by John Donne Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe, For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow, Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee. From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, Much pleasure, then from thee, much more mustContinue reading “Death Be Not Proud”
Category Archives: My blog
A neverending journey in search of socialism
The search for socialism has no real beginning and no real end. Even if you concentrate on socialism in the UK you have to figure out where it has come from, including when did it begin, and is it still evolving. More than anything a socialist needs to find a home. There are many choicesContinue reading “A neverending journey in search of socialism”
Forgetfulness
by Billy Collins former US Poet Laureate The name of the author is first to go followed obediently by the title, the plot, the heartbreaking conclusion, the entire novel which suddenly becomes one you have never read, never even heard of, as if, one by one, the memories you used to harbor decided to returnContinue reading “Forgetfulness”
Seaside resort – not the best place when you seek political answers
Growing up in a middle class household during the 1950s and 60s in a seaside resort in NE Wales is not totally conducive to getting an insight into national politics in general and local politics in particular. For a start nobody really talked about politics to children and when I first started to take aContinue reading “Seaside resort – not the best place when you seek political answers”
My Heart and I
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning l. ENOUGH! We’re tired, my heart and I. We sit beside the headstone thus, And wish that name were carved for us. The moss reprints more tenderly The hard types of the mason’s knife, As heaven’s sweet life renews earth’s life With which we’re tired, my heart and I. ll. YouContinue reading “My Heart and I”
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 put his trident. Mars is gaga – illusory vultures on the wing. Pluto exhumed, blinks. My kind of world, he thinks. Kidnapping andContinue reading “The Old Gods”
Market meeting was a real bonus
Meeting my Muse at the market in March 1973 was a bonus as I thought it would be two weeks after the party before I saw her again. That half an hour with her made all the difference. If you are thinking of a long-term relationship then you should base it on each of youContinue reading “Market meeting was a real bonus”
To woo or not woo – that is the question – only fools rush in
Since I last mentioned the moment I actually met my Muse, and discovered she had a six-month-old baby, I have not gone back to that period, well not until yesterday when I commented on that eventful year 1973. It is not because there were any bad memories from that event, or even that year. InContinue reading “To woo or not woo – that is the question – only fools rush in”
IRA bombers, fairy tale wedding, three-day week and heavy rock – all help make the world go round
Some years are full of events, others can be very quiet. For me 1973 was one of those busy years. It was certainly a year which sticks in my mind. The year began with the UK, along with the Republic of Ireland and Denmark, entering the European Economic Market. Not something which impinged on myContinue reading “IRA bombers, fairy tale wedding, three-day week and heavy rock – all help make the world go round”
No Swan So Fine
by Marianne Moore “No water so still as the dead fountains of Versailles.” No swan, with swart blind look askance and gondoliering legs, so fine as the chinz china one with fawn- brown eyes and toothed gold collar on to show whose bird it was. Lodged in the Louis Fifteenth candelabrum-tree of cockscomb- tinted buttons,Continue reading “No Swan So Fine”
Robin's Nest 