That's a good choice Freckle, I was just perusing the book looking for one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by freckle
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That's a good choice Freckle, I was just perusing the book looking for one!
Quote:
Originally Posted by freckle
Song
I almost went to bed
without remembering
the four white violets
I put in the button-hole
of your green sweater
and how I kissed you then
and you kissed me
shy as though I'd
never been your lover
Leonard Cohen
Thnx hes i love his little illustrations which accompany the book...oh and I wouldn't mind a visit to that retreat near LA! xQuote:
Originally Posted by Hes
Mt. Baldy you say,Quote:
Originally Posted by freckle
Must retreat there,
One day,
To soar, not like a seagull,
But a majestic Bald Eagle.
As the Mist Leaves No Scar
As the mist leaves no scar
On the dark green hill
So my body leaves no scar
On you, nor never will.
When wind and hawk encounter,
What remains to keep?
So you and I encounter.
Then turn, and fall to sleep.
As many nights endure
Without a moon or star,
S will we endure
When one is gone and far.
LC
You are funny! :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
I really fancy a retreat too but I'd be happy with a remote Scottish island and a tiny cottage on the shore with a peat fire...then again, a little whitewashed hovel on a greek cliff with the deep blue sea lapping below wouldn't be so bad either! :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by freckle
I've tried taking life seriously, it's no fun, and you miss so much of the beauty of life, wrapped in your own misery, smile and appreciate the little things is my way forward, and keep running faster than the demons. (i've discovered demons don't like going uphill)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hes
Funny; I've discovered that too. They don't like going up stairs either! :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
Just watched a programme about people who want to get married in Greece, one couple had their ceremony on Santorini, been there twice, some cracking cliffs to build a hovel on, beautiful island that was blown apart by volcanic action yonks ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hes
And they cling to the walls of the Moot Hall when you set off on a BG, and are long gone when you get back, i'm told:wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stef F
Forever? :closed:Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
I've been there too, amazing place. I do like the Greek islands. I went to Crete last year and it was wonderful and very easy to get away from everyone if you walked far enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
That's good advice Steve. I think running makes the demons disappear anyway, whether its up, down or just along. It certainly puts things in perspective for me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
You'll know soon enough:wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stef F
So it's sorted then, keep running, be it up, down or along, then retire to a greek hovel on a cliff, demon's will be stuck at passport control trying to explain why they photo don't match their face:thumbup:
Job's a good un.
You have faith!Quote:
Originally Posted by stevefoster
Nite nite sleep tite it's time for bed
pillow beckons my sleepy head
god bless sweet dreams and all that stuff
and here's to big dog stuffed with fluff
lights out eyes closed counting sheep
and god bless little dog quiet now not a peep
right left bob graham counting stairs
and god bless donkey all smiles no cares
long dog watches from his bedside seat
with wee lamb tucked up nice and neat
Watch me keep me safe oh stuffed gang of mine
Until suns up and the new day is fine
A load of nonsence I know! :o
Hello Fell Poets!
I've been working away of late and it's taken ages to catch up with this thread (pretty much the only one i read now despite being back to racing again after injury). Some lovely stuff, very pleased to see Cohen get a look in :)
Working away from home and being a new father (2 months in now!!) plus the impending arrival of my wife's first Mother's Day as a mum (which she's very excited about) has resulted in some creative stirrings in a non-fellrunning direction, namely motherhood/parenthood etc. I've been fascinated to see how our daughter responds to us, esp her mother and so have had a go at a poem written from baby daughter to mum...
Who are you?
I don't know your name
or anything about you
But I know you more
than anyone could hope to
I don't know your past
The world that saw you born
But I can feel the love that flows between us
keep us warm
I don't know your ways
Your tastes or favourite colour
But I know you're the one
that matters more than any other
I don't know your dreams
The things you want to do
But I can feel your spirit
And you can feel mine too
I don't know your name
I don't know what I am called
But I know you are my mother
I know you are my world
South west Crete is best I think; where'd you go? Elafanisos on the south west tip when I went there (a few years ago now) was one of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches I have ever seen. I hope to god its still the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hes
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qZ2sz5aejf...elafonisos.jpg
Couple of good un's from Stef and OneOffPoet last night:thumbup:
Wow that looks fabulous. We are going to Crete for 2 weeks in July to Rethymnon....hiring a car so that beach may well be worth a visit! :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
That is beautiful Oneoffpoet and will no doubt bring your wife to tears of joy when she reads it! :) Hope all is going well with your new arrival and you are managing some sleep! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by OneOffPoet
I travelled in Hania province and stayed in Palaichora and ventured out from there. You could walk all day and only see farmers if you made the effort to get away from the honeypots.
