'A POETIC THOUGHT A DAY'
On 'New Year's Day', I decided to give myself the challenge of writing a new 'poetic thought' every day this year. Already my challenge has changed - I was only going to write short poems, but most of them have turned out to be much longer, bigger poems. And, as an extra, I've also started to compose a slight 'commentary' for each poem. So I'll just go with this, and see where it takes me!
I have always been fascinated by the ability of a poem to tell a story - either a short or a long one - and how that is linked to length. The length of a word or a line, the length of a poem itself, or the length of a poetry collection. Each poem here tells a story on its own (and one of its own length). By the end of the year, they will all tell a much greater story together. A story of 2016 - 'The Tale of an Autistic Wanderer'. Read my story, as it unfolds ...
I have always been fascinated by the ability of a poem to tell a story - either a short or a long one - and how that is linked to length. The length of a word or a line, the length of a poem itself, or the length of a poetry collection. Each poem here tells a story on its own (and one of its own length). By the end of the year, they will all tell a much greater story together. A story of 2016 - 'The Tale of an Autistic Wanderer'. Read my story, as it unfolds ...
'The Tale of an Autistic Wanderer'
Dare me to it!
1. (1st January 2016) New Year 2016, a Celebration, and a new Dawn. Crisps, and beer, and chocolate, indulging in food, and drink, and stories. Me, and my friends, and my family. 2016 - the 'Year to Dare', to dare what 'individuals' can do. Dare myself. Dare yourself. © Robert Morrison, 2016 'An Ode to Gaia'
3. (3rd January 2016) The weather is a rage, wind battering its' hands against the window, rain rasping its' fingers down the glass. Dark outside, I have no sight, only sound. Good fortune surrounds me with four walls, and I am kept warm and dry. I put faith, and trust, in Mother Earth, to keep me safe, wherever I am. Surely, we must put our faith somewhere? Whether in something, or in someone, the nature of that belief is up to each of us. I keep my faith in Gaia. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Faith and belief are not bad things - I put my faith in my family, in my friends, in nature ... |
Keep daring me!
2. (2nd January 2016) At the turn of the year, you always get prophecies of doom. Soothsayers, ancient and modern, predicting the end of the world. At a mystical moment in time, people reach for negativity & pessimism. Why not reach for positivity & optimism? In a complex world, with complex problems, (famine, climate change, conflict ...), reach for just a glimmer of hope, (in nature, a painting, a song, a poem ...), and turn it into something much bigger. A bright awakening for humanity. © Robert Morrison, 2016 'January Blues?'
4. (4th January 2016) Dreich January, still dark, still cold, still wet. January Blues? The quiet & slow month, aftermath of the loud & frantic month. Not much is happening in town, not many people are going about. It's back to work, bleaching & cleaning, pints of milk & loaves of bread, the clean up from overindulgence. January - recovery, resolutions, renewal. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Each 'poetic thought' that I write reflects my musings on that particular day. My muse is anything at all, and I never know what that will be, until each day comes and goes. Rather than being an accurate 'representation' of events, they are a 'reflection' of my feelings towards those events. They are a snapshot of an autistic mind, interpreting and inferring information from the five senses (alongside the 'sixth sense', intuition, and instinct). Hopefully, after the 366 days of 2016 , my 'poetic thoughts' will build together, to provide a unique view of the world - a 'snapshot of a year', as seen through my autistic mind. |
'Adversity. Hope. Gratitude'
5. (5th January 2016) 1. Rain. Relentless. Again. Waterlogged roads, sodden paths, burst river banks, heavy flooding, a foreboding deep in the air. My strained back, grinned and bared, there are people much worse off. Think of others, and help them if you can, whether their needs be big or small. Learn the lessons of the past. 2. Only by working together, in spite of our differences, can we have a future of prosperity and peace. Perseverance. Determination. Strength. Gratitude to inspirational courage and bravery, shown towards fellow human beings, in the midst of extreme adversity. Gratitude, for what you have got. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I had so much to say, I split this 'poetic thought' into two. It's about hardship - this relentless rain and flooding in the UK at the moment; I might have had a sore back today, but other people are really suffering, some of them have a ruined home or business. It's about working together, and helping each other, rather than working against each other. It's about showing gratitude towards others, and showing gratitude for what you have. I hope too, that you (the reader) will feel inspired to find your own 'unique' meaning as well! 'Sombre Words'
7. (7th January 2016) A sombre mood, with short and sombre words. There really isn't much to say. Has there ever been such persistent rain? Relentless rain. Never-ending rain. Standing water. Cascading water. Roads, and paths, and pavements, almost turning into lakes and rivers. Thoughts are with all those affected. Thank you to the emergency services, putting their own lives on the line, in order to help those in need. Stay safe everyone. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I walked home from work this evening, and I don't think I have 'ever' seen so much rain and water (so much standing water, and flowing water, on the ground). Not in all the years that I have been living here (over 30). It was raining when I went to bed on Wednesday night, it was raining when I got up on Thursday morning, and it is still raining just now. It hasn't stopped. It was hard to put any of this into words for a poem. I am one of the lucky ones, there are a lot of people much worse off than me, and very badly affected by this rain and flooding (whether it's their home or their business). Think of them, and let us support each other as best we can, and all of us stay safe. 'Taking time out'
