected Esau?
Why?
Why have you sons dishonoured your Father – GOD?
Why have you servants disdained your Master – the LORD?
Why?
Why have you priests despised the service of your GOD?
Why have you brought him bargain-basement sacrifices?
Are you yourselves not messengers of God’s word?
Are you yourselves not speakers of God’s Law?
Why?
Why have you gone after other gods?
Why have you worshipped the gods of the nations?
You are like a man who leaves the wife of his youth;
A man who upgrades his spouse for the latest model.
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God Almighty.
Why?
Why have you doubted God’s Justice?
Why?
Why have you wearied God with your perverseness?
Calling evil good, good evil,
Saying God blesses the wicked and curses the righteous?
Why?
My messenger will come
The Harbinger – The Herald
My Messenger will land
The MASHIACH
The WORD of GOD – The TRUE LAW
He will wash you and cleanse you, you priests of the Most-High.
He will burn out your dross and refine your unrighteousness.
I the LORD do not change.
And that is why you are not consumed.
Why?
Why are you robbing me of what is rightfully Mine?
Bring in the full tithe.
Do not stint the LORD your GOD.
See how I will bless you:
Your crops will ripen; your vines will bloom;
Your barns will overflow.
Why?
Why have you spoken arrogantly?
Why do you despise the LORD your God?
Then there were some who turned to the Lord:
A few, a precious few who honoured His Name,
Who sought out His favour.
Be sure and certain sure
The Day will come:
A Day of healing and heartsease for the righteous;
A Day of destitution and destruction for the wicked.
Remember My LAW, the Law of My servant, Moses.
Look for Elijahagain.
He will restore families:
sons will respect fathers; fathers will bless sons.
If not,
Look for desolation.
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THE VISITATIONS
Mary, I am Gabriel
Gabriel greets Mary with the aweful news. I am Gabriel angel of the Presence I stand before The Unspeakable Name Be not afraid I am sent with a word for The God-Graced-Maid soon to be Maid-No-More In God’s own good time Made Mother Mary Be not afraid
Read the written poem
Mary, I Am Gabriel
I am Gabriel
angel of the Presence
I stand before
The Unspeakable Name
Be not afraid
I am sent
with a word for
The God-Graced-Maid
soon to be Maid-No-More
In God’s own good time
Made Mother
Mary
Be not afraid
The Sun of Righteousness
The Star out of Jacob
The Seed of the Woman
Sitting on David’s Throne forever and ever
The Son of the Most High
The Holy One of Israel
The Son of God
Your Child: His Child
Be not afraid
I am permitted
your question
The Holy Spirit Engendering
The Most–High Overshadowing
The Dwelling God Indwelling
The Incarnator Incarnating
Parthenogenesis
your acquiescence anticipated accepted
your quiescence foreseen approved appointed
I am Gabriel
angel of the Presence
I stand before
The Unspeakable Name
Spoken
Jesus
Mary
Gabriel
Be not afraid
(Luke 2)
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THE WANDERERS
Moses tells Pharaoh he's won the Spot Prize
This is not in the OLD Tales Told NEW. Sadly. Written for a Sunday School lesson. But it is part of the MOSES series of poems. Oh dear – you’re covered in spots. In fact, you’ve got lots and lots. It happens when something rots. You could die soon.
Read the written poem
Moses tells Pharaoh he’s won the Spot Prize.
Oh dear – you’re covered in spots.
In fact, you’ve got lots and lots.
It happens when something rots.
You could die soon.
Your face is a festering boil.
It’s oozing a pustulant oil.
It makes everybody recoil.
You’ll be dead soon!
You’ve got spots on your boils on your chin.
Your body is withered and thin.
You’re a monster. You’re ugly as sin.
You look dead already.
There’s only one thing I can say.
Get down on your knees. Start to pray.
Ask my God to take it away.
And you will live, Pharaoh.

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THE CONSUMMATION
Not the place to be
We do not find ourselves at Headquarters. I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Down at Bootstrapthreeeighths, they are working… feverishly. The maxim is: “Work. Work. Work.” The promised expectation: ‘When all is all as it should be, we will return. Once more, Top Dog will bark. It will all be ours. What was stolen – denied us – ours.’ And so, they work. Feverishly. Work. Work. Work.
