tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50474264975410324742024-03-15T18:12:53.063-07:00Through the Turret WindowTin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-16471588437431713842023-07-20T07:06:00.001-07:002023-07-20T07:12:05.669-07:00Re: Cycling (Part Three)<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">If there’s one thing that annoys me
about my fellow humans, it’s the inability – or refusal – to recycle. Of
course, there are lots of other annoying things about humans, but let’s start
with this. When I see people dumping any old rubbish in the bins destined for
landfill, I have an urge to pick out the bottles and card and plastic and
paper. But I’m not a bin-raker.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbTdP8w6Os6q9ZU09GYVNRBxRyDRC4lxc0mEpJ30W4rEuvrAvxmPwXkXHlg4bdZmUt3K2F2HtK0OY_Q4u6VM2qZ17Owtji8MZ1JhtW_3TF1V5w8Gxx7vB25Vsd6C1uNDmIK68JcWx8a-NtboUP4e7AOhm9riauzeOlbjwU7SxeHL2QQp5pYq4RMyF1P0/s333/Bins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="287" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbTdP8w6Os6q9ZU09GYVNRBxRyDRC4lxc0mEpJ30W4rEuvrAvxmPwXkXHlg4bdZmUt3K2F2HtK0OY_Q4u6VM2qZ17Owtji8MZ1JhtW_3TF1V5w8Gxx7vB25Vsd6C1uNDmIK68JcWx8a-NtboUP4e7AOhm9riauzeOlbjwU7SxeHL2QQp5pYq4RMyF1P0/w159-h185/Bins.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public bin with separate <br />sections - now removed...</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">(An aside: my Polish friend Marta once sent me a
text, having seen rubbish bins in the city centre with ‘Any Old Rubbish in here’
printed on them. She asked, “why would I carry ‘old rubbish’ into town? All
rubbish is new.” As a Londoner I found the expression ‘any
old iron,’ far too </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">hard to explain,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">and Marta remained bemused. Lost in translation.)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Living on a ground floor tenement flat I have
the dubious pleasure of a selection of bins right outside my front window. In
the past few years, the City of Edinburgh Council has removed the large bottle banks from most
supermarket car parks, where people could dump their empties without annoying
the neighbours nor announcing a drinking habit to all and sundry.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now there are smaller metal bottle banks on
residential streets. While I’m irritated by the sound of bottles being thrown
into the wrong bins, I’m majorly disturbed by the noise of bottles clanking
into these new bins – even more so when they’re emptied into lorries by equally noisy operatives – setting off car alarms as they do.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know, there’s no pleasing some
folk, right?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently I scored a little victory
against the Council, regarding their street enforcement strategy. The same
friend, Marta, recently moved from Morningside to my neighbourhood, but had left
her bike behind, attached to the ‘Sheffield’ bike racks outside Waitrose. Being
a sentimental sort, I’m rather fond of this bike, especially since I wrote a
poem about it…</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6QvIHlxA6QxOjsU_1AfTvXbDVN_ScNTr_9BDuDjeEJ_yYlmXz7GUeA-HyCV_F7d1LjedKgZ2Lh5RSn7BVVi9cn7Gpqe6TTSvCTjJbR8ovMZUh2TZBeZKtz-6kOXcT7Ea2nuIoMUFOcmkdWVvQxgIAIMF0iMhrcybqpcB1C_b-f0V3XoSUaKFL3FwOYw/s3264/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6QvIHlxA6QxOjsU_1AfTvXbDVN_ScNTr_9BDuDjeEJ_yYlmXz7GUeA-HyCV_F7d1LjedKgZ2Lh5RSn7BVVi9cn7Gpqe6TTSvCTjJbR8ovMZUh2TZBeZKtz-6kOXcT7Ea2nuIoMUFOcmkdWVvQxgIAIMF0iMhrcybqpcB1C_b-f0V3XoSUaKFL3FwOYw/w381-h286/image.png" width="381" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Princess' in 2020 parked outside Henry's Cellar Bar (rip)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Identity </span></span></b></b></div><p></p><p></p></blockquote></blockquote><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She called her bicycle ‘Princess’ </span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">even though, in her mother tongue, </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">a bicycle is gendered male. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Furthermore, the bicycle’s style </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">was modelled for the ‘gentleman’ – </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">a ‘lady’s’ bike has more finesse, </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">presumably. But as we know, </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">gender cannot be imposed </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">upon a person or an object. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s just a linguistic construct: </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">we can be any gender we choose. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Was Princess named, I wonder, </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in spite of her language’s gender? </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She might have said: “It’s <i>my</i> bike </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>– I’ll call him whatever I like.” </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps it was that he was precious </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to her that she called him Princess! </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That said, the model had a name </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">printed on its (his) lower frame </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by the manufacturer: “Free Spirit.” </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Rather like her character and wit. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, Marta is less
sentimental. When I asked when was she going to pick up Princess, she just
said, “He’s rusted,” then added with sad resignation: “The Council have
probably taken him away.” True, her bicycle wasn’t in the best condition, and
the gears were stuck in the hardest position – not ideal for a hilly city.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAbKjiaFSDI5eOcEKyNAd_Vk3pxreRsvOV5oRLHTwjnwc6qLdYmDa_hlMPK99NRvll3SK4q11l1I-6ax-wHHtp6Csa9-EWmpOSYljrnJRzRvb11j0_L9uEdONZGQHwJ-4KaeVPP1ii6dKpNGFPzwC2-nvTh5l2gJNp6CdcctkEe6K3E0lvFBBboGvDTk/s4032/IMG_4217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAbKjiaFSDI5eOcEKyNAd_Vk3pxreRsvOV5oRLHTwjnwc6qLdYmDa_hlMPK99NRvll3SK4q11l1I-6ax-wHHtp6Csa9-EWmpOSYljrnJRzRvb11j0_L9uEdONZGQHwJ-4KaeVPP1ii6dKpNGFPzwC2-nvTh5l2gJNp6CdcctkEe6K3E0lvFBBboGvDTk/w143-h190/IMG_4217.jpg" width="143" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">A few weeks later, visiting
Morningside, I popped along
to Waitrose. Sure enough, Princess was in a sorry state: his chain had come
off, the tires were flat, and the gear cable was, indeed, rusted fast.
Unsurprisingly, there was a notice attached to the frame announcing its
imminent destruction.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It had already been there a week;
time was nearly up – I needed to act quickly. So, I wrote to the Council’s Street
Enforcement Team, begging a stay of execution for poor Princess. I included the
poem, suggesting they could read it to see how important this unique bike was
to me, and how much I held my friend in high esteem. Explaining that although
Marta was a ‘free spirit’ she would not abandon this beautiful bicycle without
lawful authority, I asked for some extra time, then I would fix and clean him
up in time for Marta’s birthday in early July.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Council excelled themselves with
this reply…</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 600;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;"><b>FOR THE BICYCLE TO WHICH A NOTICE IS AFFIXED</b></span></p><p></p><p></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-weight: 600;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">In its current state,</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">never a second glance</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">A stay of execution,</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">wanted a second chance</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Shock and dismay,</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">dishevelment and neglect</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">A plan of action,</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">need to repair and perfect</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Cunning, timing, a chivalrous act</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Proposed procedure we will re-tract</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Re-unite Princess and Marta</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Agreement from us is your starter.</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Happy to comply with your request, please go ahead and remove the
notice from ‘Princess’ and good luck in your endeavour to repair and re-unite
with Marta.</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Kind Regards</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">[Name]</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;">Street Enforcement Officer</span><span style="color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="xapple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #ed7d31; font-family: "Gill Sans Nova", sans-serif; line-height: 107%; padding: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Luckily for me, the D-lock that
fixed the bike to the rack gave sufficient mobility for me to oil and re-attach
the chain and replace the gear cable and casings so that all five cogs of the
rear cassette were fully functional. I cleaned the frame, pumped up the tires,
and gave the chrome a bit of a shine. Question is, was I wasting my time? And how
would Marta interpret this ‘chivalrous act’ – as the Council Officer described
it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m not gonna lie; as well as
sending her a notice in the post from ‘The Bike Fairy’ (a real organisation,
although based in Cornwall so it’s unlikely they secretly fix up bikes in Edinburgh)
I also popped a copy of this <a href="https://www.inkitt.com/Spoke_Un_Spoke">story</a> of unrequited love between two
bicycles – which I read at the Edinburgh International Book Festival ten years
ago – in the rack on the back, sealed in a plastic envelope.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98JZY3OyP2IBBP1ivSDPIgKJvZGBozdBFniVplH774SWEWO5f9o0lHaiUz8r1ZFTW5AOoLY6C_lrMajeCq0dR0q-5XAhTj34ph4QCXKDDDFFxQmHqWtVvazb0mIZVno4S1Be_XXml_I3pUOnpoarIFaSRuVKSUpaxYl1xMH8f3YH8TVPCn_OID0EIYek/s4032/IMG_4127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98JZY3OyP2IBBP1ivSDPIgKJvZGBozdBFniVplH774SWEWO5f9o0lHaiUz8r1ZFTW5AOoLY6C_lrMajeCq0dR0q-5XAhTj34ph4QCXKDDDFFxQmHqWtVvazb0mIZVno4S1Be_XXml_I3pUOnpoarIFaSRuVKSUpaxYl1xMH8f3YH8TVPCn_OID0EIYek/w383-h287/IMG_4127.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Princess' - polished, pampered, and pimped outside Waitrose!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yet there is so much more to this
tale than simply performing what I saw as a piece of non-reciprocal altruism –
although many, perhaps even Marta, may reject that claim – or getting one over
the Council and their over-zealous treatment of abandoned bikes. It goes back
to my views on re-cycling, and it occupies a much broader question too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The throwaway society we live in is
a disgrace. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">The rate at which people throw out things that are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">unfashionable, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">faulty, or prematurely obsolete is shocking. The amount of packaging in
shops (or delivery boxes if online is your purchasing preference) is alarming,
whatever bin you put it in. We farm so intensely that fields are rarely left
fallow to rejuvenate the soil, and yet society bins so much food because, even
when covered in chemicals, it goes off before we can eat it.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, the Government introduces
schemes it believes will alleviate climate change: who are they fooling? Charging
for plastic bags in the supermarket is micro-consumerist bullshit. Getting
shops to stop putting food in plastic pots, wrapping fruit in cellophane, encasing everything in superfluous wrapping is an impossible task; meaningless when pitched against food's carbon footprint.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">A Local Shop</span></b></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dear Tesco/Tesco Metro:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">why on earth do you sell<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">asparagus shipped from Peru?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m fully aware – and so are you – <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">this stuff grows perfectly well<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in the fields of Kent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you went there <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to purchase your produce<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">it would not only reduce<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">your carbon footprint<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">but also, by dint<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">of boosting the country’s economy – <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">which is better for you and better for me, <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and benefits everyone globally – <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">would bring down the prices on every shelf. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And, as we both know, every little does help. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So why sell Peruvian peas and asparagus?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s better for them and better for us<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and certainly more beneficial to you <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to sell broccoli, sugar-snaps, and mange-tout<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">that comes from the Garden of England.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #242424; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Or better still, grown here in Scotland.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">And why not? Because people want their food here and now, uniform and regular, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">fertilised, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">sanitised, and artificially
clean: as fake as their paid-for gym routine. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Do they care about
where their food comes from? </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Of course not. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And are we going to save the planet? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Probably not.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Encouraging farmers to use methane-reducing
feed for cattle is all very well, but for starters, farting cows are not the
biggest producer of methane. And second, better animal husbandry and organic practices
will have a far greater effect than feeding cattle seaweed, <a href="https://mootral.com/">Mootral Ruminant</a>, Bovaer® or
any other synthetically-produced <a href="https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/archives/food/the-effectiveness-of-animal-feed-supplements-in-cutting-methane-emissions">food-source</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">The same can be said for those who think
planting clover or grassland swards will improve biodiversity. Sure,
but only if you’re not fooling us that these gestures work </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">only</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;">in pastures where sheep may safely graze. What about introducing agri-environmental practices first on unproductive fields and margins first?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Besides, what’s the point of attempting holistic
or regenerative agriculture, or creating circular biological systems when
farmers struggle to get organic feed for their farting cows, while others refuse
to reduce nitrate fertilisation.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Back in the cities, they’re
introducing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) to attempt to make our conurbations less polluted.
This is fine if you’ve got the latest, up-to-datest car, or don’t need to
drive. As a cyclist I should be happy with this sort of thing. But it’s flawed
and unworkable. </span></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnu5dtIu4g78Ak5Bq6ZhsmWMatPWgnNMR8rFI83FcJiABIZNINuZoC014T18RDLfMy3w44sgE31k15mXQafNuKwv3IAzvOBVsABRDFSA-XAH7zuVsqTMgCrEnVFAYiTAi_vFeLRpcO2GcsBFFiQ6fFctiSKROF_hifjgngm9jreVdd8MZCVMvuJ88DbU/s2364/methode_times_prod_web_bin_7ab060b2-702b-11e8-ace8-04fd05f2c7cd.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1712" data-original-width="2364" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnu5dtIu4g78Ak5Bq6ZhsmWMatPWgnNMR8rFI83FcJiABIZNINuZoC014T18RDLfMy3w44sgE31k15mXQafNuKwv3IAzvOBVsABRDFSA-XAH7zuVsqTMgCrEnVFAYiTAi_vFeLRpcO2GcsBFFiQ6fFctiSKROF_hifjgngm9jreVdd8MZCVMvuJ88DbU/w165-h119/methode_times_prod_web_bin_7ab060b2-702b-11e8-ace8-04fd05f2c7cd.png" width="165" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">In Scotland, our five largest cities have had LEZ schemes
introduced, and Glasgow is the first to see it enforced. A city with a motorway
running right through the middle, right next to the boundary of it’s lovely,
clean, exhaust-free corridors. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What a joke.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Worse still, fining drivers of
non-compliant vehicles seems like a cheek: a cash-cow for the Council right enough.
Put another way, it’s a tax for those who cannot afford to buy a new car, or
for those who have no choice but to work and drive in city-centres. Delivery
drivers, those in the service industries, and people who cannot use public
transport will be unfairly penalised. Then there are the taxi-drivers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">While I have little sympathy for
their driving style, it must be said they’ve had a tough deal lately. The
pandemic decimated the industry, many taxi drivers left the profession, and
companies went bust. Then the Government told them they had to either retrofit
or scrap their vehicles if they were from before some randomly selected date. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Taxi drivers have been given grants
to destroy perfectly good vehicles! In the case of hansom cabs, Scottish
cabbies often acquire their cars from Londoners as there are fewer restrictions
up here, but when this scrappage incentive is offered in the expansion of
London’s ULEZ who knows where Scottish cabs will come from? As for Glasgow, whose
LEZ was the first to be introduced, since it was enforced in June, pollution
has gone up, not down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether the UK hits its net-zero
target by 2050, or Scotland more optimistically by 2045, I doubt I’ll be alive
to experience this utopian dream. I’ll try to do my bit to keep my emissions
low (including methane farts) and separate my own, if not my neighbours, rubbish
into the appropriate bins; I’ll continue cycling as long as I can, and refuse
to dispose of anything perfectly functional just because it’s deemed
old-fashioned, out-dated, or obsolete.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">As for food waste, here are views on bagged salad...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yxDz1ZVaBkY" width="320" youtube-src-id="yxDz1ZVaBkY"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">Perhaps I should go one step further
and systematically fix any bicycle that has a Council Scrappage notice on it,
even if I can’t re-unite each bike with its owner. At least it would offer the
chance to re-cycle a cycle instead of throwing it on the scrap heap. It would probably
confuse my poetic friends in the Street Enforcement Team. Or maybe it’ll give
them more time to chase up those naughty cars who can’t comply with the
pointless LEZ scheme.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ll end on a less ranty note, with
a piece I wrote several years ago. It was written as a long introduction to one
of the Monday night acts at Henry’s Cellar Bar, a great guy who wrote a song
about becoming a multi-millionaire. It was also a reaction to finding my way blocked
on the way to this bar due to people gluing themselves to the road outside the
Filmhouse. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;">While Henry’s Cellar and Filmhouse
are no more, the Stop the Oil protesters continue to disrupt the roads, the
tennis, the Proms, and more. Do they have a point? Maybe. Is this the right way
to make their point? Who knows. Will they achieve anything. Again, probably not. But at
least they’re not scrapping taxis, bicycles, throwing recyclables into any old
bin, or feeding their cattle with MOOtral ruminant for the sake of a very poor
pun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p aria-level="1" class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{39}" paraid="1399319843" role="heading" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 42px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">A Helping Hand</span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"201341983":0,"335559738":240,"335559739":60,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 42px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{45}" paraid="1426148027" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">When Malcolm unexpectedly came into a vast amount of money, his concern was not that he would never need to work again, but that he might spend the rest of his days drinking or wanking himself to death. Either way, his fortune seemed likely to end up down the drain.</span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{51}" paraid="765246158" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Although his new-found solvency could have given him a degree of popularity, he palmed off – literally, </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">on a daily basis</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> – the idea of coupledom. He was happily single, filthily rich, and free from his formerly boring life in the Civil Service. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{57}" paraid="1891059360" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Even the </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">manner in which</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> he came to inherit his great wad (of money) was humdrum. One of those emails offering to transfer a sum of money into one</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">’</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">s bank account. He nearly </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">deleted</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> it. Then he noticed: the name of this distant relative rang a bell. Literally: </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">kerching</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">!</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{71}" paraid="1109223297" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">There was no chance that Malcolm’s funds would run dry. He lived in the same house – a one-bedroomed bungalow – and drove a perfectly reliable Ford Fiesta. He </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> own a passport (on account of a fear of flying and a bad bout of mal-de-mere on a booze-run from Calais) and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> care for expensive food or wine.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{77}" paraid="2098762139" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">What, then, would he do with his pot of dough? He needed a project, a cause. Suddenly a line from a pop-song, about noble causes, came to him. Something like, ‘help the needy and the crippled, and put some time into ecology.’</span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{83}" paraid="848752136" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Malcolm </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> have the empathy to care for those in need, especially if they were children. He </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> dislike kids; he accepted that they were the future, but not </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">his </span><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">future. The only </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">option</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, then, was to care for the planet. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He’d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> read on some wanky website that adults were responsible ‘for bequeathing the world to future generations.’ </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{93}" paraid="1664512809" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">If anyone had asked him if he was a Friend of the Earth, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">he’d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">reply:</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> oh, just a friend of a friend. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He’d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> never voted, or </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">looked into</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the policies of the Green Party, and never got hot and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">bothered about climate change. </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">So</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> when he petitioned his neighbours about forming a scheme to have solar panels fitted on the roofs of every chalet-bungalow in the street, it was met with incredulity.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{101}" paraid="988595701" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">This mild-mannered, middle-aged man from number 42, with a 1970’s moustache who dressed in cords and a lumberjack shirt suddenly wanted to save the planet! People admired his enthusiasm, especially those who were seeing this for the first time. Which was everybody. Sadly, only a few on the street </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlAdvancedProofingIssueV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">actually had</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the money to chip into his scheme, which meant that Malcolm ended up footing the bill for ninety percent of the properties.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{107}" paraid="678637205" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> mind lending a hand. His money – unlike the ozone layer – was in no danger of depletion. He comforted himself that he was giving to both the needy </span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">and</span><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"> ecology, thus fulfilling that line from the pop-song. Apart from the bit about the crippled. </span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{117}" paraid="1708054311" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">His method of comforting himself quickly reverted to drinking and wanking. </span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{123}" paraid="1260447969" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">He needed another project. Malcolm had stumbled into a complicated world, some distance from his simple existence as a Civil Service pen-pusher. But he knew there was much more to do to make a difference. </span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{129}" paraid="1217587018" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">His eccentric aunt – for whom he had to thank for his fortune – tackled global activism on a truly local level. She made a stand against the dreadful, consumer-proof packaging that adorned supermarket food. At the till in Waitrose or M&S, she simply removed any extraneous packaging and left it right there on the counter. She ended up barred from every supermarket in town.</span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{135}" paraid="1186979013" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">This idea of civil disobedience, nevertheless, appealed to the New Malcolm, now so far from his erstwhile Civil Servitude. Malcolm knew little about the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">nitty-gritty</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> of ecology. He left that s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">tuff to scientists and Swedish </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">choolgirls</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">. All the same, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">it seemed that saving</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the planet was about more than packaging, solar panels, and cycle-to-school incentives.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{145}" paraid="1233475601" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">It was about more than bequeathing the earth to future generations; the planet – or its inhabitants – was facing extinction. Action was needed, and rebellion – Malcolm learned at a local rally in </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">a bar called </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Henry’s– was the only answer. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He’d</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> never been disobedient in his life – let alone in a civil way. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{155}" paraid="462450841" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">He </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> have to organise anything, or </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">put up</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> funds; he just had to go along and get stuck in. Literally. At the blockade, the police were in force. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Perhaps it</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> was the smell of the glue, or </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">maybe the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> pint (or two) of Dutch Courage, but when it came to Malcolm’s turn to place his sticky palm on the pavement, he swayed and caught his balance with the help of a nearby phone box. Before he knew it, his hand was glued to the Perspex pane of the door.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{161}" paraid="255619342" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">While the Special branch gently scraped the protesters off the pavement with their potions, and fish-slices Malcolm was left like a hapless bystander. Whatever chemicals worked with glue and </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">tarmac,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> they </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">didn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> work on BT’s plastic window. Instead of a police cell, Malcolm landed up in the Burns Unit of the local A&E. His right palm was permanently blistered.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{167}" paraid="482993895" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">Being </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlSpellingErrorV2, url('data:image/svg+xml;base64,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')); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">unidextrous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">, he </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;">retained</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> the ability to lift a pint of bitter to his mouth, but his other leisurely pursuit, with his mangled right hand, was severely compromised. Luckily, thanks to the services of ‘Mandy’ at his local back-street sauna, he was lent a helping hand. With wealth enough to bring pleasure to others, he could barely bring pleasure to himself, let alone save the planet. Malcolm thought this a tad unfair. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{177}" paraid="145482744" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="TextRun SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-GB" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-variant-ligatures: none !important; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;" xml:lang="EN-GB">But he was still a multi, multi-millionaire. </span><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"> </span></span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{177}" paraid="145482744" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="EOP SCXW4812529 BCX8" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559731":720,"335559739":200,"335559740":480}" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; font-family: Garamond, Garamond_EmbeddedFont, Garamond_MSFontService, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 36px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;"><br /></span></p></div></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW4812529 BCX8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; clear: both; cursor: text; direction: ltr; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web", Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; user-select: text;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{177}" paraid="145482744" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Acknowledgements:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">All text and poetry © J. A. Sutherland; photos of ‘Princess’ </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">by the author.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">‘A Helping Hand’ was first published in </span><i style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The One O’Clock </i><i style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Gun, </i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">June 2022</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Re: Cycling (Part One) can be found </span><a href="https://throughtheturretwindow.blogspot.com/2016/06/re-cycling-part-one.html" style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">; </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Re: Cycling (Part Two) is </span><a href="https://throughtheturretwindow.blogspot.com/2016/08/re-cycling-part-two.html" style="background-color: transparent; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-indent: 48px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW4812529 BCX8" paraeid="{6ee4bf6f-90f3-4709-abfd-a1786c182663}{177}" paraid="145482744" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-kerning: none; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-indent: 48px; user-select: text; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</p></div><div><p></p></div>Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-21632753004767113872022-07-02T10:00:00.001-07:002022-07-02T10:00:00.135-07:00The Perils of No-Platforming<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">It has been some time since my
last blog post, with a bit of pandemic in between. The lockdown of 2020 had a
strange effect on everybody, and many artists felt stifled by the situation. Although I wrote quite a lot, in fact, there was one piece I began that took on
epic proportions. Unable to complete it by the end of that peculiar year, I
continued working throughout 2021 and finally completed it in early 2022. It
is dedicated to my friend Marta, so I thought I ought to share it here today, as it is her
birthday.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There was an article in the
Metro that said ‘Weltschmertz’ was how many people were feeling in 2020.
