Messageboard
The Village Hall permalink
Writers' Group March 2011
This discussion has been closed.
-
Message 1.Â
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Monday, 28th February 2011
Brand new thread for March. Be inspired!
Poetry or prose on things that inspire you. Paintings, music, the weather or a scene. Whatever rocks your boat, makes you want to write. -
Message 2
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Monday, 28th February 2011
Well Done Josey
A bump and a snag for later. -
Message 3
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Monday, 28th February 2011
bookmarking
-
Message 4
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Good morning all
It is March 1st. St David's Day.
Must have this....
.
Then this morning I heard Clifford T ward - Ö÷²¥´óÐã Thoughts from abroad on the Radio. He mentions several poets and inspiration. I was a big fan of this mild and melodic English teacher from Worcestershire. He also wrote a song entitled 'Not waving...but drowning.
I am heading off for a walk to Hamlet's Castle - No, not Elsinore, but the one Mel Gibson chose to represent it in 1990. A pretty dramatic setting - It might inspire. It will certainly appeal to my sense of the dramatic.
Have an inspiring day everyone. -
Message 5
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Happy St David's Day, everyone.
BYT, hope you enjoyed your walk and got inspired!
To kick us off here's a tiny thing i wrote after my middle granddaughter and I were trying to copy Picasso's Girl in a Chemise
How did he do that? I wonder.
I mean, the skin glowing under
A wisp of fabric so fine it almost isn’t there.
It’s not fair.
I can’t replicate it, can’t believe
How such simplicity can deceive.
When I try
Her eye,
Her nose,
Her lips, all seem in dull repose -
Not subtly coquettish, no hint
Of sad promise underneath the tint. -
Message 6
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Hi Josey
That's a fine wee rhyme and a fascinating topic. My reading group has just read 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and we discussed at length what it was about it that inspired Tracey Chevalier. We mostly thought that the earring was the key. The magical way that it lifted the whole piece out of the ordinary, lent an almost ethereal light to a simple subject.
So we are all busily trying to think of an image from which we can fabricate a 'back' story. Your reference made me think of the Degas ballerina print.
We had a wonderful walk. Great company, almost perfect weather - in fact today could have passed muster on many a summer day up here. Still, warm, clear, bright - only had a base layer and thin gilet (plus troos and boots of course). Stunning scenery, lovely lunch (local mussels) and en route stumbled across the these, built into a garden wall. We spent some time lying on our sides trying to decipher bits.
Something may come of it - a few key words rumbling around. -
Message 7
Posted by Lars Post (U2291030) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Inspiration comes
as dawn's or moonlit midnight's
unexpected gift. -
Message 8
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Interesting, thinking of a back story for an image, I looked up and saw a picuture above my desk. There is a blue frame and the picture, by a good amateur hand, to use a phrase beloved of art experts, is of a vase of delphiums. Stems of deepest blue softening to white arranged in a vase. Known also as larkspur, it is my birth month flower in the language of flowers.. Undemanding, the picture is of no value and yet it is irreplaceable.
A simple picture, serene, just a still life study. I have known it all my life. It travelled everywhere with my mother. There were other more valuable paintings but this one she would have saved from disaster first. -
Message 9
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
bother. delphiums = delphiniums. I can't spell.
-
Message 10
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
That wall looks fascinating, BYT. Hope you can make something out of those rumblings!
Lars, that's just perfect, lovely.
SJ, I love larkspur; you must really treasure that picture. Any chance of taking a photo of it and posting here?
Anyone want to bump my flyer for group in TB? -
Message 11
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
I'll do that, Josey, if it's all right with you.
-
Message 12
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
Oooh, sorry C-B, Just popped something on there. Hope that was ok?
Not quite sure what the conventions are.
Lars #7
That's so illuminating and elegant in its simplicity and completeness. And inspiring too. I do so struggle with saying what I think succinctly.
SilverJ
I actually read Delphiniums so no need to worry there. Actually, I amigine you can spell perfectly well. It is more often the Tryping that trups is op don't you thunk?
