A lot of things happened in 1969: The Beatles made their last live appearance — on a rooftop; They also released their 11th studio album — Abbey Road; Brian Jones quit the Rolling Stones and less than a month later was found dead in his swimming pool; Michael Caine starred in the British film TheContinue reading “1969 – a year of great happenings”
Author Archives: Robin
The Song of the Classes
by Ernest Jones Chartist leader and poet, 1819-1869; sentenced in 1848 to two years’ imprisonment. We plow and sow — we’re so very, very low That we delve in the dirty clay, ‘Till we bless the plain — with the golden grain, And the vale with the fragrant hay. Our place we know — we’reContinue reading “The Song of the Classes”
September 1, 1939
by WH Auden I sit in one of the dives On Fifty-second Street Uncertain and afraid As the clever hopes expire Of a low dishonest decade: Waves of anger and fear Circulate over the bright And the darkened lands of the earth, Obsessing our private lives; The unmentionable odour of death Offends the September night.Continue reading “September 1, 1939”
Candy Man
by Roald Dahl Who can take a sunrise, sprinkle it with dew Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two The candy man, the candy man can The candy man can ’cause he mixes it with love And makes the world taste good Who can take a rainbow, wrap it in a sigh SoakContinue reading “Candy Man”
Changing places — changing faces
There was more in changing my place of work to Rhyl from Holywell than just being able to have a lie-in or go home for lunch. Obviously I was working with new people and they were ones I could learn a lot from. I was also meeting new people and old friends when it cameContinue reading “Changing places — changing faces”
Contemplating Hell
by Bertolt Brecht Contemplating Hell, as I once heard it, My brother Shelley found it to be a place Much like the city of London, I, Who do not live in London, but in Los Angeles, Find, contemplating Hell, that it Must be even more like Los Angeles. Also in Hell, I do not doubtContinue reading “Contemplating Hell”
The Builders
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow All are architects of Fate, Working in these walls of Time; Some with massive deeds and great, Some with ornaments of rhyme. Nothing useless is, or low; Each thing in its place is best; And what seems but idle show Strengthens and supports the rest. For the structure that we raise,Continue reading “The Builders”
What Kind of Times are these
by Adrienne Rich There’s a place between two stands of trees where the grass grows uphill and the old revolutionary road breaks off into shadows near a meeting-house abandoned by the persecuted who disappeared into those shadows. I’ve walked there picking mushrooms at the edge of dread, but don’t be fooled this is not aContinue reading “What Kind of Times are these”
The Newspaper
by Penina Moise To a Venetian coin, the first Gazetta For its generic title became debtor Whither excursive Fancy tends thy Flight? Like Eastern Caliph masking thee at night, By Vezier memory attended still, Thou pertly pryest in each domicil. Woe! to the Caitiff then who in his cups, Unconscious with sublimity he sups, ShallContinue reading “The Newspaper”
All watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace
By Richard Brautigan I like to think (and the sooner the better!) of a cybernetic meadow where mammals and computers live together in mutually programming harmony like pure water touching clear sky. I like to think (right now, please!) of a cybernetic forest filled with pines and electronics where deer stroll peacefully past computers asContinue reading “All watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace”
Robin's Nest 