Indeed, Marta had used that very word in a text to me, although I suspect it
was a result of reading Schopenhauer rather than a free newspaper. Besides the many
conversations about this, I read, watched, and listened to a great amount of
material, not all of which I was able to utilise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The resulting poem, 366
lines long (2020 was a leap year, you may remember) was a rambling, sometimes
contradictory, other times provocative, reflection of not only 2020, but the
long history of cancel culture. In some lines I took words directly from the
sources that I used in my research. I’ve included a handful of acknowledgements
at the end, which may make interesting reading – and some surprises.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As a postlude I will publish
another, shorter poem on a similar theme. It is a paraphrase of a famous poem
which readers of this blog most likely know. I’ll not hammer it
out, even if it has been removed from examination syllabuses in favour of other
more relevant poetry. I’ll remind the reader of something ascribed to Cicero – “to
not know what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 48.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">2020</span></b><b><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 28.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 28.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Weltschmertz<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #14171a; font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsfIXHiAgBDt81Ya2nm1145_XM-myjwr4yCBAbtLvbXCgTK2iPIJO5fV__M-jQR3VmLI0hrtvjohBHr3WzW-ZShJ3MT6P5B7-GRkD3tKcwIQWjwUfMaE1S7cnI7pdsaz4rTm2ochxFV_IPyEvTsMDVGc3Hk8ECPbMXq3wxdPxb6d7AyVM39XjxGMy/s3264/IMG_7681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsfIXHiAgBDt81Ya2nm1145_XM-myjwr4yCBAbtLvbXCgTK2iPIJO5fV__M-jQR3VmLI0hrtvjohBHr3WzW-ZShJ3MT6P5B7-GRkD3tKcwIQWjwUfMaE1S7cnI7pdsaz4rTm2ochxFV_IPyEvTsMDVGc3Hk8ECPbMXq3wxdPxb6d7AyVM39XjxGMy/w226-h640/IMG_7681.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">In the dark times</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Will there also be singing? </span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Yes, there will also be singing</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">About the dark times. </span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">BERTOLT BRECHT</span></p></blockquote></blockquote>
<span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">2020 Weltschmertz </span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;"><i><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for Marta</span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">It was when she pulled
her hair </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">back from her face I
recalled </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Käthe Kollwitz; hers,
in a shawl, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">her heavy features
less exquisite </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">than my companion’s as
we sat</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">drinking, discussing
Schopenhauer.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Had it been such a
terrible year?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">History’s had worse –
to compare </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the past with present
woes appears </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">pessimistic at most,
or, at least, unfair. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Yet what’s the point
if nobody listens – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">from where else can we
garner lessons?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">If I hammer it out
like Richard, who </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in his temporary
lockdown knew </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that time itself – if
nothing else – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">was out of proportion;
nonetheless </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">it was broken,
discordant, corrupted, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or, at any rate,
jarringly interrupted.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">So I travelled back in
time, or fooled </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">myself I was in the
locked-up galleries, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">looking into those
dark, hooded eyes </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that Barlach had
chiselled into wood – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">art the Third Reich
later ridiculed – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to see a pain I
thought I understood.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">People with dubious
proclivities, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Jews, cripples,
lunatics, gypsies – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">all victims of
‘no-platforming’ then, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">who witnessed, in
nineteen-thirty-seven, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">their art (or lives)
destroyed or berated, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">labelled ‘degenerate’
or else, cremated.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Did they look back to
the jagged thorns </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that crowned another
Jew with scorn?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">(But that attack
didn’t stop Him talking</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">long after His own had
killed Him off…)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Shostakovich vowed to
continue composing </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">even if Stalin chopped
his hands off.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">His music, like that
of Prokofiev, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">wasn’t deemed
nationalistic enough – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">maybe they found it
too bombastic – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">(they’d obviously not
heard Berlioz’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">ridiculous <i>Symphonie
Fantastique</i>!)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">A similar censure fell
to the Jews. </span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">42<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">On the basis of their
non-Aryan looks, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">shortly after the
burning of books </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">(which, said the poet
Heinrich Heine, <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">would end with the
burning of people) </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">omitted from the <i>Reichskulturkammer</i>,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">these folk were
cancel-culture’s prequel.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The art of music,
traditionally</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">is multi</span><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Cambria Math",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cambria Math"; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">‐</span><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">faceted and, purportedly,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">unpolitical as such –
unlike words </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">it’s hard to define a
‘Jewish chord’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or describe a triad as
purely Germanic – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but less can be said
for atonal music.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Schoenberg was deemed
‘Jüdisch Ungeist,’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">along with his pupils,
Webern and Berg,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and composers like
Weill and Eisler’s </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">left-wing views were
not to be heard – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the root of political
musical ostracism</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">became the branch to
anti-Semitism.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">After Barlach was
labelled ‘degenerate’</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">it was time for the
Nazi regime to berate </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">musicians on grounds of
Jewishness – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a definition of
choice, no less:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">this radical culture
of racial hate </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">began long before
nineteen-thirty-eight.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Legal measures had
stripped professions </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">not only of writers,
artists, musicians, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but Jewish
shopkeepers, lawyers, doctors, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">lecturers,
instructors, theatre directors. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">First came <i>Entartete
Kunst </i>in Munich;</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">next, less proverbial,
<i>Entartete Musik</i>.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The first to go was
one Franz Schleker – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a threat to Wagner
(more on him later.)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The <i>Lexikon auf
Juden in der Musik</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">denounced Schleker’s
poetry as unfit:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">it represented the
‘age of decay’ – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">decay, that is, of the
Weimar Republic.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">They took exception to
his music, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and (unlike Wagner)
also his libretti </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">which dared to examine
sexuality.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">It seemed exploration
of the erotic</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">was unpatriotic: this
Director was removed</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">from his position at
the Berlin Hochschule.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">To call him out for
‘sexual aberration’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">was a Machiavellian
machination </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of Hans Zeigler, who
based his prejudices </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">on sham information
found in biographies</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">full of intrusive,
unsubstantiated views – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a motley pre-cursor to
the term ‘fake news.’</span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">90<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Allow me to digress,
for a moment, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to ponder how
Zeigler’s choice of language</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">used rhetoric,
hate-speech, prejudice, cant </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to dictate to the
malleable ignorant </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in a way not
dissimilar to those of our age</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">who lack the knack of
informed exchange.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">From the
ba-ba-black-sheep barbarians</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">who were seen as
linguistically degenerate, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">it was strong words
that rendered their state</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">as ‘filthy, sub-human,
Untermenschen,’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">just as we call those
we wish to exterminate</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or supress
‘untouchable, vermin, ape-men.’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">There’s nothing new in
this nomenclature – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Jesus ministered to
people deemed ‘unclean’ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but if history repeats
(and it does) be sure </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">calling someone (their
music or art) ‘inhuman’</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">is Barbarism that
justifies and procures</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">acts that Good People should
call inhumane.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Meanwhile, in the
frenzy of a Witches’ Sabbath</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">(perhaps Berlioz’
allusion to the Revolution </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">inspired Hans
Zeigler’s motley exhibition...)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the guillotine of his
spiritual terrorism </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">fell on the likes of
Krenek and Hindemith,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">with denunciations of
‘Cultural Bolshevism.’</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">This cull went far
beyond composers: </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">others became <i>persona
non grata</i>: </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">those who taught or
wrote about music; </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">players, singers,
directors, conductors – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Steinberg, Walter, Otto
Klemperer –</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the list also included
music critics – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Bekker, Einstein,
Adorno – instrumentalists, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">singers – Lehmann,
Kipnis, Richard Tauber – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and in a particular case
of one violinist/ </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">conductor – Alma Rose,
a niece of Mahler – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">she fled to France but,
arrested somehow</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">was sent to her death
in Auschwitz-Birkenau.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Had Mahler lived to be
seventy-eight </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">he’d very likely have
faced the same fate. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Despite his Roman
Catholic conversion, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">it’s doubtful he’d
have duped execution: </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">his music supposedly
lacked German depth,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and, during the Third
Reich, was suppressed.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Mendelssohn, in a
post-mortem debate, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">was quietly removed
from German culture,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">leaving Germany,
paradoxically, in a state </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of cultural dearth.
His monument, under </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">cover of darkness, was
destroyed; meanwhile </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">his bullied
descendants were forced into exile.</span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">138<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The opera composer,
Meyerbeer, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">was considered by some
incapable </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of creating work that
was anything more </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">than derivative: far
from original – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">according to one’s
man’s rancour – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">his opera, naturally,
fell out of favour.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">To find out how this
came to be </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">we have to plunder
more history </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and call upon our Star
Witness,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Romantic composer and
librettist, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Richard Wagner:
operatic Colossus </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and, regrettably, a
colossal racist.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">He wrote his own
libretti, like Schleker,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but Wagner went one
large step better:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">he wrote a
controversial thesis </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">denouncing Jews as
musically worthless – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a warning against
Jewish influence</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that appealed to a
young Adolf Hitler.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">But I’m jumping the
gun here:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">playing the Hitler Card
is disastrous – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">according to Godwyn’s
Law – this is </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">when arguing who’s the
most monstrous </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of men.
Humpty-Dumptying will fall </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">as surely as Trump’s
ridiculous wall.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Let us just, as
another digression, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">consider others for
whom suppression </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of artistic merit has
gone on and on </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">through the ages: let
us not forget </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Alma Mahler, Fanny
Mendelssohn, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the Milkmaid Poetess,
and Collette – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">where are the women?
Clara Schumann,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Mary Shelley,
Christina Rosetti, Aphra Behn;</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Abbotess Hildegaard
von Bingen,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Dorothy Wordsworth,
Doreen Carwithen </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Avril
Coleridge-Taylor, Dorothy Howell,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Élisabeth (Claude?)
Jacquet de La Guerre, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">George Elliot (aka,
Mary Ann Evans)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Judith (aka, the sister
of Shakespeare)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that one in <i>Les Six</i>,
ie: Francois Taillefaire, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">those sisters, Acton,
Currer and Ellis Bell:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">these, just a few
late-discovered names</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">whose very existence
history suppressed – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the myriad artists who
went unnoticed, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or utilised canny ways
to get published – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">those who wrote under
pseudonyms </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">simply because they
were not men… </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the marginalised, or
long-forgotten, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or multiple women
known as ‘anon.’</span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">186<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">But, to return to this
difficult riff, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">we still perform
Wagner, even if </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">his views are now an
aberration </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that led to the mass
annihilation </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of culture – and lives
– on the basis </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of his bitter attack
on one race… is </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">music not above all
this; doesn’t Art </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">have the right to be presented
far apart </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">from the views or acts
of its creator? </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">(Barthes cries: “death
of the author!”)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Is a person defined by
what they achieved, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or by how their
behaviour is perceived?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Shall we ask the old
and dreary question:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">“<i>What to do with
the art of Monstrous Men</i>?”</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">This, a broadsheet
newspaper headline, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">for a weak discussion
on Woody Allen, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to whose name we could
add James Levine, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or countless other
disgraced musicians,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or those from our
Creative Industries </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">with equally
compromised histories, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">from Carravaggio to
Harvey Weinstein; </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">from Gesualdo to Roman
Polanski, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and many others who’ve
blurred the line </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">between Great Art and
gross abomination.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Should we burn down
their houses, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">beat in their heads,
break them </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in pieces on the wheel
– just as </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Michael Tippett, in <i>Child
of Our Time</i></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">showed happening to
the Jews </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in acts of abhorrent
retaliation?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Should we pull down
their statues, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">ban their recordings,
their books, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">delete their existence
from history, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">boycott the cinemas,
theatres, shops </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that give these
‘monsters’ a platform – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or simply give us
freedom to choose<i>!?</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Ultimately, Art is about
Humanity: </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">compromised, troubled,
flawed, even evil.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">There by the grace of God
go I, you, we: </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">we all exist somewhere
between the devil, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the monster, the
saint, and the deep blue sea. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">We are ‘us’ – all of us – not just you or just
me.</span><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">228<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Permit me one more
aside, parenthetic,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and relocate you to a
pub in Partick:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in the Lismore you can
commemorate</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">my ancestral name
while you urinate,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">for above the urinals
in the Gents’ loos</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">is a plaque denouncing
those who used</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">excessive force to
clear the Highlands – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">one of them was the
Duke of Sutherland.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Crofters were turfed
out in favour of sheep,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and still in Glasgow,
resentment runs deep.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">(That said, in another
pub, you can piss </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">on urinal cakes with
Donald Trump’s face.)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">So it seems my family
name is tainted, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but is that the reason
somebody painted</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">‘Monster’ on that
Duke’s memorial – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or was this another
cultural vandal </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">who’d rather not have
us be reminded </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of an unpleasant past
lest we’re offended?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Perhaps it shouldn’t
have been erected, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but humanity’s story
is ever conflicted:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">should the Museum of
Childhood remove</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a certain doll in a
dire attempt to disprove </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the fact that,
sometimes, people fuck up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">You don’t right wrongs
by crying “Shut up.”</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Needless to say, this
‘cancel culture’</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">existed long before
Richard Wagner,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">nor reached its true
nadir with Hitler – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">sure, he wanted to
cancel an entire race, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">along with those he
found objectionable – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">but his was not an
uncommon prejudice.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">To say so renders all
those who trouble </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">us inhuman, a
sub-species, viral, animal, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and tars and mars us
with the same brush:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">there’s not a law for
them, another for us.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Dumping dictators,
beheaded, into the sea</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">teaches the future
nothing of their history;</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">nor defacing monuments
or statuary </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">because we get
offended oh-so-easily – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">didn’t the Rabbi Jesus
say, “If thine eye </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">offendeth thee, pluck
it out?” Maybe He </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">should have said, ‘if
thy self-righteous </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">tongue is loose,
remove it?’ Unless, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of course, your
bloated eloquence </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">has some super-human
significance,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in which case, assert
the right sort of truth – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">by which I mean, your opinion
or assertion </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">gleaned from Twitter’s
indefatigable proof – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">provided you don’t
offend a single person.</span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">276<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Which is not to say
freedom of speech</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">is a licence for
misinformation and hate:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">language has power, as
I’ve said, so to preach </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to people devoid of
reason demonstrates </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">how social media is
society’s toilet wall:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">piss all you like,
Humpty-Trumpty won’t fall.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">He will, however, be
hoist by his own petard.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">So why do we fear to
call him out by name?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Making him some kind
of ‘Voldemort’ (it’s hard</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to use that name
without giving the same </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">credit to an author we
now fear to mention)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">makes his own ‘fakery’
stronger than fiction. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Writers, saddled with
this adjuration, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">fear to use mimicry (or,
‘appropriation’) </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and no-platform
themselves, nor dare let </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">their severed heads
rise above the parapet.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">They only write what
people want to hear – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">God forbid we lop off
the listeners’ ear.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Yet here is theology’s
stumbling-block:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">we pluck out not our
own but others’ eyes.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Surely the Good
Shepherd said to his flock,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">‘If your eye causes
you to stumble, it’s wise</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to shut it off to
evil, trials, or temptation’ –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">this doesn’t require a
literal interpretation!</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Some women had to take
this literally</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to avoid the advances
of men obsessed </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">with their eyes, hair,
or the way they dressed,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">like Rapunzel, Saint
Triduana, or Saint Lucy, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">who put out their own
eyes to spite their face – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a thorny solution
served up on a plate – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or another seductress,
to cite a <i>volte face</i>,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">lent
John-the-Baptist’s head the same fate:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a lesson well-learned
for those outspoken </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to hold their tongues,
like tomorrow’s ‘woke.’</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Hands also, the Rabbi
said: ‘Chop them off’ – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">although this did not
deter Prokofiev </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">nor Shostakovich from
composing – albeit </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in notation encoded,
its message, illicit.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Art isn’t a gift; it’s
a compulsion: we’re driven </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to express something
from the deepest prison </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of our existence, to
convey a true message</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">through some
prophetic, mysterious presage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Beware, therefore, of
cultural vandalism:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the petty watch-committee
McCarthyism </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">mires us still with
communism, fascism,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">the colonised or
occupied by other nations.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sure, this wasn’t a
year for optimism:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">none of us was blessed
with 2020 vision.</span></p></blockquote>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">324<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">But was this <i>annus
horribilis</i> really so bad?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Was the fear of so
many ending up dead </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">politicised; a
pandemic of misinformation?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">To some, endless
months of nothingness</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">were torture, to
others the restoration</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">of nature and stopping
of clocks was bliss. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The abrupt cessation
of carbon emissions </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and mass-consumption
was joy to behold</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">– at least, until
capitalism’s resumption – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and, clapping for
carers, society finally told </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">‘key-workers’ their
jobs were essential: </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">this was an experience
truly existential!</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Unless, of course, you
didn’t see </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">2020 CE with optimism
or clarity; </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">saw Thursday Clapping
as hypocrisy, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or bought into the
tricky conspiracy </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">that conflated the
language of fascism </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">with programmes of
mass vaccination. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">With jobs, education,
relationships lost,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">this year realised a
multitude of costs:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">depression, anxiety,
panic or worse – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">no wonder we suffered with
Weltschmerz.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">That’s if we interpreted
the global pandemic</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">without Schopenhauer’s
eudemonic</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">stance: life is shit,
but it can be worth living</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">if love, work, art,
even death give it meaning.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Why bother if life is
only for suffering?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Even in dark days,
there will be singing, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to the lines of Heine
and others prophetic </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">enough to illuminate, warn,
mirror, mimic. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">And who am I to understand
or validate</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">an experience that
isn’t mine; appropriate</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">a comfort to disturb
another’s, or be able</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">or willing to dare
disturb the comfortable?</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">That’s your
interpretation: I am not here </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">to be or say the words
you want to hear.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The 18<sup>th</sup>
Century zeitgeist of world-weariness </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">influenced many
thinkers – Wagner, no less – </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">and created debate
among the Literary Salons.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">History doesn’t repeat.
It just goes on and on. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">I was made aware of
this terrible year</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">when my companion
pulled back her hair…</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">366<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Of the considerable
amount of material looked at for this long poem I should mention the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://hampsongfoundation.org/resource/persecuted-composers-persecuted-music/" target="_blank">Persecuted Composers– Persecuted Music</a></span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> – an essay On
Thomas Hampson’s 2005 Salzburg Recital, by Jens Malte Fischer</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://yalebooksblog.co.uk/2013/04/16/forbidden-music-the-jewish-composers-banned-by-the-nazis-author-article-by-michael-haas/" target="_blank">‘Forbidden music:</a>the Jewish composers banned by the nazis’. Author article by Michael Haas<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span lang="DE" style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UiwRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA13&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=true" target="_blank">Weltschmerz: </a></span></i><i><span lang="DE" style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=UiwRDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA13&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=true" target="_blank">Pessimism in German Philosophy,</a> 1860-1900, </span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Frederick C. Beiser (OUP,
2016)</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://archive.org/details/studiesinpessim00schouoft/mode/2up">Studies in Pessimism,</a></span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Arthur Schopenhauer,
translated by Thomas Bailey Saunders</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/219251/" target="_blank">Ernst Barlach,
sculpture and the "terrible year" 1937</a>.</span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Deborah Lewer, National
Galleries of Scotland, 2016; London Art History Society Review, 2020</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://theconversation.com/a-urinal-in-a-scottish-pub-reveals-why-toilets-matter-in-international-politics-118312" target="_blank">A urinal in aScottish pub reveals why toilets matter in international politics</a></span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">, The Conversation, June, 2019</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/11/20/art-monstrous-men/" target="_blank">What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?</a></span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> Claire Dederer, The Paris Review, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000tm7j" target="_blank">How do we solve a problem like James Levine?</a> </span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Music Matters, BBC Radio 3, broadcast 27 March 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://www.thedarkhorsemagazine.com/anatomy-of-a-hounding-lindsay" target="_blank">Anatomy of a hounding</a>: fear & factionalism in Scottish poetry, </span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Jenny Lindsay, Dark Horse,
2020</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000v9vg" target="_blank">The Age of Infantilism</a></span></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">, Howard Jacobson, ‘A
Point of View,’ BBC Radio 4, broadcast 23 Apr 2021</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Image: </span><i style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/246/das-schlimme-jahr-1937-terrible-year-1937" target="_blank">A TerribleYear</a></i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">, Ernst Barlach, National Galleries of Scotland, Modern One.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">and for the second poem which I wrote to be performed but haven't yet found a platform; a paraphrase of <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47395/strange-meeting" target="_blank">this poem</a></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Estranged</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span></p></blockquote><p><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #203864; font-size: 10.5pt;">If liberty means
anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to
hear.</span></i></i></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGhVOn_GfCtqf21zDNxCzKQrNniVvaD_yoYfckximv11qXv_d73cNUgl72XvSC0svpVlJKAu9xg1Lb6XffBuHzFzaL6cVx3p8UASJSiTtWtEBz5yHbFUGcc0otDYT6JR_lz5btoSfuvIn0JY6oKlCkg_dMsdzsVPBR2FRb_X4pqf1bxTjMm9sFBxv/w200-h150/Orwell.jpg" width="200" /></p></div><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT", sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">It seemed from some
poetry battle I escaped</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Down a deeply
vacuous funnel that telescoped </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">A sympathetic
fallacy of wisdom once distilled.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Yet also there
un-numbered poets stalled,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Too fast in rhyme or
chime or time to give pause.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Then, as I applauded
them, one proceeded to pars</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">A piteous
recognition in a long, long line,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">His plodding feet,
iambic, told another discipline.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">And by his simile, I
knew this was some kind of slum — </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">By his volta this
was, I knew, a different kind of slam.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">His face fixed fast,
jaw set, though teeth were grinding</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">To offset, or
disguise, the anatomy of a hounding —</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">And yet, no guns
dared shoot him down in public.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Poet,” I said,
“Your loss is just bad luck.” </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">“Not so,” he said,
“you’d empathise with my stance,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">If you only knew the
true length of my sentence.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The hopelessness.
Whatever hope is yours,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Is never mine. I had
my fingers scorched</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">By truths stumbled
upon, not searched,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">But truth lies not
in the distorted, broken click</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Of fingers, rather
in the honesty of human clock:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Mine ticks on,
anapaestic, heedless of your clack. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">For by my loss might
many be relieved,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">While of my allies,
sure I have been loved,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Without condition…
ah, I see you demur — </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">This poem is meant
to be about the pity of war.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Competition results,
always, in monopoly;</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The antonym of love
isn’t hate, but apathy.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">This poem’s about
those who cannot compute</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The collateral
damage of those who compete;</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">The judges’ decision
is final, the jurors’, firm:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Seems your peers
want you off the platform.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">I missed a beat,
though I had mastery,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Call it a lacuna, or
ne’er to be spoken mystery.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">You’ll miss the
march of my retreating world,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Stuck in your
wide-awake village, high-walled</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Against reality,
reason, forever trigger-warning</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">in open-eyed
dreamless fear of self-harming.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">With truths that lie
too deep for your analysis</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">I would have poured
my poetry without digress.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">But, now, not
through my words; nor this poetry battle.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Other poets, and
thinkers, might bleed without rebuttal.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I am the poem you
silenced, my friend.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">I knew you in this
dark: for though you punned</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Your way through me
as you extolled my vice,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">I conjugated; but my
verbs are now without voice.</span></p><span style="color: #203864; font-family: "Gill Sans MT",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #203864; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Let us sleep now. .
.”</span></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f3864; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-43883459820235857752020-02-18T09:25:00.001-08:002020-02-18T09:34:15.486-08:00Walking on the Water<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">I wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walking on the Water</i> while studying
Creative Writing in 2010 with the Open University. It received a distinction. I
then produced the poems and photographs in a limited-edition hand-stitched
pamphlet, and first performed the sequence at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">10 Red</i> in Leith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">The sequence has been
performed on many occasions since, in a variety of styles and collaborations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">The poems and
photographs were reproduced in the art magazine, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">After Nyne</i>, edition 5, and the fourth picture was featured in
HERE+NOW’s installation, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hold Me Dear</i>,
in Edinburgh. As an exhibition piece, the pictures and the pamphlet were
featured in Kalopsia Collective’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Octavo
Fika</i> event in 2013, and as poetry and photographs, the work has been
exhibited in many venues, including The Forest Café, St Margaret’s House, and
Henry’s Cellar Bar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFFLoS0pGSU/Xkv-yf4ZFZI/AAAAAAAAA5o/CEXaoosxxwEuPubEuGeEJDcQyB-fthrbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Here%2B%252B%2BNow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="1500" height="145" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFFLoS0pGSU/Xkv-yf4ZFZI/AAAAAAAAA5o/CEXaoosxxwEuPubEuGeEJDcQyB-fthrbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Here%2B%252B%2BNow.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hold Me Dear exhibition, Rodney Street Tunnel, HERE+NOW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">The final poem of the
sequence, ‘The Paraclete,’ was awarded Special Merit in the competition, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Inspired? Get Writing!</i> run by the
Scottish National Galleries, in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">The Gormley statues
that were in the Waters were removed until last May, when – to my astonishment –
they were replaced; some in the wrong order and different places. My sequence,
therefore, is testament to the original <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6
Times </i>installation, and is reproduced for the first time in full on this
blog below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; line-height: 150%;">A recording can be
found <a href="https://soundcloud.com/ja-sutherland/walking-on-water" target="_blank">here</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; font-weight: normal;">to Canon Brian Hardy, in
gratitude for his wise counsel over the years<o:p></o:p></span></i></h1>
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 36pt;">Walking on </span></i></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 36pt;">the Water<o:p></o:p></span></i></h1>
<br />
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">A<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">n</i>
installation<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> photography and</i> poems </span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">based on Antony Gormley’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6 Times<o:p></o:p></i></span></h1>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CV6O1BJLDxM/XkwBl7ToKdI/AAAAAAAAA6M/gy9NuxmY_A4vymNoRqulo2HO_nNnWCfAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Gormley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1272" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CV6O1BJLDxM/XkwBl7ToKdI/AAAAAAAAA6M/gy9NuxmY_A4vymNoRqulo2HO_nNnWCfAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Gormley.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 1.4pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<h2 align="center" style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 26pt; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: 1.4pt;">J.