Your lyrical prose and turn of thought more than makes up for it. -
Message 13
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
Lars, that is beautiful.
I am more a 3 am inspiration person. And it has gone when the alarm clock buzzes!. -
Message 14
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
S'ok, BYT; I think the convention is that there are no conventions.
the more publicity the better, I would have thought. -
Message 15
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
Bumping with a short piece about The Arnolfini and a bit of an homage to R.E.M. It's unedited so please bear with me!
That’s me in the mirror. Not in the spotlight. That’s me in the corner. By God, when can I cease this interminable painting and follow my heart? That’s me in the spotlight! Great line for a vocal and when I just get the chance I’ll be changing my bloody career like a shot. A dab of ochre here and dab of vermillion here: that’s his surtout done. Now for her pasty face. Podgy like a stuffed pig. Distance in your eyes, love . Let’s see. Palette at the ready..erm...raw sienna, one blob, alizarin, one blob, can tone it down later, bung some white on it. Loosing my religion? Losing the will to live more like. Look at her
Fat? Pregnant more like. And left her chopines just lying about like that –careless I call it. Lord, how much longer? All I want to do is sing, not paint. Be on the stage, in the spotlight. Girls, adulation, giving my tunes to the world. Get off, dog! Stay there. If only it would piss on the hem of her gown, right in those folds. Never get the smell off.
Now what? what’s Mr High and Mighty holding his hand up for holding his hand up for? Oh he wants to scratch his nose. Well life is bigger, it’s bigger than you mate. Bigger than me as well, actually. OK tricky bit coming up. I always found ruffles difficult and those sleeves have got more ruffles than a tart’s bed sheet. Here we go; now how did I mix that green? Oh yes, bit of ultramarine, bit of lemon yellow, touch of the old alizarin –bingo. Little brush, steady now, ruffle, ruffle ruffle. Yep, that’ll do. Oh, I could be standing up there right now; I’d invent some sort of voice projecting thing so that thousands of people could hear me; might even shave my head and get a tattoo done. Consider this: I’ve now got to paint those bed hangings. How rich and portentous they are, full like ripe fruit, ready to pop, just like her. Heaven’s above, he looks such a pasty, wan thing I’m surprised he’s got it in him. Look at those stick-legs, cheeks like cuttlefish bone, nose like a bleached carrot. Big feet though, and you know what they say.
OK. Little check list. Him done. Her done. Dog done. Bed done. Mirror done – that’s my favourite bit so far, if only those nosy parkers hadn’t been hanging around watching and got caught in the reflection. I thought I heard you laughing all right. Like the mini-me though.
Window next I think. In my special brown mix, I think. I was thinking of calling it Van Eyck Brown , but can’t be bothered. Maybe some other painter who’s a bit keener will call it after himself one day. The hint of the century, that. Don’t really care to be honest. Couple of straight lines, few bars going the other way, bit of shadow. There you go, bung in a candlestick; bit of highlight. Some oranges for constrast. And now for the chandelier. They do like their feature lighting, rich blokes –all show and no substance in my opinion, you want something that glows, something you can see by. A spotlight even.
Nearly done, thank God. Rehearsal later down town with Hans, Hugo and Rob. Should be good, going try out my new lyrics. Thought of loads more. Just going to sign off on this blasted picture. Whoa yes, there’s my tag, nice and big right across the back wall. Van Eyck Was Here. -
Message 16
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
Josey, that was brilliant. I'll read that again, several times. It mad me look up chopines (a word I knew but had forgotten) and alizarin, which I'd never heard, and I love learning new words.
It made me look at a so-familiar painting newly, and, eerily, when I first read "homage to R.E.M", I had "Losing my religion" playing in my head, before I read your piece.
Here it is - thanks, Josey!
