tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65795224605889371542024-02-08T09:03:06.071-08:00Michael NewmanMichael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-8309572023094146922013-02-09T07:18:00.001-08:002013-02-09T07:18:56.399-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>OUTSIDE
OXSHOTT</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Two
minutes gone,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
there is stillness.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">No
cars, no intrepid cyclists – </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Just
bird song,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
woods offering retreat.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let
it last, this moment.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
tune-in to sanity.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Glos
GL52 8NU</span></div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-79781634078692537912013-02-09T07:17:00.001-08:002013-02-09T07:17:21.978-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
<span style="font-size: small;">RESIGN THE HARVEST</span></h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Those sad
September days</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Accumulate.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A tractor
ploughs autumn</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Into the
soil.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Leaves
tinge with melancholia,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tingle
with threat of frost.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Rusted
barley crashes </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Before
off-yellow combine harvesters.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It is not
now possible</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To talk of
renewal.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We are fed
the myths of childhood,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yet here
the ripe and rotten merge –</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Merge, and
submerge summer</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the
marron side of rouge…</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Apotheosis,
decay.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sibelius
knew it, this disorder,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This going
down with the leaves,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
etiolation.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Sunset
lies enmeshed in network branches;</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Poppies
coagulate in the remaining barley.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Trench
warfare is close.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Glos GL52
4NU</span></div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-30899790459023842013-02-09T06:38:00.001-08:002013-02-09T06:38:54.200-08:00<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>LISZT</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You, Franz Liszt,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Showman turned
seer,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once glittering
virtuoso,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Once Paganini of
the Piano,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now granitic,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dark,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Serpentine motifs
among uncharted dissonance,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Quicksands of
atonality</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Trod by your
prophet's feet.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
(Michael Newman)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
18 Courtiers Drive</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bishops Cleeve</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheltenham</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Glos GL52 8NU</div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-16569061949580474282013-02-08T09:03:00.001-08:002013-02-08T09:03:09.230-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
A COMING OF WINTER</h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
year-pulse quickens;</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Autumn
leaves scatter</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And whirl
down the street</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In a
never-ceasing agitation.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Later, the
days darken to a </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ghost-world
of ghost-figures,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And flakes
of snow descend,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mysterious
visitors </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Floating
through the </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">æ</span><span style="font-size: small;">ther.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Glos GL52
4NU</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span>
</div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-59055091582067045402013-02-08T08:58:00.001-08:002013-02-08T08:58:36.038-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA</h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
All the torment and
tenderness</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
Of the Russian soul,</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
All the vision behind
melancholic eyes.</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
And the walls of
Hell, look –
</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
Four thousand miles
thick;</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
And worms in the
mouth;</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
And the chemist’s
methyl poison</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
On the breath.</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
Mussorgsky,</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
Part-time composer,</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
Full-time alcoholic.</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
And full of heroic
melancholy.</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
* *
*</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
</h1>
<h1 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
So take Boris the
opera, and you decide –
</h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pageant or
polemic?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The voice
of Mother Russia herself,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Or the
bleatings of a latter-day</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Decembrist?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The false
Dmitri sings, and</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Weaves his
way into treachery.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">First
accusation, then vicarious guilt,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then the
unquiet confession.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We know
that Boris the Tsar,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Soul and
split personality,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Must
disintegrate before our ears,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Reduced to
deep bass instincts.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">*
* *</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fuelled by
illicit liquor</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From
Professor Borodin’s laboratory,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
composer lays down his pen.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Poor
Russia,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Perma-frosted
Russia,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Still
hungry,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Still
hungering after truth,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Still
tasting</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The bread
of disappointment:</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
curtain falls.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman) 18 Courtiers Drive, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham</span></div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-12530954098959960322013-02-08T08:54:00.001-08:002013-02-08T08:54:24.442-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>DEGREES OF RED</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We tried to explain to
Edwin</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The principle of
parallax,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How if he lined up two
pheasants</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He could get both with
one barrel.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In the end, he tried
glancing off the one bird</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To hit the other,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Which he missed.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The first bird,
red-plumed,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He took home.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We watched Melanie dye
her hair</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Carrot-red, and garish.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was the fashion, she
said,
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And we dared not mouth
the obvious joke.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She felt the makeover
gave her identity.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just about this time,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Sunsets were drawn-out
and brilliant –
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dust, they said, from
Mount St.Helens,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Circling the world.