[QUOTE=Stolly;402211]South west Crete is best I think; where'd you go? Elafanisos on the south west tip when I went there (a few years ago now) was one of the most beautiful and unspoilt beaches I have ever seen. I hope to god its still the same.QUOTE]
OneOff, I agree with MG, this is really lovely and I suspect your wife is going to be moved to tears. I don't have children but I can empathise with how magical the first mothers/fathers day must be and this is a really beautiful way of marking it.
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Originally Posted by OneOffPoet
That's sweet Stef. :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stef F
Paleochora is lovely, although like a lot of Crete very windy at times. You can catch the boat from there to Elafanissos which is just along the coast. Or if you feel like a run catch the boat the other way to Agia Roumelli and run first all the way up and then all the way back down the Samaria Gorge in 40 degree heat :). See this mapQuote:
Originally Posted by Hes
i liked it too...and am in awe! good luck stef!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stef F
One off your poem is beautiful...there is something magical about the non verbal communication between mum and baby, and that sense that they just "know" each other, enjoy youir special time it'll be over quick!
ps stolly, those pictures of unspoilt beaches are really depressing me from my office! :-( one day :-)
I know, I know...it's a bit soppy but hey Spring is nt'air and the countryside and fells have gone wild with 'pairings'!
INVISIBLE KISSES
by Lemn Sissay
If there was ever one
Whom when you were sleeping
Would wipe your tears
When in dreams you were weeping;
Who would offer you time
When others demand;
Whose love lay more infinite
Than grains of sand.
If there was ever one
To whom you could cry;
Who would gather each tear
And blow it dry;
Who would offer help
On the mountains of time;
Who would stop to let each sunset
Soothe the jaded mind.
If there was ever one
To whom when you run
Will push back the clouds
So you are bathed in sun;
Who would open arms
If you would fall;
Who would show you everything
If you lost it all.
If there was ever one
Who when you achieve
Was there before the dream
And even then believed;
Who would clear the air
When it's full of loss;
Who would count love
Before the cost.
If there was ever one
Who when you are cold
Will summon warm air
For your hands to hold;
Who would make peace
In pouring pain,
Make laughter fall
In falling rain.
If there was ever one
Who can offer you this and more;
Who in keyless rooms
Can open doors;
Who in open doors
Can see open fields
And in open fields
See harvests yield.
Then see only my face
In the reflection of these tides
Through the clear water
Beyond the river side.
All I can send is love
In all that this is
A poem and a necklace
Of invisible kisses.
This is a Wordsworth poem about the Borrowdale Fraternal Four - who are not a bunch of friendly fell runners - but a cluster of ancient yews. This poem was cited on the ancient trees web site set up by the Woodland trust.
Here goes :
Wordsworth’s poem “Yew Trees” – composed in 1803.
There is a Yew-tree, pride of Lorton Vale,
Which to this day stands single, in the midst
Of its own darkness, as it stood of yore:
Not loth to furnish weapons for the bands
Of Umfraville or Percy ere they marched
To Scotland’s heaths; or those that crossed the sea
And drew their sounding bows at Azincour,
Perhaps at earlier Crecy, or Poictiers.