-
Message 17
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Thanks Carrick, glad you liked the piece and thank you for posting that clip. Haven't seen that for over 15 years; once had an ill-fated relationship with a chap who had that video and to be honest watching it was one of the only good things that came out of it! I think there must have been a residual memory of the vid when I was writing, because it's so full of art references isn't it? And the lighting like a Dutch interior at the beginning. I spotted the Perugino Saint Sebastian, a brief shot of a woman like Vermeer's Woman with a Jug, and some Michaelangelo stuff. Interesting study for someone more up in art than me.
-
Message 18
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Josey, an interesting piece about such a well known picture. I will look at it again with care, and a smile, remembering what the painter just might have been thinking!
Thought about posting a photo of the Delphiniums but I think not on balance. I leave your imagination to work by itself!. -
Message 19
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
The picture 'the wounded angel' was painted in 1903 by Hugo Simberg, a Finnish artist. He refused to say what inspired him to paint the children but set it in a real landscape in a park in Helsinki. In the far distance is an industrial landscape. Are the white flowers and the odd bush part of the symbolism or just something he did not paint well. I look and wonder if the angel is blindfolded or if her head is injured.
The artist was wise not to tell a story for the viewer, we each make our own. The trudging boy in his overlarge suit obediently carrying of the angel does not keep my attention. Nor does the angel this time.
The older boy on the brink of manhood fires my imagination. He looks physically well nourished and his clothes suitable for his task. But his expression is very challenging. Does he stare at the artist who intrudes on his day. Or is the angel his dead sister and his anger focused on those who did not save her. Is that too fanciful.
He just plain annoyed because he really wanted to go fishing but the artist persuaded him to do a bit of play acting in order that a fantasy can be put down on his canvas. And what is worse, it is long past his mid-day dinnertime, his stomach is rumbling and he wants to go home.
It inspires me and depresses me and gives me stories to write. Not bad for one picture. -
Message 20
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Wow Josey
Like Carrick_Bend I need more time to digest (and right now I am living in manic ville), including the links, lyrics and interpretations and the terminology of painting. Interesting how 'composition' sweeps across so many genre: painting, music, writing........
I am quite time poor just now, and my head hurty with too many things too get done - never a very good place for taking inspiration and running with it. Over the weekend perhaps, when in Yorkshire, handling lots of old things, opening treasure boxes and memory banks.
IN the meantime, two couplets, from songs that consistently swim in and out of my head, often have me working up little scenes if not more. So I thought I might share them here. They may inspire someone else.
"Go through life, parched and empty
Standing knee deep in a river, and dying of thirst."
by Kathy Mattea
and
"So we show the parts, we feel our best
and squirm around the edges trying to cover up the rest."
Mary Black
-
Message 21
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
I knew that picture, SJ, but nothing about the artist or his other work, so I've had a rather nice time looking him up - fascinating paintings, thank you for introducing me to him. What you say about the older boy is very interesting, a world of ideas there. I thought he looks very modern, too. I've seen many a kid with that expresion.
BYT, Going to check out those youtube links in a mo, the couplets are intriguing. Hope you have time to write soon, looking forward to it. -
Message 22
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Blimey, they were good, BYT. Especially liked Mary Black; didn't know her before but will try and get an album now. Fabulous voice.
In a way she reminds me of Nanci Griffith, who may be a touch "country" for some but I adore her. Here's a link to a song that makes me cry (even after all these years,for reasons alluded to up thread). No vid as such with this, but it's from the album I have. Great lyrics, too.
-
Message 23
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Glad you liked them Josey. I have a lot of Mary Black. There is a 'country' element, at least a native one. Lots of her songs (she sings rather than writes mostly) are about Ireland or by Irish song writers. She has a wonderful voice and I have seen her live a couple of times.
Kathy Mattea is pretty country - but she also does some covers with Dougie McLean (he of 'Caledonia' fame) - and worth a listen too - if you like that sort of thing.
I like Nanci Griffiths too. have you ever seen a programme called Transatlantic Sessions - you can U-Tube it - in the early series, Nanci, Emmylou, Mary Black, Karen Matheson and others - a particular memory is of 'Who knows where the time goes. Haunting.
