Today's poet

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

snae

infinite tiny muffling drums
descend to obscure
the pedestrian in
ever(y)
sense
and transport us
into inchoate crunches
of softness.

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Eeeee I like that lass. Mmmmm....about time I put my thinking hat on too - and not just to keep the snow off my bonce.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

Nice one Freckle, I really like the bit about 'obscuring the pedestrian', says it all! I love snow but am not relishing the thought of marshalling the ten mile road race for my club today...must look out my woollie undies!

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Yeap, it's buffalo supporters time...!!!!

http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogu...orters-BUF-SUP
:w00t:

Ha ha...there was no picture though...very disappointing. The race was cancelled due to the icy roads! I'm happy cos I gained a Sunday and had a beautiful long run through the woods and hills just as the snow started to fall again. I didn't need any dodgy, furry undies either ;-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Yeap, it's buffalo supporters time...!!!!

http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogu...orters-BUF-SUP
:w00t:

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how still are the trees
as the river murmers by
and the soft snow falls

I really ike MacCaig's poems. Especially the ones written about birds. He would have been a hundred this year had he lived and there has been some programmes about him on the radio. I'm currently reading a book by Andrew Grieg about a fishing trip to Assynt inspired by MacCaig.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sunbeam Alpine

This is The Shore Road by Norman MacCaig - just noticed the poem about the Border Collie. He's a good writer for the out doors.

The Shore Road by Norman MacCaig

The sea pursued
Its beastlike amours, rolling in its sweat
And beautiful under the moon; and a leaf was
A lively architecture in the light.
The space between
Was full, to splitting point, of presences
So oilily adjustable a walking man
Pushed through and trailed behind no turbulence.
The walking man
With octaves in his guts was quartertone
In octaves of octaves that climbed up and down
Beyond his hearing, to back parts of the moon.
As though things were
Perpetual chronologies of themselves,
He sounded his small history, to make complete
The interval of leaves and rutting waves.
Or so he thought,
And heard his hard shoes scrunching in the grit,
Smelt salt and iodine in the wind and knew
The door was near, the supper, the small lamplight.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

not having much luck so far Alf! but look you can purchase a copy of one of his books here for a mere £100!!!!

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Thanks anyway freckle. I was hoping it might be in one his collections but I can't find a poem listing in them to check. By the way did you know he was a tutor of Keith Douglas at Oxford ?

Concert party: Busseboom is a stunning poem :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

how still are the trees
as the river murmers by
and the soft snow falls

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Smashing poem that Hes though we don't have any snow here so I am relying on memory :D

flickering snowflakes
gather heavily on trees
deadening all sounds

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mossdog

Yeap, it's buffalo supporters time...!!!!

http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogu...orters-BUF-SUP
:w00t:

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I've never actually seen the legendary "supporters" but I bet they are bloody warm. I've only once ever had to put an extra layer over the top of my Buffalo shirt, and the salopettes were just too toasty for any conditions. I must have a peek next time I'm in Keswick!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill

I've never actually seen the legendary "supporters" but I bet they are bloody warm. I've only once ever had to put an extra layer over the top of my Buffalo shirt, and the salopettes were just too toasty for any conditions. I must have a peek next time I'm in Keswick!

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I've got a pair of Buffalo mitts, but it very rarely cold enough to wear them!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

snae

infinite tiny muffling drums
descend to obscure
the pedestrian in
ever(y)
sense
and transport us
into inchoate crunches
of softness.

---

That's very good freckle and the snae is enigmatic, is it only about one kind of fallout ?

Sodium-bathed flurry.
A galaxy suspended,
below lone streetlamp.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

I've got a pair of Buffalo mitts, but it very rarely cold enough to wear them!

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Mine would be considered worn out by any standard, but they are now cool enough to wear in winter after about 20 years!

