Poem

Another poem I wrote when I was in a reflective mood. Not exactly full on festive cheer and goodwill but here goes anyway.

Adagio

Mist falls on tired eyes

No time left for long goodbyes

Lungs empty then fail to inflate

Teeth chatter then slowly grate

Blood that once was free to flow

Coagulates in veins no where to go

Lips no longer part and smile

Just sag to issue unwanted bile

They say it's worse for the people left

But of course its worse for the poor bereft.

There what did you think of that?

Ella Wheeler was born in 1850 on a farm in Johnstown, Wisconsin, east of Janesville, the youngest of four children. The family soon moved north of Madison. She started writing poetry at a very early age, and was well known as a poet in her own state by the time she graduated from high school.

Her most famous poem, "Solitude", was first published in the February 25, 1883 issue of The New York Sun. The inspiration for the poem came as she was travelling to attend the Governor's inaugural ball in Madison, Wisconsin. On her way to the celebration, there was a young woman dressed in black sitting across the aisle from her. The woman was crying. Miss Wheeler sat next to her and sought to comfort her for the rest of the journey. When they arrived, the poet was so depressed that she could barely attend the scheduled festivities. As she looked at her own radiant face in the mirror, she suddenly recalled the sorrowful widow. It was at that moment that she wrote the opening lines of "Solitude". Information taken from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Ella also wrote "Love lights more fires than hate extinguishes". This sentiment remains true to this day.

Solitude

BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

    Weep, and you weep alone;

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,

    But has trouble enough of its own.

Sing, and the hills will answer;

    Sigh, it is lost on the air;

The echoes bound to a joyful sound,

    But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;

    Grieve, and they turn and go;

They want full measure of all your pleasure,

    But they do not need your woe.

Be glad, and your friends are many;

    Be sad, and you lose them all,—

There are none to decline your nectared wine,

    But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;

    Fast, and the world goes by.

Succeed and give, and it helps you live,

    But no man can help you die.

There is room in the halls of pleasure

    For a large and lordly train,

But one by one we must all file on

    Through the narrow aisles of pain.

After my pictures of Shakespeare characters I thought I would follow up with a little Quiz. The questions and answers are taken from the book I have just published on Kindle titled “Shakespeare at a Glance”. A handy guide to who is who in the plays by Shakespeare. All the answers are posted below so don’t be too hard on yourselves.

Available from Amazon here

Questions

Question 1       Who said? "But love is blind, and lovers cannot see."

Question 2       Who said? "If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"

Question 3       Who said? "Why, then the world 's mine oyster."

Question 4       Who said? "This is the short and the long of it."

Question 5       Who said? "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."

How are you doing so far? Just a few more to test yourself with.

Question 6       Which play did Alice appear in and what was her role?

Question 7       Which play did Audrey appear in and what was her role?

Question 8       Which play did Constance appear in and what was her role?

Question 9       Which play did Elbow appear in and what was his role?

Question 10     Which play did Gremio appear in and what was his role?

Question 11     Which play did Mustard Seed appear in and what was his role?

Question 12     Which play did Quintus appear in and what was his role?

I think that may be enough of that I hope you managed to get some right answers. The full list of answers are set out below.

Answers

Question 1.      Jessica in the Merchant of Venice Act II Scene VI

Question 2.      Shylock in the Merchant of Venice Act III Scene I

Question 3       Pistol in The Merry Wives of Windsor Act II Scene II

Question 4       Mistress Quickly in The Merry Wives of Windsor Act II Scene II

Question 5       The Witches in Macbeth Act IV Scene I

Question 6       Alice appeared in King Henry V as a Lady attending Princess Katherine

Question 7       Audrey appeared in As You Like It as a country wench

Question 8       Constance appeared in The Life and Death of King John as the mother of Arthur

Question 9       Elbow appeared in Measure for Measure as a simple Constable

Question 10     Gremio appeared in The Taming of the Shrew as a Suitor to Bianca

Question 11     Mustard Seed appeared in A Mid-Summers Night Dream as a Fairy

Question 12     Quintus appeared in Titus Andronicus as the Son of Titus Andronicus

No prizes for guessing where I went yesterday.

William Shakespeare

Falstaff

Prince Hal

Lady Macbeth

The River Avon

The Jester

Falstaff Again. What a character.

They are all at Stratford upon Avon of course. Well worth a trip.

Another day going through old files on my computer and discarding some of the rubbish that has accumulated. I came across a poem about Oxford that I wrote a while ago and thought it may be worth posting to see if there is any feedback. Yesterday was also a little out of the ordinary as I published my second book "Three of a Kind" on Kindle. It's three short stories and quite different in nature to my first Kindle book "Reflections Tall Stories and Short Poems". Anyhow try my poem and see what you think.

Oxford

By

David Higgins

I can almost see Oxford from here

Dreaming Spires lazy picnics cloudy beer

Eights on the Thames rowing as one

Students in punts just having fun

Willow strokes leather around the Parks

Retire to the pub for high jinks and larks

Bicycles leaning against college walls

Sightseeing parties obstructing the Broad.