Read the written poem
Not the place to be.
Down at Bootstrapthreeeighths, they are working feverishly.
The maxim is: “Work. Work. Work.”
The promised expectation: ‘When all is all as it should be, we will return. We will, again, be Top Dog. It will all be ours. What was stolen from us – denied – will be reclaimed.’
And so, they work. Feverishly. Work, work, work.
Files are moved around. Copied and pasted. Backed up to countless hard drives. Nothing is lost. Backs are backed. Covered. Against claims and counterclaims. Nothing is left to chance. Chance would have nothing left… to chance.
In a small corner, the Hunched Man, bunched over, typing furiously, checking, re-checking, editing, rewriting, checking again and again. Saving Copy. Copying, Saving and Pasting. Posting and Deleting. Rewording. Reworking… typing furiously, checking, re-checking, editing, rewriting, checking again and again. Saving Copy. Copying and Pasting. Posting and Deleting. Rewording. Reworking…
And failing to notice to his right the Femme Fatale… her nails polished, her face aglow, her teeth gleaming, her skin glistening. She buffs her nails, looking across in hope of catching a sideways glance. But there is no glance. No glimpse of hope… No hope in the hopelessness… her nails polished, her face aglow, her teeth gleaming, her skin glistening. She continues to continue.
A bell rings. All look up. Expectantly. Words are spoken: ‘Today’s Break is cancelled. To increase productivity. To further the cause. To hasten the consummation.’ The Hunched Man barely skips a beat. The Femme Fatale buffs on regardless. A thousand, thousand cyphers ply their trade. This is their ‘metier’. Working is all.
Figures appear on a large screen: productivity is increased 5.8 percent.
Hallelucifah!
In the centre of the area, a large man keels, collapses.
The floor is tidied. The body is removed, reconstituted.
A voice says, “Continue. As before. Productivity is up.”
The maxim is “Work. Work. Work.”
Files are moved around. Copied and pasted. Backed up to countless hard drives. Nothing is lost. Backs are backed. Covered. Against claims and counterclaims. Nothing is left to chance. Chance would have nothing left… to chance.
The maxim is: “Work. Work. Work.”
Down at Bootstrapthreeeighths, they are working feverishly.
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THE APPRENTICES
ODBODS
HR Planning Coordinator recommends Judas Iscariot for the top job. We would, however, commend the man from Kerioth to your attention. A southerner with none of that northern bias and a degree in Business Studies and Economics. We unreservedly recommend that you appoint Judas Iscariot as your right-hand man and numero uno in your band of brothers.
Read the written poem
ODBODS – Shards from the Pot
Ref. Yeshua bar Joseph – Carpenter of Nazareth
forwarding address Kepher Nahum
Sir,
Re your request for references: Twelve Disciples, may we tender the following information.
Peter, Simon – Leadership Candidate – under no circumstances could we recommend this man for a leadership role. He speaks without thinking; he acts without considering; he is subject to mood swings which suggest a bipolar disorder. His having two names points to a split personality. Do not appoint him to any leadership role.
His brother, Andrew, is a nice man, a very nice man, but portrays the characteristics of a squirrel – always bringing nuts to the party. If left unchecked, your team will be full of oddballs brought in by this man.
His best friend, Philip, is a follower, essentially a COPYCAT. Whatever Andrew does, Philip does, too. Wherever you find Andrew, you will find Philip. Better make sure you know exactly what Andrew is doing and where because Philip will be doing it, too. Two for the price of one.
Matthew is a renegade, a quisling and, worst of all, a reformed tax man. Do not trust him with your money. Do not let him keep a diary. He may well be a double agent.
The identity of Thomas the Twin is yet to be confirmed. It may well be that this is not Thomas at all but his twin brother. They are identical. I doubt if we’ll ever know. I doubt if he’s even sure himself. Everything about this man is open to question.
Simon the ‘Blow Up the Black Crows’ man is an accident waiting to happen. He causes trouble wherever he goes and likes nothing better than fomenting rebellion. His credit rating has been frozen. He owes money to everybody.
Nathaniel Bar–Tholomew is a sycophant. One swallow does not make a summer. He is prone to hasty statements and is known as a ‘yes’ man who will say whatever it takes to ingratiate himself with the powers that be. We would advise against taking him at his word.
