Saturday, April 30, 2011

Easter Azaleas

this Easter azaleas
sun drenched - there are
a million ways to love

Details of an arts weekend in New Malden, Surrey

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Azaleas
















azaleas still
unfolding the colour of
turmeric and saffron

Photo Azaleas Richmond Park by Sibisson

Friday, April 22, 2011

Azaleas and God

azaleas -
God's toy of colour

azaleas -
God plays with red

Azalea Rainbow

azaleas
a rainbow laid flat
upon the earth

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Maroon and Indigo

azaleas cloaked
in fleeting summer robes -
maroon and indigo

Friday, April 15, 2011

Azalea Tanka













April at
the still pond - each day
slowly
azaleas are building
their temple of colour

Photo Isabella Plantation by Fred Dawson

Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Hunger Trace by Edward Hogan

















Have I mentioned a new novel by a colleague of mine. 'The Hunger Trace' by Edward Hogan is a beautifully written novel set in a small Derbyshire village. The novel is centered around a wildlife park. Once owned by David Bryant who has recently and prematurely died - Maggie his lover, Louisa and old friend of David's and Christopher - David's teenage son struggle with the loss of David, the past, the stresses and strains of their relationships and the practicalities of running the park. It is a powerful evocation of rural life and strong emotions that threaten them all.

Kronos Quartet & Tanya Tagaq - A String Quartet In Her Throat



I've been fascinated by Inuit Throat Singing from Canada and Tuva in Russia since we went to a story telling festival dedicated to the North where we heard and watched these two musical cultures in action.

The CD Early Music by The Kronos Quartet is one of the most beautiful CD's I've ever heard. It includes an extrordinary piece called Uleg Khem played by Huun Huur Tu and the Kronos Quartet.

Here The Kronos Quartet colaborate with Tanya Tagaq from Canada.

Stunning.

Another Spring Haiku














azalea sleeps
in its bed of green -
wakes to magenta

Photo Magenta Azalea by Olaf

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Another Spring Tanka

green azaleas
ghosts in grey morning mist
emerging scarlet
magenta and crimson
in the growing light

Monday, April 11, 2011

A Spring Haiku

purple azaleas
unfolding a thousand
butterfly wings

Friday, April 01, 2011

A Spring Tanka

radiant
white cherry blossom
and sea gulls
against dark branches
and grey shrouded sky