SilverJenny
I really enjoy your descriptive prose. It feels like, reads like and sounds like we are sitting with you having you voice your thoughts. I want to stop and interject. That is a rare skill. -
Message 24
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
BYT, feel free to interject any time you want!.
-
Message 25
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Thank you SJ. Your prose, i this case at least, has a delightful conversational feel to it. However, with 350 miles to go tomorrow in a rental van, I hear the duvet calling.
I shall leave you with another piece I did as part of Waterstones 'Modern Delights'. I hope we manage tomorrow without the accompaniment of too much H20 though I do find water a great inspiration.
Delights - H2O
We simply could not live in a world without water. A physical statement of fact. It has been said that the next world war, Armageddon, will be fought over the quantity, quality or ownership of this amazing element. So before that happens, let me enthuse and effuse about it in all its wonderment.
Water has the ability to reflect or influence moods. Babbling brooks and gently lapping waves pacify troubled souls; gushing waterfalls and storm tossed seas invigorate, intensify passion; stagnant ponds encourage introspection and investigation. Soft tropical rain, icy sleet, hard packed snow, sparkling white frost, mystical dew drops all play their part.
Water changes the perspective of the landscape and of the heart. Summer droplets twinkle in alchimilla mollis leaves; autumn dew radiates from an intricate web; satin sheen of moonlight mystifies a windless sea and the blinding summer sun blazes through a waterfall’s spray. Even nature at her most destructive contains a savage beauty.
Water to see, feel, smell, taste and hear. Water to drink and cleanse; to dilute or contain. Water water everywhere........ with the power not only to sustain but also to destroy life. -
Message 26
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Thursday, 3rd March 2011
Safe travelling tomorrow, BYT, with water in its proper place. Sleep well.
-
Message 27
Posted by Lars Post (U2291030) on Saturday, 5th March 2011
You are all so kind,
encouraging and helpful,
you make this such fun. -
Message 28
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Sunday, 6th March 2011
I am so glad that
This great thread has taken off
For a second month. -
Message 29
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Sunday, 6th March 2011
Like the haikus, you two.
Now here's a picture to inspire anyone.
Who lives in a house like that? -
Message 30
Posted by Karmic-ish Kris (U14642774) on Sunday, 6th March 2011
Inspired...
I HAVE that photograph, right here, on my bedside table.
You, looking happy, bronzed, in love; leaning on the white oak staff i made you as a wedding present. we were doing our own Peruvian Inca trail, I was lagging behind as you strode confidently ahead.
"Wait" I called.
"This scenery is so beautiful, so inspirational, we have to take the time to record it, both pictorally and to memory"
You stopped, smiled, turned around and posed...
And yet, it isn't THAT photograph I am looking at on your social network site, the one I am locked out of...it is another photograph. You, looking happy, bronzed , in love; leaning on a staff fashioned from dark oak..no wedding present, this, I can feel.
You said I inspired you to look at the world through benign eyes, to see the beauty in the mundane..
Oh god but you inspired me too. We painted together, often; hours spent in silent serenity, no need for words just the occasional acknowledgement of the other's presence.
You suprised me once, by tracking down the original of my favourite painting: Pissarro's The Red Roofs. I had last viewed it in Paris, in the Louvre, as a teenager burning with artistic desire, fuelled by an assurity that i too would leave my mark.
Noone else i knew had felt that painting as I did. The Red Roofs/the Suicide's House..we travelled to the Musee d'Orsay, and sat on a small ledge, holding hands, deep in thought and appreciation of this painting, this esquisite moment in time for us.
I miss your presense, i miss that you inspired me to be a better me, a complete me.
We flew together, our minds transcending words, as all lovers do, don't they? We thought it was just us, didn't we?
I look back at this new photograph of you and wonder. Did she call out to you and urge you to be inspired by nature, by the love that is this moment, burned into a memory that cannot be erased by time nor the painful, intolerable absense of a soulmate.
