Today’spoem

THE HIGHER POWER

The Higher Power held counsel To make a beautiful land, A land of mist and mountains Where evil and snakes were banned. The folk would live a cherished life Surrounded by kindness and wit, Mixed with a little magic Of stories, legends and myths. With faith as strong as family And patriotism galore, But even total strangers Would be welcome at the door. An evergreen land of beauty, A beauty that stands alone, And its people may well travel the globe But this land is always ‘home’. And with a distinctive accent — Soft with a soothing lilt — As gentle and reassuring As a homely feather quilt. The brief for the land was set out; It should not take too long Before they had this perfect land And then they could be gone. But the Higher Power sat silent Over numerous cups of tea With a little break for lunchtime, Thinking: ‘Just how hard can this be?’ The task now seemed impossible, They were running out of time, Then St Patrick said: ‘We have such a land. It’s called the Emerald Isle.’ Sheila Webb, Chesham, Bucks.