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”
Author Archives: Robin
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”
When the Pals marched off to war
Today marks 104 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme when almost 20,000 British soldiers died just on that one day of a battle which lasted over four months. My grandad, Harry Lloyd was there with his Pals because when the call for volunteers went out in 1914 from the Earl ofContinue reading “When the Pals marched off to war”
On Somme
by Ivor Gurney Suddenly into the still air burst thudding And thudding, and cold fear possessed me all, On the gray slopes, where Winter in sullen brooding Hung between height and depth of the ugly fall Of Heaven to earth, and the thudding was illness’ own. But still a hope I kept that were weContinue reading “On Somme”
I’m a handy chap in the kitchen
I have always enjoyed cooking. I don’t just mean knocking up the odd meal of fish fingers and chips (although the time I did do that I was accused of burning the fish fingers). No, I mean the real thing. The reason I probably enjoyed it can be pinned down to two things – IContinue reading “I’m a handy chap in the kitchen”
Fire and Ice
by Robert Frost Some say the world will end in fire; Some say in ice. From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate, To say that for destruction ice is also great And would suffice.
Robin's Nest 