I Think My New Sleep App’s Mistaken

AI Image

I think my new sleep app’s mistaken
Perhaps its early days yet
But each morning when I awaken
It’s so confident on how I am set.

It tells me I sleep like a penguin
Lightly and on the alert
Should eggs I protect be taken
By predators out to subvert.

Yet my history begs to differ
I’m known for sleeping quite deep
To wake me, there’s little tougher
Than loud bells, an alarm, a car’s beep.

I slept through a storm one winter
Our shed flew into the street
Roof tiles gone and pergola a-splinter
Yet my dreaming continued so sweet.

So this penguin ain’t much of a lifeguard
My app must review its plan
A few more sleeps are bound for its scorecard
Before I become the app’s fan!

(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025


Epiphany

Exploding light
Never yet seen
But always there
when eyesight is keen

Wandering strangers
Tracking a star
End up at a manger
after coming so far.

Arising from water
Beard dripping wet
He walks from the river
his pathway is set

The wedding at Cana
in full celebratory swing
has run out of wine
an unthinkable thing.

A guest at the party
notes all those aghast
Words over water
Best wine is served last

(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025


‘Twas the Tenth Day of Christmas

AI Image (yes one is missing, but hey it’s AI!)

Ten lords a-leaping
In such joyful festive mood.
To suggest over-imbibement
Would seem abundantly rude!

Rather a disguise for ten commandments
‘Oft displayed in halls dim and dour.
Together they express the Shalom,
Of joy that is meant to endure.

(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025

‘Twas the Ninth Day of Christmas

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Nine ladies dancing – a recurring theme
When Spirit is broached, or so it would seem
‘Tis Spirit’s nine fruits1, emerging in time
A sign of her work in a soul’s growth sublime.

Love, joy and peace a-twirling
While Patience, kindness, and goodness
Sync their pirouette
And faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Complete the set with a new pas-de-trois.

(c) Dennis Ryle January 2025

  1. Galatians 5:22 ↩︎

    ‘Twas the Eighth Day of Christmas

    AI Image

    The milk of human kindness
    These eight maids bring on the scene;
    ‘Tis the servanthood of Christlikeness
    That is central to this theme.

    And eight signs the core of salvation
    From ark to fresh possibility;
    Lay the number on its side
    And it becomes the truth of infinity

    (c) Dennis Ryle December 2025


    ‘Twas the Seventh Day of Christmas

    AI Image

    Seven swans a-swimming,
    Black feathered in this corner of the earth,
    Affirming Spirit’s seven traits1,
    Each desiring to bring birth.

    Speech that reveals,
    Service that frees,
    Teaching that enlarges,
    Encouragement that strengthens,
    Giving that empties,
    Generosity that fills,
    Compassion that enfolds.

    (c) Dennis Ryle December 2024

    1. Romans 12:6-8 ↩︎




    ‘Twas the Fifth day of Christmas

    “Where are the gold rings?” we query
    Five more birds – a poultry song – how leery!
    Gold-ringed pheasants, so we are told,
    Not jewellery, such assertion is bold.

    Bible’s first books some insist
    Are the five rings we aren’t meant to resist
    Foundations of gold in precious metal
    Rather than feathers and wings that seem much more fickle.

    Yet Spirit is fluid and likened to wind
    In times of beginning, she did brood o’er the deep
    On wings that are broad and swift to achieve
    The Torah’s intention to give and receive.

    So five golden rings, whether they be bird or be bling
    Give us good reason to dance and to sing!

    (c) Dennis Ryle December 2024