A. SUTHERLAND<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">6
Times </i>is a landmark sculptural project by celebrated British artist, Antony
Gormley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The work consists of six
life-sized figures positioned at six points across <st1:postalcode w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Edinburgh</st1:place></st1:postalcode>, from the Scottish Gallery of
Modern Art to the sea, by way of the Water of Leith.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">(National Galleries of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Scotland</st1:place></st1:country-region>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humility </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">(Figure I - HORIZON)</span></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkp0Hws8l3M/XkwBjjdXCaI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/tVTKRWjIwWEWUpe4II-DLWVCCtXtsMwpQCEwYBhgL/s1600/1.%2BShadow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkp0Hws8l3M/XkwBjjdXCaI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/tVTKRWjIwWEWUpe4II-DLWVCCtXtsMwpQCEwYBhgL/s400/1.%2BShadow.JPG" width="400" /></a><strong><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></strong></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; tab-stops: 177.0pt center 234.0pt;">
<strong><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Psalm
69</span></strong><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">. <em><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif";">Salvum me fac</span></em><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 18pt;">S</span></i></strong><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">AVE</span></i></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> me, O God : </span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;">for the waters are come
in, even unto my soul.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stick fast in the deep mire, where no
ground is : <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> I am come into deep waters, so that
the floods run over me.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-size: 10pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt 36pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Summer<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Tarmac softened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I sank deep into the ground<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Head-and-shoulders proud<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt 36pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Autumn<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Leaves patted my head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Stroked my pate until it shone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">With condescension<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt 36pt;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Winter</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Under a white sheet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sealed in a stone-cold pavement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Regal: rusted gold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="margin: 12pt 0cm 3pt 36pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spring<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Sap seeped up my back<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">A child looked me in the eye<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">My shadow shortened<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Candlemas
</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">(Figure II - GROUND)</span></span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOkziNVIEp0/XkwBji657PI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/lwYhWhaeYUElDeGzA0kc8Yng73IwAV7swCEwYBhgL/s1600/2.%2BCandlemas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOkziNVIEp0/XkwBji657PI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/lwYhWhaeYUElDeGzA0kc8Yng73IwAV7swCEwYBhgL/s400/2.%2BCandlemas.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Take me out of the mire, that I sink
not; <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">O let me be delivered from them that
hate me, </span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">and out of the deep waters.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Candlemas; crocuses were poking through,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">and daffodils adorned the window-boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">In church, the stained glass in the sanctuary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">was painstakingly replaced, pane by pane: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">a gap for the whistling springtime wind <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">made the altar candles wobble nervously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">An opening Hymn, Collect, Psalm and then<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The Gospel where, according to Saint Luke,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">at the temple they presented Him,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">with a pair of turtle doves – or two young pigeons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Right on cue, a pigeon flew the full length of the nave<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">And perched upon the rood cross, cooing piously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I walked to the water and waded in by the weir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The garlic tang of ramsons on my tongue,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">and all around, a procession of snowdrops<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">flickered like gentle tapers in the breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The water cooled my ankles, and in the trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">A wood-pigeon warbled ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nunc Dimittis</i>.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">A Second provided an imperfect cadence: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">‘Quia Viderunt’</span></i><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"> – then both departed in
peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">N</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">UNC </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dimittis servum tuum, Domine, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">secundum verbum tuum in
pace:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Quia viderunt oculi mei
salutare tuum<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">N</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">OW,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord, lettest thou thy servant <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">depart in peace,
according to thy word.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">For mine eyes have
seen thy salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 180pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">(Luke 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">Gethsemane </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal;">(Figure III - SKY)<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwBtpW6z4AI/XkwBjsxBcHI/AAAAAAAAA6U/1YNj0dtGBQkUt4YJKXMMV9RwQFDCeDSsACEwYBhgL/s1600/3.%2BGethsemane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XwBtpW6z4AI/XkwBjsxBcHI/AAAAAAAAA6U/1YNj0dtGBQkUt4YJKXMMV9RwQFDCeDSsACEwYBhgL/s400/3.%2BGethsemane.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Let not the water-flood drown me,
</span></i></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">neither let the deep swallow me up;<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">and let not the pit shut her mouth
upon me. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">This was not my finest hour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I said to them, wait by the shore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">while I keep an eye on the clock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The seasons came and went<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">like friends remembered not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I felt my limbs lock into place, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">and tears fixed fast upon my face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The waters froze around my feet, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">a scourge of sleet sliced into my back; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">snow lodged like mocking epaulettes; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">icicles as sharp as stings obscured my view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The clock chimed on, the cockerel crew,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I was denied, denuded, and alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Several times I fell, and hid below<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">the surface, harrowed by the undertow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">How long, I cried, how long will they disown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My God – who will melt this
bitter cup? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Will spring, or some other covenant, lift me up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ecce Homo
</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">(Figure IV - RIGHT)</span></span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zi8JRrWzGsQ/XkwBkql8m6I/AAAAAAAAA6c/3YDBboe_LHwRAKbjjeBlm5npW3siIS1zACEwYBhgL/s1600/4.%2BEcce%2BHomo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zi8JRrWzGsQ/XkwBkql8m6I/AAAAAAAAA6c/3YDBboe_LHwRAKbjjeBlm5npW3siIS1zACEwYBhgL/s400/4.%2BEcce%2BHomo.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">As for me, when I am poor and in
heaviness,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">thy help, O God, shall lift me up. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">‘Is there a story,’ asked the infant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">nonchalantly pointing at my manhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">There are, I figured, three dimensions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">my Shadow on the murky surface; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">my Reflection in the water;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">and above it all, my Self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 22pt;">L</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt;">O</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">VE bade me welcome; yet my soul drew
back<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Guilty of dust,
and sin.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">But quick-eyed Love,
observing me grow slack<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">From my first
entrance in,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Drew nearer to me,
sweetly questioning<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">If I lacked
anything.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>(George Herbert) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: large; font-style: normal;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love
Forbad (Figure V - LEFT)</span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jfg4UH2U9tI/XkwBlPk-rhI/AAAAAAAAA6c/th6Y-YVMzcoJu-5wGkfOZUUkwZpcokMrQCEwYBhgL/s1600/5.%2BLove%2BForbad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jfg4UH2U9tI/XkwBlPk-rhI/AAAAAAAAA6c/th6Y-YVMzcoJu-5wGkfOZUUkwZpcokMrQCEwYBhgL/s400/5.%2BLove%2BForbad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 72pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I called her Dawn – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">although her name was Maudlin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Every day she greeted me;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">as the morning-star twinkled <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">she sprinkled the waters <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">with the ointment of her eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">The wind whipped through her skirts, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">making havoc of her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I fixed my stare to where she stood, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">up on the walkway by the railings, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">lone voyeur to her solitary stance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">She ebbed towards the bridge, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">climbed over, picked along the nettled bank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">In the corner of my eye I saw her <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">stripping silently, slip into the silken stream, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">then behind my back, draw nearer to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I asked myself: what is this thing I lack?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I could hear the plop of pebbles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">as her tears dropped in the pool; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">the first stone, then another, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">until my feet were blessed with <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">the precious unction of her heart, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">the perfume of her penitence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Wrapping her pale arms around my chest,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I felt her thighs lash like willow-switches <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">up against my legs, she pressed her soft breasts <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">into my unyielding frame; her long hair flicked <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">and wiped away the moisture from my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Still blind, I asked myself again: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">was this the thing for which the Seraphim <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">stood guard, hard against the garden gate?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">She drew back, no longer full of dust and sin.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Paraclete </span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;">(Figure VI -
HORIZON)</span></span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7IbmwJFJIc/XkwBl8dmDVI/AAAAAAAAA6g/_sBYFJdeKr4iHll8jusb3ul6YI10uD0GACEwYBhgL/s1600/6.%2BParaclete.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1228" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7IbmwJFJIc/XkwBl8dmDVI/AAAAAAAAA6g/_sBYFJdeKr4iHll8jusb3ul6YI10uD0GACEwYBhgL/s400/6.%2BParaclete.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">The humble shall consider this, and be
glad:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">seek ye after God, and your soul shall
live.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Criss-crossing across the battered planks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt;">
<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Of a rotten, tatty, abandoned jetty, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I stepped onto an empty plinth, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">staring out towards the Firth of Forth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">By my side, a cormorant spread its span, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">stood stock still like an Angel of the North, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">drying its blackened wings in the setting sun <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">while seagulls jostled for position on my head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">Next day, the skies opened with a promise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">from the East lifting the sun to its zenith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I sensed a stranger bird soar silently above <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">my muted crown, and as the laughing gulls <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">mocked the heavens with their echoing mirth, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">I heard my maker’s voice. And he was pleased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Let heaven and earth praise him:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">the sea, and all that moveth therein.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;">poetry
and images, ©J. A. Sutherland, 2011</span></i></b><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #0f243e; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b> </div>
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<span style="color: #0f243e; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-65340735767495161782018-08-18T04:18:00.000-07:002018-08-18T04:18:08.300-07:00Burying the Past<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">In certain quires and places where I sing (more for money than God, if truth be told) The Robin Chapel is dedicated to the memory of someone who died in the war. It’s an ecumenical place of worship, which means we have visiting preachers from various denominations. The theology, I must say, is varied and the quality, mixed. But it is a chapel of reconciliation and, above all: love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkFqhHPjKXI/W3bwQ1mBssI/AAAAAAAAA3g/9qCjyRc4MoMAniVh2sHqitg17VALmcSkQCLcBGAs/s1600/Phone%2BBox%2BTwins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="732" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkFqhHPjKXI/W3bwQ1mBssI/AAAAAAAAA3g/9qCjyRc4MoMAniVh2sHqitg17VALmcSkQCLcBGAs/s200/Phone%2BBox%2BTwins.jpg" width="142" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Recently one of the preachers was speaking about Prophets. When he said that prophets saw the world not as it is but as it should be, it rang a bell in my brain. After a bit of mental sifting, I realised it was almost the same words as a line in one of my short stories from my Fringe Show of five years ago called <i>Phone Box Tales.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Since I’ve been performing some of these tales this year during the Festival, I thought I’d post it on this month’s blog. Imagine it being told by a slightly shifty guy with an estuary accent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;">Bin-Rakers</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;">Scum. Scavenging scum, that’s what they are. Now I’ve got that off my chest, I’ll tell you another thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> Identity-Theft is a complex form of envy. I see it all the time at poetry-readings. Yeah, the audience are all thinking as the poet reads her words: I wish I had her eloquence, her turn of phrase, her ability to see the world not as it is, but how it ought to be. I wish I had her <i>poetry.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> I asked her afterwards, how many drafts do each of your poems endure? Writing poetry, I’m told, is not about Romantic Inspiration. It is a process, a craft, a sculpting of language. Even so, when she told me, hundreds, I guessed she was exaggerating. I said, no honestly: at what point do you pull the plug? She conceded: after ten attempts, if the poem is un-publishable, I bin it. Stunned, I put it to her: the Baby out with the Bathwater? Maybe, she agreed; cutting off the poet’s nose.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> From that point, I began to follow her about. Not just her performances, where I sat in the shadows, but around the town where we both lived. I observed what she put in her trolley at Tescos, saw what books she browsed in Blackwells; I sat (several rows) behind her in the cinema. Sometimes it was Arthouse; sometimes, Hollywood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> She spent several hours a week in Galleries; and on her way home took snapshots on her camera. Bin-Rakers round the back of Waitrose; the old man who always stops for a rest on that bench; graffiti on the phone-box (my handy hiding-place) at the end of her Avenue. She lived alone in the tree-lined streets where suburbia meets the town-centre; an end-of-terrace flat with its own front door and paper-recycling tub.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> I saw a TV programme once, on how to forge fake identification from information rifled out of someone’s bin. Then she called a locksmith, got into the house, and fleeced it bare. My poet was away at some Book Festival (I knew her itinerary, but waited in my phone-box ’til the coast was clear.) There, in her re-cycling was a wad of discarded poems: a full collection. ‘Un-publishable’ she thought? Seems she was wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> Appreciating that poetry isn’t exactly lucrative, I wasn’t expecting huge returns on my heist; nor was I expecting that anyone would spot my… was it, crime?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> Finders-Keepers is not the same applied to so-called Intellectual Property. In court, I tried to argue I was doing her a favour, rescuing the poet’s baby from the… it was then she recognised me. When she told the local paper of my stalking, my cover was blown. They dredged the dirty laundry of my past, raked the rubbish, scavenged from the bins of all my former, phone-box hide-outs where I’d ‘spied on’ (I preferred to say, observed, in every town I lived) celebrities, sportsmen and women, TV-presenters, film-stars and finally, writers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"> I should have chosen journalists. Scum. Scavenging fucking scum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Today is an interesting day for me, for two reasons. One is that I have reached a point where I feel I can put my past behind me. It will still be there (a bit like the poor bugger in the story above) but I refuse to be defined by it. How did I reach this point? That will be the other reason.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Today is a significant saint’s day. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Helen (or any derivative of that saint’s name) is celebrated in May, but in the West, her day is today. So my dear friend and muse, who also goes by the name ‘Odet,’ can celebrate her name-day today, even though she is far away from me (ironically, in her homeland.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I am no prophet; I am far too trapped in the past. My ability to see the world as it ought to be is hampered by the lack of belief in my own poetry. But with friends like ‘Odet’ – and many more who have loved and supported me on my difficult journey – I feel I am finally ‘moving forward.’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You could say it’s ironic, that I use the same quote from last month’s blog-post as an epigraph. But it’s true, and I’d like to think I believe in the truth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Odet and the Poet</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Life can only be understood backwards,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> but it must be lived forwards. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">- Kierkegaard.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">At the wrap-party you introduced me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">to the assembled company –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">also gathered for your name-day –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">friends, colleagues, and fellow artists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">“This is so-and-so, actor, and this,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">my co-director; such-and-such, 2<sup>nd</sup> camera,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">runner, another actor; and here is my D.O.P.,”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">and then you came to me. “And this is...”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You attempted to define my role but,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">lost for words, you went for: “Just a poet”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> – to the great amusement of your guests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I knew I meant more than ‘just a poet’ to you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">and you much more to me (and slightly less)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">than Odette in </span><i><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">À la recherche du temps perdu</span></i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">or a swan in a certain ballet by Tchaikovsky –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">although I am prone to nostalgia and regret.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You didn’t mean it in any way derogatory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">English – as you remind me frequently –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">is not your first language. You tell me that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">in your native Bulgarian you have wit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">vocabulary, eloquence. Frustrated by</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">your inability to articulate it with that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">same nuance, nonetheless the word ‘just’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">became for the two of us a source of jest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Is it any wonder that you’re confused,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">eluded by the so-called subtlety of words</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">when English is so tangled and abused</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">by those who use it? With so much syntax,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">grammar, and mangled meaning,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">nobody knows the difference (it seems)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">between an adverb, noun, or adjective,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I can forgive you any misunderstanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I wonder how linguistic evolution</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">can be seen as progress? In these days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">of newspeak, euphemism, advertising,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">corporate lingo, jargon and neologism –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">developed not for beauty of words spoken,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">but to drive a bargain – we no longer say</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">“in future...” when attempting to address</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">a problem emanating from the past.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Now we (or ‘they’) say, “Going forward,”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">when addressing future plans or strategy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">This piece of business-patter irritates me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">God forbid we should dare to criticise</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">by saying ‘in future’ when we strategize</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">commercially. What other way is there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">to go than forward! Should we chalk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">our mistakes up or down to experience,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">then scrape the slate clean? I’m one to talk:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">forever looking over my shoulder, plagued</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">by history, in search of lost time. Longing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">for resolution, mired in regret or loss,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I want to change the perils of the past,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">to add a veneer, a varnish, or a gloss.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The last place I want to go is forward,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">so I rehearse and dream and speculate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">and plan without the slightest intention</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">of bringing life’s little play to fruition –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">although, like every melancholic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I plan the curtain-call at my dramatic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">completion, and have written my epitaph.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">“You’re a poet – of course!” I hear you laugh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The fact is, in the threefold dimension</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">of time, I cannot share Eliot’s assertion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">that time present and time past are both</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">present in time future,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> or in my ending</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">is my beginning, or that ‘<sup>*</sup>every day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">won from such darkness is a celebration.’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">It is the present tense that scares me most.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">And if that sounds intensely weak, pathetic,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I can’t be much of a poet, whose words</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">are meant to be enlightening, prophetic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">To see the world not as it is, but as it’s meant to be:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">that’s what I hoped to achieve in my poetry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Instead, I look to the ephemeral for inspiration:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">beauty, music, art, and nature – things that,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">in their numinous impermanency,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">might give to my writing ‘agency’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">(another expression whose novelty</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">has turned meaningless in its ubiquity.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Then, then, I remember you, Odet;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">you who once called me just a poet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You, a film-maker, actor, statistician,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">philosopher, dancer, mathematician,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">traveller, talker, storyteller, also a poet,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">a painter, editor, singer, musician,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">a writer, a muse, and above all, friend –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">the list could go on and on without end!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">My attempt to understand life backwards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">is hampered by the inertia that prevents</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">me from ‘going forward.’ It’s absurd</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">to try and define you in a single word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You are present: in the here and now</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">that needs no adjective, verb, or noun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I am ‘just a poet.’ But you, Odet, are</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">so much more than that. You are ‘a poem.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">So we come to the end of this month’s post, and perhaps, to the end of this blog. I’ve been writing my thoughts here for nearly ten years, and I think it’s time that I concentrated on a different online presence. Besides, my work is available in various formats – online, in print, at exhibitions, and as limited-editions of art-books – and I continue to perform and have my work performed live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">When I say ‘perhaps,’ it is because I don’t know what the future holds. Who can? We can no more construct the future than we can retrieve the past. Linear time is meaningless: I could say “see you later” but ‘later’ doesn’t exist. There is only ‘now.’ That’s where I am. Or where I’m at.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I may post the odd link, or the occasional poem; open the window for a bit of air, or celebrate the opening of another door. After all, ‘there are far, far more than 26 doors between my house and yours,’ as I said in my sequence for Odet. And yet; and yet... no: I’ll end now, without regret.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Regret</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Do not look backward, children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">A sticky burning sea still lies below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The harsh air stings like sand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">and here among these salty pillars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">the unforgiving stand. Take</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">the mountain ledge, even though</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">it crumbles into dust. Walk or crawl,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">you must let the rocks cut into your fee without pity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">And forget the smoking city. God punishes regret.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Elaine Feinstein.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> The Chapel that I mentioned at the start of this entry is one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems. While I ignore the nod to its military and royal connections (which I abhor) it doesn’t glorify the war that killed its dedicatee. As I said above, it is a place of reconciliation and, above all: love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> It also has an extremely good professional choir – but then, I would say that! Furthermore, it has some stunning stained glass windows with depictions of scenes from Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress – one of literature’s most famous allegories, written in Bedford Gaol in 1678.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> This book has always been a part of my life, for many reasons. I could go into them, but I’m trying to wrap things up here, now. Even so: one key image that sticks with me is when the main character, Christian (or ‘Pilgrim’ as he’s called in Vaughan Williams’ Morality/Opera) casts his burden upon the Lord. Here is an illustration from a picture-book I had when a child (and still, evidently, have.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> That sense of ‘unburdening’ the past is so important if one is to live with a feeling of peace and reconciliation. The modern prophet, Nelson Mandela, knew this when he was released from prison and sought to heal his people. Why bear a grudge? After all, ‘our little life is rounded with a sleep.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> So having chucked in a bit of Shakespeare for good measure, I’ll end this post, and possibly this blog, with a poem by that cheeky old Bard, after a quick blast of dear old Joni, and a wee bit of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Thank you for reading. I’ll see you... whenever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">from</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 25.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Charlotte & The Charlatan</span></i></b><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 3pt;">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 24pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">and other cautionary tales<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
click to play!</div>
</span><br />
