If one must insist on clichés, then at least have the common decency to be unique about it!
With thanks to NASA for use of the header image. Continue reading
vs. Poetry
Le Pew
I have a sensitive sense of smell apparently; perhaps alone enough to cement a hatred for overbearing odours. But with aftershaves and perfumes there’s the added aspect of what, especially when finding oneself in a room full of people wearing either abundantly, is implied by their garish and obnoxious presence. Continue reading
The Epitome of Entitlement
Poetry to ‘celebrate’ all the lovely profits being made by energy companies in the midst of the war in Ukraine and cost of living crisis. What profit is there in the misery of others? Apparently plenty. It speaks the greatest volumes known to humanity about what this idea capitalism really is. Continue reading
Winter Sun: The Big Bright Ball of Lie
Poetry without comment beyond thanks to Joni Tuohimaa for use of the header image. Continue reading
A Great Storm Cometh
Sometimes it can he hard to write an introduction when the intention of the words below is that they speak for themselves.
Suffice to say that the intention here is to start the reader at a point seemingly alien and somewhat unsettling, before then arriving them in a few short lines somewhere completely relatable.
And even that feels like saying too much!
Plans, Trains and Lovers in Turmoil: the story of two
Two lovers part on bad terms with an agreement to meet in a year to see if they have a future. Both travel to the meeting on the London Underground, but one is delayed without any way of letting the other know.
Failing to arrive in time could be plenty enough to seal their fate. Do they make it and what caused the rift to begin is told in a sequence of poems from the two perspectives.
The poems originally formed the main body of a review for Ian Arkley’s album ‘two’, the music inspiring a poetic narration rooted in my experience of using the Underground before leaving London at the end of the last century; the tracks remain available in this post, also providing the name for each verse. Continue reading
Codalone
Thoughts in consideration of the unusual ways the feeling of being isolated can make itself felt.
Continue reading
Candy Nose Nothing
Suffice to say I bought some sweets the other day. However, while the below might indeed be relatable, the truth is I currently do have a cold; something I’ve been bestowed with since about two weeks before Christmas.
This isn’t the same one; for a couple of days just after New Year I was cold free during which I made the mistake of mingling with others, and here I am now feeling like I’ve had a cold for six-weeks when they’re only meant to be a seven day thing.
The below is based on true events, while given the circumstances under which it occurred, is equally a statement of my desire to no longer be bunged-up or lost on the moor of mind fog that viruses give me; indeed, it’s highly likely I only think this poem is a good idea because of the cold. As ever, you the reader are judge, jury and executioner.
With thanks to Glen Carrie for use of the header image. Continue reading
Dear Ulf Dloc
An old acquaintance turned up unannounced. Despite being uninvited, and more so not welcome, they decided to stay. They’ve even gone so far as to continue hanging around regardless of numerous hints and even blunt and to the point statements asking them to go. I can’t wait to see the back of them, so hope this address in a public forum will finally drive the message home!
With thanks to Evan Philip for use of the header image.
The Price of Stamps
Very honoured to announce Royal Mail issuing a stamp to commemorate The Bath Party; it, quite appropriately, showing the image on the book’s cover.
That’s how I like to see it; Royal Mail on the other and claims it part of a series of stamps issued 2020 in recognition of the Roman legacy still found in Britain.
However, Royal Mail does concede using it for the same reasons as I: from the temple pediment at the Bath Spa, it is the only known depiction of a male gorgon in the world. Continue reading
N. P. Ryan 