When I was working in Australia in the late 70s early 80s there was a joke doing the rounds about Rupert Murdoch – a joke which had an undertone of reality. “Rupert Murdoch arrived in (insert town or city name) and booked into a hotel. The following morning he sent his secretary out to buyContinue reading “Better watch out if Rupert’s about”
Author Archives: Robin
The old gods
by Dannie Abse The gods, old as night, don’t trouble us. Poor weeping Venus! Her pubic hairs are grey, and her magic love girdle has lost its spring. Neptune wonders where he has put his trident. Mars is gaga – illusory vultures on the wing. Pluto, exhumed, blinks. My kind of world, he thinks. KidnappingContinue reading “The old gods”
Finding my place within the pack
There are hierarchies within journalism and the cub reporter, like the wolf cub, is at the bottom of the pack. Above this you get a junior reporter, then a senior, then a chief reporter. Sometimes the chief reporter might also be the deputy editor – then you get the head honcho, the editor. Somewhere inContinue reading “Finding my place within the pack”
First we take Manhattan
by Leonard Cohen They sentenced me to twenty years of boredom For trying to change the system from within I’m coming now, I’m coming to reward them First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin. I’m guided by a signal in the heavens I’m guided by this birthmark on my skin I’m guided by theContinue reading “First we take Manhattan”
Ahaka he iti pounamu Although it is small it is greenstone
by Louise Wallace I choose pounamu it is a river stone she was of the earth she was orchids in the hothouse less difficult than her husband fruit trees their hard graft plums nectarines a child we never spoke of another a castaway I choose to plant my legs to ground them I am theContinue reading “Ahaka he iti pounamu Although it is small it is greenstone”
We Are Going
by Oodgeroo Noonuccal They came into the little town A semi-naked band subdued and silent All that remained of their tribe. They came here to the place of their old bora ground Where now the many white men hurry about like ants. Notice of the estate agent reads: ‘Rubbish May Be Tipped Here’. Now itContinue reading “We Are Going”
Unto us . . .
by Spike Milligan Somewhere at some time They committed themselves to me And so, I was! Small, but I WAS! Tiny, in shape Lusting to live I hung in my pulsing cave. Soon they knew of me My mother – my father. I had no say in my being I lived on trust And loveContinue reading “Unto us . . .”
Back at work and the pressure’s on
Working alone at the Holywell office of the Flintshire Leader had its good points and its bad points. In many ways I have always had an independent streak. I prefer to control my own life. Take transport, for instance. I hate going anywhere by train or bus because it makes me reliant on other people:Continue reading “Back at work and the pressure’s on”
The Poison Tree
by William Blake I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, and it did grow. And I watered it in fears, Night and morning with my tears; And I sunned it with smiles, And with soft, deceitful wiles. AndContinue reading “The Poison Tree”
Digging
by Seamus Heaney Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests, snug as a gun. Under my window, a clear rasping sound When the spade sinks in to gravelly ground: My father digging. I look down Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds Bends low, comes up twenty years away Stooping in rhythmContinue reading “Digging”
Robin's Nest 