9. (9th January 2016) It's one of those days, you know the ones, hard to find any 'get up and go'. There's plenty of tidying to be done, but you've barely started anything. It's one of those lazy days, a long lie in the morning. Reading. Television. Football. Sometimes you need days like this. Relax. Chill out. Recharge. Work yesterday. Enjoy today. Tidy tomorrow. Life is just far too short, there's nothing wrong in taking 'time out', to do the things you most enjoy. Football. Reading. Television. Recharge. Relax. Chill out. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Moving forwards ... taking 'time out' to recharge, and move on into next week. A new week, with fresh opportunity. 'Optimism, even in adversity'
11. (11th January 2016) Human beings have an amazing capability, for perseverance and preservation, the drive towards survival. Amidst the threat of illness, a persistant, aggravating cough, a cold or flu virus attacking, you find yourself curling up, into a foetal-like position, the comforting safety of the womb. You put trust in your immune system, to overcome anything that nature throws, optimism, even in the face of adversity. Perseverance. Preservation. Survival. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Optimism - I'm starting to get back to my writing, and this (annoying!) cough has even inspired my poetic thought today. 'An almost trance-like state'
13. (13th January 2016) Pillows propped up, lying back on the bed, I relent. To a single painkiller, to ease my aching head and neck. Eyes closed, between sleeping and waking, my mind an almost trance-like state. A serene place, of calm self healing, deep within the prism of the soul. My ears broken only by the song of a bird, singing gently in the garden outside. The healing melody of nature. © Robert Morrison, 2016 The power of retreating into the mind and the soul, to find a calm place that allows you to find a path towards healing, in the most serene way. A personal experience for me - finding the state of peace within my own mind, that only the sounds of nature can fully break into. 'We're falling through space'
15. (15th January 2016) We are, each of us, spinning. Spinning, in a perpetual motion, at 'billions' of miles a second. You and me, we're falling through space, clinging on to this tiny blue speck, a small marble, in the vast canvass of space, the inky blackness of eternity and mystery. Gaia holds us all safe in her arms, the arms of her swirling atmosphere. The love, and the protection, of our 'Mother Earth'. Today, a British astronaut, had the great privilege to 'step outside', into the harsh environment beyond Gaia. He saw the beauty of 'Mother Earth', from up high above, in low orbit. To all the cosmonauts, and astronauts, to Tim Peake - we salute you. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Inspired by seeing the news footage of Tim Peake, on his spacewalk earlier today. 'A beautiful and amazing world'
17. (17th January 2016) The Natural World, does not 'belong' to anyone. Humanity are not in 'charge', humanity are not the 'dominant' species. Human beings are a part of nature, a beautiful and amazing world. Every 'part' has a role to play in the 'whole. Our minds are capable of remarkable abilities, but we must find a better balance with nature, and make a much better use of those abilities. Decisions for the benefit of the natural world, should be made for 'every' part of the natural world. Land. Sea. Air. Plants. Animals (ourselves). Not for greed. Not for corruption. Not for power. Not for people. Not for politics. Not for wealth. For nature, and our beautiful place in nature. When nature benefits, we ourselves can benefit, we can be 'part' of a most wonderful 'whole'. The Natural World. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I thought of this poem while watching 'Great Barrier Reef' with David Attenborough. It's a complex issue, with complex solutions, and it certainly isn't 'black and white'. My poem can not cover everything, or solve everything, and that is not my intention. This is merely a snapshot of my thoughts, in order to provoke thinking. 'Days remembered. Days gone by'
19. (19th January 2016) Milk. The more some things seem to stay the same, the more that other things seem to change forever. Milk. It used to be hand-delivered, door to door, week by week. The milk-man took orders every Friday, 'full' bottles would be left on doorsteps. 'empties' would be collected in baskets. In winter, the milk would often freeze, in every season, birds would peck the 'caps' open! Days remembered. Days gone by. Milk. Where is that company today? They started making ice-cream (not such a strange thing), then crisps, then chocolate, and then, just recently, popcorn. They changed, in order to survive. © Robert Morrison, 2016 A remembrance, and a fondness, for days gone by. I dislike change, but sometimes change can be a good thing. Sometimes change is essential for survival. 'Spirit of Life'
21. (21st January 2016) Reality. Perception. Dreams. Reality is real, reality exists, there is no doubt. Reality is not an illusion, or a deception, we all experience a real-life world. Each of us has a unique perspective, one that is similar, and yet very different, perhaps even the same, in so many ways. Experience, through the five human senses. Sight. Hearing. Touch. Smell. Taste. Then there are the 'sixth senses'. Instinct and Intuition. Spirit and Soul. The different planes of consciousness, that we can tap into, the 'levels of being', the conscious zones of human existence. Out of body. Out of mind. Waking. Dreaming. Sleeping. The journey of the 'Spirit of Life'. Dreams. Reality. Perception. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Inspired by a truly fascinating documentary on BBC 4 (link - 'The Brain with David Eagleman', http://bbc.in/1ZPHcVD - viewing in the UK only). It was very intriguing, but they still got a lot wrong (in my opinion, of course!) They talk of everything only taking place 'within the brain' (there is 'beyond the brain' too) and only taking place on a physical level (there is a non-physical level - the different levels of consciousness). Again, all of this is just 'my own opinion', but it inspired this poem, and I hope that my poem inspires some thought. 'Borne out of Adversity'
