The Book

In the name of the Father
Son and Holy Ghost

Take this book
and keep it well

It is written proof

That God alone
can no longer be
the sole creator of Man

-

The power
of the one

Unlocks
the mysteries of many

And wisdom is the key

Power
with God's wisdom

Wisdom
with responsibility

-

The light
that shines in your eyes
is the mirror of your soul

Your heart
burns with fire

Stolen from the temple

Where once
the ancient rituals

Were practised
by the priesthood
who kept the secret faith

-

And with each generation
under solemn oath

This book was passed
from hand to hand

From those who know
to those who would know

Now I pass this book to you

-

For herein lies

Clear instruction
of the method

And the stages
of the path

That will lead you
to the temple

With God's blessing

Seeking knowledge
truth and love

-

This book will teach you
whence it came

Through visions
of the sacred flame

And by God

I charge you
by the same

Return it soon
if I am wrong

To Him

To whom
it does belong

Message from God

This is a message
for no one in particular
and everyone in general

Please continue
to love each other
just like I love you

The self-arising subject and object
is nothing but
the power of the baseless truth

The anger of the demon souls
is nothing but
the mirror of their wisdom

The hunger pains of those
tormented by desire
is nothing but
their clear discrimination

All creatures
animals and humans
find peace abiding in the dharmadhatu

Pip Squeak

Mrs. Hen sat on her eggs
She felt a little sick
So she got up to stretch her legs
and gave her eggs a kick

And when she kicked her babies thus
she heard one baby squeak
(She thought) Is he some kind of little mouse
who has a little beak ?

Now this strange noise alarmed the rooster
He came rushing in
(He said) My God has someone burst the booster ?
What a dreadful sin !

Now what's a booster you may ask
but that you'll never know
Even chickens need a mask
to make their babies grow

When Mrs. Hen returned to find
such pandemonium
She told them all well never mind
and pecked them on the bum

(She said) I'm your Mum and he's your Dad
and you're our little chick
and yes I am so very glad
my booster burst so quick

If you want to be my son
learn how to chirp and chip
We'll eat some corn and have some fun
I think I'll call you Pip

Now mice squeak that's how they speak
(and I'm) sure that's very nice
But you're a chicken with a beak
so please take my advice

Learn how to make the sounds we make
like other chickens do
Now if you don't I hate to say
what may become of you

So Pip grew up to be a man
He struts around the yard
He acts just like a cockerel can
but finds it very hard

You'll see him in the morning light
standing on the gate
(and even though) his parents warned him
he still makes the sound they hate

He squawks in the morning
just like his father's son
but in the evening then he'll squeak
just for a bit of fun

(He says) My parents taught me very well
how I ought to speak
But now you see I'm all grown up
sometimes I like to squeak

(So if you think) It's all gone quiet
(Then take care) 'Cos like a proper rooster
I could start a farmyard riot
(I could) Really burst the booster

And what's a booster you may ask
but that you'll never know
Even chickens need a mask
to make their babies grow

My parents taught me very well
how I ought to speak
But now you see I'm all grown up
sometimes I like to squeak

Frank & Jack & Stella

My life began with a shock
a bolt out of the blue

I like a drink or two
'cos I don't know
what else I ought to do

----

Part of me says yes
and part of me says no

Sometimes I get the feeling
and sometimes the feeling grows

----

But when I have a drink

That's when
I think I ought to know

----

Some believe in God
because they're made in His image

But I was made by someone else
just like a bacon sandwich

----

I know I'll meet my maker
'cos I'm just made of meat

That's dead meat on the slab
and odd bits of legs and feet

----

So I've been looking
for that man

They say he has my name

They call him
Doctor Frankenstein

Yes he's the one to blame

----

And when at last I find him

You know
I'll ask him this

Why do I like
to drink so much
and go out on the piss ?

----

Is that really how you made me
with the kiss of life ?

By drinking from the bottle
for a life without a wife ?

----

Or was it just a wind up ?

The turn of a screw
that put me where I am today

That's what I'd like to ask you

----

Why do you make these monsters
who haunt the night time streets ?

