suggested by Louis MacNeice’s ‘Prayer Before Birth’
you arrive another
i accommodate
not cosset or indulge
build or tear down walls for
shield from error or rehearse
in wise lies and urges for blood
not mute the voices
that prick you trick you dope you
make much and little of your skin and size
rope you into thinking their certainties
quiet you when you oppose
i lay an ample spread
seas to go down to
giants to look up to
fields to bend your back
hills and soft rain ways to tramp
forests to cool you
deserts to level your head
i offer small days and big
sundry plain dapple a flame within
i ask you be you and be good
good makes sense for all things
evil’s a septic wound of mind
i offer you a chance to love
and many chances to be kind
i offer you an ending
the universe spreads rumours and wild fires
i’m a small safe corner
your bright idea for now
hear me
johnpoetflanagan 
This is a beautiful offering, John.
Joan
Thank you for reading and responding so generously.
Much love
john
Sprinkled sugar like on a griddlecake with intense spirituality and emotion as in acknowledgment to the gift from the omnipotent source of love and all things. You have written a spiritual impression that would dwell well within the pages of a hymnal. Ever your friend, Jon Michael
Thank you
Jon My Friend
for this elegant, wonderfully penned response
Ever Your Friend
john
“I offer you an ending”, life a prayer John, this is moving beyond words.
Love,
Holly
Thank you
Dear Holly
for your generosity and warmth
With love
john
😊 thank you John. Sending love ❤️
A lovely offering of love!! Perfect last stanza!
xxellen
Ellen
Thank you so much, most kind and supportive
A big hug
john
So true, John. There’s nothing wrong with the safe corner. I can’t wait to get there. I hope that’s where everyone else I love is waiting.
Thank you Alicia
thank you very much
Stylistically this is a real tour de force, John – the run off between lines (sorry, I can’t remember the correct terminology) is excellent giving the poem a real flow and sense of connection in that it reflects the message of love and hope being unending, and the rhymes are delicious.
A very finely crafted poem. Fabulous writing.
Chris, Friend
You do me great honour
Thank you
for your encouragement
Ever
john
Always a pleasure to read your work, John.
This is so wonderful. The tenderness squeezes the heart.
Thank you
Dear Vera
for your kindness and support
Much love
john
The pleasure is all mine
Words that will stay a while. Thank you John 💕
Thank you Dear Val
for your support and encouragement
Always
john
this is so beautiful and touching offering…amazing!!
Mihran
So kind and generous
Thank you
My best to you
john
‘not cosset or indulge’
cosset
ˈkɒsɪt/Submit
verb
care for and protect in an overindulgent way.
“all her life she’d been cosseted by her family”
I had to look it up.
G.
Thank you
Gavin
Always
john
Nurture that allows growth so beautifully said.
Myra. My Friend
Thank you
Always
john
Beautiful John!!
Kirt
Thank you
and
Thank you for following my blog
My best to you
john
Brother John – eloquent reply to the unborn in MacNeice’s “Prayer Before Birth” :
i offer you a chance to love
and many chances to be kind
i offer you an ending
Love the conclusion:
the universe spreads rumours and wild fires
i’m a small safe corner
your bright idea for now
hear me
MacNeice’s “Bagpipe Music” is one of my favorite poems.
Thank you
Brother David
Yes, i had the feeling you’d be a MacNeice man
Love to You and Diane
Your Brother
john
Wonderful offering, John, and I hear you; those last few lines…Wow! Hugs!
Lauren
So kind and generous
You’re a star!
Much love
john
❤️
Powerful! Thank you for sharing your wonderful work, Bapak John!
Always my pleasure
Dear Indah
Thank you, Great Lady
A big hug
bapak john
In agreement with David Hightower. Very moving, John. Feels like a reassuring hand on this reader’s shoulder. Read aloud, it’s even more satisfying. That’s it! You should publish an audio anthology!
Thank you, Dearest Gina
for your sensitive and thoughtful response.
Much love to you
Always
john