by Emanuel Xavier “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye not be troubles; all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet ” -Matthew 24:6 1. I escape the horrors of war with a towel and a room Offering myself to Palestinian and Jewish boys asContinue reading “Wars and Rumors of Wars”
Category Archives: My blog
Union bonds do not last forever, but I still had all the world as my stage
I must admit, the end of the Basildon lockout was a bit of an anti-climax. I had discovered more about the camaraderie of socialism and the true meaning of the brotherhood of the union (be fair, there were not many women in the trade union at that time) in those couple of weeks with theContinue reading “Union bonds do not last forever, but I still had all the world as my stage”
The Old Prison
by Judith Wright Australian poet The rows of cells are unroofed, a flute for the wind’s mouth, who comes with a breath of ice from the blue caves of the south. O dark and fierce day: the wind like an angry bee hunts for the black honey in the pits of the hollow sea. WavesContinue reading “The Old Prison”
Friends Departed
by Henry Vaughan They are all gone into the world of light! And I alone sit ling’ring here; Their very memory is fair and bright, And my sad thoughts doth clear. It glows and glitters in my cloudy breast, Or those faint beams in which this hill is drest After the sun’s remove. I seeContinue reading “Friends Departed”
One man and his dog – but it’s the dog in charge of the show
When I was a trainee reporter – over 50 years ago – most of the stories I reported on were straightforward. A story could be a report on a court case; reports from a council meeting; sports reports; a theatre review; or one of many other events. In all these cases I went to court,Continue reading “One man and his dog – but it’s the dog in charge of the show”
Days Teach Me
by Unknown Days teach me To always dream However it may never come true But that’s the best way To live life through Days teach me To dream so high Never give up and always try Never let go or say goodbye Days teach me That when there is darkness For sure dawn is theContinue reading “Days Teach Me”
One in the eye for the bosses when picketers produce a Royal edition
The weekend came and the weekend went. The journalists in Basildon were still locked out by the Westminster Press Group management. The printworkers were still refusing to return to work unless the lockout was ended and the journalists also allowed to return. On that Monday morning in November, with the wedding of Princess Anne andContinue reading “One in the eye for the bosses when picketers produce a Royal edition”
I Am Not Yours
by Sarah Teasdale I am not yours, not lost in you, Not lost, although I long to be Lost as a candle lit at noon, Lost as a snowflake in the sea. You love me, and I find you still A spirit beautiful and bright, Yet I am I, who long to be Lost asContinue reading “I Am Not Yours”
The Poet As Hero
by Siegfried Sassoon You’ve heard me, scornful, harsh, and discontented, Mocking and loathing War: you’ve asked me why Of my old, silly sweetness I’ve repented– My ecstasies changed to an ugly cry. You are aware that once I sought the Grail, Riding in armour bright, serene and strong; And it was told that through myContinue reading “The Poet As Hero”
Promises Like Pie Crusts
by Christina Rossetti Promise me no promises So will I not promise you: Keep we both our liberties, Never false and never true: Let us hold the die uncast, Free to come as free to go: For I cannot know your past, And of mine what can you know? You, so warm, may once haveContinue reading “Promises Like Pie Crusts”
Robin's Nest 