23. (23rd January 2016) The world of the poet, can be a strange and lonely place. Think of how poems are formed, some are instant and spontaneous, others can be slow and ponderous. Is this one of the latter, or the former? Sometimes, you need childhood comforts, seeking out television, books and songs. Something to relax and recharge the mind, fuel to rekindle the wick of the imagination, and give light to the fire of creativity. Relax. Recharge. Rekindle. Many artists go through great difficulties, Coleridge and Van Gogh were both troubled, going through periods of doubt and inactivity, and yet their respective work speaks volumes. The most beautiful poetry. The most beautiful paintings. Perhaps the best art is 'borne out of adversity'. The world of the poet, can be a comforting and friendly place, it doesn't seem quite so strange and lonely. Rekindle. Relax. Recharge. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I confess, I had no idea what to write tonight, and that in itself ended up inspiring this poem. That is why I have given myself the challenge of writing a new poem, every single day this year. My work will be better or worse, depending on my inspiration, but I am determined that I shall keep going. Whether this particular poem is an example of 'the best art' (borne out of adversity) is something better left for someone else to decide. 'An address to the Scottish Bard'
25. (25th January 2016) On 'Burns Night', 25th January, many make an 'Address to a Haggis'. Well, here is an address to the 'Scottish Bard', Robert Burns, himself. Burns, a celebration. His most famous, most admired, masterpiece the tale o' 'Tam o' Shanter'. The memorable 'sleekit tim'rous beastie', in 'To a Mouse', a personal favourite. And a song! A song or two! 'Green Grow the Rashes, O'! And for 'old time's sake', 'Auld Lang Syne', sung all over the world, in 'Celebration'! Let us follow, Burns' hope, that in the future people will all be equal. 'A Man's a Man For a' That' © Robert Morrison, 2016 An experimental poem for me, as I don't write Scottish poetry! I'm proud to be Scottish, and I'm proud to be British, and this is my celebration of Robert Burns, to share with everyone! Hopefully, in the final lines, it leaves a little to think about too (and do track down those poems and songs!). 'Strive for hope, and courage, together'
27. (27th January 2016) The more we talk about division, the more divided we will become. Those in authority can be the worst, at pigeon-holing people into groups. Separate groups? United groups? Who are these individuals to decide? Take a chance, and decide for ourselves! Countries are unique. Cultures are unique. That is something to celebrate and share, and build together, into something special. At the end of the day, we are all human. Wherever we are. Wherever we're from. There needs to be care, and caution, and controls, especially with the world the way it is today. but borders should never become barriers. Borders. Barriers. Fences. Walls. Fear and Isolation. Paranoia and infighting. Distrust between each other is what some want, bickering, and dividing, even over petty things, is 'exactly' what they want us to do. We must strive to be better, and do the opposite, cooperating, and uniting, over small or big things. Borders. Doorways. Branches. Bridges. Strive for hope, and courage, together. Trust and Peace. © Robert Morrison, 2016 It is 'Holocaust Memorial Day'. You see a lot about division (in the news, in politics, in the wars going on today), and the more we talk and think about division, the more divided we become. Should we not strive for something better, for hope and courage, together? We are all human. We have similarities that unite us. We have differences that are unique - they can also unite us, in the most wonderful way. Whoever we are, wherever we are, wherever we are from, we are all human beings. 'Everyone has an inner strength'
29. (29th January 2016) Certain days come along, and they really try you, in every possible way. Your patience. Your tolerance. Your resolve Goodness knows how you find a way, through the maze of the everyday. But you do. Everyone has an inner strength, it's just a matter of finding it, and bringing it out to the fore. You find it. Resolve. Patience. Tolerance. You do it. © Robert Morrison, 2016 A relatively short poem, about one of 'those' days. We all have them, we all know about them, and we all find a way through them. We find an inner strength, often one that we never even knew we had. 'Look after the birds'
31. (31st January 2016) Bird-watching, is a slow and gentle pastime. With a little patience, and plenty of waiting, seeds, and peanuts, and fat balls, will attract the birds into your garden. They will watch from the hedges, and fly down to your bird table, flapping, and squabbling, and pecking. The birds will happily come to visit you. Drawn by food. Drawn by survival. Blue Tits. Robins. Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Wood Pigeons. Sparrows. Chaffinches. Can you imagine your garden quiet, without any species of birds at all, and without the sound of their song? The Morning Chorus. The Evening Chorus. It is taken for granted, that they are there, the harmony and melody of their song, in the background, and floating on the air. Look after the birds, provide them with shelter, and provide them with food, before it really is too late. Life, and nature, are in delicate balance. Look out for the birds. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Inspired by the 'Big Garden Birdwatch' that took place this weekend. I didn't really see as many birds as I had expected and I saw no Sparrows at all. It gave me time to think - we really take a lot of nature (and birds especially) for granted. We just expect birdsong to be there, in the background. If we want their chorus to always be there, then we need to look out for the birds, before it becomes too late. Life and nature are in such a delicate balance. 'The Path towards true wisdom?'