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/ja-sutherland/10-hannah" target="_blank">Hannah & The Shadows<o:p></o:p></a></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="337" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uAnsG6LxPuI/W3bwqrUphFI/AAAAAAAAA38/Y9JP5ZDEj8knn4TeE0udVtfdzkbMsoRegCEwYBhgL/s320/Hannah%2BComp.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">If we shadows have offended,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Think but this, and all is mended—</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> That you have but slumbered here</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> While these visions did appear.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> And this weak and idle theme,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> No more yielding but a dream,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Gentles, do not reprehend.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> If you pardon, we will mend.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> And, as I am an honest Puck,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> If we have unearnèd luck</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> We will make amends ere long.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Else the Puck a liar call.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> So good night unto you all.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> Give me your hands if we be friends,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> And Robin shall restore amends.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -36pt; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> (Midsummer Night’s Dream)</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">where one door closes...</span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-78464790062121030102018-07-12T08:41:00.000-07:002018-07-12T08:44:00.122-07:00Searching<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Many years ago I was part of a team delivering a series of theological discussions that some might call ‘Bible Classes.’ This may come as a surprise to some of my readers, but the point is this. The materials we used were from a course called ‘Living the Questions’ – a radical, liberal theological take on interpreting scripture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Unlike the weak, glib answers supplied by evangelical courses such as ‘Alpha,’ besides the non-literal reading of the Bible, this course explored the ability to see that ‘faith’ is about accepting that there <i>are</i> no answers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">To ‘live the questions’ that surround our ultimately meaningless existence seemed, to me, the only way of coming to terms with the eternal mysteries. It helped me, ultimately, to accept my loss of belief in God with a greater sense of meaning, while retaining a keen belief in the teachings of Christ – as far as we are told by the Gospels. A secular version of this is summed up in this sketch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Lately, I have used up a lot of emotional energy in exploring aspects of my past, trying to find answers. Part of this has been for a film I was helping to script (shelved for the time-being, sadly) which led to a lot of personal research – for purposes of credibility.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Looking at your own life in retrospect is a pretty useless exercise. You cannot change what has happened, and the unresolved questions remain unresolved. Despite the maxim of our judicial system, that one should tell ‘the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,’ we can never really know what truth is. Truth is elusive. Our quest to discover ‘truth’ is eternal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Sometimes, there is clarity when, with hindsight, you realise some things that didn’t make sense at the time now seem obvious, or at least, acceptably ambiguous. Again, accepting there are no answers is the same as living the questions. Whatever one has been through in life, the key to survival is ‘moving on.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">My ‘motto’ for this year is a quote from Kierkegaard:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";">Life can only be understood backwards,</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"> but it must be lived forwards.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve reached a stage where living forwards is the only option for me, since there is too much looking backward for people of my character type (see other posts) and the understanding that Kierkegaard talks of leads me continually searching for answers. Here’s an amusing song about this, which I heard performed recently in the bar where I reside as the ‘house poet.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I’m writing this today for a reason. It is the anniversary of the day I was joined (in the eyes of the God I subsequently ceased to believe in) with someone I expected to spend the rest of my life with. The rendering asunder of this union hit me hard, and my life spiralled out of control. I wanted to reclaim the past, to un-spiral the spring, and that was an impossible task.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Now I have come to realise that dredging up the past will not change the hurt I felt, or emolliate the pain I was in. I need to remind myself of something I continually say to others who wish to bring up my past pain – a pain that has nothing to do with them. Don’t bother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> <span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve moved on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">And if you haven’t: tough. I’m leaving you behind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Meanwhile, here are two more sestudes from my <i>26 Doors...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">26 Doors Between </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">My House and Yours<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBdBhcZjx8I/W0dxkBQ5yNI/AAAAAAAAA28/jnWdhXu4eLwFPtN7oKwivULm_1cdedd8wCEwYBhgL/s1600/000014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBdBhcZjx8I/W0dxkBQ5yNI/AAAAAAAAA28/jnWdhXu4eLwFPtN7oKwivULm_1cdedd8wCEwYBhgL/s320/000014.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The People’s Story, Canongate</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">All my stories focus on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> the negative:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">death, divorce, denial</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> and betrayal,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">while yours are optimistic:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">searching, healing, questions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> and connections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Closed, we stand in solidarity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Opened, we are separate</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> yet still connected…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">My door is open to the fact</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> that we are trapped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">in some emotional poverty,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">while your philosophy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> – and your empathy –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">opens the door to a wider,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> Universal Story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">White Horse Close, Canongate</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Walking into this Close is like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">walking through a looking glass</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">or the back of a magical wardrobe:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">things are not what they seem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The crow-stepped gables, forestairs,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">pantiled roofs, and diminutive</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">doors look genuine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">But History cannot be trusted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">These houses were renovated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">in Nineteen-Sixty-Two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Does it matter? No.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">For every moment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">spent here in the present</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">reminds me of you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> <b>84, Canongate</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">PAX INTRANTIBUS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">SALUS EXEUNTIBUS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">We enter and we exit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Sometimes we hide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">behind closed doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">for fear of what’s outside;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">othertimes, for reasons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">much the same,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">we venture far too far</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">beyond the frame,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">eager to learn more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Sometimes the door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">is locked within;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">othertimes, outwith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">So be it. Amen, I say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I wish you peace, health,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">but above, far, far above,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I wish you love.</span></div>
<br />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-12321668145965614642018-06-22T11:13:00.001-07:002018-06-22T11:51:34.180-07:00Light from Darkness<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You know that empty feeling you get deep inside when you lose a loved one? Whether through bereavement, estrangement, rejection, or simply because you had to set someone free?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You know the old adage: if you love someone, set them free?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">It turns out this is not so easily attributable. Was it Sting, was it Jonathon Livingston Seagull; was it two mini-lovebirds? Or some woman with a caged canary?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Here’s another thing: my recollection is that it concludes with a different line from that which appears on the internet. A friend, many years ago, quoted it as this: “If you love someone, set them free; if they don’t come back, it was never meant to be.” I took this to mean, ‘If they really loved you, they will return some day.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Either way: to lose someone you love – whether they were taken from you, turned against you, or they simply fled the nest – can leave you with sense of profound emptiness. This is what grief is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">To say that I felt this same empty feeling about a building might seem weird, or melodramatic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">And yet for the second time in four years seeing the inferno lapping the innards of the Mackintosh Building in Glasgow, my sense of grief skipped quickly through Kübler-Ross from ‘denial’ to ‘anger.’ When I heard that this great Work of Art might have to be demolished, my stomach turned. The third stage, ‘depression,’ soon turned to ‘bargaining’ as I learned that The Mack was going to rise, once again, from the ashes; finally ‘acceptance’ set in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I was reminded of a quote which I scribbled once in a card to a friend (a quote which came back to me recently, in my own handwriting, from 1992!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"><strong>“Every day won from such</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"><strong> darkness is a celebration”</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">ELAINE FEINSTEIN</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">So it seems, perhaps, that Glasgow School of Art’s iconic building will celebrate new light again, one day. If only some of the art spaces in Edinburgh had the same enduring longevity. If any of the Scottish National Galleries were to be razed to the ground, you can guarantee funds would be found to re-build them. Then again, it would be more like Edinburgh Council to let their bedfellows in The Drum Group build a hotel, or yet another block of ugly student accommodation in its place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">This may not be relevant to those living outwith Edinburgh, but throughout this wonderful city doors are closing on art establishments and, in their place, money-making ventures are springing up, screaming “Buy!” and “Sell!” A few weeks ago I reviewed the last ever films to be screened in the derelict State Cinema down in Leith, as part of the Hidden Doors Festival. The following day, the demolition team were in, reducing an icon to the impoverished status of luxury flats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Back in Spring, in another review, I spoke about an arts complex on London Road that is home to a vast range of creative and charity organisations and individuals. It’s an ugly building, right enough, but the Council is going to turf out the community and turn it into something uglier: mammon. By no small chance, the event I reviewed was called <em>Doors That Open</em>, and the optimism of the artist in question was admirable and enlightening.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When One Door Closes...</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Regular readers of this blog will know that doors have featured in my work over the last year or so. My sequence of <i>26 Doors Between My House and Yours </i>charts a journey and a friendship, as well as the symbolism of doors. One of the doors I photographed and wrote about was on the front of the Queen’s Gallery of Holyrood Palace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Imagine if that got burned down like The Mack in Glasgow: people would care far less, but it would be re-built without question. I don’t really care for royalty, or chivalry, nor for the petty politics between neighbouring countries. The wall dividing England and Scotland fell to ruin years ago – I’ve no time for those who want it re-built. So I ignored the doors with the proud chivalric figures of rampant lion and unicorn, choosing to picture and write about the less-glamourous door beside it:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">The Queen’s Gallery, Abbey Strand</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">“My next-door-neighbour’s door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">is adorned in the rampantly proud</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">heraldic symbols of neighbouring</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">nations formerly at war,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">now, locked in endless argument.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">They’ll never see eye-to-eye,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">for the Lion represents English Pride,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">while the Unicorn is Scotch Myth:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">a fictitious creature never born.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Every day those separated gates</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">let the tourists in, yet I remain secure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I stand for Art. Nothing more.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Further along my random route, another arts venue featured: The Number Shop. Run by Edinburgh Contemporary Art Directory, and home to studio, gallery, and shop space, this quirky building has also had to close its doors to the artistic community who made their home there. I dropped in on its closing day, and learned that the Council had given the people who use it the chance to bid for a renewed lease, but they rejected their bid in favour of a more lucrative tenant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I wonder how many other ‘doors’ in my sequence will be closed to creativity?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Project Space, Pleasance</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Someone has left</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">a bright red chair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">outside a brightly-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">coloured door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">(In point of fact,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">the door is black:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">the window-frames</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">seem to proclaim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">this is a space for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">artists’ studios.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Is it the windows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">and mouldings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">drawing my eyes;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">declaring the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">creativity that lies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">behind the door?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I sit on the chair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">pontificating how</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">windows, not doors,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">reveal much more…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">As it is, this blog is also about keeping a window open. Even if I stop posting here (which I may do when I reach a decade of posts next year) I will leave the curtains un-drawn. After all, every day won from such darkness <i>is</i> a celebration. I used to wait on death’s yawn. Now I embrace the dawn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">You know the old adage: if you love something, set it free?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">POST-SCRIPT:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Happy Birthday to my friend, the dedicatee of this poetry;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">my light and inspiration, who makes every day a celebration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-59992060753549561032018-05-13T12:38:00.000-07:002018-05-28T07:03:57.283-07:00Ghosts<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Sometime last summer I posted on my Facebook page a cryptic message. It read: <i>“When someone who caused immense emotional turbulence over 20 years ago finds your (locked) twitter account and, out of the blue, requests to follow you... Accept or Decline? Or stay awake wondering, Why?”</i> It was interesting to see how people interpreted what amounted to a tabloid-style headline of scant information with enough sensational content to create a reaction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Only one of my 300+ Facebook contacts – my lifelong friend Sarah – had any true idea of what I was talking about. I received a number of responses, mostly of the ‘don’t go there’ variety, or ‘decline – sleep well’ kind of thing. Others were less aghast. My good friend and collaborator, Paul, said “<i>Do it!!</i>” suggesting this would lead to more material for my miserable stories! Another friend, who is a writer, said that curiosity would get the better of her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">This writer was working on a memoir at the time, so I asked her how far should you go; how deep should you delve into the rabbit-hole of the past? “As deep as you can go,” she replied, suggesting that I shouldn’t leave any stone unturned. “You might not be able to use all of it, but – yeah – dig away.” I can’t wait to read her book when it comes out next year! We also agreed that it seemed people reacted adversely without knowing the context. This sums up the way most journalism works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Allowing this person to follow me on twitter wouldn’t change much. These days I rarely tweet, and my account is locked to prevent specific people from abusing me and my friends. Furthermore, the question I posed didn’t talk of following her back: <i>that</i> would open a different can of worms... perhaps. So before I say what happened next, I should give a bit of context.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Exactly when this person requested to follow me is hard to say. I’d not been using twitter much, and wasn’t in the habit of checking my follower requests. She now had a different surname (she got married many years ago) so I didn’t spot her at first. However, I’d been looking up old friends on Facebook and saw her profile picture among the friends of an organist I once knew. This was her twitter avatar also. When, by chance, I looked through my follower-requests, the penny dropped.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Accept, or Decline?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">There were too many other questions before I made a rash decision either way. Most pressing to me was: how the hell did she find me? She wouldn’t have known the ‘nom-de-plume’ I have taken on since changing my direction from music to writing ten years ago (although she would have known about my writing aspirations.) Also: <i>why</i> did she find me? We haven’t had any contact for, possibly, twenty-five years. As far as I’m aware she is happily married with two teenage girls and is getting on with her life. Why would she want to know <i>anything</i> of my soap-opera life now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Perhaps I should give some back-story before I try to answer these questions. When I graduated from Music College, I went to live in a small provincial city west of the Midlands to start my life as a singer (and also, I hoped, as a writer) but found this change a massive jolt after London. I was far from happy, but someone whose unhappiness far out-stripped mine became a frequent visitor to my flat. A young woman who was deeply troubled by something that she was utterly incapable of putting into voice would come and sit with me for an hour, and then leave with barely a word.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNkbXHUPmF8/WviQW5G40_I/AAAAAAAAA1g/mGogmefzENkqNwXFNYwFfZiJVp9ZNOxIACLcBGAs/s1600/mangelou1-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CNkbXHUPmF8/WviQW5G40_I/AAAAAAAAA1g/mGogmefzENkqNwXFNYwFfZiJVp9ZNOxIACLcBGAs/s200/mangelou1-min.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">It would be several years before I got to understand something of what had silenced her. When she left for university, I sent her a copy of Maya Angelou’s first autobiography, <i>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</i>. This at least opened up a conversation through letter-writing (this was before email existed) but, in the end, it seems she was forced into silence again. We fell out of touch, and I was left wondering: what was the truth of her story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">This not-knowing and yet-knowing-<i>something</i> has had a profound effect on my life. It has informed and influenced almost everything I have written, and caused colossal turbulence in ways I cannot bring myself to talk about. Now I am the silent one. Something I must be absolutely clear about is that I do not bear a grudge, or blame this person for any of this. I have never stopped wondering how things worked out for her, nor ever ceased to hope that she has ‘survived.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Does this answer any of my questions? I doubt it. Her twitter account is also locked, and Facebook gives no clues. What plagues me most is that my part in her life, over twenty-five years ago, created more disturbance than I had the right to cause. What if this twitter-request was an olive-branch? Surely I’d be a fool to ignore it. Or was it some kind of threat? A sword of Damocles, hanging over me? It seemed unlikely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">So I clicked <em>ACCEPT</em>. And – guess what – nothing happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Summoning the ghosts of the past is one thing, but when they come knocking at your virtual door, you have a choice to ignore them and hope they go away. Or, better still, to let them in so they might never haunt you again. There was, however, one more thing I could do having opened this one-way portal to my past. Request to follow her back. I waited until January this year before I did so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Within days it was accepted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Curiosity couldn’t prevent me from having a look. There is little action on her twitter-feed, and only a long list of followees mainly relating to her daughters’ activities. One thing I noticed as I scrolled through was that, despite showing little interest in literary feeds, there was one author (sadly, who died four years ago) who this person follows. Maya Angelou.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">The caged bird sings<br />with a fearful trill<br />of things unknown<br />but longed for still<br />and his tune is heard<br />on the distant hill<br />for the caged bird<br />sings of freedom.</span></i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><span style="background: white;">—Maya Angelou, “Caged Bird”</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">What happens now I cannot say; I simply don’t know. I can’t resist, although it does not match our situation, ending this post with a poem by Elaine Feinstein. My former friend may understand why.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; padding: 0cm;">A Letter from La Jolla</span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">On a balcony in California</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">being surprised by February</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">which is the sweet season here, when</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">blue-scaled grunion dance</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">on their tails, at high tide</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">on La Jolla sands, to mate there</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">and are caught in pails and eaten,</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">I write across distance and so much time</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">to ask, my one-time love, what happened to you?</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">Since my last letter which I meant to be</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">as cruel as my own hurt could barb it, now</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">under yellow skies, pale sun, I sit</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">sucking fresh limes and thinking over</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">my childish spite, and how much life I’ve wasted.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">I’m jealous of the sensible girl</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">you must have married long since.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">Well, I’ve been happy, too.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">Sometimes. You always knew</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">the shape I’d choose would never</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">be single or sober, and you did not need</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">what you once most admired.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">Unswerving as you were, I guess</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">you must be prosperous, your children neat,</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">less beautifully unruly than my own</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">perhaps less talented, less generous;</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">and you won’t know my work or my new name,</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">nor ever read my books.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">Our worlds don’t meet.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">And yet I doubt if you have altogether</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">forgotten the unsuitable dark girl</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">you held all weekend in your parents’ flat,</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">talking and talking, so this letter</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">comes to you this morning almost in play:</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">our thoughts once moved so easily together</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">like dolphins offshore to the land mass of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">ELAINE FEINSTEIN</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;">(from <i>Badlands</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; border: 1pt currentColor; color: black; font-family: "georgia" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt; padding: 0cm;"> </span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-20599320943155965442018-04-25T15:11:00.001-07:002018-04-25T15:11:43.758-07:00Try Praying? Try Doing!<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Whether April is the cruellest month is neither here nor there; it is the weirdest month when it comes to the weather. There’s something wrong about snow after Easter, but even after the Beast from the East had done its worst, winter was slow to release its grip. Every type of precipitation, from snow to hail to misty rain to ready-made slush to drizzle and dreich continued to drench our streets and blot out Arthur’s Seat. And then, within weeks, the hottest day in April for some seventy years was recently reported – if we can believe the news – albeit, some miles further south.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">For some reason, I’m reminded of lines from <i>The Persians </i>by Aeschulus: “When waves of fortune break on us, we think to enjoy the same fair weather all our lives.” This is from the speech of Queen Atossa who has to confront her Court with knowledge of the reality of Xerxes’ failed war-mission. I could bang on about the usual stuff to do with the recent strikes on Syria, which seem to be another sinister sidling up to America by our sycophantic Government, but I want to talk about issues closer to home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here in Edinburgh, where April showers are anathema, we have a tricky compact between the haves and have-nots, insofar as we know that both exist, but we comfortably live together without the one needing to acknowledge the other. This is a rather perverse reading of <i>Matthew</i> who reports Christ’s assertion that the left hand shouldn’t know the actions of the right. These days, this concept is (wrongly) interpreted as an example of organisational ineptitude, rather than charitable deeds performed without calling attention to themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Sometimes, however, the Church needs to make its deeds and intentions known. So when our funny wee country was blasted with blizzards, a church I am familiar with posted this advert on its railings, near where the famous and sometimes controversial mural is displayed, I must say I felt proud of my former association. Until, that is, I remembered I had seen another banner in the same vicinity that made me – frankly – angry. It was that pathetic advert/plea that says, “TRY PRAYING.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">This sort of campaign so often comes out of the evangelical wing of Christianity, and tends to solicit a simple, if crude, response from me: FUCK OFF! The idea that ‘praying works’ is nonsense if there is no premise of what it is that praying ‘does.’ Why not start with ‘try doing’ and then, if that gets results, change ‘praying’ to ‘being?’ And having done that, one can pray... but pray only that more can be DONE to help people to BE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I’m in the comfortable position of being able to comment on Christianity and religion from outwith the restrictive confines of The Church, since I no longer subscribe to the latter, and can therefore hold lightly to the former. So when, at an Edinburgh dive bar where I hold the spurious post of Resident Poet, we held an event, titled <b>Easter Hymn Service for Pagans and Sodomites</b>, in the spirit of this freedom, I performed a set in the style of a sarcastic liturgy beginning with...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Opening Sentence:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Jesus Christ was raised from the dead</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">having died for your sins, you fuckers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Oh, hold on? It was just an April Fool</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">– get back to your sinning, suckers!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">After that rather irreverent start, I invited the audience/congregation to join me in thoughts and prayers, and recited this poem, written shortly after a bunch of American school kids were gunned down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Thoughts and Prayers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">The banners on the buses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and outside certain churches said, ‘Try Praying.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">It was almost as passive aggressive as </span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">#justsaying</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">...</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and – if I may say so – a touch condescending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if prayer will cure all the ills of the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if praying will make a damn difference!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if praying brings instant happiness, ending<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">the suffering of our existence!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if people hadn’t been ‘trying’ for years:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">It’s a natural part of the human condition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to cry out for help or offer petition or praise<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to a God who we think has the power<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to appraise our position and intercede<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">according to our intercession.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if our pious thoughts and prayers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Could quash the aggressors, suppress the oppressors,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">silence the bullies, or muffle the guns;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if prayer could help children sleep tight in their bed,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">As if mere thought could bring back the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Of course we all know that it can’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">And as Byron once said, these days the cant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Is as strong as the cunt – by which he meant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">the language of hypocrisy is as offensive to some<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">who consider a perfectly beautiful word to be strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Sadly the pen seems no stronger than the gun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Isn’t it strange that a nation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">obsessed with its own (and only its)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">quest for a personal salvation seems hell-bent –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">while sending its prayers up to heaven –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">on preserving its supposedly well-meant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">constitution allowing every adult citizen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to bear arms as he offers to God his holy orison.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Well, I’m not so much against religion,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">or a person’s right to profess a belief,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and while I don’t engage with ‘prayer’ as such,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I’m sure it brings to some people much relief,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">just as quietness and gentle meditation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">bring to others inner peace and contemplation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">And Christianity gives a story of a man who, they say<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">was crucified next to a common thief,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and instructed us </span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">exactly</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> how to pray</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">(I won’t spell it out – you probably know it anyway.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">He also told his disciple to put away his sword<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">(which nowadays = gun, it’s just a different word).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">And who lived out an Old Testament prophecy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">which sadly every World Leader has failed to see,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">that “nation shall not lift up a sword against nation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">neither shall they learn war anymore.” That was Micah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">the prophet, and whether you like a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">quote from scriptures, or prefer to try praying,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">or live by other strictures, this (just saying)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">is what the ancient Micah prophesied:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">“They shall turn their swords into ploughs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and melt down their guns into forks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">So try praying, but only if it allows<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">you to turn thought into action that talks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">n true Presbyterian style, I paused briefly for the notices, in which I pointed out the exhibition on display in the side aisle (ie, stage right of the mosh pit,) a photographic display titled <i>Walking on The Water</i> (ie, my photographs) and also, announced that this week’s evening Discussion Groups were on the personality system known as the enneagram, in which people could discover whether they belonged to the Head, or Heart, or Gut-led triad of personal typology. Then we had the reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">You’ve got a Friend<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I have a friend called Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">they say he walks on water;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">he’s the Son of God, although if he was female<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">they’d surely call him God’s Daughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I think he’s a fan of the Beegees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">(I’m not saying he likes a good jive)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Because whether you a lover or whether you’re another,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">follow him: you’ll be staying alive!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Not that I believe in Life After Death<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">For we all face that final curtain,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and whether there’s heaven or whether there’s hell,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I really can’t be certain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">But being a friend of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">doesn’t offer any certainty;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">loving your neighbour as you love yourself:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">that’s</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> the point of Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Not everyone likes religion these days,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and some find it terribly hard –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">when Jesus says you should love your enemies,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">where exactly is the reward?