As for the others, Thaddaeus goes by an alias – never a good sign. What is he hiding?
James the Less has a gigantic inferiority complex which is likely to issue in heavy duty counselling.
As for the Thunder Brothers, James and John, enough said. They could start a fight in a prayer meeting. Keep them both at arm’s length and separate them on all occasions.
We would, however, commend the man from Kerioth to your attention. A southerner with none of that northern bias and a degree in Business Studies and Economics. We unreservedly recommend that you appoint Judas Iscariot as your right-hand man and numero uno in your band of brothers.
Yours most truly,
S. Quint
Office of Disciples and Brethren Of Distinctive Service (ODBODS)
(With an appreciative nod to whoever wrote something similar before I did.
I wanted to use it with my youth group but couldn’t find the original and had to rewrite my own.
I’m sure yours was much better. Thank you and bless you. )
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THE WANDERERS
Oh Baby
The story of Moses' miraculous rescue from the hands of a genocidal pharaoh. (Interactive Chorus – all join in :)) You must have been a beautiful baby, Moses; You must have been a lovely, little lad; ’Cause for three months they hid you from Pharaoh’s men: Your sister, your brother, your mum and your dad.
Read the written poem
Oh, Baby – Interactive Chorus
You must have been a beautiful baby, Moses;
You must have been a lovely, little lad;
’Cause for three months they hid you from Pharaoh’s men:
Your sister, your brother, your mum and your dad.
Nasty old Pharaoh grew sick of his slaves:
They multiplied like rabbits … to dig their own graves.
Still, these hapless Habiru infested The Land,
Till it felt like one Hebrew for each grain of sand.
“Enough of this fecund and fetid fraternity;
I have workers enough stretching out to eternity.
Send me my soldiers; sharpen their swords;
Time for some action, men. I’m done with words!”
The decree read as follows: ‘People of Egypt,
Courtiers, Commoners, Workers and Whipped:
His Mighty, Munificent, Regal Divinity,
Pharaoh of Pharaohs who will rule to infinity,
Hereby orders the death of Habiru boy babies.
They threaten our health: they bring Nile Scab and Rabies.
The augury spoke of their doom in the liver.
Consequently, they will all be thrown in The River.’
A house-to-house search followed, sad to relate,
With weeping and wailing, bemoaning the fate
Of the boys who went down to the depths with their dummies.
Every family sad: grieving fathers, mourning mummies.
You must have been a beautiful baby, Moses;
You must have been a lovely, little lad;
’Cause for three months they hid you from Pharaoh’s men:
Your sister, your brother, your mum and your dad.
But babies grow bigger, become harder to hide.
And what with the wawling, the parents decide
To trust to God’s mercy and they place him inside
An ark… a basket in the river reeds.
Now, as God would have it, along comes a beauty:
Pharaoh’s own daughter, considered a cutie;
When she spots the water babe, she feels it her duty
To pick him up, cuddle him, provide for his needs.
Seeing this, Big Sister Miriam, handily placed
Slips out from her cache, rash to have graced
The Princess with her best smile, faced
Her with her need for a wet nurse. She could have done worse.
“I know the very woman who could wean him for you.
Just lost her own boy. Milk enough for two.”
The Princess sees that this girl’s plan is what she should do.
“Care for him. I will collect him when he has grown.”
Back in the Moses’ home, much joy and jubilation.
Father Amram gives thanks to God, dances in celebration.
Jochebed, Mum, clings to her little man in consternation.
What was lost, back, on loan: “My baby. My boy. My own.”
You must have been a beautiful baby, Moses;
You must have been a lovely, little lad;
’Cause for three months they hid you from Pharaoh’s men:
Your sister, your brother, your mum and your dad.
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Childrens Poetry
Poor Old Froggie
Froggie comes out on top – again! Poor old Froggie: They stuffed him in a bag; They fetched him to market; They wrapped him in a flag.
Read the written poem
POOR OLD FROGGIE
Poor old Froggie:
They stuffed him in a bag;
They fetched him to market;
They wrapped him in a flag.
They popped him in a teapot;
They filled it full of glue;
They shook him till he rattled;
They cooked him in a stew.
They served him up with green beans;
They stuck him on a plate;
They said he was the main dish;
They declared him deli-cate.