33. (2nd February 2016) Books. The most ancient wisdom of the world, perhaps the oldest journey of mind & imagination, etched into stone tablets, scribbbled into parchments, and piled high, under aeons of thick decaying dust. Pure enlightenment, just waiting to be discovered? Thump! Cough! Books! Science. History. Philosophy. Religion. Fact or fiction or fantasy, books cover so many subjects. Books. A Path towards more critical thinking. Reading words, thinking about them, looking them up, researching words and writing them down. Read. Re-read. Write. Take notes. Question. Answer. Question. Language, and speaking, and communication. The wisdom of books, the Path to critical thinking. The Path towards true wisdom? Realising how little you really know. True wisdom is knowing nothing, and 'to know that you know nothing'. True wisdom is always to wonder. Books. © Robert Morrison, 2016 My thoughts on books as a source of wisdom, and their importance to learning critical thinking, and their role in language, speaking and communication. The last verse on 'true wisdom' is focused around a well known quote attributed to Socrates, by Plato, (if indeed he said it), and mangled around my own mind here! "I know that I know nothing" or "I know one thing: that I know nothing", sometimes called the Socratic paradox. Link - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_know_that_I_know_nothing… .'Whither, forms of communication'
35. (4th February 2016) Whither, forms of communication, the language by which we communicate. Speaking, and writing, and reading. What about thinking, the power of telepathy? An untapped power. Mind to mind. Speaking. Writing. Reading. Thinking. Human ingenuity, through the aeons, has developed, and advanced, communication, The very first pictures on cave-walls - the hunter and the hunted, the hunter and prey. The ancient and traditional forms - drawings, and paintings, and songs The modern technological revolution - radio, and film, and television, and the Internet. Human beings are not alone, within the animal, or the plant, kingdoms, in evolving ways to communicate - the 'waggle dance' of the Honey Bee, through which Bees share information. - the 'wood wide web', an internet of fungus, through which Plants 'talk' to each other. There are so many mechanisms of communication - visual, auditory, olfactory, electro, touch, seismic, auto-communication, thermal. A hierarchy. Plants and Trees. Social Insects - Ants. Bees. Wasps. Whales. Elephants. Chimpanzees. Humans. A pyramid of communicating. © Robert Morrison, 2016 This one came to me while reading an article about language in 'New Scientist'. It's a poem, and subject, I will probably return to. I'm not sure if I've refined it as much as I would have liked, but the whole idea of writing a 'poetic thought a day' is that I write them 'in the raw' and present them as such. How successful that turns out to be is up to others, it's up to you. 'The vulnerability of a poet'
37. (6th February 2016) Sometimes, simple is better. True vulnerability, and pure honesty - the very heart and soul of art. Vulnerability. Honesty. Purity. Truth. Take 'one' single moment. One with real meaning for you, and perhaps only you alone, vulnerable, honest, pure and true. Feel every raw emotion surge, like butterflies, swirling and churning, through your inner being, touching your soul. Hold your 'heart' in your hand, smile, laugh, frown, cry, scream and shout. Hold onto that feeling, of 'your' moment. You have become a poet, that is what poetry is all about. The 'Vulnerability of a Poet'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Watching 'The Voice' inspired this piece of writing. Paloma Faith, she said that sometimes 'simple (or simpler) is better', and her and the judges spoke about vulnerability and honesty. My poetry can certainly come from vulnerability at times, and writing poetry, and being honest (and coming from the heart) is how I overcome that vulnerability. I listened to 'Mr. Tambourine Man', by Bob Dylan, while I wrote this poem, and it also made me think of Nick Drake (an English singer-songwriter and musician). I only only discovered Nick Drake a couple of years ago, and he is already my favourite singer-songwriter. I definitely feel that honesty, vulnerability, and purity, are all very Nick Drake. His songs are beautiful, both in his writing, and in his performance. Unfortunately, he died very young, and far too soon. 'With a little more humility'
39. (8th February 2016) A little respect goes a long way. Giving your respect towards others, is what earns you their respect back. Gaining respect takes time, and trust, but the end result is worth the effort. Respect Smile. Please. Thank you. It doesn't take much to be polite, and show goodwill, in everyday life. With a little time, and effort, to give respect, you can gain respect, and trust, for a lifetime. Politeness. Respect. Goodwill. Trust. There's is a lack of humility in society, vanity, fed by greed, dominates today. Less vanity. Less greed. More humility. You can disagree, you can argue, but you can be humble about it. With a little more humility in society, the World could be a much better place. Humility. Respect. Trust. Humility. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I have been bullied many times. I have been spoken to rudely many times. Society today has too much vanity, too much greed, and too much arrogance. And they feed each other, in a vicious circle. I'm not saying I'm perfect (I'm not, very far from it). We could all learn to show more humility in our lives (myself included). That doesn't mean we have to agree all the time (we can disagree, we can argue), and it doesn't mean we won't make mistakes (we will, that's part of being human) ... but we can try to be a little more humble, about how we approach things in life. We can aim to be better people. Be polite, show goodwill, show respect, show humility ... and gain trust, and gain respect. Humility feeds trust and respect. That is the heart of this poem. 'Embrace, the lighter side of human nature'