Lorna Goodison - 'Poui'

She doesn't put out for anyone.
She waits for HIM
and in the high august heat
he takes her
and their celestial mating
is so intense
that for weeks her rose-gold dress
lies tangled round her feet
and she doesn't even notice

From the Carol Ann Duffy edited Hand in Hand collection, selected by Linton Kwesi Johnson

Well I've got no need for wooly underwear now. That warmed me up! :-)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Lorna Goodison - 'Poui'

She doesn't put out for anyone.
She waits for HIM
and in the high august heat
he takes her
and their celestial mating
is so intense
that for weeks her rose-gold dress
lies tangled round her feet
and she doesn't even notice

From the Carol Ann Puffy edited Hand in Hand collection, selected by Linton Kwesi Johnson

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More MacCaig.
Hes - there was a TV programme on the book you mention. Camerawork from Assynt was great - but the BBC went for the celeb route by getting Billy Collonny to appear. Andrew Grieg is a bit too earnest for me.
Think I'll file some George Mackay Brown next time round.

Summer Farm

Straws like tame lightnings lie about the grass
And hang zigzag on hedges. Green as glass
The water in the horse-trough shines.
Nine ducks go wobbling by in two straight lines.

A hen stares at nothing with one eye,
Then picks it up. Out of an empty sky
A swallow falls and, flickering through
The barn, dives up again into the dizzy blue.

I lie, not thinking, in the cool, soft grass,
Afraid of where a thought might take me - as
This grasshopper with plated face
Unfolds his legs and finds himself in space.

Self under self, a pile of selves I stand
Threaded on time, and with metaphysic hand
Lift the farm like a lid and see
Farm within farm, and in the centre, me.

Thanks SA, there are times when I wish I had a tv (although I'd probably have missed it anyway). I really like this choice too. The description of the grasshopper is perfect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sunbeam Alpine

More MacCaig.
Hes - there was a TV programme on the book you mention. Camerawork from Assynt was great - but the BBC went for the celeb route by getting Billy Collonny to appear. Andrew Grieg is a bit too earnest for me.
Think I'll file some George Mackay Brown next time round.

Summer Farm

Straws like tame lightnings lie about the grass
And hang zigzag on hedges. Green as glass
The water in the horse-trough shines.
Nine ducks go wobbling by in two straight lines.

A hen stares at nothing with one eye,
Then picks it up. Out of an empty sky
A swallow falls and, flickering through
The barn, dives up again into the dizzy blue.

I lie, not thinking, in the cool, soft grass,
Afraid of where a thought might take me - as
This grasshopper with plated face
Unfolds his legs and finds himself in space.

Self under self, a pile of selves I stand
Threaded on time, and with metaphysic hand
Lift the farm like a lid and see
Farm within farm, and in the centre, me.

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This is great HHH, I can actually see the scene in my mind's eye. I always think that when you look up, snowflakes look like asteroids coming at you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill

Sodium-bathed flurry.
A galaxy suspended,
below lone streetlamp.

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Snow Dance
by: Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)

Black brooms of trees sweep the sky clean;
Sweep the house fronts,
And heave them bleak in sleep.
High up the empty moon
Spills her vacuity.

I dance.
My long black shadow
Weaves an invisible pattern of pain.
The snow
Is embroidered with my happiness.

"Embroidered with my happiness" is just a wonderful line to start a day with.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

Snow Dance
by: Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)

Black brooms of trees sweep the sky clean;
Sweep the house fronts,
And heave them bleak in sleep.
High up the empty moon
Spills her vacuity.

I dance.
My long black shadow
Weaves an invisible pattern of pain.
The snow
Is embroidered with my happiness.

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill

Sodium-bathed flurry.
A galaxy suspended,
below lone streetlamp.

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Excellent that Harry :D:cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

This is great HHH, I can actually see the scene in my mind's eye. I always think that when you look up, snowflakes look like asteroids coming at you.

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I loved that observation Hes :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

Snow Dance
by: Evelyn Scott (1893-1963)

Black brooms of trees sweep the sky clean;
Sweep the house fronts,
And heave them bleak in sleep.
High up the empty moon
Spills her vacuity.

I dance.
My long black shadow
Weaves an invisible pattern of pain.
The snow
Is embroidered with my happiness.

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I enjoyed the selections from DT and SA and this one is a little belter :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill

Sodium-bathed flurry.
A galaxy suspended,
below lone streetlamp.

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THere have been some excellent choices and orginal work on here of late, I am having trouble keeping up (think packing boxes etc etc)
but I really adored this Harry, "sodium-bathed flurry" is a line I wish I had written! DT I also really enjoyed your snowy haiku, aren't the acoustics of snow just mesmerising?

