John Osborne

Landsdown Grange Farm, Weston, Bath

(B)11th October 1930. (P) Gerald and Kathleen. (M) Rosemary 19th October 1957. (CH) Philip and Michael. (ED) Bath Technical College. (Occ) Farmer. (Mem) N.Fill Anglican Church, I.P.H.F. (Hon) Awards: Hedging, Thatching, Singing. (Oth.Writ.) Collection of Poems "Flows in Lifes Garden Vols 2 & 3 Poems of a Farmer (Pers) My poems are my philosophy of life, A lifetime of farming and working with nature has given me an opportunity to think deeply about life and I have tried to write about every aspect of it, humorously, seriously and sometimes in dialect and I hope always with simplicity and sincerity that people can relate to.

My Father

My father lived a simple life
But he was a man apart
With gentle ways and humble mind
And an understanding heart

He loved and cared for people
Helping those in need.
He strove to make folk happy
For kindness was his creed.

He never aimed for dizzy heights
Of luxury or fame
But where he walked and where he talked
With love he carved his name.

He was like a rock to lean upon
Each problem he would share.
He found his strength in his belief
And in kneeling down in prayer.

He loved his home and lived his life
With fullness to the end
He taught me much I owe him much
A father and a friend.

Death was peace and joy to him
It was no fearful thing,
His faith was simple and sincere
And God alone his king.

Flowere In God's Garden

We all are flowres in God's Garden
Each bearing a differing bloom,
We are only here for a season
And autumn oft cometh too soon.

Each of us has the potential
To be the loveliest of flowers,
To add charm and grace to the Garden
The choice quite simply is ours.

We may bring some joy to a life that is sad
Just through a word that is spoken
We may bring some peace to a troubled mind
Or hope to a heart that is broken.

For every flower has something to give
Or it maybe just something to share,
it may not be much, but may mean a great deal
To someone, sometime, somewhere.

Yes, we all have gifts to use as we will
And we never should miss any chance,
To freely give of the gifts we possess
And with love, God's Garden enhance.

For much may stem from the life that we live
Which now we're not able to see,
But the good seeds we sow, are the flowers that will grow
And bloom in Eternity.