Of vast circumference and gloom profound
This solitary Tree! - a living thing
Produced too slowly ever to decay;
Of form and aspect too magnificent
To be destroyed But worthier still of note
Are those fraternal Four of Borrowdale,
Joined in one solemn and capacious grove;
Huge trunks! - and each particular trunk a growth
Of intertwisted fibres serpentine
Up-coiling and inveterately convolved, -
Nor uniformed with Phantasy, and looks
That threaten the prophane; -a pillared shade,
Upon whose grassless floor of red-brown hue,
By sheddings from the pining umbrage tinged
Perennially - beneath whose sable roof
Of boughs, as if for festal purpose, decked
With unrejoicing berries, ghostly Shapes
May meet at noontide - Fear and trembling Hope,
Silence and Foresight - Death and the Skeleton
And Time the Shadow, - there to celebrate,
As in a natural temple scattered o’er
With altars undisturbed of mossy stone,
United worship; or in mute repose
To lie, and listen to the mountain flood
Murmuring from Glaramara’s inmost caves.
[QUOTE=freckle;402264]i liked it too...and am in awe! good luck stef!QUOTE]
Thanks for the good luck Freckle. Hold back the awe though, I'm not sure I'm worthy of it!
[QUOTE=Stef F;402347]Awe come on Stef, your training hard and having a go, worthy of some praise in my book:)Quote:
Originally Posted by freckle
[QUOTE=stevefoster;402350]Hear, hear! :thumbup:Quote:
Originally Posted by Stef F
..and my signature...------>
Mossdog, that is stunning, love it, love it, love it! Thanks for that xQuote:
Originally Posted by Mossdog
this is one of my all time fave mossy...you can listen to it being read by the author here ....Quote:
Originally Posted by Mossdog
http://www.lemnsissay.com/recordings/index.htm
Hints of Phil Spectre in that particular one. Love the lyrics from another song from the same album:Quote:
Originally Posted by Hes
Don't go home with you're hard on
It will only drive you insane
You can't shake it or break in with your Mowtown
You can't melt it down in the rain
How the hell do you write lines like that!!
Have read all his published poetry in the past but must admit to prefering his poetry within his music lyrics.
Not a poem as such, but the words of David Goggins, US Navy Seal, Ultramarathon Runner, Cyclist and a bloke who just keeps pushing his limits, Inspiring.
CAN'T SLEEP
Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can not do something. All my life I heard that I couldn't do something. My mom was working 2 jobs and going to college. I was an African American kid in an all white school. They tried to say that I couldn't....but I did. I wanted to be a Navy SEAL. They said I couldn't because I was too big and couldn't hardly swim....but I did. They said I couldn't go to Ranger School because my schedule as a SEAL wouldn't allow it....but I did. They said that I couldn't run 100 miles because I had never ran a marathon...but I did. They said I could never complete the Ultraman because I had never done a triathlon...but I did. Now they say I can't do RAAM because it's too soon. It's not safe....but....
Life is not always going to be this care free happy place that we would like it to be. What life throws at you is a lot of negativity. It's what you do with that negativity that makes you a stronger human being. When you hear the words, no, you can't, impossible, never...what do you think to yourself? Do you cower inside and run from the challenge. Or do you face it...head on...asking for more?
Failure is an option. It's what you do with the failure that makes you who you are. Our failures mold us. I have failed at several things in my life. What sets some of us apart, is that when we fail, we can't sleep at night. It haunts us until we have our time at redemption.
Another botanical offering - which I liked :
Chicory
Show me a piece of land that God forgot-
a strip between an unused sidewalk, say,
and a bulldozed lot, rich in broken glass-
and there, July on, will be chicory,
its leggy hollow stems staggering skyward,
its leaves rough-hairy and lanceolate,
like pointed shoes too cheap for elves to wear,
its button-blooms the tenderest mauve-blue.
How good of it to risk the roadside fumes,
the oil-soaked heat reflected from asphalt,
and wretched earth dun-colored like cement,
too packed for any other seed to probe.
It sends a deep taproot (delicious, boiled),
is relished by all livestock, lends its leaves
to salads and cooked greens, but will not thrive
in cultivated soil: it must be free.
John Updike (2001)
April Fool
The first of April, some do say,
Is set apart for All Fools' Day.
But why the people call it so,
Nor I, nor they themselves do know.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose for pure merriment.
Poor Robin's Almanac (1790)
The metronomic
chiff chaffs join Lands Wood chorus
last to leave, first back
Lovely OW!