Hope you are managing the packing ok Freckle and staying cheery.xx

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

THere have been some excellent choices and orginal work on here of late, I am having trouble keeping up (think packing boxes etc etc)
but I really adored this Harry, "sodium-bathed flurry" is a line I wish I had written! DT I also really enjoyed your snowy haiku, aren't the acoustics of snow just mesmerising?

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the pines on the hill
black feathers against the snow
licked clean by the sun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

THere have been some excellent choices and orginal work on here of late, I am having trouble keeping up (think packing boxes etc etc)
but I really adored this Harry, "sodium-bathed flurry" is a line I wish I had written! DT I also really enjoyed your snowy haiku, aren't the acoustics of snow just mesmerising?

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Thanks for the comment on the haiku guys. Sometimes it just all comes together.

Best of luck with the packing Freckle. Here's to a smooth move.

I know what you mean about the acoustics, but try fitting the word "crump" into a poem. It doesn't always translate!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

the pines on the hill
black feathers against the snow
licked clean by the sun

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Lovely. A haiku that works even better visualised in black and white.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

the pines on the hill
black feathers against the snow
licked clean by the sun

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aw this is just gorgeous!...thanks for all the well wishes everyone, getting there (with inspiration from unexpected places!)

renewed vigour found
in damson legwarmers
to power up packing!

Harry not sure what is happening down at the Howgills but this way the crump is turning into yukky slush!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

the pines on the hill
black feathers against the snow
licked clean by the sun

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Loved that one Hes :cool:



This is for Nero my cat:

Silent Assassin
Returns successful in snow.
Leaving crimson tracks

Xmas On The Fells
is getting ever near.
18 sleeps to go for
run dancing curry & beer.

Dog and Gun at seven
old friendships to re-forge
Then nip across the road
to meet fatty in the George.

Oven Gloves Derby Stef DJ,
Han, Softy even auld Emmilou,
Be great to catch up with
MG (and her hubby too)

Thanks again to Amex who
shops on line for beetroot?!?
To anyone not yet decided
Come along, its gonna be hoot

NB....Guess who's busy at work today!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nee Bother

Xmas On The Fells
is getting ever near.
18 sleeps to go for
run dancing curry & beer.

Dog and Gun at seven
old friendships to re-forge
Then nip across the road
to meet fatty in the George.

Oven Gloves Derby Stef DJ,
Han, Softy even auld Emmilou,
Be great to catch up with
MG (and her hubby too)

Thanks again to Amex who
shops on line for beetroot?!?
To anyone not yet decided
Come along, its gonna be hoot

NB....Guess who's busy at work today!!!

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I really like this jolly old verse and wish I was comin but too lardy and tied up this year, perhaps 2011!!! have fun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alf

Loved that one Hes :cool:



This is for Nero my cat:

Silent Assassin
Returns successful in snow.
Leaving crimson tracks

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ouch! poor mouse? bird?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by freckle

I really like this jolly old verse and wish I was comin but too lardy and tied up this year, perhaps 2011!!! have fun

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Lardy, ha ha, helluva word!!!!

Get the sell there marra it'll be a hoot!!

John Cooper Clarke is on Radio 2 with Mark Radcliffe at this very moment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill

John Cooper Clarke is on Radio 2 with Mark Radcliffe at this very moment.

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thnx harry, i missed it unfortunately but thnx anyhoo!

Back to make my occasional lightning style guerrila topical post

The more it snows
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.

The more it snows
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak

Back to make my occasional lightning style guerrila topical post

The more it snows
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.

The more it snows
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.

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i read this earlier today and it made me giggle nice one ian

Thanks Alf. I think yours is great, really chilling, made me think of a small feathered or furry body swinging from his jaws!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alf

Loved that one Hes :cool:



This is for Nero my cat:

Silent Assassin
Returns successful in snow.
Leaving crimson tracks

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I think the haiku is great not the killing...just in case anyone thought I was heartless.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hes

Thanks Alf. I think yours is great, really chilling, made me think of a small feathered or furry body swinging from his jaws!

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