Darkness

I had read about the magical triangle of photography; the science of how much light to be allowed to be captured on to the plate, I had taken photographs before, but to no good effect. I was then more than happy to allow a professional to take the picture.

Henry is from Malaysia, so you would perhaps instinctively expect him to be at home with the electronic technology of the modern day camera. But what you may be surprised by is: his ease of the moment, his calm approach towards me, his sensitive and sensible approach, here in the dark and isolated place, high up on Dartmoor.

We talked of journeys, and of sensations; of how best to capture our  memories. We had a mild argument, about the merits of writing; poetry in particular, vis a vis the use of the skills of the artist or the photographer. It might have gone nowhere had the group of ponies not appeared.

In no time at all the tripod was set, Henry marshalled me, and the recently arrived farmer, into the foreground; the moor, and the stream, and the ponies eased into action as the back-drop. Henry's ability, to develop something more than what nature has apparently given, seems to envelop the aim of all artists, it was a most fortunate encounter.

I am reminded of this story as I open my wallet; to some it may appear as no more than a penny postage stamp of apparent blackness, but to me it is a token of the depth of field, a reminder about the importance of construction and focus, and most of all; a memory, that tells of friendship, and the night my fear of darkness was captured.

Kindle link here

400? Moi?

It is time to hand it on
On to the shelf, or box, or bookcase
Make a bit of an effort this time
But don't close off the dreams
Don't leave one alone in the darkness

Take me back, if it suits
To that Amsterdam canal
Read for me, out aloud
Beside the antique shops
Coffee bars and bistros

This has been a good journey
You became a treasured companion
Bundles of memories, inspirations
Reflections, mostly happy
Sadness held at bay

Love held aloft
Love drawn from the ether

Kindle link here

St Andrews

I was in search of a quiet place
I found blossom, and hyacinth
On the look out, for room to read aloud
I found the reverential place of silence

There are no notices of what not to do
Yet I am unable to address the work in hand
My conscience, if that is what is at play
Chooses not to disrespect someone else's house

I can hear birds and streams
Sheep, lambs, calves and cows
My warm pee draws a fragrance
From the thorn, the nettle, and the ivy

My instinct, or reflex reaction
Thus breaks over philosophical rigour
On another day I may be more prepared
But for now I take my time elsewhere

Kindle link here

Simon and Garfunkel - The Graduate

Pretty floral dress
Bare tanned skin
Warm for the summer
Images enrolled
From times of future past

I could always make the call
Steal away for the afternoon
Lie down, deep in the meadow
Drive out, along the sunlit
Salt-water shoreline

These are after all
The dreams our maker gave us
Saved, for a purpose
From life's dull mediocrity
Freed from post production line

Time to escape the favoured role
Of placebo hunter, and gatherer
Instead time to roam, be lathered
With the scamp and scrambles
Of pre-pubescent love

Omnipresent in the perfume
Of the Jazz cafe; a latte
With muffin on the side
Before we ceremoniously slide
Under the mottled and aromatic sheets

Kindle link here

She Wrote A Poem

Lorry ate of sulphurous dust
Ache to see her yawning
In the states the wait is on
They hear borealis fawning

It's light, it's dark
It's skies with silver linings
It's dark, it's light
It's skies with phosphorescent finings

Lorry ate of cumulus musk
Fake to see her calling
In the freight the date is on
They hear the voters polling

It's time, it's place
It's flights with hidden findings
It's place, it's time
It's flights with viva volcanic bindings

Kindle link here