One year moves into another…
Friday 31st December, 2021
Featured Poem
We find time as one year moves into another to reflect over the past year; perhaps to reflect further back, too. Writing is frequently, probably always, enriched, in some way or another, by memory. In one of my poems, Truth of Me, I explore the idea that it is memories that are the essential me (or, indeed, you.).
The featured poem this month, Top Hats and a Tandem, is about memory, and about the hopes and passions we had as young people; they are powerful memories. The poem was written after a one of my closest school friends contacted me after a space of over 50 years; memory features in another way, too. I wrote the poem in about 2004; when I re-read it, I was struck by its strong forward momentum as well as the memories. But it needed some tightening up; it was a pleasure doing that. But I still wonder if those images from the 60s will be meaningful to younger people today. I hope the poem works for diverse people. Please let me know what you think; though most of all I hope you enjoy reading it.
Reading
I’ve spent some time reading an amazing SF novel, River of God’s by Ian McDonald. It’s set in an India which has split into warring countries. Advanced AI who can think for itself, has been banned world-wide. But it can think for itself. It takes a bit of an effort to get into (I nearly gave up) but is most rewarding. Now gone back to the past . . . J B Priestley, The Good Companions.
Writing
I have been working with my colleague and composer, Tom Briggs, on songs for our music play. I also wrote lyrics for a new folk song; set to a tune he had composed.
Have written several new poems, and gently pondering the idea of memory for something more substantial.
Completed an article on the Clowns and Wellbeing project.
Final Thought
I hope you all have a successful 2022, and that it opens up from the restrictions of Covid. Keep an eye on the Tuesday poems, and the weekly hints and tips on writing on Instagram.
29.12.21:
I am writing this as an addition to the above; it is written a few days after it. In the news yesterday and today we see two mighty nations shutting down independent creative thinking. Russia has made Memorial illegal, endeavouring to wipe out records of past horrors in order to make the present regime look better. In Hong Kong China has caused the close-down of the one remaining independent press outlet.
As we move into 2022 can we, as creative people, make a firm commitment to work against this oppression, wherever and when ever it occurs? Most of us as individuals can do little, perhaps very little. That little, or very little, makes a difference. So, let’s get to it.
Happy, creative, independent New Year to all.