Beauty born of death.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Whatever, we were
treated to some spectacular displays,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Pyrotechnics in slowest
motion.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
* *
*</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Three reds, then –
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A violent volcano</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Somewhere in the west
of America,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A girl nicknamed
'Carrot Top',</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And a stunned pheasant
coming to life,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Flying round and round
the kitchen,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And out of the door.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
(Michael Newman)</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
18 Courtiers Drive</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bishops Cleeve</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cheltenham</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Glos GL52 8NU</div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-34136967907246336112013-02-08T08:48:00.001-08:002013-02-08T08:48:42.804-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
CANTUS by ARVO P<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Ä</span>RT</h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Plangent
strings intone</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mood and
memory,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A sad tune
varied</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By endless
repetition.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Superimposed
thirds chime</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Subconscious
responses,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Concatenation
of childhood longing.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It is a
processional,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Holding
back,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Decelerating,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Almost
stationary.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The end is
death, and renewal.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Delayed
applause,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The music
beatified</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By
silence.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We should
pray:</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But all
the prayers </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Have been
written –</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It is
ourselves we must give.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Glos GL52
4NU</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-19541827781603401582013-02-08T08:46:00.003-08:002013-02-08T08:46:42.329-08:00<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>SYMPHONY
No.5 by PROKOFIEV</b></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
express is unstoppable.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
critics with their peashooters</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Fail
to derail it.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Right
note music,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Always
on the tonal side of dissonance.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
heart is the slow movement,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Hollywood
tearmelt,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Until
Stalin’s thugs trample over</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Cherished
treasure.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Insistent
goose steps,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">And
the ‘quick march’ bark.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">After
which,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Hollywood
tearmelt returns.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
truth is unstoppable.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
critics with their pen-stabs</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Fail
to debunk it.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">And
so a great composer</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Outlives
his usefulness, </span></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">But
proves an icon too far.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">(Michael
Newman)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">18
Courtiers Drive</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Bishops
Cleeve</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Cheltenham</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Glos
GL52 8NU</span></span></span></div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-69924627797741073172013-02-08T08:44:00.002-08:002013-02-08T08:44:09.796-08:00<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>SYMPHONY
No.6 by VAUGHAN WILLIAMS</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Such
violence unbecomes music.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Blatant
aggression gives way</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">To
macho swagger.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Man
and beast join in intercession.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">More
than a hint of anglicised jazz – </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Snakehips
Johnson to the fore,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
death a casual dance across the floor.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Tenderness.
There has to be tenderness.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A
second subject, folksy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">England
in a time warp,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Georgian/Eton/Pastorale.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
universe as one in-your-face movement.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now
let’s talk about the War:</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Strident
violins, insistent brass, </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Faceless
terror on the move,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Gloria
in parenthesis.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Scherzo
for the Blitz,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Dance
today, death tomorrow.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Grim
abandon, escapist in truth;</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Lightning
proposals,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Marriage
on the hoof.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Which
leaves the finale,</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Where
applause would intrude.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Paradiso
out of bombers’ moon – </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Believer,
believe.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Glos
GL52 8NU</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-12935617760577632382013-02-08T08:12:00.001-08:002013-02-08T08:12:53.773-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>E
GUITARIST</b></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He lingers
dreamily over each phrase,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Reluctant
to let go.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
approach, laden with shopping.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The sun
dances in the piazza.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One blind
guitarist,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Transcribing
Paraguayan rhythms – </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The music
of Barrios</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Raised to
awareness;</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Until the
sultry aroma of Moroccan broom </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Assails my
nostrils,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And moves
me strangely. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Vulnerable,
I hesitate beside the guitarist.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Seated, he
taps his white stick twice</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the
pavement,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then
resumes a Minuet.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fumbling
for change,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I wince
with guilt.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Two
pathetic pound coins</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To set
against this,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A life of
blindness. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Glos GL52
8NU</span></div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-64811879279173356282013-02-08T08:10:00.001-08:002013-02-08T08:10:37.970-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
VAULT BEACH</h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A shingle,
a shale,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
shell-strewn beach,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Waves
unzipping white</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Along the
length of inlet,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shadows
merging, submerging,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">At once
mysterious, at once nebulous – </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Only to
snorkel into three-dimension:</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Divers.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now ocean
liners balance</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On earth’s
rim,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Pitch
their sirens</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Towards an
occidental fantasy:</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Eldorado.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A dozen
turnstones fly in,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Take over
one corner</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of the
beach.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Enthralled,
I watch</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
complex socialising,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But move
too close.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A dozen
turnstones take off,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Drawing
the wildness and the magic</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From the
beach,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To leave
only desolation. Mine.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(Michael
Newman)</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">18
Courtiers Drive</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Bishops
Cleeve</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cheltenham</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Glos GL52
4NU</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-81516418381748403662013-02-08T08:06:00.001-08:002013-02-08T08:06:39.359-08:00<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>WINTER</b></span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Snow
has settled.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Each
garden takes on pristine beauty.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">In
this white-out,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Evening
extends far into night.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">It
is so quiet I can hear</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
pulse of the stars.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">My
breath forms blue statuettes</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">That
taunt the iconoclast.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Nothing
