Thomas Hardy: Neutral Tones
Neutral Tones We stood by a pond that winter day, And the sun was white, as though chidden of God, And a few leaves lay on the starving sod, –… Read More »Thomas Hardy: Neutral Tones
January 2009
Swiveller
Swiveller sat in silence. Her head was dancing inside with the side-long glimpse of the creature again. Why were the visits becoming so close, so near? This time she had… Read More »Swiveller
The Voice by Thomas hardy
Woman much missed, how you call to me, call to me, Saying that now you are not as you were When you had changed from the one who was all… Read More »The Voice by Thomas hardy
Robert M Pirsig – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
ISBN: 0099322617 If you ain’t heard of this one then you probably can’t relate to Afghan coats, progressive rock and a spot of terminal introspection that makes Franz Kafka look… Read More »Robert M Pirsig – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
In Mrs Tilscher's Class by Carol Ann Duffy and Death Of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney
You could travel up the Blue Nilewith your finger, tracing the routewhile Mrs Tilscher chanted the scenery.Tana. Ethiopia. Khartoum. Aswan.That for an hour, then a skittle of milkand the chalky… Read More »In Mrs Tilscher's Class by Carol Ann Duffy and Death Of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney
Aubade by Larkin
Aubade I work all day, and get half drunk at night.Waking at four to soundless dark, I stare.In time the curtain edges will grow light.Till then I see what’s really… Read More »Aubade by Larkin
Larkin 'The Explosion' from 'High Windows'
The Explosion On the day of the explosionShadows pointed towards the pithead:In the sun the slagheap slept. Down the lane came men in pitbootsCoughing oath-edged talk and pipe-smoke,Shouldering off the… Read More »Larkin 'The Explosion' from 'High Windows'
Out by Natsuo Kirino
“Out”, not just a book, not just a novel, but an accurate depiction of of life as it is and the consequences of what can happen when an ordinary situation… Read More »Out by Natsuo Kirino
Death of a Salesman: Arthur Miller
‘Isn’t that – isn’t that remarkable? Biff – he likes me!’ 1) Consider your impressions of Willy Loman as interpreted by Dustin Hoffman. How does Hoffman create ‘Loman’ and… Read More »Death of a Salesman: Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: Where is daddy in the film!
Watching the film with the class yesterday, I was aware of my son’s repeated frown and bemusement. What he seemed to be communicating was going on with Willy Loman? What… Read More »Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller: Where is daddy in the film!
The Promise: Girls Aloud!
My favourite song of the year with Duffy’s Mercy! Who could resist the elation, the swinging joy of the chorus line..and the video is infectious, sexy and makes you want… Read More »The Promise: Girls Aloud!
Hercule Poirot's Dog!
Watched Poirot last night featuring this most personable of characters! A Fox terier with a predilection for detective work!! I couldn’t stop smiling at him all evening! The eyes… Read More »Hercule Poirot's Dog!