Of all your friends I think
there's just two I'd like to meet

----

To go out on the town
sometime would make my life complete

One night with Jack and Stella

Now that would be a treat

----

That's Jack as in Daniels

Jack Daniels I presume

And Stella
he comes with her
when they walk into the room

----

You might ask me why I love them so

But really you should know

They make me smile when I feel sad
and give my face a glow

----

Why don't you
say you're sorry now ?

Why don't you stop to think ?

I go out with Jack and Stella
'cos that's what I like to drink

----

I could tell you all my story
but I don't know where to start

Two shots of Jack or half a pint
of Stella Artois ?

----

Mary Shelley wrote about me
when she put me in her book

You can read all about it
if you want to take a look

----

But no one knows
how it goes

In the end for Frankenstein

Did he stick to beer and bourbon
or just have a glass of wine ?

----

I think you'll know the answer
when you hear us sing this song

'Cos nothing gets you drunker faster
than the drink that is too strong

----

So I went out with Stella
and somehow we made it home

We left old Jack where he was
just drinking on his own

----

My dear says Frank to Stella

Now I get these awful itches

Every time the rain
gets in there underneath my stitches

----

Jack Daniels is the drink for me

He helps me oil my joints

I could try some other brand instead
but really what's the point

----

This bolt that's in my neck you know
it's starting to get rusty

And when I've had too much to drink

I don't think you can trust me

----

Stella says to Frank one day

Come under my umbrella

Don't go out with that other guy
'cos he's a nasty fella

----

Stay with me

I'll keep you dry
in any kind of weather

Don't break your heart

Don't fall apart

Just keep yourself together

----

Frank and Stella are an item now

They're doing very well

They left poor old Jack behind
just sitting on the shelf

----

'Cos when Frank goes out with Stella
he can't think of no one else

He pours her out of her can
and drinks to her good health

----

He'll press his lips to the rim

Pull the ring and give a twist

Then pour the liquid out
and drink it down like this

----

Frank goes out
with Jack sometimes

Now he's out with Stella

I've got a few more
cans back home

So what else can he tell her ?

----

They found a load of body parts
and put me all together

That's why I like to go out now
with good old Jack and Stella

----

You know I am a monster

I'm a man of many parts

If you cut me into pieces
then you'd find a broken heart

----

Doctor JD he's my friend

I know he's on my side

I go out with him
then come back with Mr. Hyde

----

That other doctor told me once
that he'd find me a bride

He never did you see

Indeed that's why
I know he lied

----

So I've been looking
for that man

They say he has my name

They call him
Doctor Frankenstein

Yes he's the one to blame

----

And when at last I find him

You know
I'll ask him this

Why do I like
to drink so much
and go out on the piss ?

School of Life

Here's an exception to the rule
that poets don't do well at school

Except on very rare occasions
poets love to play the fool

A wise man who would like to write
takes up his pen and joins the fight

Here's wisdom everybody knows
Poems aren't the same as prose

There's something
in the rhyme and rhythm
wisdom's line is seldom given

In the madness and confusion
of the battle for your soul

Wise men would do well to listen
to the last words of the fool

Who sings of love
and death with vision

Now by God
my song is true

Not by dusty erudition
have I done as others do

But from the heart
by intuition

Now by God
my song is true

Life is the Whore

Life's a bitch

Life's a whore

The devil's in the detail
but we still come back for more

When you get the bigger picture
then you'll see him at the door

Yes the devil is the pimp of life
and life is the whore

----

He only wants your money

He don't care about your soul

You can rot in hell
for all he cares

But be sure you pay him well

A peaceful death

A violent death

Either one will do

The devil's in the detail
and he's waiting there for you

----

So come in to his night club

Come on join the queue

There's plenty like you
who would have her

If he let's them through

----

Just to spend one night with her
they would sell their souls

When the sun comes up
they'll raise a cup

And drink for one and all

But the devil's in the detail

And the detail's very small

----

We love the whole creation

Yes with all our hearts we do

But we've got
a lust for life you see

So what else can we do ?

----

Like so many men before me
you may well hear me say

Oh just this once

You know I think
it will be okay

So let's all have one more drink

Let's drink to happy days

Let's see what life can offer us
if we're prepared to pay

But the price of life
is death you see

That's all she's got to say

----

So life's a bitch

Now you know it

Now you know the score

The devil is the pimp of life
and life is the whore

Laugh When You Cry

-1-

Can you stop a thing
once it's begun ?