41. (10th February 2016) Lent. Ash Wednesday. The first, of 'days of fasting'. A choice, of what to fast, of what to give up, what should we really give lent to? Choices. Chocolate? Alcohol? Food? Sugar, and spice, and fat, fasting from all things that are nice? Maybe it's less about those 'material' things, and not about giving up them up entirely. 'Fasting' could be finding a healthier lifestyle - about discovering a 'true, and moderate, path', one that helps to better 'balance your soul'. Moderation. Change. Modify our human behaviour, control our actions, and our consequences, ease our mood swings, our hate, our anger. Let go, of the 'darker side of human nature'. Channel destructive energy, into constructive energy, turn chaos into order, into peace, into calm. Embrace, the 'lighter side of human nature'. Love. Lent. Choices. Moderation. Change. Love. 'Days of Light'. 'Days of Lent'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 This poem follows on from my 'Shrove Tuesday' poem, if not in an exact and linear way. It's about following on from those ideas. I started to think. Fasting might not have to mean food or drink (we could all moderate our consumption of chocolate and beer, I'm sure, so that we consume them in better balance). 'Fasting' could mean (and I'm playing around with the 'meaning' of the word here! Poet's prerogative), but it could mean 'finding a more true and moderate path'. One that better 'balances your soul'. A path where we let go of the 'darker side of human nature' and embrace the 'lighter side of human nature'. Life is about 'dark and light', and finding a better balance between them both. Maybe we can't free ourselves entirely from our 'darker side', but we can learn to be in better control of that side of ourselves, while leaning towards our 'lighter side'. Lent Choices. Moderation. Change. Love. 'Walking down your memories'
43. (12th February 2016) Walking down your memories. When you know a town so very well, having lived there for over thirty years, a walk through it's many, varied, streets, is very much walking down 'Nostalgia Lane'. The big houses, and their long gardens, a Crow, hopping down one of the lawns, with food clutched preciously in it's beak. The Victoria Hall, and it's clock tower, named for Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and standing mighty tall and proud, for well over 'One Hundred Years'. 'Nostalgia Lane'. Turn left, and the old 'School Walk', walked so many times to get to lessons. Across from the garage, that seems to always have been standing there, changing only in name, over the years, The 'First Year' canteen, on the right, long gone, and replaced by flats, canteen 'custard', and 'packed' lunches. 'Academy Lane'. The 'Old Academy' at the end, boarded up, forgotten, neglected. That is just what it feels like, but it wasn't always like that. Capers. Fun and games. Fights. Registration. History. Chemistry. French. The imposing Assembly hall, and the butterflies of exams. Those were the days, back then! 'Past Times' Walking home, the end of the day. The chilly wind, and rustling trees, and the arid smell of chimney smoke, remind that February is still Winter. The 'Old Shop' still stands there, though it too has had several names. 'Nostalgia Lane'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Walking to work, along the same old streets - the streets I used to walk to school along, over twenty years ago (was it really that long ago?!). It brings back so many memories. Some things have changed, but so many things remain the same. Nostalgia - there are so many moments, that just come back to you! Don't we all have those memories? 'Nostalgia Lane'. 'Control of freedom. Freedom of control'
45. (14th February 2016) Ignorance. Arrogance. The problem is not always what people say and do, but the way in which they choose to. Some things are totally unacceptable, both to do and say. But to think? There is a line, but it is a blurry one. Curtailing free thought, free speech, free action - curtailing freedom is a very dangerous thing. Control of thought, speech & action is a frightening notion. Freedom. Control. Control of freedom. The worst speech, and the worst actions, are so often down to ignorance & arrogance. The solution is education & enlightenment, best efforts to allow someone to develop a moral fibre, not through force or control, or coercion, but through education & example. Education. Enlightenment. The most hard-hitting means gives a person the necessary tools, to see and feel for themselves, the repugnance of their words and actions. That's not taking away free thought, free speech, and free action. That is giving it - to powerful effect. Control. Freedom. Freedom of control. © Robert Morrison, 2016 This poem has it's origins in the freedom of thought, speech and actions. Of course people should watch what they say and do (and always consider others with their words and actions), but there is always the danger of too much control - excessive control of our thoughts, our speech and our actions ((by government, by religion, by the science establishment ... by anyone) is a frightening notion indeed. That is what this poem tries to reflect - how to balance thoughts, speech and actions between freedom and too much control. It's not an easy issue, with easy rights and wrongs, and I hope my writing is thought-provoking enough to reflect that. 'It is your vision, as you are drawn in'
47. (16th February 2016) Film. Film is an immersive experience. It's not just any single vision, of the writer, the director, the producer. It is your vision, as you are drawn in. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, that 'black monolith' becomes your screen. 2001 is the past, the present, the future. Creation Dawn of man. The discovery of tools, Bones as clubs. Bones as weapons? Modern man. The creation of technology. Rockets as missiles. Rockets as space travel? Future man. Artificial Intellegence (A.I.) Robots as servants. Robots as masters? There is a fine line, between good and bad, right and wrong. Destruction Is our destiny out by Jupiter, (and beyond), then down the Stargate? To a place, where time in non-linear, and life is non-corporeal? Reality? Fiction? Fiction? Reality? Film. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Film. What is fiction? What is reality? 2001: A Space Odyssey is the ultimate immersive film experience. Their is the vision of the writer, the director, the producer, the designers (and everyone else involved in the production) ... and then their is your vision watching what is a long, slow, largely silent and (for me, anyway), and inspiring piece of cinema about the evolution of humanity - where we have come from, where we are going, and where we will find ourselves. There are more questions than answers, and the answers are only our own. The ending of my poem is full of question marks - a reflection of the ending of the film. Where will humanity end up? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2UWOeBcsJI |
'What to write about?'
