12th Day in Copenhagen

Did they hear the drums in Copenhagen,
banging their warning?
On the twelfth day in Copenhagen

was global warming stopped in its tracks

by Brown and Barack and Hu Jintao,

by Meles Zenawi and Al Sabban,

by Yvo de Boer and Hedegaard?

Did they strike a match

or strike a bargain,

the politicos in Copenhagen?

Did they twiddle their thumbs?

Or hear the drums

and hear the drums

and hear the drums?

From: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy

Friends Like These

Friends Like These

In a little house on Hither Acre,

Lives a wise and learned Quaker.

A life-long Friend of four score years,

He's one of our vintage overseers,

And surely the ultimate Minute taker?

Another Friend is from a Methodist mould,

Though long since in the Quaker fold.

Such is her fund of erudition,

She's never short of ammunition,

To craft a Ministry of pure gold.

A younger member - Friend JJ,

Makes sure the Finances are ok.

In the field of learning he’s the head,

Not a page of his F&P is left unread,

Yes he’s an expert in the Quaker way.

The final Friend in this rendition,

Is someone with a special mission.

Her words impart a healing Karma,

And even glimpses of Nirvana,

They certainly speak to my condition.

There are many more without whose grace,

This would be a lesser place.

And so to all who gather here,

Season's greetings, festive cheer,

And of humbug may there be no trace!

For Ilminster Meeting at Christmas 20th December 2009