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Well it’s not in Heaven, nor in Hell,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">For God’s Kingdom is here on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">If you want to live in peaceful harmony<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">you should LOVE for all it’s worth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">II<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I have a friend called Dorothy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">She says there’s no place like home,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and no matter how far you are over the rainbow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">with her, you’re never alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">My companion is the Straw Man,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">For sure, man, he’s camp as tits;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">when he tries to walk on his wobbly legs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">he ends up in pieces and bits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">And here is a man – well, in fact he’s lion –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">who ROARS, though, in fact, he’s a coward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">If he’s gonna rescue Dorothy from that burning house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">He’ll have to be slightly less-froward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">And me, I’m just a man made of tin,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">but my joints have been rusted for years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I long for a heart and a wee squeak of oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and a tissue to dry up my tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">So Dorothy encourages all her friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to walk in a clockwise direction,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">through thinking or feeling or doing, a circular<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">journey will help you to make a connection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Yes, we’re all friends of Dorothy; some<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">in mind, some in heart; others, physique.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Wherever you’re over or under the rainbow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">it’s okay: you’re still unique.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">III<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">I’ve got an imaginary friend –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">you might not have heard of her –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">but you may want to be acquainted some day:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">her name is Angela.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">For if, on a hot date in our venue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">procured through Tinder or Grindr,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">things aren’t going quite as they ought to,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">that’s when you need to find her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Is this the first time you’ve met them,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and things seem wrong from the start?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Has your ‘hot date’ created a strange sensation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">in your gut or your head or your heart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Perhaps their dating profile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">doesn’t match their personality;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">does it feel a bit weird; do you feel unsafe,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">are you heading for a calamity?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">If you go to the bar, or ask at the door,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to mention your situation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">just ask for ‘Angela’ – you won’t need to give<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">any further explanation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">The staff will help immediately,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">using their utmost discretion,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">to remove you from danger before it turns into<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">an act of potential aggression.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">CODA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">So if you’re a friend of Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">it doesn’t have to be hard labour –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">if you want to live life to the full before death,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">just LOVE your fellow neighbour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">And if you’re a friend of Dorothy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">whether in heart, mind, or gut;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">do the clockwise walk, you’ll get back home<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">and the door will never be shut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">But if you’re a friend of Angela<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">(don’t worry – she doesn’t exist)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">Just go to the bar and ask for her,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "times" , serif;">we’ll help you get out of a twist.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Following this, I admitted that sometimes my poetry could be a bit preachy, but since this was a Service (albeit for Pagans and Sodomites) it was time for the sermon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The thing about schemes such as Ask for Angela is that some people feel that it encourages a culture of victim-blaming. Well, this may be so, but the way I see it is, while women feel the need to protect themselves by wearing lockable knickers, or inserting barbed condoms, or using nail-varnish that changes colour if they dip their finger into a spiked drink, then we should be doing ALL we can to help and stand by those who are vulnerable, at risk, or in trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGuLWOzI3EY/WuD2RKO0X3I/AAAAAAAAA08/yDh1b8OmlLo2suk6wimX9Ah9HG3nx6WFACLcBGAs/s1600/met-campaigns-ask-for-angela.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="760" height="75" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGuLWOzI3EY/WuD2RKO0X3I/AAAAAAAAA08/yDh1b8OmlLo2suk6wimX9Ah9HG3nx6WFACLcBGAs/s200/met-campaigns-ask-for-angela.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">That’s why we, in our little bar, endorse the Ask for Angela scheme. The same goes for Churches opening their buildings for the homeless: they shouldn’t <i>have</i> to, but until there is adequate social care and justice, it is our duty as citizens – or Christians, if you subscribe to that system – to love our neighbour, and do our best for all people, whoever they are. Here ends the lesson. Now a hymn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">At this point, I sang a poem, inserted into a copy of <i>Hymns Ancient and Modern</i>, to the tune of the hymn, <i>There is a Green Hill far away</i>. (The tune, ‘Horsley,’ is an in-joke known only to me)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">The service was concluded with a totally irreverent flourish, “In the name of the <s>father</s> mother, <s>son</s> daughter, and <s>holy </s>friendly ghost – Amen?” Some people might find this stuff offensive, but I don’t care. I find the abject hypocrisy of church and state offensive. If there is something I have taken with me in my turning away from the Church, it is that I still believe in the main tenet of Christianity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Unconditional love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-18773712961437420692018-03-31T17:20:00.001-07:002018-04-01T04:17:19.300-07:00So Many Monsters?<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">This year </span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I have decided to go to the cinema more often. My attendance had severely dipped over the past few years, so I figured if I had the discipline of writing reviews for a website, and took advantage of some of the ‘offers’ at my chosen cinema (Edinburgh’s fabulous <i><a href="http://www.filmhousecinema.com/" target="_blank">Filmhouse</a></i>) I would build up my film-count. So far I’ve been to eight screenings, and seen thirteen films.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">If that sounds exaggerated, it’s because one screening was a selection of short films, under the title <i><a href="https://thefountain.eu/film/2018/03/review-written-body/" target="_blank">Written on the Body</a>.</i> This was a tricky review to write because it was far-from main-stream cinema. The films were curated as part of Scotland’s LGBT History month, and the selection was intended to challenge perceptions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Possibly the best moment came before the films began, when an advert for a fabric softener pedalling the usual heteronormative bullshit – ‘beautiful’ woman gets to kiss ‘dishy’ bloke just because her clothes smell nice – solicited a loud “Booo” followed by audience laughter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I’m a strong believer in the ‘theatrical’ element of cinema (thankfully, Filmhouse has a no popcorn policy) because the audience-reaction makes the film an <i>experience</i>. Two films in particular made uncomfortable viewing with their focus on the mistreatment of children, and rattled skeletons for me too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"><i><a href="https://thefountain.eu/film/2018/02/review-loveless/" target="_blank">Loveless</a></i> was a bleak picture of a child caught in the crossfire of warring parents, and reminded me of a <a href="http://ratsassreview.net/?page_id=1070#Sutherland" target="_blank">friend</a> who was in a similar position some years ago. </span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The difference being that he and his daughter’s mother both wanted the best out of love for their child, whereas the parents in <i>Loveless</i> lived up to the film’s title. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Contrasting with this sparse film was the gutsy <i><a href="https://thefountain.eu/film/2018/03/review-never-really/" target="_blank">You Were Never Really Here</a></i> by Lynne Ramsay. I focussed on the ‘gendered’ aspect (I wasn’t alone among film critics) rather than the plot, which I prefer not to spoil when I review a film. Likewise, I tend not to read any preview details of a film, and avoid the adverts assiduously.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Would I have wanted to watch this film had I known about the child prostitution aspect is hard to say. Some thirteen years ago, a project I was running with teenagers unveiled some dark and disturbing truths about children involved in the sex-trade. My fragile state of mental health at the time created turbulence that has continued to rock my world, even though I’m in a much better place now. But it sickens me to discover that the same situation of kids being trafficked for sex on the streets of Glasgow <a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/glasgow-children-as-young-as-12-being-sold-for-sex-1-4616458" target="_blank">still exists</a>. It’s as if they were never really there all those years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">On a lighter note, I moved out of my comfort-zone by reviewing something far-less depressing: <i><a href="https://thefountain.eu/reviews/2018/03/review-lady-bird/" target="_blank">Lady Bird</a></i>. Coming-of-age movies aren’t usually my thing, and this one was pretty standard in terms of content, but the superb acting, script, and subtle character focus (more about the mother than the daughter) made this a strong contender for the Oscars. Sadly, it didn’t score... Hollywood has clearly got more-than feel-good on its agenda these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Before I get to the Oscars (in writing) I saw a pair of films that I didn’t review by Warwick Thornton: <i>Samson & Delilah</i> and <i>Sweet Country</i>. The former was one of the films chosen to celebrate <b>40 Years of Filmhouse</b>, and the tickets were at 2010 prices. For the latter film, I took advantage of a half-price Filmhouse Explorer ticket. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Both films were an eye-opening portrayal of indigenous people – one contemporary, the other, historical – demonstrating how appallingly settlers treat a country’s natives. And both films were gripping, bold, and sumptuously shot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The final two films in this round-up scored well at the Oscars. <i>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri </i>earned Sam Rockwell best supporting actor, and Frances McDormand best actress. Her acceptance speech, ending with the words “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/mar/05/what-is-an-inclusion-rider-frances-mcdormand-oscars-2018" target="_blank">inclusion rider</a>” was a clarion-call to the film industry to sort out its inherent sexism and lack of inclusivity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Likewise, when Guillermo del Toro accepted his Best Film award for <i><a href="https://thefountain.eu/film/2018/02/review-shape-water/" target="_blank">The Shape of Water</a></i>, pointing out that he was from Trump’s much-hated country, he made the message of the film quite clear. In some ways I found the premise a little silly: mute woman falls in love with slimy creature in a top secret government laboratory. Yes of course, it was fantasy, and the portrayal of the nasty men made it obvious who the real ‘monsters’ were – or are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Yet I feel there is something deeper – you could say, below the surface – in what this film is saying. We make monsters of people at our peril. Hitler called the Jews ‘pigs’ to humiliate and de-humanise them. People whose social behaviour or situation is below par are described as ‘animal’ or ‘feral’ or worse. Around ten years ago the OED coined a new meaning for the word ‘beast’ suggesting that it is the name given in prisons to sex offenders – although I wonder if that originated in the tabloids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">After all, they use the expression ‘in the pen’ to describe custody, and print pictures of people who commit dreadful crimes with captions that read, ‘THE FACE OF A MONSTER.’ I’m not excusing any crimes, whether committed out of calculated evil or cognitive dissonance. The vast majority of offences are perpetrated by people whose lives or minds aren’t in a good state; calling them monsters is hardly likely to help them re-build their lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Those from whom the outside community needs permanent protection may have performed utterly unacceptable acts, but calling them ‘monsters’ only reflects on a society bent on revenge, retribution and name-calling. In <i>The Shape of Water</i>, Sally Hawkin’s character, Elisa, points out that by not trying to save the doomed creature, it is they who become animals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe30PTw8Las/WsAeCjcrdDI/AAAAAAAAA0s/-k1E7u1VrmkGYC1vboBmMzbQXDW8K9BeACLcBGAs/s1600/495px-Godwin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="495" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xe30PTw8Las/WsAeCjcrdDI/AAAAAAAAA0s/-k1E7u1VrmkGYC1vboBmMzbQXDW8K9BeACLcBGAs/s200/495px-Godwin.jpg" width="165" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The slippery slope for those who call others animals begins with a President who calls a woman’s pudenda ‘pussy’ and ends with a Dictator slaughtering those he considers lower than ‘pigs.’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve used a double trump-card here, not only by invoking that bonehead Donald (now I’m calling names, but not in a bestialised way) but also, <a href="https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_Law" target="_blank">Godwin’s Law</a>: to end an argument with Hitler. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Humans love using extremes. Perhaps it’s because it gives them a sense of proportion. Godwin’s Law is about <i>losing </i>that proportion; the same can be said of bestial name-calling. In the gamut of criminal offences, those defined as ‘sexual’ represent the same trumping effect. Whether a person has raped someone or simply flashed their privates in public, they will be branded like an animal, and made to 'sign' a register that will restrict their volition and - some might say - human rights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">The official duration of this registration will depend on the severity of the sentence. But it comes down to this: it’s easier for a murderer to re-habilitate into society having done their time than it is for a sex-offender to complete their sentence, or for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle. It’s not an easy subject to stomach, and with articles such as <a href="https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/11/20/art-monstrous-men/" target="_blank">this one</a> that asks what to do with the art of monstrous men, surely the first answer would be: stop calling them monsters. How else are we going to reconcile humanity with its inherent fragility?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Sadly the article, after too many words, fizzles out inclusively with an unsympathetic fallacy that suggests <em>all</em> artists have to be monsters! Haven’t we all erred and strayed like lost sheep? Maybe. And with that final animal reference, I’ll end by saying, it’s Easter. I don’t take the resurrection myth literally, but I do adhere to a simple creed, first used as a motto by <a href="http://www.christianaidcollective.org.uk/resources/churches/reflections/do-you-believe-in-life-before-death.aspx" target="_blank">Christian Aid</a> many years ago.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">I believe in Life before Death.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;">Amen...</span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-39161500042523067682018-02-28T15:43:00.000-08:002018-02-28T15:43:09.375-08:00A Case of You<br />
With all this snow going on in Scotland at the moment, I am minded of a piece of my writing from many years ago. I was working at memorising Schubert's Wintereisse, and decided to have a walking holiday to assist the process. I often use walking for this purpose; sadly, the weather turned more wintry than my mood at the time. It became a rather sad and introcpective journey as I reflected on the sorry state of my life at the time. <br />
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I subsequently edited what I wrote, and published it on the Scottish Book Trust competition pages requsting writing on 'Journeys' in an attempt to pass it off as a piece of fiction. But the fact of the matter is that it is in fact a true story. Furthermore, that haunting song-cycle by Schubert is still a part of my life. I may perform some of these sad songs very soon... But first, the sadder story.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">When my life collapsed some years ago, I took
myself to Western Scotland in search of somewhere in the middle of nowhere to
think, write, cry, or walk for miles. I was running away without a plan or a
clue about where I would end up. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This failing struck me as I sat stuck on a train on
the single-track route to Oban. My mood swung between maintaining my snivelling
cold as the reason for my constant nose-blowing and letting my tears make pools
in my glasses. I was heading towards the Gateway to the Islands of Mull, Iona,
Colonsay, with no ambition to explore them. Just to survive the trip alone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span id="goog_750943195"></span><span id="goog_750943196"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Yet the journey was sadder still – because I
had no-one to share it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">As we set out, in my carriage a couple across
from me busily chatted. Behind, two creepy-looking guys were joined by a pair
of loud girls; elsewhere two lads were noisily japing around. A girl with
chip-pan-crinkly hair and her freckly companion were patiently trying to ignore
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Of the few lone travellers was an attractive woman with deep brown eyes who I’d seen on the platform at Queen Street. She
might have cheered my spirits a little with her ephemeral beauty, though my
longing to share the experience with someone was compromised by my emotional
state. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Instead, I stared through the window. The scenery
was overwhelming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A stag bounded across the railway line at the
train’s horn, disappearing into the glen. I saw through my tear-smeared
spectacles snow-laden Christmas-card trees, frosted bracken, heathery mist
across the half-frozen lochs. Colours one assumed were only possible through a lens-filter
for the purposes of Scottish calendars and table-mats; purples, lush greens and
paprikas, soft granite and water-colour blue through the icing-sugar snow; mist
filtering the ice-white winter sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Every hue matched the intensity of my
loneliness as I thought of what to write. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Our train stopped several stations short of
our destination due to an engineering carriage being frozen to the rails down
the line. The sunset orange was mixing with the purple granite like a bruise,
and the chill entered the train when smokers periodically went out onto the frosted
platform. A taxi came for those catching the four o’clock boat to <st1:place w:st="on">Mull</st1:place>, while everyone else waited for wrong-sized
mini-busses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My sandwich was half-eaten – I couldn’t
breathe through my nose and had to hold my breath while chewing. Glad that we,
and <i>not</i> the half of the train that split to travel to Mallaig, ended up
with the snack- trolley, I took advantage of free coffee and crisps. Drying my
eyes, I stood up and let someone pass who flashed a beautiful smile, before I went
to collect my coffee. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">It was the woman I’d seen at Queen Street. I
thought of my Ex’s absurd jealously and yet, her understanding of my need to
feel loved, to be smiled at – or to be pitied. My fascination for people, their
stories and lives, their shallows and depths, their devils and deeds. I want to
be at one with them, to touch their souls: help them discover their 'organismic'
selves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Finally we were stuffed into a mini-bus,
people sitting on bags, on friend’s knees; the one with the brown eyes and
smile in the front with another passenger who alighted <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">before</span> we reached Oban. I’d nearly sat in the front seat, where
I could have heard her story as she answered the taxi-driver’s anodyne chatter.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuHhGDK4mjk/VZKImQqnmcI/AAAAAAAAAnA/wJZVmEzGa0g/s1600/Self%2BPortrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuHhGDK4mjk/VZKImQqnmcI/AAAAAAAAAnA/wJZVmEzGa0g/s200/Self%2BPortrait.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This is what I do when I can’t cope: I get
into people’s lives, soaking them up like a sponge. But my heart was empty. Soon
the banter and conversation of the train was reduced to a deathly silence;
punctuated only by the driver’s apologetic ‘Ho-ho-ho.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Feeling drained, I sat in a stupor, as if experiencing
the journey from a distance. I was far from home, and the nearer we got to
Oban, the more I realised the meaningless of my mission. I’d booked into a
cheap and even-less cheerful hotel tucked in a back street behind the empty station,
next to a scrubby-looking bowling club. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I ventured out into the frozen night for fish
and chips and beer. As I settled into greasy nylon sheets, I wished I’d arrived
in time to buy a bottle of the local Malt at the off-licence. The lack of
anaesthetic and irritating tickle in my throat made sleep a vacant hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Such was the story of my sojourn. I didn’t
make it to the countryside to scream my head off as intended. Nor did I get on
a boat and visit the multi-coloured, mono-religious lands of the Western Isles.
As I passed like a ghost in and out of the streets, all I could feel was the
intoxicating presence of.. the person I was trying to shake off. I walked into a shop and the radio was playing
Joni Mitchell<i>.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My ears barely pricked up: the music was
already in my head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I walked up to McCaig’s Tower where the low
sun left long, haunting shadows; to Pulpit Hill where nobody ever preached;
then the distillery where I forwent the hour-long tour and my ‘free’ glass of
Malt. That evening I sat in a spit-and-sawdust Inn on the North pier,
ear-wigging on the alien-sounding West Coast accents, feeling like a foreigner.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I had to get back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">On the return journey, opposite me a jolly man
who was drinking from a bottle of Casillero del Diablo tried to make conversation.
Am I drawn to those who aren’t afraid? Is the only person I’m afraid of myself.
Or the one who was in my blood like holy wine: I could drink a case, and still be on my
feet. She was as far from me as I was from home. Whatever I had lost, I still
had myself. So I thought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">My companion raised his glass of Cabernet
Sauvignon from the Cellar of the Devil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I declined his cheer, and took out my pen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-1346691089665956332018-01-31T15:59:00.000-08:002018-01-31T15:59:11.643-08:00In Ignoble Poverty<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If I were to answer the question, ‘Why haven’t I managed a monthly blog-post until the last day of January?’ the answer might be familiar to all self-employed freelancers. The dreaded Tax Return. However, after the usual procrastination, I logged into my account only to find I didn’t need to.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It seems that, after years of existing below the threshold, the Tax Office has finally got bored with my paltry finances. While this is a relief in many ways, since trawling through a thousand unanswerable questions was pretty tiresome, it is strange to admit that I’m officially an impoverished artist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s also rather liberating. I live within my means, with few frivolous expenses, and I do enough ‘extra’ work to allow the odd luxury while keeping those extra hours for my creativity. Sure, it would be good to be able to earn more from my creative endeavours, but that’s not the reason that I do what I do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Creativity is a compulsion. I can't imagine how I would be able to make sense of this complicated world if I wasn’t an artist. Creativity is good for one’s health, for society’s health, and for the planet. Why do we have artwork along hospital corridors? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Because art makes people <i>better</i>. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yet it <i>does</i> cost money. As Joni Mitchel says, ‘Artists in noble poverty go like virgins to the grave.’ </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Meanwhile, on the same album, she was ‘stoking up the star-maker machinery behind the popular song!’)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For all my ‘noble poverty’ I appreciate that art is not separate from the systems that, sadly, make the world go round. When creative projects are stripped of funds – as has happened to many organisations in Scotland recently – people have to be doubly creative in order simply to finance their practice. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My good friends at the <a href="http://www.cityofliterature.com/" target="_blank">Edinburgh City of Literature </a><a href="http://www.cityofliterature.com/" target="_blank">Trust</a> are in this position.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;">A Unique City</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">To have the unique status of being the first ever UNESCO-designated City of Literature is something Edinburgh should be proud of. Our main train station is named after a novel, and throughout the station there are quotes of Sir Walter Scott (thanks to the City of Lit.) At the top of The Mound is a quaint little close where Scott, along with our National Bard, Robert Burns, and Robert Louis Stevenson are celebrated in a turreted museum dedicated to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">On the pavement there are quotes from Scottish poets ranging over hundreds of years, and signs advertising Literary Walking Tours. But you don’t even need a tour-guide. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Amble down the Royal Mile to the Canongate and there are light-boxes installed in the windows of pubs and shops and cafés, each with a quote from a writer connected in some way to Edinburgh’s rich publishing history; an illuminated trail to inspire and light up the night during the long winter months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">These are dark days indeed, even if January has basked in two full moons, as the City of Literature Trust’s effort to light up our city’s life with a bright ring of words has been snubbed by a major funder. Outside the Canongate Kirk, a statue of Robert Fergusson attempts to stride down to the Parliament building at the bottom of the hill. His words, incised in concrete around his feet, declare:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Auld reekie wale o ilka toun</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> that scotland kens beneath the moon</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And on the Parliament too, carved into a slab of Argyle marble, we read the words of Mary Brooksbank:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Oh, dear me, the warld’s ill-divided,<br /> Them that work the hardest are aye wi’ least provided.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">...which calls to mind the truth that, during the Festival Fringe, the folk who make the most money are the big businesses who benefit from the boost of creativity and culture. The artists who provide it do so at a huge personal cost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Art is important, and literature tells far more than just the story of a city: it <i>is</i> the city. But it costs money, and the funding cuts people have suffered will leave Edinburgh impoverished in more ways than one. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Generating money for the already-wealthy is a poor show, and I can only hope that someday, somehow, someone will re-elevate the turret-dwellers to their rightful, illuminated place.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf92rdTkIkQ/WnI0jE-ioPI/AAAAAAAAA0I/cLrMB67P-7o8tiorc5MyM555expq7uSrwCLcBGAs/s1600/11.-Luscious-Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf92rdTkIkQ/WnI0jE-ioPI/AAAAAAAAA0I/cLrMB67P-7o8tiorc5MyM555expq7uSrwCLcBGAs/s200/11.-Luscious-Cafe.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Follow the Stars and Stories <a href="http://www.cityofliterature.com/words-on-the-street/complete-guide-to-canongate-stars-and-stories-2017-2018/" target="_blank">here</a> – or come to visit Edinburgh and soak up the literature that makes our city so special.</span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-52003767576985923532017-12-30T16:17:00.002-08:002017-12-30T16:35:37.732-08:00Verbosity<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Sometimes I wonder how many writers stay in on a Friday night to listen to BBC Radio 3’s programme, <i>The Verb</i>? In the case of performance poets, probably as few as the singers who listen to Sunday afternoon programmes of Choral music! I’m not going to start questioning Radio 3 schedules, and as for presenters – ach! At least Aled Jones no longer presents <i>The Choir </i>(now sensibly re-named, <i>Choir & Organ</i>.)</div>
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But <i>The Verb</i> has always been high quality, and now that the host, Ian McMillan, features a focus on Spoken Word he has a regular guest: the wonderful Hollie McNish. Some years back I took part in a poetry slam – a rare thing for me. I performed my ‘Anti-Slam’ poem, in which I ‘slam’ – or, I would prefer to say, satirise – the poetry scene; in particular, the student slam-scene and the ‘slam voice’. I won’t print it here, for obvious reasons, except this bit:</div>
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The poetry slam, the poetry slam –</div>
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for the feisty young woman,</div>
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and the angry young man.</div>
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The feature poet on this occasion was the afore-mentioned Hollie McNish who, after hearing my poem, changed her set in case she came across as a feisty young woman. Horrified at the thought of criticising someone I admired, I was also, secretly pleased that she’d taken in my words – if a little too to heart. I apologised after, and found her to be a warm-hearted and lovely person. <br />
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I was delighted to learn that she was now on my favourite wordy programme.</div>
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Friday nights are a funny time for Spoken Word events. I often used to find myself thinking, ‘why am I listening to <i>The Verb</i> on the radio when I could be hearing words performed live?’ The fact is, there aren’t so many of these gigs on Fridays in Edinburgh, especially now <i>Rally & Broad </i>are no more. And on Saturdays, fewer still (unless I’m missing a bunch of stuff?)</div>
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Keeping myself off the beaten track, and trying to squeeze poetry into unusual places, this year found me doing a regular slot at a certain Edinburgh Jazz Bar. Three singer/songwriter friends once had a Saturday tea-time acoustic slot, and I was invited to do some pop-up poetry between sets. It was a tricky gig, since the audience was never the same, and I could never be sure how well my poetry would go down. On the whole, the reception was good.</div>
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Sadly, that tea-time acoustic slot has been moved to Friday where the post-office crowd are less responsive. Which is ironic since Friday, for office-workers, <i>is</i> POETS-day:</div>
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<b>P</b>iss</div>
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<b>O</b>ff</div>
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<b>E</b>arly</div>
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<b>T</b>omorrow’s</div>
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<b>S</b>aturday</div>
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So instead, I stay in and listen to <i>The Verb</i> which, in November, celebrated 35 years of Spoken Word. It seems that this novel phenomenon isn’t that new! As someone said, either on <i>The Verb</i> or <i>The Essay</i>, on Radio 3: “It’s been the same old shit since Shakespeare!”</div>
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I get irritated when some younger performers claim that they’ve rejuvenated poetry. If they ask a classroom of kids, “Who thinks poetry’s boring?” they’ll get a cheerful ‘Yeah!’ since it is a leading question anyway. But to perform what they think is ‘better’ poetry is arrogant... especially if it is their own. <br />
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Offer school students Chaucer, Catullus, Shakespeare, Byron, or Larkin at their sauciest and these young people will never say poetry’s boring again.</div>
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What’s important here is, whether you write on the page or for the stage (and this heated debate will rage ’til old age) what cannot be compromised is <i>craft</i>. As John Agard – a doyen of the early Spoken Word scene – said on that episode of <i>The Verb</i> in November, when talking about the early days of the scene:</div>
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Something interesting was happening. It wasn’t a ‘dismissing’ of literary poetry, because I’m a firm believer – no matter how stylish you are on stage; no matter how much charisma you have physically – if you don’t apply craftsmanship and let your words resonate, it will be a fleeting, momentary experience.</div>
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Every so often in the spoken word community in Scotland, a discussion occurs debating the various habits and traits among performers. The one that most riles me is when a poet steps up on stage announcing, “Here’s one I wrote on the bus this afternoon,” or something similar. Every performance – whether of a single poem, a five-minute open-mic slot, a full feature-set or a seemingly impromptu recital – should be crafted as carefully as possible.</div>
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Perhaps that’s just me and my classical background. You wouldn’t see a singer or actor stand on stage and say, “Oh: what shall I do now. Oh yes, that one about the...” and then trot out a performance that they cobbled together earlier in the afternoon.</div>
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On that same programme, John Agard said, “It’s very crucial – in this celebration of ‘the word’ as utterance, and as spoken, and performed: we don’t forget that <i>Shakespeare</i> is a performance poet.” Not the ‘same old shit’ then. To perform poetry that aspires to Shakespeare, just as all art should aspire to the condition of music, is no bad thing to aim for.</div>
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I’m not saying I’m immune to the foibles and failures of poetry performance. Besides my penchant for props, pictures, playing a recorder and occasionally bursting into song, I am also prone (apparently) to over-long introductions. From time to time I turn this into a feature; other times, I just launch in. But the important thing in this is learning to read the room.</div>