6. (6th January 2016) Little to report today, it's been a typical Wednesday. Quiet. Routine. Boring. What to write about? Rain and water. Water and rain. A broken record, mid-week repetition, perhaps it is time for a momentary pause. People can be a real source of warmth, sharing precious time together. One second. One minute. One hour. Friends. Workmates. Strangers. Sharing a chat, or a smile, or the odd laugh, there is nothing at all boring about that. Quiet. Routine. Boring? Not eventful. Not momentous. Not exciting. But boring? No, it certainly wasn't boring. Wednesday warmth, between people. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Each 'poetic thought' is connected, every day follows and builds on the previous day. Each poem seems to be getting longer - a poem determines for itself, the length that it needs to be. 'Resilience. Determination'
8. (8th January 2016) 1. Waking up, getting up, there is almost an 'unearthly' silence. The rain has finally stopped falling, and the water is no longer cascading. There is an eerie calm after the storm, a layer of snow covers the driveway. It is the talk of the town. The floods. Has the river ever been so raging? Gushing over verges, submerging car parks, barely flowing under bridge arches. In the cold daylight, a picture emerges, one never seen in living memory. That is what it feels like. 2. The most amazing thing of all, is the resilience of a community. Helping. Supporting. Caring. Looking out for one another. A determination to carry on. © Robert Morrison, 2016 The Aftermath. In my relatively short life-time, I can not recall ever seeing anything like this before. It is one of those events. My thoughts are really troubled, for those who are the most affected. 'Short and sweet'
10. (10th January 2016) Short and sweet, barely feel like writing. Woke up, sore throat, cough, a dull headache hammering, and the cold or flu, trying to start. Tired, and about ready to sleep, a quick shower, and then bed, will soon be on the mend. Sleep. Sleep. Sleep © Robert Morrison, 2016 I had a lot of writing plans, to start catching up on. Alas, this cold/flu had other ideas! Maybe tomorrow ... 'Optimism. Opportunity'
12. (12th January 2016) Crisis. Catastrophe. Crash. The tipping point to meltdown, and the end of the global economy. The end of the world? Oil and gas. Money and power. Cynical pessimism, that it will all go wrong, that the future of humanity is bleak. Dare! Dare for optimism and opportunity, dare that it will all work out alright. The starting point is to find a balance. A healthier balance with the natural world, and a better trust, and use, of human abilities. Optimism. Opportunity. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Watching the news, and hearing about the current world economy, made me think of this one. Why be pessimistic and gloomy all the time, when we can be optimistic and imagining opportunity? Even in the face of adversity, we can find a way, it's what humans do best. 'The Three Watchers'
14. (14th January 2016) The Moon. One side light. One side dark. In the brightness of the 'Godly' Sun, in the shadow of the 'Mother' Earth, Earthlight and Sunlight. 'Three Angels', watching over humanity, reflecting us within their lights & shadows. The Sun. The Moon. Gaia. Past. Present. Future. The 'Three Watchers'. Almost timeless. Almost still. Pace yourself in life. You know your limits - follow them. The 'Three Watchers' will guide you. The Sun. Gaia. The Moon. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Looking up at the sky, walking home from work tonight, I saw the Moon. It seemed to be silent and still, it seemed to be watching over me. One side was bright (reflecting 'Sunlight') and one side was dark (reflecting 'Earthlight' - which is actually 'Sunlight' reflecting off the Earth, and then reflecting again off the Moon, and back towards us! So it appears much darker, and shadow-like). In essence, it is the Earth (Gaia), the Moon, and the Sun, reflecting each other. And in a way, they are reflecting humanity within (and between) each other too. The Moon tonight (with reflections of both the Earth, and the Sun), was silent, and still, and beautiful. It seemed to be telling me to pace myself, and to enjoy every moment of life. That reflects this poem. 'A world of dreams and enchantment'
16. (16th January 2016) Walking home tonight, the Moon is still clear and bright. Snow, a thin layer on the pavement, glistens 'pearly white', like snowflakes. Against black sky and lampost light, it is a scene from a child's fairy-tale, a world of dreams and enchantment. You can enter that world, every night. You can enter that world, every day. Asleep. Meditating. Awake. Lie back, think of those you most love, and you are there, a place of bliss. Beauty. Harmony. Peace. The Dreams of the human mind. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Snow, the dark, and light from lampposts ... it always reminds me of 'Narnia', a world of fairy-tale. We all need to find a place for our tired mind to go, in order to renew for the next day, and this inspired my poem here. 'In the pale blue sky of day'
18. (18th January 2016) The Moon, seen in the pale blue sky of day, is a beautiful sight on the eyes. It is just as much of a wonder, each and every time that you see it. During the light of day, the twilight of evening, or against the navy blue of night. Today, the Sun is strong and bright, and the Moon a complete contrast. Gentle and faded, a small white sphere, yet so strong and mystical, a large and powerful force. People don't always realise this, that you can see the Moon during the day. Take a look up one afternoon, for it is a truly amazing surprise! © Robert Morrison, 2016 Capturing one of those amazing moments, looking up and seeing the Moon during the day (lunchtime). The Watcher, always there above us, in the sky. 'A Cosmic Tale'
