I rather cruelly left Harold Godwinson, aka King Harold of England, on the top of a hill near Hastings on a cold, dark October night as he prepared to clinch the crown with a double victory. He had already seen off an attack by King Harald of Norway, aided by Harold’s own brother Tostig Godwinson,Continue reading “Harold goes for the double but falls foul of a right royal bastard”
Category Archives: My blog
The Mother
by Pádraig Pearse b 10 November 1879 executed 3 May 1916 I do not grudge them: Lord, I do not grudge My two strong sons that I have seen go out To break their strength and die, they and a few, In bloody protest for a glorious thing, They shall be spoken of among theirContinue reading “The Mother”
All good friends and jolly good company as we get set to tour
The fortnight at Harry’s home in Child Okeford was not only for preparing for the tour, making sure everything was in perfect condition and packed properly in the Sooty van (some fragile items were to travel in the back of Harry’s Range Rover), it was also to give us time to get to know oneContinue reading “All good friends and jolly good company as we get set to tour”
A Song: “Men of England”
by Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1822 Men of England, wherefore plough For the lords who lay ye low? Wherefore weave with toil and care The rich robes your tyrants wear? Wherefore feed and clothe and save From the cradle to the grave Those ungrateful drones who would Drain your sweat – nay, drink your blood? Wherefore,Continue reading “A Song: “Men of England””
Tomorrow
by Mal Melville Australian poet: on refugees and war Today another town in flames another army bears the blame. Before the bullets the people flee, nowhere to hide for you and me. My heavy heart is filled with sorrow. Where will you be tomorrow? Desperate and lonely refugees the unknown our new reality. Children cryContinue reading “Tomorrow”
The armed militias
by Naji Almurisi Yemeni poet The armed militias Plant gunpowder in gardens And harvest the holes on the streets Crushing dreams Robbing smiles Spreading pains Everywhere Here Dove of peace Looking for peace Here The olive branch An arrow Dripping with bloods Here All flowers Smelling of crying Here The truth becomes a kind ofContinue reading “The armed militias”
Poem for the Children of Gaza
by Michael Rosen January 15, 2009 In Gaza, children, you learn that the sky kills and that houses hurt. You learn that your blanket is smoke and breakfast is dirt. You learn that cars somersault clothes turn red, friends become statues, bakers don’t sell bread. You learn that the night is a gun, that toysContinue reading “Poem for the Children of Gaza”
The Day War Came
by Nicola Davies UK children’s poet The day war came there were flowers on the window sill and my father sang my baby brother back to sleep. My mother made my breakfast, kissed my nose and walked with me to school. That morning I learned about volcanoes, I sang a song about how tadpoles turnedContinue reading “The Day War Came”
You take the high road or the low road – I’m heading down the middle
Please note: If you are a fan of Vladimir Putin or Volodymyr Zelenskyy you might not be keen on what I have to say in this article. The war (or military operation or invasion – take your pick) in Ukraine has very clearly polarised opinion in this country. We all know and love or loatheContinue reading “You take the high road or the low road – I’m heading down the middle”
Yon Wild Mossy Mountain
by Robert Burns 1759-1796 Yon wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wide, That nurse in their bosom the youth o’ the Clyde, Where the grouse lead their coveys thro’ the heather to feed, And the shepherd tends his flock as he pipes on his reed. Not Gowrie’s rich valley, nor Forth’s sunny shores, To meContinue reading “Yon Wild Mossy Mountain”
Robin's Nest 