'Simeon' wins first prize

We are so pleased to learn that friend of Anna Chaplaincy, the Revd Michael Jackson, took first prize in the charity Embracing Age's 2025 poetry competition. Michael has been taking a keen interest in Anna Chaplaincy since the earliest days of developing the community-based chaplaincy in Alton, Hampshire, in 2010.

The Revd Michael Jackson

We are delighted that Michael's writing skills have been recognised in this way. He is author of Still Love Left - Faith and Hope in Later Life (YouCaxton Publications, 2021) in which he drew extensively on poetry and modestly describes himself as 'an occasional poet'.

The subject matter for his winning poem is also one close to our heart - that exemplar of faith in older age, Simeon - whom we read about in Luke, Chapter 2, when he appears in the temple with the prophetess Anna.l Love Left: Faith and Hope in Later Life was published four years ago

'Simeon' by Michael Jackson

Bent back and stiffened knees prompt gait

Of laboured intent, an occasional wince, whilst

Unspoken pain dogs each gently measured step.

Sparse tendrils of grey enfold a mottled pate;

A beard of rugged individuality points the jaw.

However closely one marks his slow coming,

He will struggle to greet, until rheumy eyes

Come close and he frames a quavered greeting.

And yet, a steely resolve drives his halting steps,

Daily bearing him steadfast within temple walls;

Where, never failing, he daily worships God.

He carries lightly divine dealt wisdom of years,

Such his faithfulness, a mark amongst his peers.

Unbeknown, faith grows through desert moments,

And seeds of wisdom find root within the soul.

Doubt and uncertainty have melded into promise

Of limitless love to be incarnated in humanity.

Yet a lasting fulfilment eludes vaunted patience.

He waits, yearning consummation of that to come,

The long heralded advent of God’s Messiah.

Waits until now, for amidst the ardent in prayer,

With hesitant footfall enter man and wife,

A little awed and yet radiant in their humility

With baby first born son, held holy for the Lord.

The old man’s heart misses a celestial beat, as

He reaches for, and holds forth, a baby whose eyes

Lock with his in communion of untroubled grace,

And proclaim: love, salvation, hope and glory.

Waiting on God is not for the impatient, but

Its fruit is born of faith that never waivers.

So yes, ‘Lord, now lettest thou thy servant

….depart in peace’.

(Reproduced with permission)

One of the judges, Dave Bilborough, had this to say about the winning entry:

'The more I read this remarkable poem the more I was inspired. Michael Jackson caught the essence of this godly character who through the years carried in his heart the hope of the Saviour to come. Diligently, doggedly with raw authentic faith, Simeon believed and trusted that the day would finally arrive and the longed for Messiah would enter into this world.

I get a sense of Simeon‘s physical frailty as the years have taken their toll yet through the refining process of time, a rare wisdom emerges from this man who believed. A true elder with qualities, forged by age, experience and prayer. What a moment it must have been to finally see, recognise and honour this infant baby. Michael captures the steely resolve to see the fulfilment of the promised ones coming in the flesh and so doing directs us towards that light of life. The light that will never fade. The hope of all the Earth.'

And another judge Andrew Pratt wrote:

'The text is superb, the expression moving, the language emotive, the image real. What a privilege to read words created with skill making an all too familiar image fresh. Given the opportunity I would love to use these words in worship at Compline, Vespers or Evensong or, in my tradition at the presentation of Jesus in the Temple recollected in Luke 2:25–32.

Thank you for this perfect poem, this beautiful gift.

And third judge Pam Rhodes added her thoughts as to why the poem deserved first place:

'In Simeon we glimpse ourselves as time takes its toll on our bodies, our emotions and the way in which the world views us – but we also discover the depth of patient, trusting “faith that never wavers” in this wise, elderly man who meets a young child, and finds himself looking into the eyes of our timeless eternal God. I feel like cheering at the final lines of this poem, and congratulate Michael on this beautifully phrased, inspiring verse.'

Do read the full judges' comments and all the other winning entries at the Embracing Age webpage: https://www.embracingage.org.uk/poetry.html where you can also find details of their poetry anthology for sale.

It's been announced, sadly though, that the annual poetry competition is now coming to an end. For the past three years it has brought much joy and given a showcase to many talented poets wrestling with the topic of what is distinctive about faith in later years. Thank you Embracing Age.