Michael Shepherd Poems

God
doesn't get much sympathy
from believers
or unbelievers
...

There's art history, and there's the history of art.
Art history, you can learn anywhere these days;
the history of art's some other, thrilling thing, a life-blood
pumping its heart intensely as if it were a matter
...

The chance remains of another time
and a life that is not ours...
no, there is not 'more' beauty here than elsewhere -
but there is much beauty here,
...

Round 1580 - so some scholars write -
the finest poets of England sought accord
on what fine form of verse might most delight,
and render fullest homage to our Lord.
...

It’s rather a delicate personal matter…
I could of course say I’m just asking for a friend…
...

Why should mankind not face
the thought of afterlife?

For half the world or so,
...

No sorrow
Tomorrow

Keep grief
...

Light. Lightness. Light-heartedness.
Who can measure their measureless weight?

On the kitchen scales, we balance
...

and of course it was wrong
to label him as that – in just that tone of voice;
a touch of envy there, no doubt
...

'Speak up - no need to shout -I'm not THAT deaf! '
- do I have real reason to complain,
if years of partial listening have brought
now partial hearing in their fateful train?
...