Rich Clarkson
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Rich Clarkson
@revrichclarkson.bsky.social
220 followers 330 following 75 posts
Priest, poet, songwriter, environmentalist, dad, coffee drinker, nature contemplative, probably other things!
www.richclarksonpoetry.com
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A new poem inspired by a conversation I had during my recent visit to Melanesia
#poem #iambicpentameter #melanesia #anglican #library #MynaBirds
A picture of a yellow library building in Solomon Islands with mountains in the background and this poem overlaid on the sky: A Conversation Outside the Charles Elliot Fox library at Kohimarama “The birds around here speak sometimes”, he said, “the smallish brown ones with the yellow eyes. You have to pay attention though, they spread their mottled wings, glance back, say their goodbyes and then before you know it they have gone, packed up their conversation and moved on.” “We used to have a bishop here,” he said, “who was well known for talking to the birds and other creatures.  Once the rats all fled from the cassava patch at just a word from Bishop Fox.  His grave is over there. It's said the birds still join with him in prayer.” I tried to pay attention like he said, but though I watched and listened for a week, I talked to them, sang songs, and shared my bread, I never once did hear the Myna speak. Beside the Charles Fox library, filled with words, I sit in silence, praying with the birds. Rich Clarkson, 2025
October 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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I'm currently in the Solomon Islands getting to know the Anglican Church here and learning about the impacts of Climate Change here. This is a poem I wrote today reflecting on the last week of visits and conversations. #ClimateChange #Environment #CreationCare #SolomonIslands #Anglican #poetry #poem
Vulnerable There is a vulnerability in these small Islands where the challenges they face are mostly not of their own making. Seas are rising, trees are being felled, the race for land and for development is fierce - their magnitude could flood the roads with tears. But vulnerable does not mean powerless. Developing does not mean uninformed. These islands, villages, and towns are getting ready now to face the gathering storm. Stone by stone, day by day, resisting those forces that would stop them from existing. Here, where land and sea are in a battle aeons long, a fragile hope against all odds has always been their song. RichClarksonPoetry.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:40 AM
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September 10, 2025 at 9:51 AM
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The Umbilical Tree.
#ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #Pacific #SolomonIslands
September 10, 2025 at 9:09 AM
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A glorious sunny afternoon watching the frogs and newts in the pond #frogs #newts #pondlife
June 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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We went to a garden centre this morning and I was struck by this matter of fact sign saying that this particular plant has been "bred to withstand our ever-increasing summer temperatures". Yet another symptom of the undeniable fact of climate change #ClimateChange #NetZero
June 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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Today's GCSE History exam is on the twin topics of "Making America" and "Living Under Nazi Rule". Those two are much closer together at the moment than they ought to be...
A photo of a GCSE timetable which includes today's History exam with the title "Mke Amrc Liv Undr Nzi Rle"
June 10, 2025 at 7:44 AM
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June 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
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June 8, 2025 at 8:06 PM
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June 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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A group of folks I'm part of who usually meet at the pub on a Tuesday night have hired the church hall and are putting in a concert for family and friends and it's wonderful! 3 songs each and some impromptu bands - amateur music is alive and well in this corner of the world ❤️
June 8, 2025 at 7:50 PM
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Bought a new (old!) instrument today - a Neapolitan bowl back mandolin. She needs new strings and a bit of a clean up but even in her current state she sounds great! I love learning new instruments 🎶
June 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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No AI involved in the making of my new album, just paper and glue (and a few instruments!)
#Songwriting #Music #NoAI
April 25, 2025 at 6:13 PM
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New Poem: Laudato Si
A Poem for Pope Francis, 1936-2025
richclarksonpoetry.com/2025/04/21/l...
#PopeFrancis #Poetry #Sonnet
A photo of Pope Francis smiling and waving, with this poem next to him: 'Laudato Si' A Poem for Pope Francis, 1936-2025 Laudato Si, praise be to you O Lord, For Brother Francis who, with grace and poise, spoke up for the oppressed, unseen, ignored, forgotten, giving them a faithful voice. Laudato Si, praise be to you O Lord, For Brother Francis who, with strength of mind, stood up for your creation and restored its honour in the eyes of humankind. Laudato Si, praise be to you O Lord, For Brother Francis who, with dignity, laid down his privilege to serve the poor, pointing towards a world where all are free. A faithful servant, may he rest in peace: For Brother Francis, Lord, Laudato Si. Rich Clarkson, Easter Monday 2025 richclarksonpoetry.com
April 21, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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It was glorious to be at Lichfield Cathedral for the Chrism Eucharist today
April 17, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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Partial solar eclipse through a pinhole camera!
March 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM
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I'm looking forward to telling some tales from my time as a rural vicar next week - I'm not the Vicar of Dibley but it sometimes feels like it!
#rural #ruralministry #VicarOfDibley
March 27, 2025 at 9:28 PM
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Paper cut cover art for the new album - just need to finish recording it now!
March 20, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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New Poem: After Wordsworth

I wait, as patient as the laden clouds
that drift on by towards the distant hills.
They journey high above the furrowed brow
of fresh ploughed field, bearing their burden still...

richclarksonpoetry.com/2025/03/16/a...
Image shows text of this poem, with an image of a daffodil in the bottom right hand corner. After Wordsworth I wait, as patient as the laden clouds that drift on by towards the distant hills. They journey high above the furrowed brow of fresh ploughed field, bearing their burden still. I wait, as patient as the quiet grass that, clinging tightly to the hardening earth, longs for the star-chilled wintertime to pass and all the warming sun may bring to birth. I wait, as patient as the ancient stones now settled gently in this once strange land. Though filled with rage a thousand storms have blown they - weathered, prayer-soaked, resolute - still stand. I wait, patience rewarded with the thrill of seeing Spring bring forth a host of golden daffodils. richclarksonpoetry.com
March 17, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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Week off work, see you on the other side!
February 16, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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One of the many reasons I have concerns about the widespread roll out of AI (along with the massive data privacy issues) is that it's just not that intelligent and says stupid things like this!
January 13, 2025 at 12:09 PM
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I've recently discovered the Australian writer Inga Simpson, "where the trees were" is stunning - I've just ordered 2 more of her books to kick start my New Year reading!
January 5, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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We launched a new monthly Evening Service tonight, which was cancelled because of the weather warning then back on when the weather turned out not too bad! 6 people came, and we sang and prayed and journeyed with the Magi to worship Jesus #Epiphany #WinterWorship
January 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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Nice glass of 10yo Irish single malt Whiskey for #ClergyMaltClub after Midnight Mass - Happy Christmas everyone!
December 25, 2024 at 12:24 AM
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There's a certain incongruity to reading a book of 17th century Japanese poetry while eating in McDonald's, but after an awful week like this you've got to find peace where you can!
December 13, 2024 at 12:54 PM