Will you promise me
it won't go wrong ?

---

The flesh is weak
but the spirit is strong

We're born
to live in chains
when we're born in this world


-2-

Can you undo
what has been done ?

Can you save a soul
that's been burnt in the sun ?

---

The flesh is weak
but the spirit is strong

We're born
to live in chains
when we're born in this world


-REFRAIN-

If life
is an endless
fight against boredom

Then why in the world
would I want to come back ?

---

'Cos the past will always
be there to haunt us

That's why I find it
so hard to relax


-CHORUS-

Sometimes I feel
I can't take no more

---

I hope I can still
pray when I die

And I hope we can learn
to laugh when we cry

On the Path

First you see
you're on the path

Last of all
there is no path

But now we have
to play our part

Dressing up and rehearsing
for the dress rehearsal

----

That's how it goes

It's all a show

Times will come
and times will go

But now we're
on the path of life

At least that much I know

----

Life's like a stage play
in three parts

The last part's
when you die

But what comes next ?

And dear God
please tell me

Who knows why ?

----

Sometimes we laugh

Sometimes we cry

God only knows
how hard we try

And when we ask him
he replies

Go on

Go with the flow

----

Just play your part
from first to last

There really is
no need to ask

Continue on
along the path

You're bound
to be successful

----

When you don't know
who you are

Or what you've
come here for

When you forget
to say your lines

Be sure you
know the score

Remember that
from time to time
we're tested by the law

These times are nothing
more than that

All's fair in love and war

----

So just go round
and start again

With greater expectation

Remember that this is the path
that leads to liberation

----

First you see
you're on the path

Last of all
there is no path

But now we have
to play our part

Dressing up and rehearsing
for the dress rehearsal

The Fine Delight

The fine delight
that fathers thought

The strong spur

Live and lancing
like the blowpipe flame

Breathes once

And quench-ed
faster than it came

Leaves yet the mind
a mother of immortal song

----

Nine months she then

Nay years

Nine years

She long within her

Wears bears cares
and combs the same

The widow
of an insight lost

She lives

With aim now known
and hand at work

Now never wrong

----

Sweet fire
the sire of muse

My soul needs this

----

I want the rapture
of an inspiration

----

O then if
in my lagging lines

You miss the roll

The rise

The carol

The creation

My winter world
that scarcely breathes that bliss

Now

Yields you
with some sighs

Our explanation

----

This poem is called "To R. B." by Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844-1889)

[p.76, "Selected Poems of G. M. Hopkins", An HEB Paperback POETRY BOOKSHELF (General Editor: James Reeves), first published by Heinemann Educational 1953, ISBN 0435150073]

Rebirth

Go away
then come back

Black near attainment

Eclipse of the sun
by virtue of the secret moon

Tathagata

His body is everywhere

His speech is silent

And his mind is the mind
of clear light
ineffable

Meditation on enlightenment
is both the cause and the condition
of the ultimate attainment of enlightenment

May all beings in an instant now

Attain this perfect enlightenment
of his body speech and mind

Smart Car

I didn't think I'd have to drive
anywhere today

This is my idea of progress

Now they say
the next big thing
will be a car that drives itself

That's a car that takes you somewhere

Soon they'll find a way
to make a car that's even smarter

Off it goes down the road

Off into the future

It's a smart car

It's so smart
it thinks like a computer

This car will reach out to the stars

This car will take you nowhere

It knows
already what you want
before you know you want it

It just
drives itself around
and leaves you where you are

Thinking

Thinking should be done
before or after

And conclusions reached

Or at least some kind of order
brought to the confusion

So that you can
organise your thoughts
around a single point of concentration

Then thought should be abandoned

By total engagement
of body speech and mind

You experience each moment

As it is

And attain this realization

Which naturally arises
with cessation of thought

Allowing thoughts to come
but knowing where to place them

Then to let them go

And then to start again

It's Okay

It's okay to be happy and it's okay to be sad But I'd rather have a mind of perfect equanimity ---- It's okay to be angry in defence of those you love But I'd rather have a mind of perfect equanimity ---- It's okay to be jealous if you want more for yourself But I'd rather have a mind of perfect equanimity

The Millionaire's Song

Shake rattle and roll
I'm gonna date Marilyn Monroe (x2)

If only I could have her
she could save my God damn soul


-1-

I got a girl on my mind
and I'm gonna be her man

I'm gonna take her out to dinner
and we'll start a real romance

'Cos I've seen all her movies
and I'm her greatest fan


-2-

She's been dead for fifty years
or more I know

But she still looks good
from her head down to her toes

She's a star of the screen
in a Hollywood picture show


-3-

Some say I'm crazy
"How could you be so bold?"