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That said, a poem should be able to speak for itself, so my long introduction to the poems in this post has already shot itself in the foot. Yet sometimes it’s good to have a bit of background. There may be references to learn, unusual words to gloss, or an amusing back-story to bring to the fore – these may illuminate the poem if performed live, off-page.</div>
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Here, then, are some more of my poems from the sequence written for my good friend and muse; 26 sestudes on doors, friendship, and journeys between the two.</div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">26 Doors Between My House and Yours...</span></i></b></div>
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The first requires more than a few musical references, so I will post the poem first and then, in a retro-introduction, gloss all the pieces of music with the help of Youtube!</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Gymnasium, Pleasance Courtyard</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Kate Bush had doors opened that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">she thought were shut for good…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Peter Gabriel walked through the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">FRONT DOOR of his Big Heaven…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Bob Dylan kept knock-knocking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Schubert shut the door and, like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Vaughan Williams’ vagabond, he</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">wrote ‘gute nacht’ upon the gate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">While Howell’s Little Door beheld</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">the gift of Life and Death: eternity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Lift up the latch to this epiphany.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Gymnasium, Pleasance Courtyard</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Kate Bush had doors opened that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">she thought were shut for good…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Peter Gabriel walked through the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">FRONT DOOR of his Big Heaven…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Bob Dylan kept knock-knocking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Schubert shut the door and, like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Vaughan Williams’ vagabond,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">he wrote ‘gute nacht’ upon the gate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">While Howell’s Little Door beheld</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the gift of Life and Death: eternity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Lift up the latch to this epiphany.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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The second poem needs less introduction or explanation: it’s all in the poem. My only addition is to mention that, not only was my father born 81 years ago, on December 24<sup>th</sup> he entered his eighty-second year – and is still going strong!</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Substation, Carnegie Street</span></b><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style;"></span></strong> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">You have to love this city!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">It’s crammed with hyperbole;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">much of it a front, or folly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Take this substation for example:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">a grand façade for something</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">so perfunctory, to gauge electricity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Even the warning, ‘Danger of Death,’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">seems to over-state it’s claim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Only the date above the door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">says something more – to me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">It is the year my father was born.</span></div>
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And the last of my doors for this year has a valedictory tone. While these poems (and photos) celebrate a particular friendship as well as the symbolism of doors, this poem – I feel – has a universality about it which – hopefully – speaks to anyone who reads this ranty, grumpy blog. The sign above this door, translated from the Latin, reads ‘May you enter in peace, and exit in Health.’<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">84, Canongate</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">PAX INTRANTIBUS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> SALUS EXEUNTIBUS</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">We enter and we exit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Sometimes we hide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">behind closed doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">for fear of what’s outside;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">othertimes, for reasons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">much the same,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">we venture far too far</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">beyond the frame,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">eager to learn more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Sometimes the door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">is locked within;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">othertimes, outwith.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">So be it. Amen, I say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I wish you peace, health,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">but above, far, far above,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I wish you love.</span></div>
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Whoever you are, wherever you are, I wish you a peaceful and healthy New Year.<br />
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-30234882584043711092017-11-10T12:44:00.000-08:002017-11-10T12:44:00.526-08:00Spare the Rod<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">When I moved to Scotland seventeen years ago I found myself (I’ll leave out the reason) talking to church councils about the smacking ban. That I had moved to a country which had passed a law against smacking children seemed something to celebrate... until I noticed the ‘small-print.’ It was a ban of smacking children <i>with an implement</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">Talk about half-measures! Finally, the law has caught up with itself and realised that smacking <i>in any form</i> should be made illegal. And yet some people still believe it is their ‘right’ to chastise a child with <i>violence</i>. Does that word jar? Well, I’m afraid that is what hitting is, whether with an implement or a bare hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">Anyone who says to me, “I was beaten when I was a kid – never did me no harm” is lying, and not just from a grammatical stance. Sure, people of my generation didn’t endure beatings like those of the past. In the novel <i>His Bloody Project</i> Graeme Macrae Burnet describes beating and bullying among his fictional crofters’ community as a way of life – although it results perhaps in the brutal incident of the novel’s title.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">The implements used over history present a barrage of instruments of torture. In my father’s school days, the ‘tawse’ – a leather strap with three cut strips into the end – was common. Elsewhere, adults deployed birch twigs, a wooden paddle, a willow switch, a rattan cane, ruler, yard-stick, walking stick, wooden spoon, or ‘slipper’ (slippering being euphemistic since being slapped with a rubber plimsoll would smart far more than being tickled with a slipper) and probably other unmentionable items.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">With regards to hitting other people, there have been many anomalies over the years, but the fact that adults aren’t allowed to hit each other, yet can hit a small, defenceless person supposedly in their care seems preposterous. That smacking is carried out as a punishment is absurd. It is – literally – a vicious circle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">Violence creates violence. Smacking a child doesn’t tell them what they’ve done wrong; it just tells them<i>that </i>they are wrong. There is no correlation between their behaviour and the punishment: it makes no sense. The threat of being smacked creates an irrational fear; it doesn’t alter their behaviour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">And fear is the mother of violence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">The Criminal Justice System put a stop to flogging adults as a form of punishment in 1948, yet teachers were happily thwacking kids for years after that. The first legislative ban of corporal punishment in schools came about in 1987, although private schools were permitted to use it until 1998 – a perverse example of so-called privilege.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">Judicial Corporal Punishment continued elsewhere after 1948. In prisons, it wasn’t outlawed (supposedly) until 1967, although I can assure you that this was not an end to it. Corporal punishment, one could say, has its roots in scripture. Proverbs 13, 24 is often quoted by those who advocate the use of such punishments, and serves as justification <i>and</i> efficaciousness for giver and receiver respectively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">For <i>Christ’s</i> sake: ‘the rod’ should not be taken literally. As we all know, using religious texts to justify any behaviour is a tricky game. Using scripture to justify violence... it’s a black and white NO. Don’t go there. But some do go there, and even church leaders fail in their understanding of Christ’s message of ‘peace to all.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">In this BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41678797" target="_blank">article</a>, the only person mentioned defending the practise of smacking was a Free Church of Scotland minister. For fuck’s sake, Reverend: are you missing a theology brain cell? In a sense, we are all missing a trick here. Banning smacking is of little use unless society finds a way to teach adults that violence is not the answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">The word ‘discipline’ tends to be synonymous with restraint and control. In theology, the term should be thought of as primarily pedagogic, not negative and repressive. It’s easy to see the link to the word ‘disciple’ which means ‘follower.’ For Christians, discipline should be about showing by good example. Sadly, often it is not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">As we enter the season of Remembrance, we’ll endure the nonsense of observing minutes of silence remembering those killed in war, yet forgetting that those who died ‘in service’ may well have killed others also. The Armed Forces are so-called because they are ‘armed’ (to kill) using ‘force’ (ie, violence) – it comes with the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">But preaching the fruits of the Spirit – love, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, self-control, <i>et cetera</i> – comes with the job if you’re a fucking preacher! Sometimes I despair of society, and at other times I can take heart. I’m glad that, albeit seventeen years later than I thought, Scotland is taking a lead on this. It gives me something to celebrate about staying in this funny, contrary country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.53px;">Perhaps – like the smoking ban – the rest of the UK will follow. If not, we could always threaten to send kids to England if they misbehave. For anyone who thinks it’s not my place to bang on about these sort of issues, well I’m sorry: it’s my blog, and I’ll say what I want. And I’ll say what I always say on Remembrance Day:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Today, as always, I refuse to keep silence</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">’til Church and State renounces violence</span></i></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-51409247062995977852017-10-23T11:16:00.002-07:002017-10-23T11:16:23.460-07:00This month’s rant: The Edinburgh Question<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Some years ago at a party, I got into a strange conversation with one of the guests. He wanted to know which school I went to, and when I refused to tell him, he became extraordinarily vexed. He continued to quiz me, and the more I dug my heels in, the more irate he became. It was actually quite amusing for the other guests, but not for him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">You might be wondering why I didn’t just tell him. In the end, I did, but he was too raging to even hear my reply, and so the whole charade continued. My stubbornness was due to my own question which is, why was he asking? Not so much, why did he need to know, but: why was this a question at all? I’ve since learned that there is something called ‘the Edinburgh question’ and this is what he was asking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">“What School did you go to?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">It’s quite different from ‘where did you go to school,’ in that it is an assumption that you went to a Private School and therefore, there is a pecking order at play. Edinburgh is so full of fee-paying schools it makes you wonder what proportion of its kids attend them, compared with those at ‘normal’ schools.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I could do some <a href="https://www.educators.co.uk/private-schools-edinburgh/" target="_blank">research</a>, but frankly, I can’t be bothered. This is rant, not an essay. And because I went to a normal school (a common comprehensive somewhere dull and north of London, if that party-guest is still listening for an answer) I’m obviously not worthy of forming anything more than a common opinion. But this is it...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I abhor private schools. The idea of a separate education for some when we live in a society that has ensured the provision of education for all makes no sense. Paying for something that has already been paid for through the equitable system of taxation is absurd, and must surely detract (financially and philosophically) from all that is sensible about universal opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Furthermore, opting out of state-education is a double-scam, since private schools enjoy (ie, reap) the benefits of charitable status, to the tune of millions per annum in tax breaks. Class privilege, social segregation, and financial apartheid are subsidised overtly by the state. The Public School system sets up notions of privilege based on money. If you can afford the fees, your children can get something that those who cannot afford it will be denied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">This is not to say that all non-fee-paying schools are rubbish; rather, that in a society that values things entirely on their monetary value, ‘normal’ schools will always seem inferior. Of course we all want the best for our children... yes: we ALL wish for that. Placing people in a superior position won’t necessarily produce good results, yet the assumption that accompanies this heightened position is the distinguishing factor.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58lamWtBre0/We4qlxY-cjI/AAAAAAAAAyk/31DI_ymiOV0N9YYzAGyPpiid8eJPNroUgCLcBGAs/s1600/800px-Fettes_College_south_front%252C_Edinburgh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="800" height="235" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-58lamWtBre0/We4qlxY-cjI/AAAAAAAAAyk/31DI_ymiOV0N9YYzAGyPpiid8eJPNroUgCLcBGAs/s320/800px-Fettes_College_south_front%252C_Edinburgh.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A palace, fit for you - but not me</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">[<span style="font-size: x-small;">photo By Kim Traynor - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25839641]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">It is that those educated privately are worth more. It’s on a par with saying that those who buy a certain cosmetic product (on the basis of vulgar marketing alone) are better people because they are ‘worth’ it. No: they simply ‘bought’ it, while the rest of us got by on blood, sweat, and tears. Or got by on hard work, study, and dedication.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">These places are seen as efficient exam-machines, but even when they are not, they confer a sense of sophistication that can make a failure feel they have achieved: status is all they need. When they flunk out of education, mummy-and-daddy can always bank-roll them for a ‘mind-expanding’ gap year, or ask a friend to take them on as an un-paid intern while the parents buy a nice little bedsit in Pimlico. They don’t even need a passport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">As I said, this is only a rant, but I have done some reading on the subject, and can thank Owen Jones for some of his insight (his book <i>The Establishment</i> is a continual go-to for me.) But to return to that angry, ranting party-guest who was so pissed off when I refused to be defined according to my education, I think the overall factor was that he was judging me according to the way I speak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Yes, I have an English accent which, for someone living in Scotland, immediately suggests that I am ‘educated’ – which implies ‘privately educated’ – especially because my pronunciation is pretty ‘received.’ Or, as some would perceive, ‘posh.’ This is because I trained myself to speak ‘properly’ – that is, with clear tone, good enunciation, and proper support – so that I could sing better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I honed my vocal skills working on the checkout of a certain famous supermarket, earning money to pay for my Music College education. As I’ve said before on this blog, my voice defines me as a person; it is what I am, and anyone who wants to judge me for it or according to it, or make assumptions when they hear it is a fool. It makes no difference what school you went to or where you went to school: if <i>judgement </i>is your only tool, you are an ignorant prick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I want to end this rant on a positive note, and can’t decide whether to quote Michael Moore and his findings on the Finnish education system (in Finland, fee-paying schools are almost unheard of, along with homework, and hitting kids – but I’ll come to that next month) or a piss-take of posh people. Actually, I can decide: it’s a no-brainer.</span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-89350611788701603962017-09-23T04:18:00.000-07:002017-09-23T04:18:01.398-07:00Doors Open Days<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Throughout Scotland in September, doors are opened to the public that are mostly shut. In Edinburgh, our ‘Doors Open’ weekend is run by the <a href="http://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/events/44/31-Edinburgh-Doors-Open-Day-2017/" target="_blank">Cockburn Association</a>, and includes many places of interest from fascinating chapels and churches, private houses of unusual or unique design, museums, mausoleums, towers, tors, and turret windows. (This one is always open, with a free entry.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s a great chance to see all sorts of hidden gems and curiosities, and being the curious type I make the most of this annual opportunity. This year, Doors Open clashes with another annual nosy-neighbour fest. In the row of streets around the corner from why I stay in Edinburgh, there is an unusually dense population of <a href="http://www.colony-of-artists.com/" target="_blank">artists</a> who open their doors to the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s a wonderful event that spreads out into the local bars and shops. Although I don’t live in the ‘Colonies’ – as these streets are so-named – at some point I hope to exhibit some of my work in one of the venues... but not this year, as I’m exhibiting in a private exhibition-party on the other side of the city.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My piece titled<span> </span><i>26 Doors Between My House and Yours...</i><span> </span>fits into this story, as it traces a journey past the Colonies, through the Old Town towards the Southside where my friend lives. This happens to be a few streets away from where the private exhibition is taking place, which is a pleasing tying of threads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What has been interesting in the year since I worked on this project, taking pictures of twenty-six doors and writing a ‘sestude’ on each, is realising how quickly things change. Doors shut, re-open, names change, people move away, and colours are ephemeral. My photographs, and accompanying sestudes, were mere snapshots, even if they symbolised something deeper, eternal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One example is the pub, which had shut its door when the eccentric owner sadly died. It was a famously unique drinking hole, well-known for its décor, the dismal selection of beer, and disgustingly smelly toilets. But when <a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/entertainment/remembering-edinburgh-s-legendary-waverley-bar-1-4274644" target="_blank">‘The Captain’</a> passed away, it was feared that this quirky wee joint would be mopped up and gentrified – like certain other establishments on the Royal Mile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thankfully, although it isn’t quite the living museum that my sestude celebrates, The Waverley has been given a new lease of life. The owners have attempted to stay true to the style of the old place, while giving the loos a much-needed spruce, and increasing the patronage – perhaps as a result. I hope they ditch the Billy Connelly link as claim to fame: there’s so much more in a name.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">from<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>26 Doors Between My House and Yours...</i></span></strong></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">The Waverley, St Mary’s Street</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">There is a type of personality</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">that thinks of itself as unique.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Edinburgh fits this category:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">it has the only station in the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">world named after a novel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">The Waverley bar is similarly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">one of a kind. Behind the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">boarded-up windows and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">permanently closed door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">lies a museum… testament</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">to this Festival City and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">the Old Man’s individuality,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">immortalised only in memory.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Over the road from the Waverley pub is the front of a café that changed its name after I published my<span> </span><i>26 Doors</i><span> </span>sequence. Luckily, the door I pictured (in words and image) remains behind the newly-named café. Lost in translation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Circus Café Garden, Gullan’s Close</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4j8Bq0_x-o/WcY82R_9AuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/Sig9xNvzlCsDjtEQPTr0AoKTJ7fwgXT9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/000005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4j8Bq0_x-o/WcY82R_9AuI/AAAAAAAAAx4/Sig9xNvzlCsDjtEQPTr0AoKTJ7fwgXT9wCEwYBhgL/s320/000005.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Frequently, a door</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">tells only half the story</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Tucked away</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">behind the hidden</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">garden of a café,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">a yellow sun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">smiles down</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">a winding road…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">In the adjacent</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">section on the wall,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">a child strides,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">head held high</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">against the stench</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">of kitchen bins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">A couple in the garden</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">hear my camera click.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">If I could speak their</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">tongue, I’d listen in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjCNBNSs4ss/WcY-yyFuj3I/AAAAAAAAAyU/3xIHsY0uARYw8ksZCe8mrBkVSrFjZj15QCLcBGAs/s1600/000008%2BSq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjCNBNSs4ss/WcY-yyFuj3I/AAAAAAAAAyU/3xIHsY0uARYw8ksZCe8mrBkVSrFjZj15QCLcBGAs/s200/000008%2BSq.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another door on my journey tricked me by changing even before the project was complete. Having remained blank for the sixteen years and hundreds of times I had passed by, when I came to take a photograph of this mysterious location, someone was painting letters above the door. Even so, the language and script retain mystery (for some) and I have yet to discover for myself the truth of the story about this <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/Edinburgh/comments/4il4eb/gastronom_aghtamar/" target="_blank">legendary restaurant</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Mystery Location, Abbeyhill</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">According to Urban Myth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">there lies behind these doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">a secret restaurant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Nobody knows how to book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Those who go</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">are treated appallingly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">but report the food</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">is of the highest quality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">The customer service</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">is regarded as part</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">of the unique experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Maybe one evening I’ll treat you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">to a meal-for-two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">I’d book a table… but how?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">If only I knew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">So doors can change, but the symbolism remains...</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 12.5pt;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">whether as entrances or exits, barriers, or invitations to places of encounter. My journey became a meditation on doors, on friendship, the imagination, and on truths beyond the physical location that I had – almost – arbitrarily chosen. As with friendship, for every door that closes, another will open... if you let it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">11, St Mary’s Street</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">We all do it…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Push at doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">for which we have no keys;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">make choices where</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">there’s nothing for us to choose;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">hope, expect, or long for welcomes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">that are far-from forthcoming;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">consider houses homes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">double-lock, bolt up every</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">door lest we,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">becoming vulnerable to burglary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">allow the most intimate part</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">of our existence to be violated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Our home?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 13pt;">Or our heart?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-90380927415663208352017-08-31T12:38:00.000-07:002017-08-31T12:53:31.464-07:00Fizzling Out<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">Last week, with Festival in its fourth and final quarter, I had been contemplating how I’d failed to fully engage with Edinburgh’s festivity. My idea of having a ‘year off’ had fallen flat: I felt like a distant spectator. Sure, I performed at various gigs although, with only a few exceptions, these were generic, perennial events.</span> </div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">I’d supported some friends by attending their Fringe Shows; I soaked up the atmosphere on the Royal Mile, hob-nobbed at the Usher Hall among the International audience, and schmoozed about at the Book Festival. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">But it was after a Writers’ Reception at the latter that a strange lacuna appeared in my recollections. One minute, I was cycling home; the next, I was in an ambulance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">The crew were concerned that I’d sustained a head injury because I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Once I’d fully come to, I knew what was wrong, although it would be some hours later that an X-ray scan confirmed it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">The last time I broke my collar bone, I was 12. Cycling about the small estate where I lived, I zipped around a blind corner, swerved to avoid an elderly gentleman, and landed on the tarmac with a loud crack.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">Sometimes things happen that defy understanding. They often occur in a so-called split second. One minute, everything’s ticking along; then, in the twinkling of an eye, nothing is quite the same. It is that ellipsis between those two states which is so hard to fathom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">In writing, it is often that ‘mystery bit’ that longs to be told.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">This is why we don’t rely on memory – falsely retrieved or otherwise – neither on fact – which, it seems, can be presented duplicitously – nor on truth – for which there may be many interpretations. No: it is the amorphous imagination that we plumb in order to dredge the depths of human existence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">The last time I wrote about a <a href="http://throughtheturretwindow.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/shortlybefore-christmas-i-had-poem.html" target="_blank">cycling incident</a> on this blog, it was someone else who dashed her chin on the pavement. My entire relationship with her is like that mystery split second – except it lasted several months. In my attempt to recall the events, I allowed my imagination free rein.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">Last month I spoke about auto-biographical writing. I’ve been pursuing this lately – particularly during what has been a quiet few months for me with injured voice and now, arm hampering my activities. It’s not been easy. Whatever my understanding of events and relationships, the memory is unreliable, and truth, entirely subjective.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">But this is not the stuff of mystery and myth. It is the only truth I know. And so, I write. And if I dip a little too far into the imagination, so be it. At least I’ve <i>written</i> it.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif , serif , "emojifont"; line-height: 18.4px;">This is my truth. What is yours?</span></div>
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<br />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-86762099163713842512017-07-28T12:04:00.000-07:002017-07-28T12:04:00.114-07:00A Lump in the Throat
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the last
couple of months, something very strange and upsetting has happened to me. It
might sound as if I’m being melodramatic when I say it was this: I lost my
voice. I don’t mean ‘lost’ in the sense of a post-viral huskiness, or tired and
shagged out after a long squawk, like a Norwegian Blue. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">I mean, it
broke (not in the adolescent sense) it was shagged (ditto) packed up and gone
for good. At least that’s how it felt. One day it was fine, I was singing
throughout my full range; the next day, I tried to do something and realised I
could only use my chest voice. I could still speak, but could only sing in the
comparative range of my speaking voice. We’re talking – and only just – from a
low D to an octave above.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcHaAyWDGMQ/WXuJCZiS1dI/AAAAAAAAAxM/Y3m1OytUk7YS8V5SaR4lCm3ESNPcNkS7ACLcBGAs/s1600/D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="329" height="247" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fcHaAyWDGMQ/WXuJCZiS1dI/AAAAAAAAAxM/Y3m1OytUk7YS8V5SaR4lCm3ESNPcNkS7ACLcBGAs/s320/D.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My highest note a few weeks ago!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">These days I
don’t do much work as a professional singer, yet my voice is essential in all
the things I do. From spoken-word performance, presenting or hosting events, to
interviewing people, having discussions or meetings, without my voice I feel like
a rudderless ship. The Biblical analogy (if the tongue is a metaphor for the
voice) is true: it is a small piece of gear, but has power to steer us through
life... or (to mix in another metaphor) de-rail us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">For singers,
however, the voice is something far more. It is our identity, our instrument,
our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">raison d’être</i>. Losing my voice
always feels as if I’ve got a missing limb. So for me to find my voice not just
temporarily gone but seriously ill was a shock. Even more distressing was that
nobody seemed to know what had happened. I was worried that this sudden ailment
was an indicator that there was something more serious wrong with me, and went
to the Doctor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vlUF-3tFBU/WXuG7iUsqHI/AAAAAAAAAxE/NiksmBaWrFYyTr9VD-S_yGn24sdO75yPQCLcBGAs/s1600/000015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1412" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8vlUF-3tFBU/WXuG7iUsqHI/AAAAAAAAAxE/NiksmBaWrFYyTr9VD-S_yGn24sdO75yPQCLcBGAs/s320/000015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not an actual Singer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">After
several blood tests, a chest x-ray, breathing diagnoses, various medical
discussions and a camera shoved up my nose and down my throat, no conclusion
was reached other than I must have strained my voice, overworked it, or it had
simply given up on account of stress and fatigue. I’d had a lot of work on, and
my long hours often ended at dawn. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn’t
exactly giving my body a chance to recover... I’m not sure I was as honest as I
could have been when my G.P. asked about my alcohol intake. Were I not a
singer, I wouldn’t have noticed anything. But being classically trained, I was
convinced there would be a medical reason. The Doctor at the ENT clinic assured
me that my vocal chords were in fine fettle; my technique was impeccable, and
there were no lurgies down there causing any problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
implication was that my voice would eventually get back into action. After some
rest it was suggested I should start exercising again, slowly building up on my
higher notes. Next thing, almost as suddenly as it went away, I began to gain
some range; a few more notes, then more – as high as a middle C – but still a
major fifth short of my full range. (My low notes rumbled away, but they have limited use in choral repertoire.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npsPGDXFc9c/WXuFzW0EBFI/AAAAAAAAAw4/DbrooCmNCUQRP2-fjXm7wEvcYpWwFhkPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Choral%2BSoc%2Bthumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="448" height="73" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-npsPGDXFc9c/WXuFzW0EBFI/AAAAAAAAAw4/DbrooCmNCUQRP2-fjXm7wEvcYpWwFhkPwCEwYBhgL/s400/Choral%2BSoc%2Bthumb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not an actual choir!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve started
singing again, just for a few services, but I know that things still aren’t
right, and I am at a loss to know why. And yet, it has been an interesting – if
testing – experience. If I may use another metaphor... as a writer I have been
made to think about my ‘voice.’ If I can no longer perform, my writing will be
the only voice I have. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Given my
recent propensity to churn out doggerel and entertaining ditties for the stage,
I have been given an incentive to re-hone my style. Also, to think carefully
about my claim that all my writing is fiction. During my vocal sabbatical, I used
a real episode from my life to write a story called ‘The Singer and The Soprano.’
It is the closest I’ve come to pure autobiography. Several of my musical friends
will know exactly who it’s about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">Examining
the reason for my decision to write this piece, apart from the loss of my
actual voice, is not too difficult. In the past, many people have tried to
silence me. Either because they can’t cope with parts of my personal history,
or are afraid that what I have to say is true (albeit shrouded in fiction.) Perhaps
out of malicious judgement or envy, people may continue to attempt to take my
voice away from me. They will fail.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the days
of Stalin, when the henchmen of Art, hiding behind the façade of state-endorsed
terror, continually threatened Shostakovich, he didn’t give up. “Even if they
cut off my hands I will continue to compose,” he famously said. Hopefully I will
get back my singing voice, and be able to perform to my full capability soon.
