Author Archives: Robin

Sunset Poem (Eli Jenkin’s Prayer)

by Dylan Thomas from Under Milk Wood Every morning when I wake, Dear Lord a little prayer I make, O please to keep a loving eye, On all poor creatures born to die. And every evening at sundown I ask a blessing on the town, For whether we last the night or no I’m sureContinue reading “Sunset Poem (Eli Jenkin’s Prayer)”

Those who were left behind

Eighty years ago today my father was celebrating his 25th birthday – somewhere in France. It was a week before the mass evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the French port of Dunkirk. Unfortunately Sgt. David Pierce, RAMC, did not get to Dunkirk with his ambulance convoy. My father was studying at the LiverpoolContinue reading “Those who were left behind”

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night

by Dylan Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night,Old age should burn and rave at close of day;Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Though wise men at their end know dark is right,Because their words had forked no lightning theyDo not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the lastContinue reading “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”

Back to school – staying home

Home schooling is not easy, as many parents are discovering during this crisis. That does not mean it can not be done and done well. In the 80s I spent two years working in Oman as night editor of the state-owned daily newspaper. After a few months my wife and children joined me but itContinue reading “Back to school – staying home”

The Whitsun Weddings

by Philip Larkin That Whitsun, I was late getting away: Not till aboutOne-twenty on the sunlit SaturdayDid my three-quarters-empty train pull out,All windows down, all cushions hot, all sense   Of being in a hurry gone. We ranBehind the backs of houses, crossed a streetOf blinding windscreens, smelt the fish-dock; thence   The river’s level drifting breadth began,Where sky andContinue reading “The Whitsun Weddings”

Summertime and the lovin’ is …. not that easy

In 1965 in the UK Harold Wilson was Prime Minister; wartime PM Winston Churchill was given a state funeral; Liverpool won the FA Cup for the first time; Ian Smith was preparing to declare UDI in Rhodesia; the Beatles first film ‘Help” was released; capital punishment was ended; Kenneth Tynan was the first person toContinue reading “Summertime and the lovin’ is …. not that easy”