There's not a man alive in the world
who wouldn't sell their soul

Just to go out for one night
with Marilyn Monroe


-4-

So if you get the itch
'cos your girl's not hot for you

Ditch your old girlfriend
and find somebody new

Get a look-a-like who looks
just like you know who


-5-

She says "Boo Bee Doo"
"I wanna make love to you"

She'll dye her long black hair blonde
if you want her to

'Cos diamonds are a girl's best friend
and you know that's true


-6-

We'll go out to a party
and we'll dance to the rock and roll

C'mon everybody you can join us
if you're not too old

'Cos she's forever young
and she'll rock you round the world


-7-

She's the kind of woman
who could make your life complete

She's got a ring on her finger
and high heels on her feet

No there ain't no other woman
who I'd like more to meet


-8-

I got a million dollar bill
here in my hand

I got a whole lot of money
honey saved up in the bank

I could be your Sugar Daddy
so c'mon now let's dance


-9-

There's one more thing
that you could do for me

You could change your name
and we could start a family

But that's just a dream
It's a poor man's fantasy


-10-

So get back in kitchen
and rattle those pots and pans

It's gonna take a lot of work
but we're doing the best we can

One day I'll make you happy
and I'll be your fancy man

Now in Heaven

In Heaven no one loves each other

Why bother with such earthly pleasure ?

Just to pass the time of day
we may get on our knees and pray

But since there is no greater treasure
than the knowledge that the measure
of our lives will soon be over

Tell me now
if you're so clever

Will the bonds of love be severed ?

Or will love go on forever ?

Either way
if that's agreed

What need have we
to love each other ?

True Love

The entire history of Islam
from start to finish

In the name of Peace

Now turns out to be
the greatest blasphemy of God

The Muslim men and women
and their leaders and their children

Those who say that they believe
have prayed to God

But in their daily lives
done service to the Devil

And the Christians and the Jews
have done no better
maybe worse

----

So if you pray to God on High
be sure you live a blameless life

It's not so very hard to do
if your love for Him is true

For God is greater
than this story

His the Power

His the Glory

He will love you

He will save you
if your love for Him is true

The Coin

O loathsome coin

You know you are
the coin that no one wants

No one wants to keep you
or hold you for
too long

They pass you round
from hand to hand

And you are always given
in exchange for something better

Now you horrid little piece of scrap

You hateful disc of metal

You know you are
you truly are

The coin that no one wants

Many Days

Many days of pleasure Many days of pain Many days will come and go How many days remain ? --- Many days of sunshine Many days of rain We see them all go round and round and then come back again --- How many days of pride for us ? How many days of shame ? How many days of blindness now when every day's the same ? --- How many days of sadness ? Days of judgement Days of blame Too many days of sorrow now too many days to name --- Many days between us Many days we share And many days we laugh too loud to show how much we care --- Many days keep us apart

One day we'll be together We love the things we can't destroy if we love each other --- The sun The rain The weather The kindness and the pain --- How many days together ? How many days the same ?

--- How many days of laughter ? Now how many days remain ? --- With many days behind us Love cannot be destroyed Many days come after many days of joy

