Remembrance Day
So-called “Remembrance Day” looms large again. Instead of buying poppies and making wreaths, there should be public readings of Wilfred Owen’s powerful and haunting war poetry, which was written in the battle trenches in 1917/18. Try this sonnet-drenched sample, where Owen shows what a lie it is to say that dying for your country in battle is “sweet and right”:
http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Wilfred_Owen/wilfred_owen_dulce_et_decorum_est.htm
Starless in Gaza [song lyric]
When you take the burdens of the world on your shoulders it’s difficult to feel like anything other than leaves falling as tears to the barren earth. Then all treachery and betrayal blends into one…
I’m bored and lonely said the voice
It came from my own head
I couldn’t hear a word at all
But I made out what it said
A Trace of Sky [song lyric]
This is yet another song about what happens when love and good feelings become suppressed and even twisted…
Searching for a reason
Trying to find the answer why
Brave hearts to believe in
Need to feel
something real
inside
The 15 Authors/Poets who have most influenced/affected me
Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors (poets included) who have always influenced you and will always stick with you:
Wandering around naked
There is nothing more liberating and primeval than spending a whole day wandering around completely naked (not a metaphor). Makes me realise just how shielding and defensive clothes really are…
Full of Herself [song lyric]
This is one of those sagas which came wrapped up in the tune. It’s about someone I knew many moons ago who should have become a lover but it couldn’t happen because of a major choice she made for herself in her teenage past. If you’re smart you can see what that choice was. Tragic. Still brings tears to my eyes. This is my favourite of all the songs I ever wrote.
Winter Romance [song lyric]
This is a song about why there is so much wasted (suppressed) love in this world. Difficult though it may be, we have to confront our inner demons and unfreeze that which is frozen within us. In fact, there are aspects of our selves to which we have no choice but to die if we want to live and love.
Imaginary Gulf between Classical Music and other Styles of Music
It is sad that many people perceive an imaginary gulf between classical music and other styles of music. Many in the folk/pop/rock/country/singer-songwriter scene would never go to a classical music concert and have hardly listened to any classical music. Here’s a promise: If you ask me, I will take you to a classical music concert which will completely blow your mind. Then the gulf will be gone!
There’s Something About April [poem]
There’s something about April - the way she wears her clothes: loosely fit. One button more and September is exposed. The veil removed, her flesh reveals December’s naked trees; Springtime lurks behind the bark and drags me to my knees. Continue reading...
Dog in the Manger [song lyric]
She couldn’t have the one who she wanted
So she made sure that no one else could
The moment she saw competition
She got out her dark storybook
She watched him to see who he talked to
Like a hawk in the sky stalks its prey
She even included ‘potentials’
If she thought he might steal them away
The Naked Troubadour 