The Gradual Demise of All Things (Spirit and Stone)

the world turns a little slower
each day runs a little longer
and as our winter winds blow warmer
hurricanes are growing stronger
I walked out in the midnight
and heard angel choirs sing
about the gradual demise of all things

the unrelenting orders
of a God too righteous and demanding
sends stars racing for the borders
of a universe expanding
until gravity gently
pulls upon the strings and brings
the gradual demise of all things

take your hand out of my pocket
take your shackles off my neck
let me dream that there is a point
in trying to take the next step

the half-life of uranium
doesnt mean that much to me
in 200,000 years I wont need
that much energy
as the stars wink out I ll think about
our one pure golden spring
and the gradual demise of all things

the snow falls down like silver
and the streets are paved in gold
the sky is grey and leaden
and the wind is thin and cold

worlds turn a little slower
days run a little longer
sparks fly but they die
in hurricanes that just get stronger
I walked out in the darkness
and heard angel choirs sing
about the gradual demise of all things

The Old Wood Stove (Spirit and Stone)

here, she said, is where the garden would have been
if we had ever had a season warm enough to put one in
over there is the fence from the one year we tried cattle
well, youve got to take a chance or youve already lost the battle

between the ferrets and foxes chickens proved to be a lost cause
wheat and oats and barley - we were just grasping at straws
we read Harrowsmith by lamplight trying to find the reason
we were so out of sync with every season

the land is a harsh mistress, you dont want to turn your back
the frost will heave your walls, snow will drift through every crack
it wraps the hills in silence like a shroud so tightly wove
while you sit and shiver around the old wood stove

we were sick of peanut butter when the second year rolled by
our dreams of running water were just pie in the sky
we measured our progress as the woodpile rose and shrank
and then we missed a payment to the bank

there are some things we should have done, but somehow we just quit
now you will have to move the outhouse or shovel out the pit
when the spring run-off hits this house gets damp with mould
but Im still going to miss it when its sold

Retreating Like Tecumseh (Spirit and Stone)

the land around here is flat
the river slow and deep and wide
the tallest trees cast shadows
that cant reach the other side
but the moonlight on the water
becomes a necklace of fine gems
and we are retreating like Tecumseh
retreating like Tecumseh
retreating like Tecumseh up the Thames

the bridge implies a promise
that this road still leads somewhere
and Somewhere should be a better place,
not merely Over there
a promise kept can glorify
a broken one condemns
us to retreating like Tecumseh
retreating like Tecumseh
retreating like Tecumseh up the Thames

we should not be despairing
as long as we have hope
the coalition is holding
and they have given us enough rope
you can stumble walking backwards
but its us who run, not them
and we are retreating like Tecumseh
retreating like Tecumseh
retreating like Tecumseh up the Thames

City Trees (Tree)

city trees get old before their time
dirty air, salt and grime
thirsty roots run under pavement
wondering where all the water went
branches must defer to power lines
city trees get old before their time

hearts and arrows cut deep into bark
everybody likes to leave their mark
nobodyıs memory
will last as long as that old tree
when emotions run high after dark
hearts and arrows cut deep into bark

summer leaves shade strollers by the pool
where bare feet dangle trying to keep cool
somewhere high above the ground
a rough-made treefort may be found
teaching lessons you canıt learn in school
summer leaves stretch shadows by the pool

October, old folk call up memories
of autumn skies and smoke from burning leaves
shoulders hunch into the wind
as winter gathers strength again
to wrap a chilly coat on frozen trees
October seems to call up memories

city trees get old before their time
dirty air, salt and grime
thirsty roots run under pavement
wondering where all the water went
branches must defer to power lines
city trees get old before their time

Water Run Over the Stones (Spirit and Stone)

where the Nottawasaga River runs down
through the hills of the Caledon Highlands
its there that I love to be lulled by the sound
of water run over the stone

it twists and it tumbles over limestone and shale
where high cedars filter bright sunlight to pale
and you cannot hear neither thunder nor gale
for the water run over the stone

now silver and gold is a mighty fine thing
when its sunshine shone through a dragonflys wing
and what is this love that to you I bring
but water run over the stone?

if I could retrace every pathway I've taken
that left my life so scattered and shaken
I would lie with my love and with her awaken
where the water runs over the stone

The kids at our very first class in Newcastle in November 2001 penned this ode to their beloved Newcastle United football club

On Saturday afternoon.
We head down to the toon
We go to St. James
To watch the games
The Magpies black and white
Is such a canny fight
Newcastle - join the fight

Howay the lads
Come on the lads
We know that we can win

We know we are the best
And we can beat the rest
When the game is good
We are in a joyful mood
We go wild when we score
Newcastle - we will roar
Give us more, give us more

Howay the lads
Come on the lads
We know that we can win

Some other classes there wrote:

Families

Families help you
Families love you
Families never let you down
When we get hurt they come to the rescue
They'll always be there for you
When no one else is around

Sometimes it's hard to open the family lid
There are times we get blamed for things somebody else did
Sometimes they embarrass you
Sometimes they tell secrets
Sometimes our feelings get hurt
Sometimes they break toys
Sometimes they make noise
Sometimes they put dirt on my shirt

Families help you
Families love you
Families never let you down
When we get hurt they come to the rescue
They'll always be there for you
When no one else is around

What do you do if you don't have family?
They keep you busy all of the time
Looking after the baby
Cooking the meals
Cleaning the dishes and floors
Looking after the pets
Sorting out the cassettes
And we're not quite done - not yet

Families help you
Families love you
Families never let you down
When we get hurt they come to the rescue
They'll always be there for you
When no one else is around

The River Tyne

The River Tyne flows through Newcastle
Under bridges that swing and blink
Carrying oil, crisp packets, and cans
Sparkling trout and salmon that's pink

Standing and staring
The River Tyne carrying
Our dreams on down to the sea

Seagulls make circles as boats slowly pass -
The dancing boat, speed boats, ferry boats too
On Sunday the market has donuts and sweets,
Clothes for me and toys for you
Standing and staring
The River Tyne carrying
Our dreams on down to the sea

Further upriver the water is blue
Good for swimming when summertime comes
At Tyne Mouth the beach with its sand, shells, and starfish
The lighthouse flashes, the fog horn hums

Standing and staring
The River Tyne carrying
Our dreams on down to the sea

Later in Findhorn a group of adults from Italy, Australia, the US, the UK, and Canada wrote together:

These are the last days, these are the first days
Remember we have been here before
I won't put a gloss on the state of the nation
The state of the nation is war

Surrounded by beauty the pain of my brother
Is only an echo on the wind
An image on a TV screen
Mothers cry while their children dream

As we gather together singing a song
In other parts of our world its the sound of a bomb
As we kill, as we kiss
As we clash and dance
I will invite you to some parties
We will sing songs to our madness