20. (20th January 2016) In the predawn sky, as the Sun rises from slumber, five planets are in 'alignment', by universal destiny and design. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn. Roman deities, enthroned in the heavens. Mercury - 'God of Commerce', 'The Winged Messenger'. Extremes of hot and cold. Venus - 'Goddess of Beauty and Love', 'The Morning Star', 'Dante's Inferno' at its heart. Mars - 'God of War', 'The Red Planet'. 'canali' (channels) of blood. Jupiter - 'The Supreme Deity', 'The Giant of all the planets', a whirlpool of wind. Saturn - 'God of the Harvest', 'The Ringed Planet', leaving you breathless. A Cosmic Tale, playing out before us, and above us, the mysteries and wonders of the Gods. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Five planets aligning across the dawn sky - my reflections in poetry. Reference - Skywatching: The Ultimate Guide to the Universe (Levy, David. Harper Collins Publishers, 1994/1995). 'Cycle of Life'
22. (22nd January 2016) Walking home this evening, the sky was a perfect navy blue ocean, and the Moon pearly white, nearly full. Serene. Mild. Clear. Not warm, nor cold, just milder. Calm, after the storm? The 'Cycle of Life' is a balance, a balance of chaos and order. Winter. Spring. Summer. Autumn. Everything goes through cycles. 'The Seasons', as the Earth orbits the Sun, 'A Day', as the Earth spins on its axis, 'The Phases' of the Moon, natural satellite orbiting the Earth. New Moon. First quarter. Full moon. Third quarter. Night and Day. Light and Dark. Phases. Cycles. Mirrors. Clear. Serene. Mild. Order out of chaos, the 'Cycle of Life'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Walking home tonight, it seemed a lot calmer and milder, than it has been. It wasn't warm, but it wasn't quite as cold either. All this got me thinking about 'the Seasons', and the cycles and phases of the Earth, the Sun and the Moon. The result is this poem. 'A Journey into Light'
24. (24th January 2016) Look at the 20th Century. The First World War, the 'war to end all wars'. The Second World War, a 'war of annihilation'. The Cold War, a 'state of fear and tension'. Human beings, in perpetual conflict. What? Why? How? There are no winners in conflict, there are only losers in war. Humanity, the greatest threat to itself. Let's take the 21st Century, it does not have to be like this. Choose love and life, not hate and death, a journey into light, not one into darkness. Hope. Peace. Life. How? What? Why? © Robert Morrison, 2016 I look at human history, and see conflict. I look at the 20th Century, and see two world wars. I look at the 21st Century, 100 years on from the 'war to end all wars', and all I see is perpetual conflict, between human beings. Has humanity learned nothing? We do not just have our 'animal instincts', we have our 'human intuition' and the ability of 'human thought', the ability to think and to talk. We live on a beautiful world, with the wonder of nature (of which we are a part), and we could do SO much together (rather than always being against each other). A journey into light, and not one into darkness. 'Always start with Hope'
26. (26th January 2016) Climate change is happening, there can be no doubts about that. Global warming? Global cooling? Think for a minute, about what we are seeing. It's raining in winter, rather than snowing, that's because temperatures are warmer. Questions. Answers. Questions. Answers. There are lots of complex questions, but what are the answers? We can not sit back, and just ask questions, we have to look long and hard for the answers. Before it 'really' is too late. It is more important than ever, that we monitor how wildlife are doing. Looking after the welfare of the natural world, is helping to look after the welfare of people. We are part of the natural world - not separate from it, not dominant to it, but part of it. And the welfare of the natural world is 'our' welfare. Have hope, that we can adapt, and that we can do better. Have hope, that the natural world, treated properly, can also adapt. Always start with hope. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Watching 'Winterwatch' and thinking about the recent weather, and the impact on people and wildlife, is the inspiration behind this poem. I am convinced that looking after the natural world is key to looking after ourselves. The well-being of the natural world is directly related to the well-being of people. 'Sometimes, something happens, in a day'
28. (28th January 2016) Sometimes, something happens, in a day. That you hear. That you see. That you read. It reminds you of how lucky you are, to be alive, and to be healthy. To have a loving, caring family, and wonderful, precious friends, all around you. Enjoy every moment of living! Follow your dreams, cherish your loved ones, and take the life path that you choose. There's a whole world to explore, out there, and you can explore it in your unique way. The only person who can really stop you, is you. Do it today. Don't wait until tomorrow. You did it yesterday. Live life as fully as possible. Sometimes, something happens, in a day. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Sometimes, something happens, in a day. It reminds you to live live, and to cherish your family and friends. It doesn't matter how often we're in touch, my family and friends are always in my thoughts, no matter how we met or came to be in each others lives, or how well we know each other. That's part of the essence of this poem. 'Make the unsurmountable possible'
30. (30th January 2016) Has anything ever seemed 'unsurmountable'? Too steep to climb. An impossible precipice. Do you give up, before you even begin? Nothing is unsurmountable, too steep, or impossible, not with the right mindset, and courage. Men did not land on the Moon in a day, it took humanity almost a decade, after John F. Kennedy first made the challenge. Space probes didn't reach every Planet in a week, it took them several decades, and even then, not all of the Solar System has been reached. 'Unsurmountable' isn't an impossible precipice, too steep to reach the summit of success. It just takes time and perseverance. Break the impossible up into steps, and achieve each goal one by one. Then 'unsurmountable' becomes possible. Then you can do it. Make the steep slope climbable. Make the impossible happen. Make the unsurmountable possible. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I was thinking about the 'unsurmountable', things that at first seem to be too steep to climb, or an impossible precipice to overcome. Even the hardest things don't have to be that - the solution is the right mindset, courage, time, and perseverance. Break a bigger challenge up into smaller goals, and achieve them one by one, and you can make the impossible happen, and make the unsurmountable possible. 'A true mercurial type of a day'
