Pain

Yesterday, when I woke early

with that pain and got up and got

no relief, I thought of death,

my death. This is it, I thought.

And I felt grief for my family

and friends. My two young sons

especially—fatherless in their

formative years. But mostly

I felt shame, an overwhelming

shame that I would soon meet

my Saviour with so little to give

in thanks. Inexcusably little.

Today the pain has gone, but

not the shame. Oh, dear Jesus!

Innocence

Little birds, I bet

it’s fabulous not having

upfront to forget

yesterday before facing

a new day without regret.

          “Pain” & “Innocence” © Andrew Lansdown

These two poems (from Andrew’s new collection, Fontanelle, Five Islands Press) were broadcast on ABC radio on the 4th and the 9th of June as part of a 40 minute feature on Andrew’s poetry. The programme, titled “I Could Teach Bamboo About Emptiness: The Poetry of Andrew Lansdown”, can be heard on ABC Radio National’s website at: www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/poetica/stories/s1376040.htm