My voice as a writer has never been stronger. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;">He who has ears...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-7460844299565342022017-06-07T05:23:00.000-07:002017-06-14T06:26:03.203-07:00A total eclipse of The Sun?<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Yes, it’s Polling Week yet again. And yet again, we have a rigged election called by a corrupt Government, led by an unelected Prime Minister who has lied and cheated her way through her entire campaign – simply because she can. At least, that’s what she thinks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">The real truth (not an expression familiar to politics) is that not only will many have seen through her sleight of hand machinations, but also, her shambolic behaviour has highlighted what strong and stable leaders we have among the opposition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Even if the Tories still get in tomorrow, I only hope they’ll have lost enough seats to de-throne that sour-faced puppet from her self-constructed position. For the first time in years, we might have a decent, socialist opposition – although what difference that will make to Scotland, who can say? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I prefer socialists to Nationalists any day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Anyone reading this from beyond the United Kingdom may be wondering what my little rant is about, since I’ve mentioned no names, nor have I been explicit about political parties – except the ‘Tories’ which, for me, has always been a generic swear-word since the 1980s when I first became aware of politics.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4SZt1A8YMg/WTfrg8j9-PI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Jqmzop1_85E0o9Wq9rKOMx46D3xa_6QlwCLcB/s1600/Hate%2BThatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="520" height="191" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4SZt1A8YMg/WTfrg8j9-PI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Jqmzop1_85E0o9Wq9rKOMx46D3xa_6QlwCLcB/s200/Hate%2BThatcher.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Well, that’s less vague, name-wise! Perhaps it’s facile to pin everything onto Thatcher’s legacy. However, I saw a post on Facebook recently which ran like this:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></i> </div>
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<i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></i> </div>
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<i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Overheard at the bus stop:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><br />Elderly woman: "Who are you planning on voting for?"<br />Elderly man: "The Conservatives. I've been a home owner for a very long time and I'm not going to let a bunch of young liberals steal my house."</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Don't worry, there's no way any of us are going to be able to afford houses.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">While I can’t even start to question the Elderly man’s logic or rhetoric, I have to remind him that it’s the Tories who have stolen pretty much everything from the ‘liberals’ as he calls them. It started in the 1980s, and continues today, with the crippling of public services.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">From my latest set of sestudes (62-word studies) reflecting on the symbolism of doors, here are two that sum up what I feel at the moment. First, this door (N<sup>o</sup>. 13 – unlucky for some?) on a housing-scheme:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">from<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>26 Doors Between My House and Yours...</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><em></em></span></b> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">13, Viewcraig Gardens</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">In 1980’s Britain, Thatcher’s</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Government sold off</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">the Social Housing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">to the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nouveaux Riche</i>,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">for little cash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">New front doors appeared</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">on Housing Schemes –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">symbols of new-found wealth –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">while the Lumpen Proletariat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">remained in ill-health, socially,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">financially, domestically.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Unluckily for some,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">the markets crashed….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">As we guessed, the poor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">remained the same,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Tories prospered,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">while the rest, dis-enfranchised,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">had their homes re-possessed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">For the next door in this sequence, I have a newsagent’s shop with a bright red lintel. While there are websites such as <a href="https://www.tactical2017.com/">https://www.tactical2017.com</a> - giving voters a directive on how to oust the Tories (which, in Scotland, means voting SNP in almost every ward) the fact remains that too many ignorant people cast their ballot according to the bullshit they read in the papers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TLVFvXPH8A/WTfrmpGUR_I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ZTqBJ5zE-M4XwqmBUsGRjzCVhgfEpaopQCEw/s1600/hated-by-the-daily-mail.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="129" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--TLVFvXPH8A/WTfrmpGUR_I/AAAAAAAAAwg/ZTqBJ5zE-M4XwqmBUsGRjzCVhgfEpaopQCEw/s1600/hated-by-the-daily-mail.png" /></a><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Filthy, shitty lying rags like the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Daily Mail</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>can print what they like;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Sun</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>will claim it won the election (whether a Tory or New Labour Government is elected – it is a fickle piece of shit) and as for the<em> News of the World</em> or <em>Evening Standard</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– don’t get me started!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Ever since the Hillsborough disaster, it has been nigh impossible to buy<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Sun</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>in Liverpool (the subsequent enquiry proving unequivocally that this toilet-paper lied through its tabloid teeth.) Two weeks ago, after a disgracefully insensitive front page after the Manchester attack, a similar <a href="https://www.thecanary.co/2017/05/25/80000-people-join-call-manchester-ban-sun-appalling-response-concert-bombing-images/" target="_blank">boycott</a> was mooted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I wonder what it will take to get every newsagent in every major city throughout the nation to refuse to stock every nasty red-top publication.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Ben’s Newsagent, Pleasance</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUBUdxy_4d8/WTfruB3BvfI/AAAAAAAAAws/p5-ljsphWpcEDrFcCCc5FwCH3xodscsYQCEw/s1600/000022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oUBUdxy_4d8/WTfruB3BvfI/AAAAAAAAAws/p5-ljsphWpcEDrFcCCc5FwCH3xodscsYQCEw/s320/000022.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"></span></b> </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Not because it isn’t convenient,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">nor may sell what I need</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">from morning ’til night…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Nor because it’s local –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">on the proverbial street corner…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Nor because of religion or ethnicity –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">this is not a problem to me…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">Nor because adverts lure</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">me to purchase something</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I’d not bargained for… No:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">I refuse to enter this shop</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12.5pt;">because it has a Red Top.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">This Thursday I will do my bit by voting (tactically?) according to my conscience. And every day I’ll do my bit by never reading a tabloid newspaper. That said, you can’t trust anything you read in<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>any</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>paper. If you do, you’re probably not fit to vote. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua";">And now, to name names...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DoubleDownNews/videos/1362838737135119/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED">https://www.facebook.com/DoubleDownNews/videos/1362838737135119/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED</a><br />
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-21422017812304981262017-05-21T04:49:00.001-07:002017-05-21T04:49:45.309-07:00Честит имен ден<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">One of the wonderful things about studying at a Music Conservatoire – as long ago as the early 1990s – was being among the company of many overseas students. For me, it was a novelty that I suspect many now take for granted at our universities. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Even so, in the petty annexing that right-wing politics seem to favour, our economy has shot itself in the foot regarding the breaking-down of barriers between nations and states. I will return to this anon...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Something I learned, possibly from my Greek or Catalan friends, was that these people enjoyed celebrating their ‘name-day’ as much as their birthday. With my Gaelic/Celtic heritage, it would be hard to find a Saint to pin my name on and a hagiographical calendar to appropriate an extra feast. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">(My first name is not – as many maybe think – derived from ‘James,’ so his saint’s day is off-limits.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">In the last year or so, I have come to know (through a close friend) that in Bulgaria, name-days are a Big Thing – possibly more than anywhere else. There is a whole custom centred on these celebrations which borders on folklore. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">There are particular traditions, sayings, and greetings which are as familiar to Bulgaria as “many happy returns” is to Britain (or wherever that expression is from.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Being from the Eastern part of Europe, Bulgaria’s Saints have different feast-days to those of the west. Today, my friend,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Елена, <b></b><span style="color: #222222;">celebrates her name-day according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar. In accordance with Bulgarian tradition, I would like to greet my much-loved friend with a salutation from her homeland: “May your name be healthy.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;">But life is never that simple. Neither is poetry...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;">Честит имен ден</span></b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> for Елена</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 16pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Today is your Name-Day – at least</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">it is so in the East. In your</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">adopted land you’ll have to wait</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">until August to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">While you inspire, enlighten and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">illuminate with your warm heart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and bright enquiring mind, today –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of all days – you cannot find your insight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">In honour of your name, I search</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">for her and soon discover how</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;">Елена<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and her lover, Samuel,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">though slain upon their wedding-day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">both gave their name to an area</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">in your Homeland, Bulgaria.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It seems, besides your gentle soul,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">perceptive eyes and tiny frame, you are</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the valleys, rivers, hills and woods</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">that skirt the Balkan Mountain Range.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Your insight may be lost or hurt,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">but ‘may your name be healthy,’ for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">it flowers – even in the darker hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I will embrace you and your name,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and offer you this gift… Time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">For when the day is done and darkness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">falls, look up,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;">Елена</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">. The stars</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">enlighten with eternal shine.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Three years ago,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Елена<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>held a traditional name-day gathering, partly as a wrap-party for her latest film. Although I wasn’t involved with the production, I was invited and, as she introduced all her friends, she explained their role in the film: “This is, X, the DOP, Y, the co-director, A & B the actors, Z the producer...” and then she came to me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;">Unsure of how to introduce me to the company,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>Елена<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>said, “This is Jamie...” then stumbling, said: “He’s just a poet.” </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It has been a standing joke between us all ever since. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Laughter aside,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Елена<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>has been more than just a friend to me over the last few years. She has been an inspiration. I’ve been honoured to be a part of her film-projects, and to be on hand when she’s needed help (often, in panic, when looking for the right word – it seems I’m more than just a poet) or to simply ‘be there’ somewhere in the background.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I’ve had a fair few female friends who have fucked me up over the years. These so-called friends have abused my head, or heart, or some other part of my body; used it for their own ends, screwed me up, broken me, and spat me out. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Two, in particular, masqueraded as lovers, but turned out to be fraudulent and fake as I came – too late – to discover.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Елена<span style="color: #222222;">, thank god, is not like these fraudsters.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Here are three poems on various meanings of ‘gift.’</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Festival Fireworks</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 8pt;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;">for ‘The Soprano’</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 8pt;"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">The floodlights of Meadowbank Stadium are still</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">in the rain-sodden sky, like stuck fireworks.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">The weather worse than dreich,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I venture out in the soggy streets</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">to Sainsbury’s for toilet-roll and gin –</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">life’s essentials – and imagine the spectators</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">at the Castle Tattoo; the rhythm of dancers and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> drums,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">as the best of Scottish beats down on both.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">If Meadowbank - once host to others games,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">given its stay of execution -</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">had hosted the same military pomp,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">would equal crowds have flocked,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">or Hogmanay’s Great Display</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">fallen to the axe for a gust of Dunedin’s wind?</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">History and tradition keep folk</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">afloat, even in this diluvian Festival.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Sometimes we long for fireworks.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Now, all I crave as the water soaks my shoes,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">is a warm sofa, Bombay Sapphire, and a kiss,</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a breath, a touch of your soft, soft face.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Or better, the ecstasy of your voice</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">igniting the wet, black sky.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">The Gift</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 15.33px;">for...?</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Dark brown</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">softly tanned</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">lightly pungent</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">heavy-in-hand</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">long and hard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I pondered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">this weighted gift </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">sat on my shelf</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">gathering dust</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">symbol of a rift</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a leathery musk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of what might</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">have perhaps been</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">as the bright sun</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">enlightened its fibres</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">She called it cute</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">it was dispensable</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">‘Keep it if you want</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">or give it to charity’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">she said indifferent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">If only I had seen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">something significant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a present meant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">for further future</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">guarded relevance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">One year on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">re-opening wounds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I pick at the scars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">where lies began</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">now truth unwinds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the past unfolds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">as poppers snap</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">on empty contents</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">thirteen pockets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">each intended for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">gallery/theatre tickets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">photos, credit cards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">secret messages</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">till-receipts, bills</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">restaurant checks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">scribbled scraps</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of emails, texts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">loyalty cards for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">bookshops, cinemas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">supermarkets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">In the top folds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">wads of bank-notes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">stolen wealth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">that some call filth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">while others revel in</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the power of purchase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Against this love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the Bible warns</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">yet Society nurtures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">To close the book</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">reveals yet more</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">compartments</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">evidence of love</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">or what was meant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">by this past present?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Was this for coins,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">loose change, trinkets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">chances, hedged-bets</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">trust purloined while</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">in a pocket zipped,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a secret store</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of love abused:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the condom that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">she never used.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Finally a zone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">left empty, void</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of what my daft</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">imagination vied</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">for or believed or</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">dared to think as love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It wasn’t intended</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">for money stolen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">sold, or tendered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">but a metaphor</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">as sick and empty</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">as a wallet forged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of unspoken gratitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">- a perverse token</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">for services rendered.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I’m stuck with it</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">this leather wallet.</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">If only it displayed</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a little more than</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">fifty silver pieces</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of a love betrayed.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Trauma</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 10pt;">for e, naturally</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It’s always the smell that gets me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Sit on a leather sofa,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and I’m back with that soprano</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I attempted to give my heart to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">The ecstasy of her voice is gone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">but the memory lingers on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Wave a wallet in front of my nose,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and a painful surge emerges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">That photographer who,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">unlike her camera, lied and lied</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and lied. To her I gave a piece of me:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">purchased with that wallet’s mendacity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">And then, a leather-bound booklet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">reminds me, whenever I look at it,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of my film-maker-friend and muse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">I hesitated, momentarily, as its pungency</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">punished my olfactory intrusions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">How could I use this gift?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">By filling its soft pages with reciprocated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">affection, that saw past pain eradicated.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">What did I fill the soft pages with? I wandered between my house and where<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Елена<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(then) lived and took pictures of doors. Contemplating the symbolism of doors, and meditating on friendship, the imagination, and truths beyond this journeying, I jotted down ideas in that leather-bound notebook. I then selected 26 pictures and I wrote a sestude on each. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;">(Regular readers of this blog know what a sestude is...)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Here are three of these 62-word studies, each picking up on the current political situation. I could re-visit the dark subject of last month’s blog by quoting from Tippett’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>A Child of Our Time</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(“Burn down their houses! Beat in their heads! Break them in pieces on the wheel!”) but... today is a celebration of life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">And someone’s special name...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">from<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>26 Doors Between My House and Yours...</i></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> for e</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">52, Rankeillor Street</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">From your window you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">observed this door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">You’d never considered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the artwork before,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">adorned with jars,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a lampshade, or</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">discarded satellite dish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">You watched the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">‘drinky people’ come and go,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">in and out of taxis,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">fearing more that they</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">would prang themselves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">on the dried-out branches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">than miss any artistic significance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It seems whatever I perceive,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">you make my eyes see differently.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Fire Door, The Parliament Building</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Here,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the impenetrability</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of the Parliamentary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">process is laid bare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Behind a concrete façade</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">lies a complex charade:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">more rooms than</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a Father’s Mansion,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">where debate, controversy,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">conversation and bureaucracy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">float about like hot air,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">fanned by the fickle whim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">of public opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">This building isn’t</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">about democracy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">or political transparency.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It’s about how power</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">and fear can threaten</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">our National Security.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2QXg8cpFTM/WSDSK8hJ90I/AAAAAAAAAwE/Y8hE8SVsAggmQ30xAL14dLHBRnv2Gl73wCLcB/s1600/000034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2QXg8cpFTM/WSDSK8hJ90I/AAAAAAAAAwE/Y8hE8SVsAggmQ30xAL14dLHBRnv2Gl73wCLcB/s320/000034.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">The World’s End Pub</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">It’s not the end of the world</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">as we know it. It’s an illusion;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">a mural on the front of a pub</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">marking the position of the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Old Town Gate which barred</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">the exit to the Burghers too</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">poor to emigrate to James</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Craig’s New Town Utopia.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">At the real world’s end, all</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">imaginary doors, borders,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">walls will open, lift, or fall.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">In life, the personal is always political. So I will end – if the reader of this page lives in a British country that wishes to impose barriers, borders, walls, and doors – with this plea: don’t vote TORY!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">But to end on a happier note, to all those people named<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";">Елена<span style="color: #222222;">: Happy name-day. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif , serif , "emojifont";"><span style="color: #222222;">May your name be healthy.</span></span></div>
<br />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-38105519155486164932017-04-22T09:59:00.003-07:002017-04-22T09:59:57.753-07:00Is it Winter?<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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A few months ago I sang at a funeral where the family of the deceased requested a piece of music that I was uncomfortable with. I’m known for not being a fan of Elgar, and his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Enigma Variations</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>come pretty low in my appreciation of his music. While I accept it has its merit as an orchestral piece, I detest subsequent “arrangements” of the work; in particular the most famous movement,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nimrod</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– whether for organ, brass band, or recorder ensemble.</div>
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Even more hideous is when someone superimposes text onto a purely instrumental piece. The version of ‘Nimrod’ that we performed at this funeral had had the words of the Requiem Mass wedged under the notes of an 8-part,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>a cappella</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>vocal rendition. Whatever my opinion of him, Elgar was a great composer who I doubt would have approved of this treatment of a piece of music that was presented as an “enigma” – whatever he meant by that.</div>
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A similar situation can be applied to Gustav Holst, whose secular music ended up as a patriotic hymn. In this case the composer, on being asked to set to music words of Cecil Spring Rice, was too busy... but found that the broad, augmented melody at the centre of the ‘Jupiter’ movement of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Planets</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>more or less fitted. I guess even a genius like Holst can sell out.</div>
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Ironically, Lady Diana chose this hymn for a particular service in which her ‘vows’ to either her country or her husband-to-be seemed pretty lightly proffered. And when Princess Diana came to her untimely end, as well as that hymn at her funeral, Elton John and Bernie Taupin felt moved to re-word their threnody in honour of Marilyn Monroe into a sycophantic eulogy to ‘England’s Rose.’</div>
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Another piece that has suffered from being worded-in is the haunting and climactic string-writing of Barber’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Adagio for Strings</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>which most people know from the full string orchestra version. Others will know the arrangement that, like Elgar’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nimrod</i>, has had words (in this case, the Agnus Dei) shoe-horned into a choral arrangement. The original, in fact, is the second movement of his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>String Quartet,</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Op 11</i>, which gives a far cleaner and somehow more intense reading of this incredible piece of harmonic tension/release tease.</div>
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When the Twin Towers of New York’s famous skyline were felled in perhaps the most extraordinarily well-crafted pieces of modern warfare, the news media played into the hands of the terrorists by fetishizing the violence with over-emotive reportage. The images of planes thwacking into buildings, people jumping to their deaths, the panic and smoke and wailing of sirens: all too often they were accompanied by the emotionally-charged, soupy strings of Barber’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Adagio</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– tugging at the heart-strings of an already fucked-up national pride.</div>
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However, there was another piece of music that was used as an aural backdrop to these moving pictures of devastation, which I suspect fewer people picked up on. It was the opening of Michael Tippett’s choral masterpiece,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>A Child of Our Time</i>. If my memory serves me well, the music dipped before the telling words announced: ‘The world turns on its dark side.’ Indeed, it had – not least in what we were seeing on our screens. More apposite was the next line of Tippett’s text: <br />
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‘It is winter.’</div>
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I’ve been reminded of this lately as we’ve seen America turn, yet again, into darker times. The election of Trump as President has been almost surreal, and yet scarily real as he has pursued his election promises with frightening voracity. Humans are notoriously bad at learning lessons from the past. On Radio 3 this week, a discussion on Walt Whitman suggested that Americans might do well to re-read that poet’s appraisal of Abraham Lincoln, in the poem ‘O Captain, my Captain.’</div>
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More recently the words of Gil Scott Heron’s song<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Winter in America,</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>have been ringing in my ears. They ring as true today as they did over forty years ago.</div>
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And I see the robins<br />
Perched in barren treetops<br />
Watching last-ditch racists marching across the floor<br />
But just like the peace sign that vanished in our dreams<br />
Never had a chance to grow.</div>
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In Britain, we face another political meltdown as we prepare for a General Election based entirely on political machinations instead of the wants and needs of a divided country. And, for that matter, a divided Europe; a divided world. When someone as deluded as Trump has as light a finger on his twitter-feed as the nuclear button; when Theresa May can announce a snap election on the basis of colossal and dangerous (im)potency, and while North Korea is playing with bombs like a teenager with a PS4, we are on the brink of a dangerous war.</div>
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This is some of what Gil Scott Heron said in the liner notes of his album, back in 1974 – again, we ought to (but probably won’t) listen to the lessons of the past:</div>
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<i>Winter is a metaphor: a term not only used to describe the season of ice, but the period of our lives through which we are travelling. In our hearts we feel that spring is just around the corner: a spring of brotherhood and united spirits.... Everyone is moving, searching. There is a restlessness within our souls that keeps us questioning, discovering and struggling against a system that will not allow us space and time for fresh expression... I have many things to tell you about tomorrow’s love and light. We will see you in Spring.</i></div>
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Rather than ending this morose and morbid post with further misery, I will pick up on the hope expressed in the passage above. Last autumn, a good friend ‘disappeared’ from my life for a season – I won’t explain why – let’s just say, for personal reasons. She promised (like Persephone, although I’m not saying she had a date with Hades) to return in spring. In Scotland, however, spring can be pretty elusive – as these three poems illustrate.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Three Seasonal Poems</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">for e</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<b>Repentance</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent</span></i></div>
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These Lenten Lilies –</div>
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primroses, narcissi, daffodils</div>
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and other deathly jonquils –</div>
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arrive unseasonably late</div>
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in our northern climate.</div>
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With little time to live,</div>
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whether they survive</div>
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to see the crucifixion</div>
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or even, resurrection,</div>
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is entirely dependent</div>
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on when the penitent</div>
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season begins; according</div>
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to the moon, if not to spring.</div>
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Forgive my poor self-will.</div>
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They say what doesn’t kill</div>
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you makes you stronger.</div>
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At least in Scotland</div>
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Spring lasts longer.</div>
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<b>Banishment</b></div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<b> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Vernal Equinox – spring begins</span></i></div>
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</div>
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You could call it irony, or paradox,</div>
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that after yesterday’s spring equinox</div>
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the cashmere scarf you gave me came</div>
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in handy yet again. For as the planet</div>
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tilted out of winter, the mocking</div>
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Scottish weather had deposited</div>
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white veins in the black crevices</div>
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among the distant hills. Crocuses,</div>
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daffodils, and snowdrops stood</div>
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defiant (only the latter flower knew</div>
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itself as fraudulent.) The wind blew</div>
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with its jagged edge; I wrapped</div>
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your scarf around me tighter,</div>
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hoping that you might arrive</div>
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to see the colours of the season,</div>
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and not the black and white.</div>
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Last year, it was just the same.</div>
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I wore your scarf right up ’til May,</div>
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Oh Proserpina, Oh Persephone,</div>
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longing for you to return to me.</div>
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But, as Spring, you never came...</div>
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</div>
<b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page;" /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
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<b>Short-lived</b></div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10pt;">British Summertime Begins</span></i></div>
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</div>
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Having (just about) survived</div>
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the Ides of March, and having seen</div>
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the Vernal Equinox out-foxed by snow,</div>
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I then received a text to say</div>
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that ‘spring is here’ which meant –</div>
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if nothing else – that you are near.</div>
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</div>
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‘Thank God,’ I cried, then realised</div>
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I’ve long denied any deific significance</div>
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in weather-patterns. Your existence</div>
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is enough for gods to shut their gobs:</div>
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you are as constant as the Northern Star,</div>
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even when summer sun summons the ha’ar.</div>
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</div>
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Let’s hope, as the coming months unfold, that summer won’t be obscured by the cold, grey sea-mist that tends to envelope my city after a warm day. There is too much going on in our world to remind us of winter. Despite the bleak opening of Tippett’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>A Child of our Time</i>, he prefaces the score with words from T.S. Eliot: “<i>... the darkness declares the glory of light”</i></div>
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As I say, again: let’s hope so.</div>
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</div>
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</div>
Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-36556302519921423522017-03-31T11:36:00.000-07:002017-03-31T11:37:42.850-07:00Safe Spaces are for Children<br />
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What happened to February? My attempt to write on this blog at least once a month went awry and, with only 28 days in the month, February’s entry is over a month late. Perhaps I was too busy enjoying the romance of Valentine’s Day, or preparing myself for my Lenten Penitence. Either way, I’m sorry (to my regular readers) for my irregular posting. I make no apologies, however, for my art.</div>
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Speaking of Valentines, I had an interesting reaction to some of my poetry when I was performing at a certain Jazz venue in town, a few days after the celebration of all things ‘romantic.’ I recited two poems based on Jerome Kern songs – ‘Just the Way you look tonight’ and ‘All the things you are’ – introducing them by singing parts of each song either before, during, or after the poems.</div>
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The audience seemed pretty appreciative – I’d given them both poetry<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>music – and my fellow-performers continued the gig with songs about death, hatred, broken love-affairs and general misery. (Ah –<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>jazz!</i>) My poetry, it has to be said, focused on themes of how love doesn’t always work out the way we want: sometimes people are not compatible; other times we fall into the same mistakes, like the familiar chord progressions of a popular song.</div>
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At the bar, having claimed my free drink (we poets will do anything for a beer) a woman came up to me and said, “What was that all about?” Introducing herself, she apologised for being slightly drunk, and then re-phrased her question. It wasn’t that she’d misunderstood the poems, but rather that she disagreed with the sentiment. She and her (second) husband had been happily married for ten years, she told me: “Can you justify what you’ve written?”</div>
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“No,” I replied: “I won’t ‘justify’ what I’ve written – but I can put it in context, if you like.” I explained that I was presenting a realistic view of love and relationships, and not the saccharine, Valentine, Clinton Cards version. I pointed out that the poems were from a sequence called<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Olive Box</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– a sequence that charts the story of a relationship, from the heady days of new love, through the development and subsequent demise of the partnership.</div>