Equinox

Equal day
Equal night
Balance of the dark and light

Black and white
Shades of grey
Balance of the night and day

Light and dark
Dark and light
Balance of the day and night

----

Circle twice
Fire and ice
Balance of the dark and light

Start and stop
Stop and start
Balance of the light and dark

Day and night
Night and day
Balance of the shades of grey

----

In life and death
We are blessed
By the darkness and the light

Man and woman
Yin and yang
Come together holding hands

Yin and yang
Yang and yin
Now we know where to begin

Yang and yin
Start and stop
The blessings of the Equinox

All Angels Kin

Homage to King Alfred
who taught us
to be wise

Like a father
to a son

For without wisdom
nothing will have been accomplished

And each man according
to his own light

Must say what can be said
and do what can be done

Amen

The Last Laugh

See Satan standing by the gate
and some say that his name is hate

'Cos he's the bouncer of your soul
He'll bounce you all around the world

He'll lead you into mortal sin
He'll call to one and all come in

He'll promise that he loves you then
He'll say let's all go round again

But when you ask will Heaven wait
and if I die which one's the gate

The gate that leads to Heaven
or the gate that leads to Hell

----

Then he'll laugh and bear his teeth

He'll mutter swear words
underneath his breath

He'll vanish in the heat

And all you'll hear is the echo
of his evil spell

Where are you ?
Are you here or there ?

Where are you ?
Can't you tell ?

----

For Satan has the last laugh
the one that really counts

He'll weigh you on the scales
of justice by the pound and ounce

He'll cook you in the flames of Hell
He'll fry you till you're done

He'll serve you up
with some onions
in a burger bun

And when his demons come
to join his grisly barbecue

They'll wash you down with warm beer
and they'll raise a toast for you

They'll say thank God for all the sinners
who send us food to eat

May God be always with us now
'cos now our song's complete

----

But there's just one more chorus
which the demons love to sing

They'd sing the last words for us
if they knew where to begin

So God in Heaven save us
from the curse of mortal sin

The pearly gates will open
if the angels let us in

----

See Satan's standing by the gate
the gate that leads to Hell

But St. Peter's waiting for us
if we only ring the bell

He'll swing those gates wide open
and he'll greet us with a smile

Where are you ?
Are you here or there ?

Where are you ?
Can't you tell ?

You only have to live on Earth
and stay here for a while

----

You only have to live on Earth
and stay here for a while

And when you die
by God's good grace
you'll see St. Peter smile

Refuge in Lord Buddha

Enjoy yourself

Enjoy your morning chores
in the beauty of the present moment

There are three kinds of activity

Hacking about
Making something
Making art

These are the activities
of the three kayas

When you achieve full realization
of non-dual reality

You understand
it must be all the same

There is no difference

Between being enlightened
and being on the path

Deus Ex Machina

Your clockwork heart
beats out time

Activated by a spring

Wound up by hands
that really love you

---

Strings and pulleys
move the scenes

And smoke and mirrors
hide the actors

Underneath the trap door
there's a magic made-up monster

Waiting for his cue
to make his entrance

At that moment of great tension
He comes when you least expect it

---

He's the one who loves you most
He comes just when you least expect it

That's the way the story goes

---

He'll grab you by your little toe

He'll make you jump out of your skin

He'll take you shake you then begin
with kitchen knife and rolling pin
to cut you up and make you thin

Then put you in a baking tin
and cook you

Till you're crisp and crunchy

Like a biscuit for his lunch
he'll munch you down

With a pinch and a punch

You'll wish you never had the hunch
that he'd be waiting for you

---

He'll stop the clock
with a wave of his hand

He'll do it just because he can

For what reason
no one knows

That's just the way the story goes

---

He'll grab you by your little toe

He'll make you jump out of your skin

He'll take you shake you then begin
with kitchen knife and rolling pin
to cut you up and make you thin

Then put you in a baking tin
and cook you

Till you're crisp and crunchy

Like a biscuit for his lunch
he'll munch you down

With a pinch and a punch

You'll wish you never had the hunch
that he'd be waiting for you

Bad Kings & Holy Fools

I walk this lonely path
down the boulevard of empty dreams

I hear the warning
of the solemn angel's curse

Apply with cruel precision now
the instruments of joy

To celebrate the glories of this day
and sing the praises of your Lord

According to His mighty workings
and His Majesty

Whereby He is able to subdue
all things unto Himself

Fruits of Sin

Oranges and lemons
Evidence of outcomes

Choices made things unseen
Peaches and nectarines

You never see the other side
You'll never see what could have been
You can't compare like for like

Apples grow on apple trees and
they grow from the apple seeds

Truth is beauty beauty truth
but sins of flesh bear evil fruit

You'll see them grow
with leaves and shoots
clinging to your ego