The Bagel

by David Ignatow I stopped to pick up the bagelrolling away in the wind,annoyed with myselffor having dropped itas if it were a portent.Faster and faster it rolled,with me running after itbent low, gritting my teeth,and I found myself doubled overand rolling down the streethead over heels, one complete somersaultafter another like a bageland strangelyContinue reading “The Bagel”

TV drama brings major injustice centre stage – time for action

In recent years there have been so many good drama series across an ever-increasing number of channels that gradually they meld into each other and at the start of a second week you have to think which plotline belongs to which series. Was Detective Inspector Thorogood trying to outwit the murderous acrobat or was theContinue reading “TV drama brings major injustice centre stage – time for action”

Spring

by Gerard Manley Hopkins Nothing is so beautiful as spring -When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrushThrough the echoing timber does rinse and wringThe ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;The glossy peartree leaves and blooms, they brushThe descending blue, that blue isContinue reading “Spring”

Old Botany Bay

by Dame Mary Gilmore I am he, who paved the way,that you might walkat your ease today;I was the conscriptsent to hellto make in the desertthe living well;I bore the heat,I blazed the track -furrowed and bloodyupon my back.I split the rock;I felled the tree:The nation was -Because of me!Old Botany BayTaking the sunfrom dayContinue reading “Old Botany Bay”

Up the River Side

by Frank Foy A sabbath hush pervades the summer day,As seated here beside the shining sands,I gaze on once again the arid lands,That weed-besprinkled westward stretch away;The waves that wash the beach about me laySmooth mirrors in their track, and vast expandsThe stream’s majestic breast, to where upstandsFair Venice in her groves beside her bay.AndContinue reading “Up the River Side”

New Year resolutions? Not for me

Twelfth Night already and I can’t figure out where the first five days of this New Year have gone. I didn’t set any New Year resolutions this year, even though in the past I used to, even if it was only two or three. You know the sort: I promise to lose at least twoContinue reading “New Year resolutions? Not for me”

Two Lovers

Two lovers by a moss-grown spring:They leaned soft cheeks together there,Mingled the dark and sunny hair,And heard the wooing thrushes sing.O budding time!O love’s blest prime!Two wedded from the portal stept:The bells made happy carolings,The air was soft as fanning wings,White petals on the pathway slept.O pure-eyed bride!O tender pride!Two faces o’er a cradle bent:TwoContinue reading “Two Lovers”

The Blind Boy

by Colley Cibber O say what is that thing called light,Which I can ne’er enjoy?What is the blessing of the sight?O tell your poor blind boy!You talk of wond’rous things you see.You say the sun shines bright!I feel him warm, but how can heThen make it day or night?My day or night myself I makeWhene’erContinue reading “The Blind Boy”