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She was disturbed by the idea that someone should write poetry about both sides of love – its glories and failures; its highs and lows – despite the fact that she was on her second marriage.</div>
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“But is this stuff...” (she pointed to my pamphlet lying on the bar next to my hard-earned pint) “Is this about your own experience; is it true?” Now there’s a question! I told her that as a poet, a performer, an actor, a singer – as an artist – I pool upon my own experiences and transpose them into art, into fiction. I may then have trotted out the usual stuff about art being a lie that helps us to understand the truth. And I may well have told her it was ‘true.’</div>
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“But it’s entirely fictional,” I assured her. “And if my two poems have made you question the nature of relationships, then I’ve done my job.” She was apologetic about having confronted me so aggressively – Dutch courage was mainly to blame – and I assured her it was fine. “I’m glad you came to speak to me: your reaction is entirely valid, and I appreciate it.” That said, I never said the obvious thing which was: why are you not disturbed by all the songs performed this evening about fucked-up love and relationships?</div>
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It seems that music – even with its punchy, powerful lyrics – can wash over people, but bare words (whether on the page or the stage) can really get to the heart of the matter. While I don’t agree with Shelley’s infamous claim that ‘poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world,’ it’s somewhat strange that it's among the performance poetry circuit that I have heard most mention of ‘trigger-warning’ and ‘safe-space’ rhetoric. Or, bullshit.</div>
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Since when was poetry or drama, with its subversive, discursive, and sometimes abusive narrative, meant to wrap listeners or readers up with cotton wool? Only, perhaps, when the trite rhymes of Valentines cards are sealed with kisses, and received with grimaces. If you want to engage with art – whether complex poetry, challenging theatre, mind-boggling fiction, or mother-fucking rock-and-roll music – then get out of your molly-coddled safe-space and pull the trigger.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qFPzvt_G1I/WN6d_SiSltI/AAAAAAAAAvk/2cqh1NdHktsRGR59F_GNJhMDd0Eyu1uKACEw/s1600/What%2Bis%2BArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qFPzvt_G1I/WN6d_SiSltI/AAAAAAAAAvk/2cqh1NdHktsRGR59F_GNJhMDd0Eyu1uKACEw/s200/What%2Bis%2BArt.jpg" width="200" /></a>As comedian, Jonathon Pye, asked in a recent <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JonathanPieReporter/videos/1155561844566707/" target="_blank">video</a>, why are people so afraid of language? According to Pye’s reading of the Salford Public Space Protection Order, “Swearing in public is on a par with drowning animals,” In which case, if reading poetry on broken relationships requires a trigger-warning, I might as well jump off a bridge. </div>
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(But not, it seems, in Salford.)</div>
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To be afraid of truths, of complex emotions, of questions that have no black-and-white answers, or of situations that challenge what it is to be human is to be afraid of life itself. Life’s a piece of shit... live with it. Because if you don’t accept or believe that life is complicated, when complexity hits you – whether in the words of a poem or song that makes you feel uneasy, or a piece of information that disturbs your comfort-zone – you won’t be able to cope.</div>
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I’ve quoted Stephen Fry on this blog before, and he again has nailed an idea to what this little rant is about. He calls this cry-baby culture ‘infantilism.’ The notion that to say the word ‘rape’ in public makes the orator a rapist is absurd, and deeply worrying. Yet people want to be molly-coddled, or to molly-coddle their own behaviour lest they cause offence. We protect children because they are vulnerable. But when we become adults, we must protect ourselves...</div>
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How? By allowing our maturity of thought, experience, and understanding keep us open to the rich divisions, diversions, and emotions that the human experience has to offer. People need to know that nothing is simple; nor is anything handed us on a plate. (Little food is eaten that way these days anyway.) Perhaps, to put it another way, as Fry does at the end of this short interview, what people need to do is this:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>just grow up</b>!</div>
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<br />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-36263322430815857372017-03-14T08:42:00.002-07:002017-03-14T08:42:43.927-07:00Moving On<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">Some years ago I got a birthday card from a friend. We had previously been in a relationship which had ended, I guess, because of my mental-health problems. After I had come out of my darkest place, we were back in touch, and the change in me was clear and palpable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">This friend wrote: “I’m so glad that you are doing so well, you sounded so cheerful – it made me very happy but sad that I haven’t been around to see this exciting change in you.” And as a post-script, added: “Do NOT wear black on your birthday.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">So today is my birthday, and I’m not going to reveal the colour of my clothes... although I must confess that I was on stage at my regular Monday night venue late last night and told this story before performing. As it turned midnight, I couldn’t hide the fact: I was dressed in customary black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">“It’s my birthday,” I told the audience: “I can wear what I want to – or cry if I want to.” Then I made further apology in advance of reading the poem. Most of my work is purely fictional; taking elements of my own experience and transposing this into art. But yesterday I read an extremely honest and personal poem. Here it is.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">Talking Cure</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, melancholia, the panic and fear which is inherent in a human situation. –<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">GRAHAM GREENE<i></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">Maybe it’s just me, but I find it best</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">not</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to speak out about being depressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">This stuff about mental illness stigmatised...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">it’s more it’s not adequately recognised</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">by so many in the ‘caring’ professions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">who haplessly dole out fake medications:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">I don’t want placebos or panaceas, I just</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">want someone to talk with whom I can trust.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">And so, I forgo the eight-minute appointment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">and deal with my illness with an assortment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">of coping strategies – some work, some don’t –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">if you want me to share them, sorry: I won’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">Sometimes I find it best to stay at home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">and tough it out (or deny it) by being alone;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">or I force myself to attend an event...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">afterwards, I’m pretty glad that I went.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">But I’m sorry; I don’t want to talk about me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">or my state of health while I’m in company.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">I’m sure it must be pretty commonplace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">for depressives to put on their ‘brave’ face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">If all they can do is a hypochondriac moan,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">They might as well give up and stay at home –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">after all, it’s properly British to say</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">when asked, how are you? “Oh: I’m okay!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">This is my problem – not, I’m afraid, yours,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but I’ll share it, at great risk of being a bore –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">the de-stigmatisation of depression has meant</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">that, unlike other illness, disability, ailment,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">you have to be ‘open’ and come out and say</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">(and yes, the same can be said if you’re gay)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">“I’ve had depression since I was at school:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">See Me, I’m a one-in-four statistic, that’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>cool</i>.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">If my depression’s called ‘high-functioning’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">I guess it’s because I refuse to let a thing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">essentially in the mind stop or prevent me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">from living my life, such as it is, fully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">So I self-medicate with alcohol (sure, not ideal –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">at least you don’t have to accept how you feel –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">although next day, you’ll probably feel worse:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">it’s a mixed blessing, or in other words, curse.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">And then there are days when no drugs work,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but a zero-hour contract means you can’t shirk;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">when getting out of bed’s a genuine struggle,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">and it’s more than just your head’s in a muddle:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">your limbs are so heavy, it feels like you’re drowning;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">your whole face, not just eyebrows, is frowning;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">when you finally manage to put some clothes on,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">it still doesn’t feel like you’re where you belong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">You could attempt what’s called a walking cure,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but can’t face opening your own front door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">Perhaps you could have something good to eat...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but the fridge has been empty for over a week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">When you finally drag yourself to the shops,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">everyone keeps giving you dirty looks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">(so it seems, anyway) but don’t stare back –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">they’ll take offence if your demeanour is black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">Okay, yes, I don’t wear the brightest of clothes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but the reason for this is... well, nobody knows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">as I don’t air my private life publically,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">and prefer to dress slightly less colourfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">I also ‘suffer’ – if you’ll permit me to share this –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">from high metabolism. Sure, it’s not an ‘illness’</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but it does make life hard when you can’t face</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">eating, and end up fainting all over the place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">So you make yourself something healthy to eat,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">then see it solidify in front of you on the plate –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">after all, when you feel like a piece of shit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">what’s the point of eating: you don’t deserve it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">Your life’s in a mess – and so is your flat:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">there’s junk-mail and un-opened post on the mat;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">you’ve purposefully put off any sort of tidying –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">that’s a word only two letters longer than dying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">But this is just morbidity, not depression,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">and suicidal thought’s all passive-aggression:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">you don’t want to die – ‘it’s a call for help’ –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">oh come on, snap out of it: get over yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">There are plenty of other forms of self-harming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">besides death, some which are quite alarming.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">However, I won’t elaborate on my own path</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">to self-destruction or it’s catastrophic aftermath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">And why? Because I don’t like to talk openly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">about it, or treat it in any way medically;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">nor do I wish to use my wordsmithery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">as a poor excuse for so-called therapy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">if that’s what I’m after, I go to my therapist –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">it’s a bit more expensive than getting pissed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">but what’s wrong with being a little bit poor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">in exchange for an efficacious talking-cure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">Well, that’s all I have to say on the matter,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">except – perhaps – to say it’s true that a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">good walk, jog, sing, swim, or bicycle-ride</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">is a far better a strategy that staying inside</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">with the curtains shut and houselights, low –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">it’s as hard as hell, as well I know – but go</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">out and get some sunshine on your skin:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">it’ll boost your endorphins with serotonin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">There’s a lot to be said for the power of laughter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">(as long as you don’t find yourself crying after)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">and friends, or loved ones, or good company</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">who make you smile, or for some, family,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">are the best people to surround yourself with,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">even though you’ve lost the will to live</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">or can’t face the world: it might be enough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">to survive another day embraced by love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">I have a postcard that sits in front of me </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">when I write, produced by a mental health charity,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">which reads, ‘<b>my friends were great</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>when I</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">wasn’t.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">’ A lesson I haven’t forgotten, not will I.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">I’ve said enough, I don’t want to talk any more –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">although, as I’ve said, talking is the best cure –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">if you want to come to terms with mental health,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13pt;">for your sake and others’ don’t keep it to yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">Despite this being predominantly a live music bar, the audience listened attentively to my poetry. Afterwards I told them about a time when I performed at another music venue where I also sang bits in between my poems. A man at the front seemed to be enjoying my work – he even sang along – but afterwards when I thanked the audience for listening, he said out loud: “Thank you for stopping.” What a dick-head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">The same didn’t happen last night; instead, the host of the event appeared on stage with a tray of muffins with lighted candles and a card that had been signed by everyone in the bar before I’d even arrived. I did not leave the stage with dry eyes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">This is why it’s so important to keep going. An act of great kindness goes a long way to diffuse the attitudes of those who would rather hurt than love. I still refuse to talk about my private life – my age, sexuality, or personal problems – in public because these are not things I wish to be judged on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">I don't intend to announce my past difficulties and, frankly, would be happy if others didn’t either. I punished myself enough in the past. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 19.93px;">It’s my birthday today. I’m moving on.</span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-71346440330039513692017-01-20T13:40:00.002-08:002017-01-20T13:40:59.545-08:00The Last Trump?<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">This week I had an email from a charity that I have supported for all my (adult) life: <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/" target="_blank">Amnesty International</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoZOGwtYlWU/WIKC2flw8JI/AAAAAAAAAuo/wGiXr7sn0S4rZY9EM4mSDzUfxhyWkFd4wCLcB/s1600/Amnesty-International.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LoZOGwtYlWU/WIKC2flw8JI/AAAAAAAAAuo/wGiXr7sn0S4rZY9EM4mSDzUfxhyWkFd4wCLcB/s200/Amnesty-International.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">Their work to uphold human rights ticks all the boxes of my life-view which is perhaps best described as humanistic. False imprisonment, gun violence, the death penalty, the ill-treatment of those dispossessed, and violence against women are all things that Amnesty International stands against.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">And I do also.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">It seems absurd, in the eighteenth year of the twenty-first century, that Amnesty International’s e-mails have contained grave warnings about one man. The implication is that the President Elect (who, by the time I publish this, will be The President) cares little for the values, projects, and principles of one the most important defenders of human rights. The fear is that these ‘rights’ will soon turn to ‘wrongs.’</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">While I don’t want to say anything particularly erudite or intellectual about this situation, I feel I must – as a writer and performer – add my syllables. The email I received from Amnesty International linked to a Facebook event; a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/115723635598426/" target="_blank">Protest March</a> being held in my home city of Edinburgh, in sympathy with the women’s march taking part in Washington DC on the day after Trump’s Inauguration.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">I already knew about the Washington March and was quick to write a poem, following a prompt from several publishers for poems about the new regime. Like many ‘political’ poems it will quickly be out of date – in fact, as soon as I post this blog.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">I have performed the poem several times already, to responsive audiences. But the issues that lie behind this poem will not go away.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">We are entering strange times, as even the newspapers </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">(who cannot be trusted, but) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">agree.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 16.1px;">We must stand alongside the dispossessed. In solidarity.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Last Trump</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.33px;">We shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed.</span></em></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15.33px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em> In the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.</em></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I made a little robot, and called him Robot Trump.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He was an average robot, but turned into a cunt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I gave him human attributes – freedom, volition, and choice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sadly, I also gave him a cock, and a whiny little voice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This robot looked vaguely human; it had arms and legs and a mouth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But its face became a rictus, and its hair went north, west, and south.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Robot Trump travelled to Scotland where he trampled all over the land.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was much more than a golf course and a few hotels he’d planned.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He sidled up to the (former) Leader of the Scottish Nationalists.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But his balls ended up in the bunker: Aberdeenshire was pretty pissed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So he beat a retreat to America, on course for more than just golf....</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, in the British Courts was a TV-celebrity, Rolf.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Harris was his surname; his catch-phrase, “Can you see what it is yet?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Indeed, the bigger picture is that women don’t tend to forget.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Harris came from an age when groping was seen as normative.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Like Trump, the balance of locker-room talk and abuse is only relative.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So Randy Rolf’s in jail, while Robot Trump’s about to be sworn in,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">not by a jury of his peers but – sorry, I’ve given you no warning –</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by his beloved country, as President of the Empire State.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Howcome? By whipping up a campaign of misogyny and hate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Robot Trump stood with its rictal mouth, hair coiffured like a cappuccino,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and ripped into the ‘untouchables’ – Mexican, Black, Muslim, Latino.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">While most Statespeople build bridges that liberate nations, to enthral</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">his fans, Robot Trump declared his intention: “Let’s build a WALL!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ever since Hadrian, walls have been built to fence the Nationalists in,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and keep the foreigners out – think of China, Israel, and Berlin.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trouble is, people believed my Robot. In these times of post-truth,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trump even claimed that, of climate change, there is no actual proof.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But things were getting warmer with the hot air of his rhetoric;</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">America wasn’t getting taken in; America was being gas-lit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Trump was a Major League Arsehole – much like his predecessor –</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">yet unlike Bush, Trump was a dangerous bully; a fascist aggressor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">If anyone didn’t agree with him, he’d get them turfed out by security,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">or he’d mercilessly mock them – especially those with a “disability.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When up against his – yes, woman – opponent in the TV debate,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He’d stand directly behind her as she spoke, just to intimidate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Robot Trump, I must admit, wasn’t provided with eloquent charm,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">So he’d simply invent his multisyllabic words without any qualm.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We should have heard a bell ring when he made up ‘braggadocious,’</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">for the most alarming of his claims was nothing less than atrocious:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He seemed to think it normal or acceptable, that a man grabbing</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a woman’s private parts is – less-than criminal – well-worth bragging.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Like every abuser of women, he sought right away to minimise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">But as we all know, the intention is the potential action’s disguise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Instead of accepting with dignity and acknowledging his great ‘fail,’</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">He threatened to put his opponent (with Rolf Harris?) into jail.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It seems, like Frankenstein, I had created an unpleasant creature;</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">one that defied what is generally acceptable to human nature.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luckily, I’m just a poet, and Robot Trump, ficticious. No, wait?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is actually real? My god! Do something, before it is too late.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Women, and men also in solidarity, congregate at Capitol Hill,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and march, hand-in-hand, arm-in-arm, round and round until</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the foundations of Trump’s fake Jericho are feeling less-than fast,</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">then bring the walls of his folly tumbling down with a blast.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sound the trumpet, ring a bell, make your voice heard, and let</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">this idiotic Robotic President know that women do<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>not</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>forget.</span></span></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-83011995454941453122016-12-23T10:10:00.000-08:002016-12-23T10:12:33.102-08:00Season of Good Will?<div class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Last week, at around 11.30pm, a neighbour in my tenement block made it to but not through her front door. She’d got into the close, but was slumped in the stairwell; the remnants of the Office Party were regurgitated over the bottom step. I felt uncomfortable about dealing with this young woman who I didn’t recognise, but luckily an upstairs-neighbour arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“Oh dear,” we both said to each other. My neighbour prodded the woman into consciousness, and we ascertained that she stayed in the flat opposite. We extrapolated keys from her. After getting the woman through her front door, my neighbour went up to her own flat leaving me to deal with the leftovers. “Do you have bleach?” she checked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“I have bleach.” I assured her, and set about boiling a kettle and sourcing a mop. Half an hour later, having shovelled what amounted to barely-digested bruschetta swimming in prosecco into a plastic bag, doused the steps in bleach and boiling water, swept, scrubbed and mopped the whole ground floor, I felt an odd mixture of irritation and self-satisfaction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The following morning, the upstairs-neighbour emailed me to say what a good job I’d done. “I hope she's not feeling too rough this morning,” she wrote, adding, “I'd be mortified!” Of course, she may not remember a thing about it. I was not expecting a thank-you from her, for either or both of those reasons. My work-colleagues had a different take on the incident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">“You should send her the bill,” they said: “Labour, equipment, anti-social hours – charge her double.” Oh, please. How miserable and selfish, to respond with base greed after having helped someone in need. I don’t care whose fault it was that she’d over-indulged at the Office Party (except that I suspect her colleagues cared less for her safe journey home.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">The so-called ‘season of good will’ brings out the worst in people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">When someone is in a mess, no matter what the reason, no matter what they’ve done, no matter who they are or where they’re from, if you fail or neglect to help them it makes you the weaker person. Compassion is not a <i>quid pro quo</i> arrangement either. It is simply shows the Golden Rule, to treat others as you expect to be treated yourself. If you only help others expecting a reward, you shouldn’t hope for charity in return when you are down or out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">In my youth, I was scraped up from the pavement in a state of inebriation on two occasions. Once, by the Met Police who took me to Paddington (not the train station) for the night; another, when I was 17, by a neighbour who took me to hospital and called my parents. They were firmly instructed <i>not</i> to give me a hard time over it. One of the nurses knew who I was, and was telling everyone, “Oh, but he’s got such a beautiful singing voice.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Neither my voice nor I felt beautiful for a day or two. My parents never got to the bottom of why this drunken spree was a cry for help... but at least they didn’t punish me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">During this festive period, whether you helped the homeless or supported refugees, visited someone in prison or hospital, or spent time with friends, family, or insufferable relatives, was it out of compassion alone? You won’t be rewarded in heaven: there’s no such place. On earth, you only have one chance to do Good. And if you fuck it up, let’s hope someone will hear your cry for help and come to your aid – even if just to mop up the detritus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, here’s a piece of doggerel about doing good deeds... and some of the modern martyrs on the front of <a href="https://lookup.london/the-american-on-westminster-abbey/" target="_blank">Westminster</a> Abbey.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Saints for a Day; Martyrs for What Cause?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Sometimes I wonder if the sanctity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">of Saints is best remembered</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">among more secular hagiography,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">rather than for what they did.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">In January, Saint Kentigern is celebrated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Better known in Scotland as Saint Mungo,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">since his beloved relics are now consecrated,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">buried below his own cathedral in Glasgow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Saint Valentine is patron of love and romance –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">though proving this connection’s pretty hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Yet retailers of tat snap up the main chance:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">If you love someone, why not buy them a card?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Saint David, likewise, is popular with florists</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">and vendors of leeks. But who’d have thought a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">country would commemorate, by getting pissed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">a man who lived off vegetables and water?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">The Irish, on the other hand, have quite a lot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">to thank Saint Patrick for, not least, explaining</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">impossible doctrines with a three-leaf shamrock:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Now <i>that</i> makes Guinness worth draining.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">England’s megalomartyr of Gregorian Sacramentory,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">George, slayed what didn’t exist in the first place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">That dragon, like most legends, was imaginary –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">the English really are an inventive race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Saint Andrew, an Apostle, became a fisher of men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">But, as a Martyr, was crucified askance;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">his grisly saltire now turned national emblem</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">allows us Scots to celebrate his death with dance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Saint Nicolas – now also known as Santa Clause –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">has become a patron for the spendthrift greedy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">But <i>he</i> used his bags of gold for a good cause,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">to rescue the destitute, pickled, and needy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Illuminating Lucy with her candlelit corona</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">lends to Sweden’s darkest day a lurid light:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">This stubborn virgin takes on the persona</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">of a girl with cinnamon buns, dressed in white.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">King Wenceslas looked out on Boxing Day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">for the feast of Stephen who was stoned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Not that sort... people are still stoned today</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">for acts that don’t need to be condoned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Ever since Mary Magdalene was pardoned</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">by the man who said: let the one without sin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">cast the first stone, men’s hearts hardened</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">against justice, equality, liberty and pacifism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Two millennia later, another set of martyrs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">came to challenge those who judge, condemn</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">or silence: here’s a handful, just for starters;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">none were ordinary women, nor ordinary men.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">A Grand Duchess called Elizabeth, in the grips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">of Tzarist Russia, sold her opulent possessions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">to care for the poor. Unfortunately the Bolshviks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">took care of her through state-endorsed execution.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">In 1940s Auschwitz, among the genocide of Jews,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">a priest called Maximilian Kolbe gave his own life,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">not for the sake of his religious influence or views,</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">but for another man’s life: a selfless sacrifice.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Manche Masemola, of the Transvaal Pedi Tribe</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">refused to marry for any other reason than love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Her parents brutally killed her and dared to ascribe</span></div>
<div class="x_MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">their motive to her belief in a God above.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Another, placing grace above religious ideology,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Bonhoeffer, daring to stand against the state</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">of Nazi rule with a seemingly simple theology –</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">The Church exists only for others – met his fate.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">And how to precis Romero’s state-led execution</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">In a quatrain? In a country led by corruption and lies,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">He was a catalyst for moral prophecy: a notion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">to which our ‘post-truth’ culture may become wise.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">A woman known as Esther John turned her back</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">On her homeland to teach other women to read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">But her folks disagreed with her mission, tracked</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">her down, murdered her as she lay in her bed.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Martin Luther King Jnr refused to keep silence</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">in the face of oppression and racial segregation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Challenging the existing order with non-violence,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">His birthday’s now an annual, national celebration.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Yes, there are many modern saints and martyrs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">Who have died defending basic human rights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">They may not feature in liturgical calendars,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;">But remember them as you turn on your Christmas </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , serif;"> lights.</span></div>
Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5047426497541032474.post-66445726725020261642016-11-29T15:15:00.002-08:002016-11-29T15:15:44.559-08:00Childless by Choice<br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Last week, I was in a short
documentary about sperm donation. Regular readers of this blog, and those who
know me well, will be aware of the irony behind this. A few years ago I found
myself to have been an unwitting, involuntary donor of sorts. Whether anything ‘came’
of this, I’ll never know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Some time ago I was engaging in pub-chat
when someone asked the question, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">apropos</i>
of nothing in particular: “What do you regret most about your life?” A
carefully-worded question that somehow avoided the obvious reaction, to say what
you regret having <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">done</i>, one friend
answered with something he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hadn’t</i>
done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What do I most regret?” He answered:
“Easy. Not having children.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As the conversation continued, we
discovered that he and his wife had not been able to have children; adoption
wasn’t an option for them, and sperm donation was inconceivable. Now in his
fifties, it remains, and always will remain, an aching lacuna. Nothing we could
do would placate him over this regret of absence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I heard a similar tale on the radio
recently when jazz pianist, Bill Evans, was the featured composer of the week.
We heard the story that he and his partner, Elaine, were unable to have
children. It seems that the problem lay with Elaine, so Evans left her for
another, apparently fertile woman. His desire to procreate seemed more
important than his commitment to love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In fact, it overruled life itself:
Elaine was so devastated by the situation that she threw herself under a train.
When Evans’ new partner gave birth to a son, they named him after his father’s
surname: Evan. He may have been the ‘Chopin of Jazz’ and a ‘Poet of the Piano.’
But he was also a selfish git.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On the flip-side, there are people who
actively decide not to have children. I spoke to a couple of friends earlier
this year who had sealed their commitment to one another with marriage, and
their agreement not to procreate with an operation. Tying one knot, while
snipping another cord!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It is easy enough to reverse a
vasectomy, of course, but that’s a bold decision to make at the start of a
life-partnership. For the record, I’m pretty sure that very few men, outwith a
life-long relationship, would voluntarily vasectomise. This is why I greeted
the question (following ‘that’ sexual encounter) if I had had ‘the operation’
with suspicion and surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There is yet another side of this coin
(since humans do not fit into a simple head-or-tails binary) for same-sex partners.
Two men have no choice than to have children through a surrogate route, but for
women in this situation, at least one of them may bear a child, having procured
the means. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This documentary was a
good-humoured look at the search for a suitable sperm-donor, which was not
without difficulties. The film-maker and her partner who wanted to have a child
described sperm-donors as being like flats: if you don’t snap them up, someone
else will get there first. The voice-over was addressed to the unborn child, or
perhaps, unfertilised seed, with some amusing lines... “Soon you will splash
into our world.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The key part of the film was to do
with choosing the ‘right’ donor. The two women looked through hundreds of
profiles, with only pictures of the donors as babies or infants to go on. In
the hope of finding the perfect match they read details on personality, DNA
profiles, and testimonies about the donors’ reasons for donating. It was not
unlike certain dating websites.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My part in the film, with other random men, was to provide an infant picture, do a bit of voice-over, and
have a bunch of close-up shots that formed a montage of possible donors. Seeing
my ears far larger than they are in real life on the big screen of my favourite
cinema was a scary thing! But it was, I suspect coincidentally, a defining
factor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How did the women choose? They agreed
that you’d want the baby to look like you. They arbitrarily rejected an infant
with a squint, and at one point – much to my amusement – cried out: “Check out
those ears!” Another salient point was, “God forbid it has asthma.” My mother
and I both suffered horrific asthma as children. It is not something I’d wish
on any infant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When I spoke to the film-maker after
the screening, I told her that although it is focused on the LGBTQ+ community,
the film had broader, universal themes. It raised questions about our desire to
widen the gene-pool, the reasons to donate sperm, and a woman’s urge to create
a life. Above all, it was a touching, personal journey about two women, living
and loving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In October this year, the NHS sperm
bank in Birmingham closed due to lack of donors – only eight men came forward
in the two years since being set up – and even one of those pulled out. Perhaps
a Roman Catholic. I suspect his excuse was a limp one, yet a more serious issue
lurks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Since 2005, a change in law means
that, on turning 18, people have the right to discover their natural father,
which may explain the lack of donors. It is no longer anonymous, unless you
donate to an unregistered service overseas, which is not without ethical
issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Even a single woman can request IVF,
although it seems a pretty bloody selfish thing, to bring a child into the
world without any wish to give it two parents, no matter their gender. Children
of single parents start asking questions as early as three years old, but I
doubt the single mother’s answer will be, “Daddy was a convenient £950
transaction from a ‘bank’ in London.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> <span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The duplicitous person with whom I was
in a fraudulent relationship told me that she had wanted to purchase sperm and bring
up a child alone. I should have heard a warning bell, but – hey – ‘love’ is
blind. Not that it was love. It was lust, and greed; theft and deception. She
was callous and unhinged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On our final tryst, days before I
discovered the truth about her, we met (ominously) in a graveyard. She pressed
her body into mine, saying, “I’m so sexually attracted to you,” then added,
casually laughing, “We even look like each other!” She had clearly chosen me.
Should I feel flattered?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Or should I feel used – and abused –
for saving her the trouble of searching for a donor using the honest,
difficult method told in the documentary. I suspect she and her fiancé – about
whom I knew nothing – were exploring those very options; clearly, the problem
wasn’t with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i> fertility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As I’ve said many times, short of reverting
to the Courts or Jeremy Kyle I’m unlikely to find out the truth. Without DNA
proof, how would I know? One friend said to me, “Just by looking at the thing!”
I suspect he was referring to my ears (scroll down for the ear-story...) but of
course, I’m hardly likely ever to see this child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps I should name-and-shame the
parents? That would be retaliation; a petty reaction, stooping to their level. Their
subsequent behaviour towards me has proven their complicity. The real victim in
this is the child, for whom out of pity I ought to show compassion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bookman old style" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whether or
not I’ve been denied the right to be childless by choice, I still have
integrity and dignity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Tin Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05650400933136142216noreply@blogger.com0