General Chat

Ifirst read this ina novel, Busmans Honeymoon, by Dorothy L. Sayers, I've always liked it. I know what is and what has been Not anything to me comes strange Who in so many years have seen And lived through every kind of change Iknow when men are good or bad When well or ill, he slowly said When sad or glad, when sane or mad, And when they sleep alive or dead And while the black night nothing saw And till the cold morn came at last The old bed held the room in awe, With tales of its experience vast. It thrilled the gloom, it told such tales Of human sorrows and delights, Of fever moans and infant wails. Of births and deaths and bridal nights

Because I am just soooo sentimental and love Shelley, Keats, etc., thought I would add one of my favourite poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning : How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

We came across this one on the course I am on and I liked it so thought I would share it with you Sojourner Truth was born a black female slave when even white free women had few rights Aint I a woman? This poem came from her most famous speech, adapted into poetic form by Erlene Stetson That man over there say a woman needs to be helped into carriages and lifted over ditches and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helped me into carriages or over mud puddles or gives me a best place. . . And ain't I a woman? Look at me Look at my arm! I have plowed and planted and gathered into barns and no man could head me. . . And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man-- when I could get to it-- and bear the lash as well and ain't I a woman? I have born 13 children and seen most all sold into slavery and when I cried out a mother's grief none but Jesus heard me. . . and ain't I a woman? that little man in black there say a woman can't have as much rights as a man cause Christ wasn't a woman Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with him! If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down, all alone together women ought to be able to turn it rightside up again.

For Lucia, who was asking about poetry- Remember Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you plann'd: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad. Christina Georgina Rossetti Gwynne

HI All,hope you like this one I wrote it a few years ago. I Wonder I look at the sky and I wonder, When my life on earth is through, Is there a place for me in heaven? Have I done all I needed to do? There's times when I've felt envy, And times when greeds showed it's hand, I've turned a blind eye with perfect sight, And buried my head in the sand. I've walked side by side with anger, Turned many a corner with guilt, I've wallowed at times in self pity, Defensive walls i've built, I've often felt compassion, And loved with all my heart, Kindness i've shown to others, As a wife i've played my part, I've listened with understanding, Counted my blessings one by one, Granted the deeds i've been handed Nurtured the lives i've begun, Only God knows the nswer, Have I earned my place above? To live wiyh God in his mansion, Forever surrounded by love.

Dee you narner she's much older than you!! She's nearly 83!! Maz. XX going to library again today - MUST remember poetry books this time!

Hi Barbara If you ever get a chance you should visit Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Kent. The gardens were created by Vita Sackville West and her husband Sir Harold Nicholson and are inspirational Dee xx

This little space which scented box encloses, Is blue with Lupins, and is sharp with Thyme, My garden all is overblown with roses, My spirit all is overblown with rhyme, So like a drunkard honey bee I waver from house to garden and again to house, as undetermined which delight to savour on verse and rose alternately carouse. this is by Vita Sackville West.........reading it makes me smell the flowers every time.

Maz, she must be nearly as old as me then, I have several 78's lurking somewhere While we are in the realms of children's poems I always liked A A Milne - The King's Breakfast Remember it? The King asked The Queen, and The Queen asked The Dairymaid: 'Could we have some butter for The Royal slice of bread?' Etc.......... Dee ;-))

Dee I've got a feeling my mum may have it on 78!!! Maz. XX

Hi Maz I have a CD of Stanley Holloway, he is so brilliant. There was something about children being eaten by lions in those days wasn't there? Gwynne, yes he did Matilda as well Matilda who told Lies and was burned to death Matilda told such dreadful lies It made one gasp and stretch one's eye Dee x

I love that Monologue, Maz. Didn't Belloc write the one about Matilda who told dreadful lies as well, Dee? I love his stuff. David, one of the joys of teaching infants was being able to spread my love of A A Milne's stories and poems. They used to love this one - What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's crying with all her might and main, And she won't eat her dinner - rice pudding again - What is the matter with Mary Jane? What is the matter with Mary Jane? I've promised her dolls and a daisy-chain, And a book about animals - all in vain - What is the matter with Mary Jane? What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's perfectly well, and she hasn't a pain; But, look at her, now she's beginning again! - What is the matter with Mary Jane? What is the matter with Mary Jane? I've promised her sweets and a ride in the train, And I've begged her to stop for a bit and explain - What is the matter with Mary Jane? What is the matter with Mary Jane? She's perfectly well and she hasn't a pain, And it's lovely rice pudding for dinner again! What is the matter with Mary Jane?