BUT …
Froggie wasn’t happy;
Froggie wasn’t fond of stew;
Froggie hated green beans;
Froggie knew just what to do.
Froggie jumped upon the table;
Froggie leapt on someone’s head;
Froggie sprinted up the staircase;
Froggie ransacked Granny’s bed.
Froggie hopped out of the window;
Froggie launched into the air;
Froggie landed in the garden;
Froggie let them stand and stare
They wept into their tea-cups;
They were really in a state;
Froggie left them sobbing bitterly
And went home to his mate.
Alan R Garner (Undated) for Froggie …who doesn’t really have a mate!
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THE WORDSMITHS
Psalm 123 – A Song of Ascents – God To Up Going (from A Tinkering and A Twanging)
A Pilgrim Song – Going Up To God at Jerusalem for the festivals. flatdown faceground kissingthronefoot idaretodare lookupunderlids eyespyyoureye 'nsigh please Lord please canweplayball again ?
Read the written poem
Psalm 123 Songs of Ascent –God To Up Going – A Tinkering & A Twanging
flatdown
faceground
kissingthronefoot
idaretodare
lookupunderlids
eyespyyoureye
’nsigh
please
Lord
please
canweplayball
again
?
they say
TALLTEASERSALL
let’s play
pig-in-the-middle
with that
pig in the middle
’n
toss my ball
handoverhand
’n
outofreachof
littlesmall
O
High King
Sky King
My King
Makethemgiveitback
’n
let’sgoplay
alonetogether
someplaceelse
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THE WORDSMITHS
Psalm 14 A Fool's Psalm (from A Tinkering and a Twanging)
The Fool has said in his heart – 'There is no God'. The Cretin cries, “No God. No GOD.” He is spoiled fruit: a bad apple; a bruised peach; a green tangerine – Rotten to the core.
Read the written poem
Psalm 14 – A Fool’s Psalm – A Tinkering & A Twanging
The Cretin cries, “No God. No GOD.”
He is spoiled fruit:
a bad apple;
a bruised peach;
a green tangerine –
Rotten to the core.
God eye spies from
High Heaven
‘Something beginning with
‘W’.’
‘Wormy?’ ‘Got it in one.’
‘Withered?’ ‘Got it in two.’
‘Wicked?’ ‘Got it in three.’
They know nothing, these numpties.
They know enough
to feast on the faithful,
to snack on the saints.
And yet,
for all that,
they’re running scared:
They cry, “No God. No GOD.”
But they do not know God.
They would wipe their lips of the poor,
But God clamps shut the maw of the devourer.
It’s time, LORD God
for you to turn tables and
for your people to turn tunes.
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THE PLAYERS – The Original Participants
Shepherd
GUESS THE RHYME TIME I am a simple shepherd. I haven’t many brains. (I said many not any.) I shelter when it’s sunny And I sit out when it … rains. (I likes the rain. It oils my brains.)
Read the written poem
Shepherd (Guess the rhyme time)
I am a simple shepherd.
I haven’t many brains. (I said many not any.)
I shelter when it’s sunny
And I sit out when it … rains. (I likes the rain. It oils my brains.)
My life is very simple.
I spend my days with sheep.
I have to watch them all the time
Because they never … sleep. (Well, they sleep with their eyes open. So, you can never really tell.)
I have some friends who work with me
And they are shepherds, too.
We herd the sheep from field to field:
That’s what shepherds … do. (That is what we do. See. We are sheep herders.)
One morning …no, an afternoon…
No…the middle of the night,
The Angel of the Lord came down
And gave us all a … fright. (I wanted to say bite. But he were an angel, not a vampire.)
He said, “Now shepherds, listen.
There’s been a special birth.
In Bethlehem … in a manger
And He’s ’ere to bring peace on… earth. (That’s what he said. Don’t you start me, missus.)
So off we trotted without the sheep;
We left them all behind.
Somehow, we found that little boy:
The Saviour of ’uman… kind. (The angel said that, too. But I forgot to put it in.)
I knelt before that little lad;
He gave me a sort of a stare.
And I knew that he knew who I was, then I knew that
I was not simple… there.
(I weren’t simple at the foot of that manger. I were the wisest shepherd in all ‘istory.)