I can almost see Oxford from here

Clean-cut athletes on cinders appear

The starters gun fires to signal the off

Straight down to business for eager young Toffs

Ibbotson sets the pace Bannister sits poised

He wins in sub four listen to the noise

History was made on the Iffley road track

The standard was set no going back.

I can almost see Oxford from here

The Izigonis revolution is near

Tired models and staid old designs

Choking life from the factory lines

Enter the Mini cool funky and fun

Bright colours turn heads of both old and the young

It’s had a face-lift or two in its time

Larger more comfy than old ones of mine.

I can almost see Oxford from here

Fans rise to their feet and cheer

Ron Atkinson Tony Jones Maurice Kyle

Use a mixture of brute force and guile

To dash Blackburn’s cup dreams once more

Division one side are ousted by four

Dreams of Wembley were quickly dashed

Preston North End and Kendal saw to that.

I can see Oxford from here

Mist that descended has cleared

Cars still roll from assembly lines

Foreign owned but never mind

United have moved from the old Manor Ground

To the Kassam stadium with seats all around

Dark Blue sportsmen play hard but fair

Forging bonds that in business later they’ll share

Colleges still attract the cream of the crop

Brilliant young minds who strive for the top.

Visit to Royal Leamington Spa.

Acorn sculpture in the park.

Hippo Hooray

Seat for one to meditate.

Poppy sculpture.

Flower beds in the park.

I just had to include a fountain.

 Abstract Sculpture.

Fog knitting

Fog knitting

It is believed that Fog knitting was introduced to the British Isles by the Vikings. It Is understood they knitted on their journey across the North Sea where the raw material was readily available as a way of passing the time on the crossing. The art lay dormant for several centuries before being resurrected by explorers sailing to discover new lands in the fifteenth century.

The fog is best harvested in November and December on the coast of Cornwall and Devon where the quality of the product is cleaner and finer having been blown in off of the Atlantic Ocean. Fine mesh strung between wooden uprights is a favourite method as it can be dismantled and re-erected should the wind change direction. Lesser product can be obtained from some of the major industrial cities of the world where pollution gives a coarser texture with a dull finish.

Shortage can be difficult and it is critical that glass jars are used in a temperature controlled room. To knit with the fog it is best decanted into a piping bag with a fine nozzle and squeezed slowly onto fine wooden needles. Patterns can be found in some old reference books but it lends itself to crochet where ad hoc designs can be very rewarding.

It is planned that national championships will be introduced with international competitions organised between countries of the New World who received the original settlers. If the trials are successful it will be submitted for inclusion it the Winter Olympics in 2022 as a demonstration sport. Because of the nature of the material it would be considered unsuitable for summer Olympic due to higher temperatures. Competition would be on a knockout bases with the best of three pieces submitted against the clock being adjudged the winner.

Research by David Higgins.

Sunday run returns

Sunday the weather was cooler, a lot cooler, more conducive to running. Cloudy and a noticeable breeze. We ran along the main road before turning into a lane. In the field next to the lane I saw a man with a metal detector. I could not resist the temptation so we stopped and had a word with him. His haul for the morning was a broken child's toy cap gun from the seventies. Metal detecting can be very hit and miss unless you do a lot of homework into local history. It can become a bit addictive, the next sweep could uncover a hidden haul.

Reluctantly we set off again along the lane, then up the steep field. I was pleased to be able to run all the way to the top after losing so much time through injury. A man was at the top with his daughter collecting elderflower to make elderflower champagne. Running down through the woods with the breeze blowing it was very pleasant. After the woods we ran down a field across the stream and up the other side before entering a village. The footpath beside the pub is overgrown so we had to walk up it. Once into the open fields again we were able to press on again. Fields that a few months ago were flooded are now as hard as rock due to the hot dry weather we have enjoyed. It was six and a half miles at a fairly sedate pace but that was exactly what we needed. We now have a base to build on.  

Run in the sun.

Well get out we did. Only twice but at least we made the effort. Tuesday we ran three miles and Thursday four. Twelve miles for the week was less than I had hoped for but under the circumstances it was acceptable. Saturday is forecast to be cooler and if that carries over into Sunday we can begin to build up the mileage again.

Too Hot To Handle.

After completing a second three mile run last week I was keen to build on that momentum. This morning it was hot and forecast to get even hotter so it was best to get it done. We ran on the side of the road that was in the shade of some large trees. This ploy worked well for a mile when we changed course running along a lane before entering a field. The ground underfoot was rock hard and unforgiving. The sun was beating down and I was beginning to sweat freely. I took a bottle of water but this had little effect. I got progressively slower as we went along, partly due to the heat and in part due to the fact that I had missed so much training. It was good to be running again and I have no after effects on my Achilles. The weather forecast for the next week is more sunny hot weather but I will try and get out there.

One step at a time.

Yesterday I took a step in the right direction. A three mile run without any adverse reaction from my Achilles tendon. It had been two weeks since my last attempt and eight weeks since the injury occurred. Even the cycling, which had been reduced during Wimbledon tennis fortnight, has done little to retain much fitness. It will be a long slow road to reach the level of fitness I had achieved before the injury happened. I do not enjoy running in hot weather so a little rain would be very welcome.