Sorry, had to put it on - can 'hear' it every time I read it lol Albert and the Lion by Marriott Edgar There's a famous seaside place called Blackpool, That's noted for fresh air and fun, And Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom Went there with young Albert, their son. A grand little lad was young Albert, All dressed in his best; quite a swell With a stick with an 'orse's 'ead 'andle, The finest that Woolworth's could sell. They didn't think much of the Ocean: The waves, they were fiddlin' and small, There was no wrecks and nobody drownded, Fact, nothing to laugh at at all. So, seeking for further amusement, They paid and went into the Zoo, Where they'd Lions and Tigers and Camels, And old ale and sandwiches too. There were one great big Lion called Wallace; His nose were all covered with scars - He lay in a somnolent posture, With the side of his face on the bars. Now Albert had heard about Lions, How they was ferocious and wild - To see Wallace lying so peaceful, Well, it didn't seem right to the child. So straightway the brave little feller, Not showing a morsel of fear, Took his stick with its 'orse's 'ead 'andle And pushed it in Wallace's ear. You could see that the Lion didn't like it, For giving a kind of a roll, He pulled Albert inside the cage with 'im, And swallowed the little lad 'ole. Then Pa, who had seen the occurrence, And didn't know what to do next, Said 'Mother! Yon Lion's 'et Albert', And Mother said 'Well, I am vexed!' Then Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom - Quite rightly, when all's said and done - Complained to the Animal Keeper, That the Lion had eaten their son. The keeper was quite nice about it; He said 'What a nasty mishap. Are you sure that it's your boy he's eaten?' Pa said 'Am I sure? There's his cap!' The manager had to be sent for. He came and he said 'What's to do?' Pa said 'Yon Lion's 'et Albert, 'And 'im in his Sunday clothes, too.' Then Mother said, 'Right's right, young feller; I think it's a shame and a sin, For a lion to go and eat Albert, And after we've paid to come in.' The manager wanted no trouble, He took out his purse right away, Saying 'How much to settle the matter?' And Pa said 'What do you usually pay?' But Mother had turned a bit awkward When she thought where her Albert had gone. She said 'No! someone's got to be summonsed' - So that was decided upon. Then off they went to the P'lice Station, In front of the Magistrate chap; They told 'im what happened to Albert, And proved it by showing his cap. The Magistrate gave his opinion That no one was really to blame And he said that he hoped the Ramsbottoms Would have further sons to their name. At that Mother got proper blazing, 'And thank you, sir, kindly,' said she. 'What waste all our lives raising children To feed ruddy Lions? Not me!' Maz. XX

Love this :) Disobedience by A A Milne James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree Took great Care of his Mother, Though he was only three. James James Said to his Mother, 'Mother,' he said, said he; 'You must never go down to the end of the town, if you don't go down with me.' James James Morrison's Mother Put on a golden gown. James James Morrison's Mother Drove to the end of the town. James James Morrison's Mother Said to herself, said she: 'I can get right down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea.' King John Put up a notice, 'LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED! JAMES JAMES MORRISON'S MOTHER SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID. LAST SEEN WANDERING VAGUELY: QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD, SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN TO THE END OF THE TOWN - FORTY SHILLINGS REWARD!' James James Morrison Morrison (Commonly known as Jim) Told his Other relations Not to go blaming him. James James Said to his Mother, 'Mother,' he said, said he: 'You must never go down to the end of the town without consulting me.' James James Morrison's mother Hasn't been heard of since. King John said he was sorry, So did the Queen and Prince. King John (Somebody told me) Said to a man he knew: If people go down to the end of the town, well, what can anyone do?' (Now then, very softly) J.J. M.M. W.G.Du P. Took great C/0 his M***** Though he was only 3. J.J. said to his M***** 'M*****,' he said, said he: 'You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town- if-you-don't-go-down-with-ME!'

Gwynne I really like that one! I have to confess I forgot to look at the poetry books this morning in the library - was too busy chatting! Dee that reminds me of Albert and the Lion - am I allowed to put that on here??!! Maz. XX

I have always had a fondness for nonsense rhymes and this is the fist two verses of one of the best (IMHO) Jim – by Hilaire Belloc Who ran away from his nurse, and was eaten by a lion There was a boy whose name was Jim; His friends were very good to him. They gave him tea, and cakes, and jam, And slices of delicious ham, And chocolate cake with pink inside, And little tricycles to ride, And read him stories through and through, And even took him to the Zoo – But there is was the dreadful fate Befell him, which I now relate. You know – at least you ought to know, For I have often told you so – That children never are allowed To leave their nurses in a crowd; Now this was Jim’s especial foible, He ran away when he was able, And on this inauspicious day He slipped his hand and ran away! He hadn’t gone a yard when Bang! With open jaws, a lion sprang, And hungrily began to eat The boy: beginning at his feet

The Road Not Taken Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference ...Robert Frost

Thanks, Maz, I love that one too. Gwynne

Under strict instructions from Gwynne lol My favourite animal :-))) The Tyger by William Blake Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright In the forest of the night What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire? And What shoulder, and what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? And what dread feet? What the hammer? What the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? What dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp? When the stars threw down their spears, And watered heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the lamb make thee? Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry? Maz. XX

Jean I still have an LP of Rod Mckuen which hubby has put onto CD for me. Saw him live a couple of times in the early 70s too. Ann Glos