Life drawing classes in Chelsea The chance of a lifetime fulfilled A chance to perfect my technique I should’ve been delighted and thrilled.
But it wasn’t quite like that in practice; Whilst I became more and more zealous I found to my utter dismay My fiancé grew terribly jealous.
So I gave up these classes to please her, My art took a secondary place To a contented future with landscapes. Yes, I gave in to her whims – just in case.
So, I never will be a Paul Rubens, And Lucien Freud’s not for me. I timidly gave in to persuasion, All governed by wifely decree.
A poem, by Alfred Lord Tennyson, with great dynamism. Short but so effectively expressed. The adjectives are just right. The words, metre, alliteration and rhymes work together to convey the essence of the eagle’s power and majesty.
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has just pronounced on the future of the country in times when the majority of the population find themselves in considerably strained financial circumstances . Perhaps a few thoughts occasioned by a reading which I quote from from: ‘The Funny Side – 101 Humorous Poems’ – edited with an introduction by Wendy Cope, will strike a chord with many of us . . .
It is from the American poet, Richard Willard Armour (July 15, 1906 – February 28, 1989)
That money talks
I won’t deny.
I heard it once,
It said, “Goodbye”.
Richard Armour also once wrote: . . . “Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong.“
The fireworks and bonfires just serve to remind me
Of bombs and incendiaries, of the carnage to see,
Of the fear and the doubts, but the knowledge of duty
To do what they must to perpetuate beauty.
The beauty of freedom, of lives without limits,
Not theirs for the taking, nor lasting but minutes,
But those back at home who are counting on honour
To see the boys through, until they’re a goner.
Some came home broken, wounded and battered,
Wondering if everything was worth it or mattered.
Too quickly their country forgot what they did,
No support for de-briefing, no reward, God forbid!
They did it for duty, for love of their country,
For the King (or the Queen) to put it quite bluntly,
For a future of peace, tranquillity and love,
But the future of them was in heaven above.
Their light was snuffed out on the earth down below
But their life we shall honour as the stars above glow
They shall live in our hearts and our minds here on earth
As November comes round to provide a new birth.
I don’t hate November; I hate that it hurts me.
They gave up their lives for our freedom you see,
But my hurt is as nothing compared to their war.
My heart’s full of love, for the young men, who gave all.
This poem was composed by, and published with the permission of, Caroline Miller-Tate, whilst contemplating the significance of our memories engendered during this year’s Remembrance weekend period . . . “At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them”
There Where For you It begins Its encroachment Knowing you will be there To welcome it’s return To follow its path Waiting Watching Until bite by bite Ripple by ripple It will wash your words Across oceans To my shore
Here Where My foot printed Passage Replicates your own And signs itself With love
But in turn That will come For you Too And my own shells Of words Will flow And flood Where your bare feet Choose to follow
There is a beautiful song, composed by the American songwriter, Carl Sigman, called ‘EBB TIDE’. I came across this beautiful and moving rendering of it by my favourite male voice a capella choir, The Westminster Chorus,. i have brought these to your attention in a previous blog. please do listen to their version of ‘Ebb Tide’ at this YouTube link …Click here to watch and listen.
A Quatern is a sixteen line French form composed of four quatrains. It is similar to the Kyrielle and the Retourne. It has a refrain that is in a different place in each quatrain. The first line of stanza one is the second line of stanza two, third line of stanza three, and fourth line of stanza four. A quatern has four stresses per line. It does not have to be iambic or follow a set rhyme scheme.
”Ocean Waves’ … Pen & Wash – WHB . May 2017
In Resignation’
I wish the tide to swallow me whole As though a thief had from me stole My life, but then in guilt forgone His gains, paused, and then moved on.
I’ve had enough of body and soul I wish the tide to swallow me whole For now I see, I realise, Life is too short to compromise.
Decisions hurt but must be made, And so, before my debts are paid I wish the tide to swallow me whole; I’m ready now, I’ve lost control.
No longer can I bear the pain, Resigned to never feel again, Towards the waves I edge my stroll I wish the tide to swallow me whole.
‘The Seashore’ … Pen & Wash – Photoshopped with edge effect … WHB – April 2017
Roland's Ragbag 