I have been out with my camera a few times and have posted some of my pictures.

Poppies in oilseed rape fields.

Poppies in perfusion.

A scene from one of our regular runs.

Tranquility.

Canal in town center.

Sign depicting what was sold at the town market.

The life cycle continues.

Two weeks have gone by and I am still unable to run due to my injured Achilles. I have caught up with all my gardening duties and done a certain amount of cycling. Not that cycling is keeping me fit, more of token effort to get out inthe fresh air.

Had a very pleasant day on Friday, we went to Wimbledon to watch the tennis. Having tickets for center court we were able to watch the matches of Laura Robson, Janowicz and Murray. Although it only lasted three sets the Janowicz match was the most entertaining. Robson was not at her best and it was all too easy for Murray.

It is good to see the Tour de France has started. Today it is Corsica which looks like an ideal holiday destination. Maybe one day when I win the lottery.

Run,walk and curse

I started out on a run today. This was the first time for three weeks that I had attempted running. The cycling was not really keeping me fit so I thought I would give it a go. It took two and a half miles for me to realise it was a mistake. The two mile walk home gave me plenty of time to reflect on the decision to run. I guess I will be back on the bike for the foreseeable future.

Cycling! That's pants.

Another week gone and still not able to run. Cycled on Thursday, Friday and today Sunday. The new cycle shorts that I bought for today's run are padded but I still felt a lot of the bumps in the road. Just to compound matters I picked up a rear tyre puncture as we were nearing home. I should really go out and mend it but it is Sunday afternoon and the final of the French Open tennis is on TV so I will watch that instead. I watched some of the motorcycle racing from Portugal earlier, fantastic close racing, superb skill.

Bank Holiday at Blenheim Palace.

Cricket on the back lawn at Blenheim Palace.

Re enactment of the Civil War staged at Blenheim Palace on the May Bank Holiday.

Spinning wheels

Tuesday was the third day in succession on the bike. It’s not hard work or to be more accurate I don’t make it hard work. It is not a training session but a means of stretching my injured leg without putting any strain on the injury. Spinning the wheels for three quarters of an hour in a medium gear gets me out of the house and with the sun shining it is quite pleasant. The injury is still painful and I do not anticipate running again anytime soon. As it improves I will put a bit more effort into the cycle rides to get the fitness level back up. It would be nice to get up to twenty five or thirty miles; this would give a change of scenery. We may also incorporate cycling into our normal routine but the running must come first.

Spinning wheels

Monday we both went for a bicycle ride. We are blessed with countless paths and tracks for running but it is difficult to find suitable off road routes for cycling. The off road sections that we rode were made easier because of the dry weather we are enjoying. I do enjoy riding through mud but this was an injury enforced ride so it was just a case of spinning the wheels in a low gear to exercise the Achilles without putting any strain on it. The sun was shinning and flys battered my sunglasses. My saddle did not feel quite as hard as Sunday and I may be tempted to go out again today. It is not as tiring as running but I do get time to see a bit more of the countryside.

Down at Heel.

Achilles too painful to run so have been forced to rest it. Went for a short bicycle ride today, the first for over a year. I am going to try another tomorrow but I will probably need a cushion. The days this week has been occupied with building a workbench for the garage and gardening. Not as much fun as running but it had to be done.

Went to the Palace and saw the Civil War

Achilles tendon problem prevented any running for most of last week. To replace our long Sunday run we went to Blenheim Palace at Woodstock and did a lot of walking. It was a hot sunny day and there was a re-enactment of a battle from the English Civil War in progress. It made an interesting spectacle for us and the friends that went with us, particularly their four year old daughter. A cricket match was being played just behind the palace; we sat on the grass and watched while we ate our picnic. The front of the house is quite imposing. It looks over the bridge that straddles the lake and beyond to a monument on the hill opposite. Crossing the bridge we could see lots of water fowl on the lake and large carp swimming just below the surface. The climb up to the monument was rewarding; the view looking back towards the house was the stuff of picture postcards. I can remember visiting the Palace forty years ago and it hasn’t changed a bit. I can also remember playing in a football match in the grounds in the early sixties against a local village side. I cannot remember who the other side was but I do remember scoring a couple of goals and we won.

Monday was another sunny day and although my tendon is still painful I took our friends for a run. We did one of my favourite routes. Just over six miles, off road, uphill and downhill we all enjoyed it. My Achilles didn’t think much of the downhill sections over rough ground or when I tried to speed up a bit but overall it was Ok.

Achilles could stop run.

Hmm. May have overdone the comeback bit. Achilles was a bit sore after the run yesterday but I decided to run today anyway. We had taken the decision to only do a short run so I thought I should be able to manage that. Hoping the stiffness in the ankle would ease after a mile or two we set off. Well it didn’t in fact it was becoming more uncomfortable the further we ran. We did some off road which was not the wisest thing but I do like it. We managed nearly five miles but since the run the ankle has stiffened up. Tomorrow is looking like a day off but you never know, we will see how it feels in the morning. I am keen to get at least fifteen miles this week but we will see. The good news is, I have no ill effects from the recent influenza.