moves beyond the rhythm</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Of
stained-glass remembrance.</span></span></span></div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">(Michael
Newman)</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">18
Courtiers Drive</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Bishops
Cleeve</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Cheltenham</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Glos
GL52 8NU</span></span></span></div>
Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-85252000810234760732012-03-09T12:35:00.001-08:002012-03-09T12:35:50.574-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>BURNT
STRAW IN TEN ACRE</b></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">High
on the hill slopes,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red
flames lick the entrails of dusk.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All
I can hear is the crunching greed – </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of
fire devouring stubble</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
broken bales,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wiping
round the headlands</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
find hawthorn just out of reach.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
thousand ghost-faced farm workers</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seem
to haunt me,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
thousand patterns of flickering shadows.</span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You
cannot imagine the intense and terrible awe,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
narrow divisions of horror and beauty.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
is to forget civilisation and urban norms,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
is to find elemental thrill.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-3939172303928253132012-03-09T12:31:00.003-08:002012-03-09T12:31:57.946-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>THE
GEESE</b></span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unearthly
and unannounced,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
gust of geese</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Drove
out of the December sky</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">To
disappear behind the elm copse.</span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Neolithic,
goose-honking dawn:</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
that moment I stood speechless,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spellbound
utterly</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
the mysterious omen,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
blinding Damascus-vision.</span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then
gone,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quite
sudden,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
if snatched back from a window.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
waited, but they never returned...</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May
their memory pulse through my veins</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On
every wild December dawn!</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Copyright Michael NewmanMichael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-37326541303019900302012-03-09T12:29:00.001-08:002012-03-09T12:29:04.295-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>BEYOND FIRE AND ICE</b>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The sky is a wreckage</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In ponds,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With deadlines
concussed:</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ice-packs of denial.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The unthinkable has
become</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Overriding thought.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How to suppress</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My feelings of loss?
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Candles would flicker</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In musty cloisters,</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Ice would melt</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Under gossip of sun.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This scarp, then, these
quarried wolds –
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Indifference born of
treachery.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not to cry</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Is not to hurt –
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But hurt forever.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-44568354930530225762012-03-09T12:24:00.001-08:002012-03-09T12:24:10.473-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>BEYOND
SPEECH</b></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Silence.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
gift it bread and wine.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It
is the moment of understanding</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Between
two lovers.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Silence.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
valley unpolluted </span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By
movement;</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
quiet time after stories.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
the truest language</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Mirrors
silence,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Prepares
for life.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
the truest silence</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Follows
confession,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Prepares
for death.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Silence.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
bring it into the world,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
guard it in shadowy corners,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
hold it closer than our secrets.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
when we finally let go,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It
becomes our companion.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-13866900416253136962012-03-09T08:08:00.003-08:002012-03-09T08:08:38.322-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>LYRIC
MOVEMENT</b></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
wind roars through the pines</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
the noise of a thousand express trains,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roars
through the pines</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
an expression of brute force.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
is nature’s power.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
the wind is also gentle,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also
gentle and man-made,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like
the sighs that follow</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
parting kiss.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-81315672217121601712012-03-09T07:59:00.006-08:002012-03-09T07:59:59.523-08:00<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>END OF
TERM</b>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So it’s
good-bye to Gosport,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To Solent
and Lee,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Good-bye
to Cowes, Isle of Wight</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And the
sea.</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A trip
down memory’s
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The lane
we all take,</div>
And never
regret our teenage mistakes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hampshire’s
the grass</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
That’s
greener than home,</div>
The sand
that’s honey,<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Yet dry as
a bone.</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Hampshire’s
the route</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Of the
woodland walk,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The secret
dell</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Of the
lovers’ talk.<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB">So
it’s good-bye to Gosport,</span></div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To college
and pie,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And sea
the colour</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Of
blue-rinse sky.</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Deep in
the place</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Of you and
me,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Laughter’s
as real</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB">As
the verb ‘to be’.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="en-GB">Copyright Michael Newman</span></div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-60545148102847273522012-03-09T07:56:00.001-08:002012-03-09T07:56:25.668-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><b>THE
MISTLE-THRUSH</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB"><strong></strong></span></span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Above
the noise,</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Incessant
noise,</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Of
dropping rain</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">And
dripping leaves,</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
mistle-thrush voices</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Protest
(fierce) against the</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Storms,
and sings freely into</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">The
wind.</span></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">In
times of stress and fear,</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Of
greater misfortune than today,</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">May
I also have the courage, the courage,</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">To
voice such forceful protest.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-GB">Copyright Michael Newman</span></span></span></div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-56101195785221262382012-03-09T07:51:00.000-08:002012-03-09T07:51:10.716-08:00<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>NATURAL
MUSIC</b>
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Brahms
would have understood –
</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This
mellow foliage,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
These
autumn tints,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Berries
turquoise, crimson,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Purple,
pink,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Golden
Valley suffused</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With
October sunlight.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Clarinet
Quintet Opus 115, no less;</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Written
for his declining years,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The ache
of things past,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Things not
achieved.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A kestrel
puppet-dances</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On
invisible strings,</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Drops
deadweight</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Across a
short-lived vole:
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This
blood-let is for real.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But now
the autumn day resumes;</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Serenely
wistful, recomposing late Brahms.