Or was it you, my love? Did you stop, turn round, smile, and urge your new love to be inspired by nature, the moment, and to imprint it to memory?
Did you think of me?
You took my hand in The Musee d'Orsay that day. You asked me to marry you. You made as if to pluck your heart out, 'unzipped me', put your heart next to mine and said "Take my love, keep it safe for when you need it". And I cried.
I am older now; three years is a lifetime in many ways. I am old, and tired, and I am uninspired. ..
..........................................................
Ok, so i couldn't finish it off tbh. My point was too succinct for more words. I had been inspired by art,and by poetry and literature, all my life.
But it struck me, as i happened upon my ex partners Fb picture today, that I am not sustained and inspired by these in the same was as I was sustained and inspired by this one person. And i guess that's all i wanted to say really. i could add that she often said that she was inspired by me because i could "stay with her", mentally, in that easy three steps ahead manner we had. And yes, originally, when i remembered having seen this 'inspired' thread, I wondered if she might find me lacking now..medically i am unable to think, write, paint in the comfortable manner of someone who has full cognition.
However, and somewhat strangely (it feels to me), i can still read and digest and be inspired by words, even as i cannot return them, via art, speach, writing.
So i am a regular lurker on this thread and yes, your words do inspire me. thank you.
kris -
Message 31
Posted by Karmic-ish Kris (U14642774) on Sunday, 6th March 2011
Yikes...of course The Red Roofs was painted by Camille Pissaro, and The Suicide's House by Paul Cezzane!
Both favourite paintings from my youth, but is it the seemingly rather bland 'The Suicide's House' which stole my heart and my imagination. I have a copy of it in my study and have been looking at it just now. I can't quite see, now, why it gripped me so all those years ago.
I'm not sure if this can connect to this thread, except nebulously maybe, but i felt the same way - the first time i ever read Shakespeare - as i did about connecting to meaningful art. It became my 'secret' love. It enthralled me. Academically i still think his works are unsurpassed, although i know this is personal preference...
It's funny, isn't it, how some art, literature, poetry, creative works, resonate and some don't? i remember taking my daughter around The Louvre when she was studying A level art and how her art and artist preferences were so different to mine, and yet she is as captivated by art as I am.
Strangely too we have the same interests and are inspired by the same poets and literary genres. As is at least one of my sons. i wonder why this is, and if it's usual?
And if the answer is yes, I wonder if we can inspire others (our children particularly) as orators and by example when it comes to the written word, in a way we somehow can't with the visual? -
Message 32
Posted by Karmic-ish Kris (U14642774) on Sunday, 6th March 2011
Like the haikus, you two.
Now here's a picture to inspire anyone.
Who lives in a house like that?Â
Oh Wow Josey,
What a truly amazing picture!
Can you imagine living there and being able to scource limitless inspiration from doing so?
Wow... -
Message 33
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Monday, 7th March 2011
Kris, that's so sad and so beautifully written. I've read it several times and I feel it, somehow, it speaks to me; lost love is more than poignant as is your piece.
I've just looked at the Cezanne picture. Didn't know it before, but it's striking in its bleakness. The way the tree grows across, like bars trying to hide the windows from prying eyes, and the composition is wonderful - what an eye that man had. You could look at it a hundred times and see more, it tells a story. Thank you for posting about it. -
Message 34
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Tuesday, 8th March 2011
A small piece, but my own.
When I was young, I used to visit a wood where the trees crowded in to a shade like fans at a football match. The earth, reinforced by roots was a hollow echo chamber under my feet. The birds called to and fro, as if in the entire world there were no humans in existence, and the puffballs glowed in the dawn like early warning domes. The bluebells rang all day and the little brook chuckled over the stones, disturbing not one whit the spearmint in the lee of the bank.
