THE BIG WIND DOWN TO COME

Another poem that has benefited from the Secret Poets input. There was much discussion of the opening of this poem and the general consensus was that it wasn't clear enough. Hopefully I have remedied this.

THE HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE

today’s marker is a locked computer

that denies us access to the digital cornucopia

a herald of the big wind down to come

reminders like this are placed strategically

but we have to want to read the signs

mostly we choose not to

who wants to think in planet time

a tuesday afternoon can be long enough

let alone attempts to imagine entropy

say the last night in the life of the earth

just before all the atoms are scattered

we are here now    that’s enough

Also the last two lines have been removed. To be honest I was unsure about them. You can read the original here.

Last week I saw Rasha Nahas in concert. Absolutely stunning music from her trio. She's just finished a tour but keep your eyes open for shows. Spellbinding music. I leave you with a video for her new album.

Until next time.

DEATH & TEABAGS

Once again I have to thank the Secret Poets for their vision and support. We had a productive meeting last Friday and with their help I revised today's poem. You can read the earlier version here.

DEATH AND TEABAGS

I hear of two so search for the third

as death always comes in threes

this is a hard and fast law

my mother steered our family by such stars

bad things can happen any time

tea leaves held clues

she could interrogate for omens

but none were as accurate as

Co-Op Indian Prince Assam

she never held with teabags

until she was old

and the cataracts had clouded her eyes

until the Co-Op shut

all three shops in the town

one after another just like that

The last line has gone and the spacing has been changed which I feel allows the poem to breathe. Thank you Secrets. 

Here's Mariana Dalot's new single.

Until next time.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON CAN BE LONG ENOUGH

Poems can come from anywhere. If I knew the land they lived in I'd move there. This one was sparked off by chance. The lecture room computer was locked down and we were locked out. While they tried to unlock it this idea formed.

THE HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE

today’s marker is a locked computer

that denies us access to the digital cornucopia

such reminders are placed strategically

but we have to want to read the signs

mostly we choose not to

who wants to think in planet time

a tuesday afternoon can be long enough

let alone attempts to imagine entropy

say the last night in the life of the earth

just before all the atoms are scattered

we are here now that’s enough

let’s celebrate instead

the fleeting eternity we live every day

I suppose I must have been thinking about a Radio 4 programme I'd listened to which was talking the heat death of the universe and about how the latest scientific perspective seems to suggest that the galaxies will become ever further apart and the night sky will empty of stars until the sun eats the world. Cheerful stuff. Let's give thanks for being alive!

I also gave thanks this week to the good people at High Moon Records, who have released both of Laurie Styvers albums on a double cd with outtakes! I've been a fan since Split Milk was released in 1972. It took me 20 plus years to locate her second album, now you can listen to everything she ever recorded solo. I leave you with a song or two.

Until next time.

A NEGATIVE SPIN

This week saw a new low in this country's fortune. The government wants to lock up those arriving in this country seeking asylum for 28 days without legal redress. We should hang our heads in shame.

Here is a revised poem, you can read the original here.

SEEING THEM OFF THE PROPERTY

his right hand wields the power

motor chunters monotone

features hard set

mouth a thin line

watch the leaf blower manhandle every leaf

chucking them all out on to the street

at the bottom of our ocean atmosphere

see him blow up a storm

sending them back where they came from

King Canute it is said by some

illustrated his powerlessness

as he sat on that throne on the beach

unable to turn back the waves

there was a negative spin put on that one

back when all the maps were half pink

and here I am watching a rerun

I've added a couple of stanzas and included a reference to King Canute. I suspect he was far wiser than this collection of poltroons who are misgoverning the country.

Here is Alea Diane.

Until next time.

A TURN UP FOR THE BOOKS

I've revised the last post's poem. I wrote at the time it didn't feel complete, not sure it is now but I think it's better.

all new borns have this old soul stare

as if they’ve not quite got used to being back in the flesh

or just where they’ve ended up this time

they look into our eyes and speak to us

so you made it here first this time

that’s a turn up for the books

no word of a lie

this place is a bit rum

but let’s make the best of it eh

and usually we do

I wanted to expand on the voice and I also thought that I took too much time getting to the gist. My aim is always to be as concise as possible. I also think that too much frame around the poem detracts from its impact. You need to interrogate every word, does it really need to be present? What does it bring? Does the poem work without it? 

I got a copy of the new Palooka 5 album Alien Grace this week, it's excellent. Rumour has it there is an ep in the can ready for an autumn release! The band goes from strength to strength! Here's the title song.

Until next time.