Stunning Incident with Sandy Peden

Doug Blair 1951 (London)



It was that Sabbath.
Last one inside the Kirk.
Preacher Peden shook hands
Smiling with that slight hint of courage…
Brethren, women this is it.
Thanks for showing
In spite of drizzle.
So what is drizzle
In face of our trusty Covenant
And pledge, to the bloods.
No King, no stench of
Political favour, Bishoping
From postures of convenience
And personal gain.
Will head up the church. Never.
Rather our presbyteries
Selecting each good shepherd
Guide, father in faith, bringer
Of peace, love and hope.
We have had battles, deaths, tortures
Cries of hatred filling the air.
Disturbing the sheep in the heather.
(and so went his message
For extra-long duration.)
Then to the large front door
Parishioners passing through
Solemn silence, heads lowered.
Alexander, the Man of God
Raps the Big Door.
Thrice. With force.
Walking staff.
(Shocking some larks to leap
And fly off.)
Locking it.
Sobs manifold in our hearing.
The hiding times begun.
Sermons under moon.
Solemn spires of Rock.
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Written on January 29, 2023

Submitted by dougb.21370 on January 29, 2023

Modified by dougb.21370 on January 29, 2023

55 sec read
8

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCDEFGGHIJBKLMCNMOPQMDRSTNUSVWXYEFRZ1
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 984
Words 185
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 38

Doug Blair

Doug was once a lawyer. Frustrated. Went broke 1987. Turned to manufacturing. People talked straight. Worked hard. Listened when appropriate. Lead Hand Shipper and Workplace Safety. Married to Hilary 1974. Two kids Lauren and Jordan. Poet. Photographer. Hiker-photographer. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

All Doug Blair poems | Doug Blair Books

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1 Comment
  • dougb.72572
    Was fascinated years ago reading about this heroic Scottish Gospel hero who took to the hills preaching night time under the stars, dodging the King’s dragoons, almost as if by magic…Doug Blair
    LikeReply1 year ago

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"Stunning Incident with Sandy Peden" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/149545/stunning-incident-with-sandy-peden>.

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