I visited it again today. The hurricane many years ago had taken its toll, but the lack of trees owed more to the fat cats on the trading estate nearby who had not stopped pollutants draining from their works into the brook, like Hercules’ flood through the Augean Stables. The spearmint had gone down the plughole of the environmental catastrophe, and the trees were skeletal travesties of the lovely copse. The fungus was there. No longer the rounded domes, but like a witches’ Sabbath, the luminous fingers of doom beckoned with menacing fingers, noses and chins. The bluebells had stopped ringing and the birds were silenced by human hostility. -
Message 35
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Tuesday, 8th March 2011
Hi Rwth, welcome to the thread. With your photographer's eye you really see what's there, a rare talent imo. I've found that generally we never really look at things properly. Thanks for posting.
-
Message 36
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Tuesday, 8th March 2011
I enjoyed your use of words and images, Rwth, but the piece made me quite sad, so it was effective in that way as well.
Yes, welcome to the thread. -
Message 37
Posted by Rwth of the Cornovii (U2570790) on Tuesday, 8th March 2011
I wrote that a long time ago, and it was fiction. Composite. One of my current favourite walks - more than one, is in a brickworks, turned dump recovered as a wildlife centre. I live in Birmingham and walk there and in the Black Country and like a lot of industrial places all over the country it is very beautiful with rare plants growing in lovely places. The one I went to this morning is part brickworks as well, but people are planting trees, and it is just lovely all the year round. So it is looking hopeful.
-
Message 38
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Tuesday, 8th March 2011
I am so happy to return from a difficult if ‘inspiring’ trip to clear deceased FiL’s house to find so many inspirations. Too tired tonight to do justice to the many and various pieces but so delighted to see more contributions.
There is a feeling of loss and sadness (yet hope) in the words of Kris and Rwth.
I have been bombarded by sights, sounds and incidents to inspire. My memories shared and those kept in more select state, are in utter turmoil, and my physical being in a state of utter exhaustion that I will need time to see if anything takes any form worth sharing.
in 1991, my Fil retired from his role as a senior NHS orthopaedic surgeon and as a gift from his three offspring (I am married to one of two sons) my BiL and I, being the word smiths searched for a suitable quotation for a whisky decanter. We settled on the following, which for a man who enjoys his whisky, we felt was particularly apt.
"How happy he who crowns in shades like these
A youth or labour with an age of ease."
by Oliver Goldsmith, from 'the Deserted Village'. (A worthy read). There is a bck story to the procuring of this gift - remind me another time.
FiL was a patron of the RSC and much of our days away in Yorkshire have been spent reminiscing about Shakespeare plays we have seen (he had seen every single one at least once, performed live)
I shall add but this tonight. Rough and ready and composed somewhere on the M6/M74 this afternoon.
Memories abound
In objects viewed and handled
Of a life well lived. -
Message 39
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Wednesday, 9th March 2011
BYT, that is a hard job to do, clearing a parent's house. Your FiL sounds to have been an inspirational man.
I agree about 'The Deserted Village' ;
"Sweet Auburn! loveliest village of the plain,
Where health and plenty cheer'd the labouring swain,
Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid,
And parting summer's lingering blooms delay'd:"
Small world, I have just been cataloguing a later facsimile of 'Goody Two-Shoes' an 18C children's story with possible attribution to Goldsmith, not proven.
Much to think on from Kris and Rwth.
Not much inspiration here today, been clearing a blocked drain!. -
Message 40
Posted by Kishtu (U14091165) on Wednesday, 9th March 2011
Inspiration? Hell, I wish!
The clouds are grey and patched with sky – no doubt brewing rain for the moment my washing appears.
I’ve a cold in my nose and a chewing-gum patch of heaven-only-knows-what in my throat.
The grass needs cutting, the celandines by the back gate are stifled by so much life.
The pear trees are budding a fuzz of ash-green and gold, they’ll need to be cut back soon.
I need to iron a whole rainbow of baby-clothes and grown-up shirts.
