David McCullough - Issue 37

Living in Northern Ireland, David McCullough was a teacher,  Educational Adviser and the Co-Author of two secondary  school textbooks. 

Enrolling in a Poetry Course after retirement, he was  surprised to find he could contribute meaningfully. There  were even a few honourable mentions for poems submitted  to OLDIE magazine competitions (a step up from writing  sketches and parodies for end-of-term entertainment). 

Now a member of Sanderlings, a very supportive and skilfully  guided creative writing group based in his home town of  Portstewart, he has read his own work at Open Mic Events  run by both Pub Poetry and Tenx9 in Northern Ireland. 

He enjoys Nordic Walking (a down-shift from distance  running and other vigorous sports) and sings(?) in a ‘Singing  for Fun’ choir. Furthermore, as well as dabbling in  watercolour and acrylic painting, he is teaching himself to  make acceptable noises on a keyboard. 

Having travelled widely, now a recent widower, he enjoys an  occasional game of golf and the achievements of his 3  children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren (to date!) 

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Sail Away

Magic Moment

On a hill

dry earth supports cool moist grass 

the texture of a crisp undressed salad

farmyard smells sweet in the throat carried

on the breeze driving an Optimist dinghy on

the frosted glass of the lake below

a trio of trees perhaps symbolic 

the distant rumble of rural traffic 

a corncrake cracks the air 

in an almost cloudless sky 

scored by invisible craft 

reminders of others 

rushing from then and there 

to when and where for what and why 

my inner self meets me here 

also there beyond my senses 

an entity who when enfolded 

guides and nudges

lights a path gives a reason 

points to a purpose 

tracks a stumbling doubt 

lifts to a new perspective 

comforts sustains enriches 

I ask what to do  

where to go what’s best 

for who when why 

to try to be prepared 

 a presence in and beyond me  

always returns the call