If you don’t have a clue what a herpetologist does, I will give you one; Gussie Fink-Nottle. That’s right, he studies reptiles and amphibians. Today’s subject (not Ken Livingston) was a herpetologist.
Category: Poetry
A Memorial Cross
Is it a bit morbid harping on about graves and war memorials? I hope not. The first World War I memorial in London and perhaps the country was unveiled today, 4th August, a hundred years ago. The date was significant in 1916 because it was exactly two years since the outbreak of war. The memorial… Continue reading A Memorial Cross
War Artist and Poet
Yesterday morning the Queen’s birthday parade assumed especial significance. The Duke of Edinburgh turned ninety-five the day before and it was Her Majesty’s official 90th birthday. The crowds in the Mall were larger than usual. The parade was broadcast by the BBC and their programme included an interview with Captain Alexander Ritchie, Coldstream Guards, whose… Continue reading War Artist and Poet
In Memoriam
This is a verse from Tennyson’s In Memoriam A.H.H. Who trusted God was love indeed And love Creation’s final law Tho’ Nature, red in tooth and claw With ravine, shriek’d against his creed I haven’t entirely unraveled what it means. Poetry can be tricky to interpret but perhaps it’s relevant to the recent installation of… Continue reading In Memoriam
Big Bang Theory
I enjoyed sounding the gong to announce meals at Barmeath in my childhood. Under my grandmother’s instruction my technique improved from loud bashing (think Top Cat summoning the gang) to a subtler, gradually increasing crescendo, beating around the edge of the gong, culminating in a final stroke, fortissimo, to the centre.