I have a difficult relationship with silence.
I think we all do.
At the moment I am writing a sequence of poems on silence. It begins with a simple Sunday morning before everyone wakes up. But ends – probably seven poems later – connecting silence with death and finally our society’s war against silence.
In the front line are the ipod and mp3 players. I watch the ipod generation in the classroom, not just blocking out the voices of their friends, or my teaching voice, but their own inner fragile voices that speak of what they need and who they truly are.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Monday, August 21, 2006
One Hundred Words About Reading
I’ve not read a book all holiday.
I have tried but I can’t get passed the first few pages. There may be a couple of reasons. Firstly I’ve spent a lot of time since June writing poetry in preparation for the poetry challenge with Jeff. Writing always seems to make reading – especially novels - very difficult for me. Secondly I seem to be having a reaction to the pressure of reading. I’m a member of two book groups where I’ve been reading books set by other people and I’ve not enjoyed them.
I’ve not even enjoyed the novels I've set.
I have tried but I can’t get passed the first few pages. There may be a couple of reasons. Firstly I’ve spent a lot of time since June writing poetry in preparation for the poetry challenge with Jeff. Writing always seems to make reading – especially novels - very difficult for me. Secondly I seem to be having a reaction to the pressure of reading. I’m a member of two book groups where I’ve been reading books set by other people and I’ve not enjoyed them.
I’ve not even enjoyed the novels I've set.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
One Hundred Words About My Holiday
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Disturbingly these have been the best two days of my holiday so far. Disturbing because the children are away. Yesterday we handed my son over to his grandmother at St James, Piccadilly. Then hand in hand we made a dash for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. At six we walked to Wagamams in Lexington Street and then from there to the Coach & Horses in Great Marlborough Street to hear a comedy show. We then walked to Oxford Circus and home.
We spent today with old friends. It was just wonderful. Sunshine, good food, long talks and laughter.
Disturbingly these have been the best two days of my holiday so far. Disturbing because the children are away. Yesterday we handed my son over to his grandmother at St James, Piccadilly. Then hand in hand we made a dash for the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. At six we walked to Wagamams in Lexington Street and then from there to the Coach & Horses in Great Marlborough Street to hear a comedy show. We then walked to Oxford Circus and home.
We spent today with old friends. It was just wonderful. Sunshine, good food, long talks and laughter.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
One Hundred Words About The Children On Holiday
On our last visit to Iona, cloud was dark and low. The island a grey, vague blur. There was no wind but it was raining. It was a soft and constant rain. A rain so finely grained we breathed it in. I made my way to the Abbey, Katy wanted to browse the village store and we left the children on the beach.
When I arrived back two hours later - in a shroud of mist and rain - the children were there, changed into swimming costumes, building sandcastles, digging holes, skimming stones and throwing sand into the sea.
When I arrived back two hours later - in a shroud of mist and rain - the children were there, changed into swimming costumes, building sandcastles, digging holes, skimming stones and throwing sand into the sea.
Monday, August 07, 2006
One Hundred Words About Our Holiday
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Scotland was difficult.
After driving all night we set up the tent at Fiddon the beautiful and exposed southwestern tip of Mull. However by mid afternoon the wind broke one of the tent poles and we retreated to a hotel. Our second camp was wild and exposed too, near Killechronan but after a night of rain the morning brought more wind that damaged the tent further. Our third camp was set up on the sheltered east side at Tobermory – tamer and more built up. From there we ventured out in the safety of the car, west to Iona and Calgary.
Scotland was difficult.
After driving all night we set up the tent at Fiddon the beautiful and exposed southwestern tip of Mull. However by mid afternoon the wind broke one of the tent poles and we retreated to a hotel. Our second camp was wild and exposed too, near Killechronan but after a night of rain the morning brought more wind that damaged the tent further. Our third camp was set up on the sheltered east side at Tobermory – tamer and more built up. From there we ventured out in the safety of the car, west to Iona and Calgary.