I haven’t got time to be inspired! -
Message 41
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Wednesday, 9th March 2011
fuzz of ash-green and gold,Â
I'll make do with that picture for now, Medhuil.. Hope the coldinthenose goes away very soon -
Message 42
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
For no reason, really, I've been thinking about this first stanza from William Blake's Auguries of Innocence.
To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour. -
Message 43
Posted by carrick-bend (U2288869) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
My OH was quoting that to me yesterday - he'd just heard it and it really struck him.
-
Message 44
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
How strange, Carrick. Maybe I'd heard it, sort of, on the radio, and not registered it. Nice though. I've got to say how lovely to have an OH who quotes poetry. I've never been lucky enough, but my son will often phone up and say, what poem's this from?
-
Message 45
Posted by twriter (U1341420) on Saturday, 12th March 2011
Hello All!
I'm back in ML after a rather long absence - not intentional. Such good writing here and a great topic Josey!
Reccently I've been very inspired by butterflies (for a forthcoming anthology on Shropshire Butterflies) here's someting from me:
The Gatekeeper
(for Pyronia tithonus)
At Ironbridge I watch the Tollgate,
I need to pay my own debt but have no money to spend.
Travellers are a solemn bunch but still likely to offend
and I’m that patient man who has to wait
till the end of the day, when at night a sign will state:
You have reached your journey’s end.
The Gatekeeper, or Hedge Brown, you cannot keep him penned,
the butterfly and I share both name and watchful ability to wait,
though, his brown wings often stay in sight,
he’s free to go where others haven’t flown,
whilst I am tied, as if to Ragwort at my post
I always envy travellers when the Gatekeeper’s in flight
a delicate orange shape, leaving me alone,
freedom’s wasted on the traveller, and is what I long for most.
---
VBW,
TW -
Message 46
Posted by Josey (U1242413) on Saturday, 12th March 2011
Hi TW! Lovely to see you, and glad you like the topic.
That's a cracking sonnet, loved it, and you've sent me off looking at butterflies now. Like the sound of the Anthology, when's it coming out?
Best wishes
Josey -
Message 47
Posted by twriter (U1341420) on Saturday, 12th March 2011
Hi Josey,
Thanks for your comments - lovely to see you! The anthology should be out in time for Butterfly Week and will be published by Fairacre Press. There are 39 types of Butterfly in Shropshire alone! Have fun!
VBW,
TW -
Message 48
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Sunday, 13th March 2011
Lovely Josey. I am much drawn to Blake recently. Perhaps much may be taken from him in light of recent devastations around the Pacific Rim.
My compilation has that stanza as the entirety of 'Auguries of Innocence in a segment titled Ideas of Good and Evil.
In the midst of a very busy period but I wondered, if it does not seem untimely, how many writers find tragedy and disasters are inspirational?
Certainly I find such things very thought provoking, and in making sense of images and thoughts often find poetry or poetic prose emerging.
Shropshire Butterfly is very evocative twriter. I shall return to it again after I google the Gatekeeper. -
Message 49
Posted by BrightYangThing (U14627705) on Friday, 18th March 2011
Gosh
did that kill all inspiration? We've all gone very quiet.
This is on my calendar today.
I wonder if there is anything in the symbolism and figures to inspire.
I am working on something loosely titled 'the scenery of our lives', taking the various scenery/landscapes I drive or walk through regularly as synonymous with aspects of lives.
That and a piece for class based on using our own 20 most beautiful words. -
Message 50
Posted by Silver Jenny (U12795676) on Friday, 18th March 2011
No, it didn't kill my inspiration, BYT but somehow getting pen to paper hasn't happened in this neck of the woods lately. Or even digits to keyboard. Sometimes 'the world is too much with us.'!
Was it Coleridge who had trouble with a vistor from Porlock?.
About this Board
Welcome to the Archers Messageboard.
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
This messageboard is now closed.
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Search this Board
Ö÷²¥´óÐã iD
Ö÷²¥´óÐã navigation
Ö÷²¥´óÐã links
Ö÷²¥´óÐã © 2014 The Ö÷²¥´óÐã is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.