Ariadne’s Notes:
The World Poetry Café Radio Show with hosts Ariadne Sawyer and Wanda John-Kehewin welcomed the world traveller , writer and poet Neall Ryon to the show. Among the highlights were congratulations to Musa Musavi for his World Poetry Empowered Photo Artist Award and birthday wishes to Gina Cavalier. To hear Neall’s poetry and part of a possible radio show play, CLICK HERE!
Neall’s bio:
“I was a businessman, consultant, teacher, father and husband. With the exception of also being a world traveller I lived all the common place life stories. One thing that was unusual is that I have always been interested in personal psychology and emotional growth. What I was a teen ager a number of books and movies explored psychology. There was a very powerful movie “The three faces of Eve” and a book, What makes Sammy Run. Both these and others encouraged me to pursue an understanding of my own behaviours.
Along the way I wrote a few poems but only recently I have discovered my desire to write short stories and poems and at the same time to share the knowledge I have gained from 50 years of working towards being a whole person. My offering to those on a journey of enlightenment. Don’t ever let go of the journey to learn to love and forgive oneself. Eventually this journey of self discovery is a journey filled with love.
When we are a peace with ourselves the body knows how to heal any manifestation of illness, the mind heals old emotional wounds and brings quiet to troubled areas in life. From that quiet place within comes a surprising wealth mostly in the form of appreciation for all the blessings each of us have.
That’s my message! My world at peace is my responsibility.”
The Church with no Roof.
A boy stood at the doorway to the church with no roof.
It also had no windows
It also had no doors.
The walls still stood but between them lay the rubble.
Just yesterday it was whole; with a roof and windows and doors.
He had walked by here just yesterday on his way to school
as he does every day on his way to school.
Just yesterday it was a whole church with a roof and windows and doors
Just yesterday his world was a whole world
That had roofs and windows and doors.
Just yesterday he had a Father. Proudly he marched alongside.
as the soldiers, two by two, passed the church and boarded their train to Fate.
But this day is different for the church has no roof
and he no longer has the secure knowing of where Father is.
Just yesterday his pride was whole; with a roof, and windows and doors.
Mom says we are safe in the underground but I feel Mother’s fear.
The fear that teaches me to be afraid of those I do not known.
The confusion of emotion inside with love for some and vengeful rage at others.
He dare not think they hate him so, and wish his Father dead.
Just yesterday his emotions were whole with a roof, windows and doors.
He has a place inside where he hides all the fear filled feelings.
The uncertainty of existence must not show
He dare not think what horrors might befall him as he sleeps
He dare Not ask, “Why does the other hate us so?”
Just yesterday his love was whole with a roof, windows and doors.
His fleeting thoughts “I don’t want my Dad to be dead like my mates , Dad.
I don’t want the bombs to hurt my Mom. I need to protect her.
There is only one Mother and one Father allowed per family.
All the rest are strangers. I am afraid.”
Just yesterday this family was whole; with a roof, windows and doors.
Just yesterday his world was whole his house had a roof.
And windows and doors to keep out the dampness and the cold.
Just yesterday he had a mom and dad to holiday with and be safe.
but today brings the knowledge, his world has been bombed.
Just yesterday this world was whole with a roof, windows and doors.
It is the same world but his view has been shifted
this child’s soul has been hurt, the world is now an unsafe place.
It is a place where bombs are dropped
with the intention of killing and destroying. Just yesterday
this church was whole with a roof, and windows and doors.
For a moment I was that boy as I stood before the entrance
to the church in Portsmouth, England.
The entrance to the church with no roof, no windows or doors.
Thinking of the child who stood in this experience of learning,
When just yesterday this church was whole with a roof, windows and doors.
Stand in front of any church or a temple or a mosque.
and imagine it with no roof and no windows and no doors.
Imagine the boy in any nation in any culture in any language
standing where, just yesterday for them
his or her world was whole; with a roof, and windows and doors.
Neall Ryon ©
