The sea
The Northumbrian shore, St Brelade's Bay in Jersey, and the open coast — as companion, mirror, and therapist.
About Liminal Light
In recent years I've been journeying from simplicity through complexity, seeking peace, meaning, and hope.
A companion on that journey has been the coastline, the Northumbrian shore, St Brelade's Bay in Jersey, and open spaces where the sound of my breath against the roar of the sea replaces the wisdom of a lost friend.
These poems came out of that. I'm not sure what they are, exactly. But they felt real enough to share.
Liminal Light explores coastlines, thresholds, and the slow work of finding hope.
A short paperback collection of poems and images, rooted in coast, faith, loss, and hope.
What you'll find here
Faith finding new form
The slow, sometimes disorienting work of belief moving through doubt toward something quieter and more honest.
Loss and what remains
Grief, friendship, and the small moments that hold more than they appear to — a library, a Christmas photograph, a grandchild's hand.
Threshold moments
The in-between spaces — between certainty and doubt, presence and absence — where something shifts, even if you can't yet say what.
From the collection
St Brelade's Bay
Slowly walking north along the edge of the Sea today.
Yesterday I ran; the crashing roar calling the same.
A couple pass me running to the south.
Salt in air, the morning light making all clear.
Arriving, the chapel door is closed.
Whilst waiting, I find the Sanctuary Gate
and follow the steps of the exiled,
before turning and finding a new path
to a hidden bay.
From the bay, the church is now tiny
to the Majestic Sea.
In which direction is sanctuary?
Yesterday I ran; the crashing roar calling the same.
A couple pass me running to the south.
Salt in air, the morning light making all clear.
Arriving, the chapel door is closed.
Whilst waiting, I find the Sanctuary Gate
and follow the steps of the exiled,
before turning and finding a new path
to a hidden bay.
From the bay, the church is now tiny
to the Majestic Sea.
In which direction is sanctuary?
Approaching Bamburgh Castle
Soon my new steps from the south will meet earlier steps from the north
I know the castle with its treasure is ahead, but hidden from plain sight.
I know the journey will faithfully reveal all I need to see.
Beauty is hidden, waiting to be revealed. I choose to hold the lack, waiting for the reveal.
Choose to be temporary alone, but not isolated.
I see Holy Island, I hear the wind, the crashing of the waves, grey on grey on silver and white.
To the right are the Farnes and the reminder of small boat bravery filled with the Darling of Grace.
Now steps from the south meet those from the north, with knowing exchanged nods from the rare fellow walker.
Do I see it now? It's not quite right. I need to see what I cannot see to recognise what I do.
Steps take urgency now, starting to see clearly and in truth, it is majestic and my heart sings.
Feelings impermanent, passing and transient.
I turn, walking closer to the sea, further from the land.
I know the castle with its treasure is ahead, but hidden from plain sight.
I know the journey will faithfully reveal all I need to see.
Beauty is hidden, waiting to be revealed. I choose to hold the lack, waiting for the reveal.
Choose to be temporary alone, but not isolated.
I see Holy Island, I hear the wind, the crashing of the waves, grey on grey on silver and white.
To the right are the Farnes and the reminder of small boat bravery filled with the Darling of Grace.
Now steps from the south meet those from the north, with knowing exchanged nods from the rare fellow walker.
Do I see it now? It's not quite right. I need to see what I cannot see to recognise what I do.
Steps take urgency now, starting to see clearly and in truth, it is majestic and my heart sings.
Feelings impermanent, passing and transient.
I turn, walking closer to the sea, further from the land.
The Sea is my Therapist
Trusting the ocean, there is no fear of the waves
Waves are part of it
Ache remembers tears of jelly fish
That time I asked if still there
and God rose onto two feet
with a galloping sound
overtaking crashing waves
Waves are part of it
Ache remembers tears of jelly fish
That time I asked if still there
and God rose onto two feet
with a galloping sound
overtaking crashing waves
From the same coast
What Readers Are Saying
Get Your Copy
Liminal Light is available on Amazon in paperback.
Paperback | 32 pages | Published 2024