48, that’s progress, one on from 47 but a little while away from five oh
48, that’s symmetry, four be two be four
48, that’s unimaginably old, if you’re ten
the wisdom of 48 years accumulates, steadily
48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48, 48 said ten times quickly
means nothing really though add in a tune and 48 bars
and hopefully we find you on song for your 48th birthday
Cariad
Tref
30 November 2011
Ann is 48 today
5 November 2011
Drifting into November
We have drifted into November like leaves blown gently against a hedge. A climbing rose clings stubbornly pink to the archway in the back garden but there is little left to cover the gangly apple visible through the curved frame. It is a peaceful time. The belly is full.
20 October 2011
Another notch on the season’s belt
I turned the heating on today. Another notch on the season’s belt. I’m feeling strangely calm, important decision made. That’s it. We won’t be going back. What now? Winter’s approach. Nosebiting cold. Wait for the storm.
8 October 2011
What’s it going to be like with the Olympics?
…whatsis name now oh hang on, Vince Cable worra lump of wood – its unbelievable they don’t know nothing guv they don’t know what’s going on in the country. God they should get themselves out and about a bit more guv, they should get themselves out west, go west.
You’ve only got to go 8 miles, 10 miles west the whole area, the whole area Ruislip, Ickenham, Hillingdon, Feltham, Hayes, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Slough is a war zone, the police won’t even come out in Slough. You call the police they won’t even bother to come out. They’ve got the Rumanians, the Bulgarians, the Poles they stand on street corners, 20 or 30 men. 20 or 30 of them there they stand on street corners and all they’re looking at is to kill each other. It’s unbelievable. It’s unbelievable and we’ve let it go and it’s too late now to stop it.
I’m a bit upset today because I was playing golf this morning but (more…)
2 October 2011
The October Paradox
Tshirt and shorts with bare feet contrast with the hard to walk on lawn covered in wrinkle dry leaves painful to the naked touch. The start of autumn and end of the summer overlap, rugby replacing cricket but rainless scorch remains. Panic strikes a production-eased ice cream industry settling down for the off season. Perspiration drips off my nose and onto the table.
1 September 2011
20 August 2011
Gortenbuie
All is calm in the land of giants,
On a rare windless day,
Water the only sound,
Life has stopped.
The sheep, still in the roofless cottage,
Belongs there as much as any,
Regular visitor, like us it has not moved
As the heavens move all.
The generations have not returned,
Chilled hearth, three chimneys,
One lofty precious pot survives,
Defiant, hope in an unforgiving land.
Two oaks guard the ruin,
Glacial debris,
Turf covered stone,
The eagle, the stag and the mountain hare.
Revolutions pass and global markets crash
But here the peace is deep,
Across the glen shadows creep,
Expectations of tomorrow.
Time rediscovered, absent clock,
Decisions of the day fundamental,
Seconds counted by the foot, unscientific measure,
Tired, we lie in our beds and absorb the noise.
7 August 2011
Scottish roadside signs
Soft tyres waste fuel
Always wear a lifejacket on or near water
Be a courteous driver
Don’t drive tired
Watch your speed
Drive carefully
Drive to road conditions
Tiredness can kill, take a break
Heavy rain and flooding forecast, drive with care
Don’t text while driving, don’t risk it
Back over the border the nature of the signs changed:
A1 (S) night closure, 14th August
17 July 2011
After forty years of mortarboard and gown
The outgoing headmaster is far from retiring,
It’s pastures new, not out to grass,
His mark is made, register overflowing,
On final examination, the best in class.
For Mr Paul Strong who after 25 years is moving on from William Farr School to pursue other projects.
11 July 2011
traffic report
The herd winds slowly home,
Nose to tail, unthinking! lost,
Frustration the daily grind
Staring and more dull staring,
Unquestion!
The reports come in,
Collection of incidents,
All roads blocked, all routes crawl,
Times have been better,
The short lived excitement of the clear run
Now lane swap looking for the extra yard
Attrition of the modern motorway
Trench warfare system.
Veneer of self determination
The traffic jam goes nowhere in a hurry and that is life.
27 June 2011
the deep twilight
the deep twilight
the deep twilight
stillness before the night
millennium of silence
25 June 2011
The silent piano
I hear the silent piano,
inarticulate virtuosity
played only for one soul.
Masterclass in deep relaxation,
as the mind escapes
the tempo falls and rises.
20 June 2011
Confusion of Harmonies
Sharp
Harmony injected into my shoulders
Pummel,
I can feel my face swelling up
Pounding
Nearly cry out
Chop
The futility holds me back
Relentless
Will this never stop?
Knead
Not sure I want it to end
Explosions
Naked, open fields, expose to the elements
Ripple,
Wave upon wave, carried in upon the wind
Deafening
Initially my eyes screw up but I learn to
Relax
10 June 2011
real live son in action
I can hear the 2nd movement of “Allegro Handel sonata as dur” resonating through the house, filling every corner with the rich flowing sound of trumpet. Glass of wine in hand I lean back, eyes shut, and soak it in. It is a particular source of pride. No CD, no MP3, just real live son in action.
7 June 2011
it’s only natural
Speeded up 5 x by mistake – tis by such flukes that great discoveries are made. This isn’t one of them but someone might want to confirm the bird species?