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
‘Da
capo’ is what</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The rooks
appear to say;</div>
<div class="western" lang="en-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
‘Return
to yesterday.’</div>
<br />
<br />
Copyright Michael NewmanMichael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-74196384425557381942012-03-09T07:44:00.001-08:002012-03-09T07:44:12.182-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
<span style="font-size: small;">BACKWARD GLANCE</span></h1>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Blighted
by frost,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
half-hearty fuchsia</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Deliquesces
black.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And yet
the day improves,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">October
oriole,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">With the
warmth conjuring</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Summer.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By the
shore,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Breakers
unzip white,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And the
wind intones</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Reef
Lecture</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Across the
bay.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For a
moment,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And the
eternity of</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">An
afternoon,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We again
find love,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Learn to
take face value</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As the
whole truth –</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Remembering
yesterday</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As only a
memory away.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-42286822884467534272012-03-08T09:23:00.003-08:002012-03-08T09:23:36.506-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NOT
AS IT SEEMS</b></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Officially
it’s spring – </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
cloudy sky waterlogs</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Towards
the west,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Columns
of drizzle</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Compress
into quagmire.</span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Officially
it’s spring – </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet
a Stalinist breeze</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Infiltrates
from the Urals,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
bedraggled rooks seek out</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those
last remaining elms</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of
Gloucestershire.</span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Officially
it’s spring – </span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet
the blackthorn blossom is late,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
only coltsfoot</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bedeck
the hedgerows,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Incorrigible
yellows,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wild
as truant boys</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slipping
into sight.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-11195701352735089652012-03-08T09:12:00.001-08:002012-03-08T09:12:21.836-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>BUILDING
SITE</b></span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My
worst nightmares confirmed:</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
valley yanked</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Into
bulldozer submission,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trees
torn out like</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Redundant
teeth,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obsolete
clouds hidden</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
tower blocks,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spiral
of concrete enormity.</span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next
week,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’ll
walk in a new valley,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
cowslips will be</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just
cowslips,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
elms will be</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just
elms,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
the sun will merely</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shine...</span></span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
history will hurt</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
its absence.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
need our living dead.</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Copyright Michael NewmanMichael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-10434687246594977112012-03-07T09:56:00.002-08:002012-03-07T09:56:59.951-08:00<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>ALDERTON’S
ELM</b></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">They’ve
felled the elm</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">That
was my joy in summer calm</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(If
my dread in winter storm).</span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now
I profess little knowledge</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Of
aesthetics – </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Still
less of country planning.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Discussions
of</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Beauty
I leave to academics,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Cost
analysis to the clerk.</span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">But
this I do know;</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">They’ve
felled the elm</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">That
was my joy in summer calm</span><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">(If
my dread in winter storm)...</span>
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And
a familiar landmark</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Hurts
by its absence.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579522460588937154.post-50359281019745491212012-03-06T03:23:00.001-08:002012-03-06T03:23:25.182-08:00<br />
<h1 class="western">
LINES FOR MY MOTHER
</h1>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
breath was my first passion,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Your
tom-tom pulse</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The first
rhythm I danced to.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I clung,
longer than I knew,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To your
umbilical love.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">No fairy
tale proved too grim</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For your
guardian-angel comfort.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And when
the bedclothes</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Failed to
stave off nightmare,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You were
always close at cuddle.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">School
would gong,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
clamour rough-and-playground tumble;</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Spitfires
would nose-dive out of sky,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Flatten
towards airstrip zero.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You were
always there for me.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Then
later, when a tambourine </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Ushered-in
girls</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
strange talk,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The dance
began again,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Disquieting,
desirable.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I chewed
each nail in turn.</span><br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And now
the insistent tom-tom</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Of my own
pulse</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Draws me
back to you,</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As I seek
approval</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On this,
my wedding day.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Copyright Michael Newman</div>Michael Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16426610555498046359noreply@blogger.com0