The Padley Martyrs Poem by Martin Ward

In Derbyshire,
three peaks of Kinder Scout
stand above two thousand feet,
making them mountains by definition.

Likewise, three peaks of men
stand as beacons:
true to their faith in the face of death.
One Yorkshire priest, captured travelling alone;
two hewn from Derbyshire stone,
known as The Padley Martyrs.

To reach the first
of this rugged trinity,
it is necessary to climb
Jacob's Ladder; likely singing
'Nearer, My God To Thee'.

Three priests,
in the dank of Derby jail,
selflessly awaited their fate.
No sleep for them:
that final night was spent preaching
to a murderess to repent;
which she did, proclaiming
a new-found faith as she prayed
to meet her Maker.

Before The Blessed Martyrs
had the ladder kicked
from beneath their feet,
they paused with trembling steps,
to bless and kiss each rung:
with a rope tied around their necks.

No quick deaths: taken apart,
bit-by-bit in the bloom of life,
near to where Our Lady once looked down.

Jacob's Ladder flowers - Polemonium caeruleum
or Greek valerian; once used as medicine,
are the County Flower of Derbyshire:
they range through hues of virgin white
and Marion blue, just like forget-me-nots.