32. (1st February 2016) February. A new month. A new day. Fresh, and calm, and bright, that is how the window-picture seems. A brand new dawn of opportunity. I notice, perhaps for the first 'real' time, that at last the mornings are getting lighter. You gain a fresh new energy from Sunlight, energising the spirit, and enlightening the soul. Awakening you for another new beginning. Noon. Midday. The weather slowly starts to change. It turns overcast, and duller, and darker, the cold air swirls, and the wind builds, then there is a shower of rain and sleet, yet another storm seems to be brewing. It is a true mercurial type of a day, one of contrasts and contradictions. A new day. A new month. February. © Robert Morrison, 2016 A new month. Today seemed relatively calm in the morning, and by the evening there was another storm brewing ('Storm Henry'). A mercurial day, of contrasts and contradictions. That is what fuels this poem. 'Not in isolation, but as one Whole'
34. (3rd February 2016) Science. A source of enlightenment? The Sciences are amazing and brilliant, and scientific study teaches us so much, but as a 'world-view', modern science is lacking. The Sciences can not be taken in isolation, they need the arts, history, philosophy and religion - a 'world-view' should be a myriad of ideas. Open-minded. Outward looking. Questioning. Science is held back by fear and conformity, by dogmatism, fundamentalism, and materialism, a narrow-minded, inward looking, ideology. The Sciences should have vigour, vitality and curiosity. The setting free of Science. A 'world-view', a myriad of ideas. The Arts. History. Philosophy. Religion. Science. The Arts give impression, and expression, of the world, as seen through the human mind and soul. History shows the past, and what has gone before, successes and mistakes that we can learn from. Philosophy allows rational and critical thinking, in studying the truths and principles of being. Religion lays down a code for morality, a faith and belief in ourselves, and in each other. Science experiments, and questions our world sphere, forming bold new thoughts, and ideas that push us forwards. A 'world-view' must Question. The Arts. History. Philosophy. Religion. Science. Not in isolation, but as one Whole. © Robert Morrison, 2016 A snapshot of my thoughts on science, and a 'world-view (my on-going thinking) - the arts, history, philosophy, religion and science all have a valuable role to play, not in isolation, but as one 'Whole'. Together. How each of these is approached is the key. The idea of the 'Whole' is me alluding to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a German writer and statesman, whose work I am still reading and studying. Credit for much of my thoughts in this poem must also go towards 'The Science Delusion', by Rupert Sheldrake. 'The more we know, the less we know'
36. (5th February 2016) The mind boggles, when you even begin to wonder, why you and I are here. How? Why? When? The Big Bang. Creation. Nothing, and then everything, everything from nothing. One single Universe, or a multiverse of eternity? Transcending time and space. The more we know, the less we know. Perhaps there is a 'Cycle of Universes', and our Universe is progeny & progenitor. The offspring of the previous one, and the parent of the next one. Offspring. Parent. Offspring. The Universe ends. The ultimate evolution, onto the non-corporeal realm? © Robert Morrison, 2016 In my last three poems, I have included the themes of science and philosophy, and a few others (you can maybe tell I've been reading a lot of science lately!). In a way, this poem is a brief summation (though not a conclusion!) of those themes. We'll see where tomorrow takes me (and you) ... 'We are all part of one 'Whole'.
38. (7th February 2016) Nature. We are all part of, the 'Natural World'. Woman. Girl. Man. Boy. Equals, as we should be, and all of us human beings. In the eyes of nature, we are all part of one 'Whole'. The 'Natural World'. Older generations should inspire, and encourage, younger generations. And, turning that tale around, older generations should feel inspired, and encouraged, by the enthusiasm of the young. The young can help inspire the old. All of us should inspire each other. We should never belittle anyone, and no one should ever feel belittled, whoever you are, wherever you are. Woman. Girl. Man. Boy. We should never belittle the young, for young people are the future, and without them, there is no future. The 'Natural World' is our future, every single one of us on Earth. Encourage, and inspire, the young to help us all look after nature. To help us safeguard that future. All of us should encourage each other. Nature. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Someone called 'Birdgirl' helped to inspire my poem today. We are all part of one 'Whole' - the 'Natural World'. Woman, Girl. Man. Boy. Young. Old. All of us. The 'Natural World' is our future, without it there is none. We are all part of that future, and the young have an 'extremely' important role to play. We should all inspire and encourage each other, to help look after nature and to help safeguard that future. For everyone on Earth. 'The reconciliation of 'Nature's God' and humanity'
40. (9th February 2016) Shrove Tuesday. Pancake Day. Pancake Tuesday. Mardi Gras. A day given so many names. When it's traditional to eat pancakes, lots and lots of pancakes, drenched in syrup. The last day of 'gorging' before Lent, the 'fasting', that begins on Ash Wednesday. Prayer. Penance. Repentance of Sins. Almsgiving. Atonement. Self-denial. Self-examination. Wrongs that you need to repent, and changes you can make in your life, allowing 'Spiritual Growth' of your Soul. Looking to 'Nature's God' for guidance - the 'Force of Nature', that is all around us. Self-renewal. A deep sorrow, and a desire for forgiveness, turning you away from sin. Abstain from worldly pleasures, and, as an act of virtue, give to others. The forgiving, and pardoning, of 'Original Sin, the reconciliation of 'Nature's God' and humanity. A deep blessing. Lent Ash Wednesday. © Robert Morrison, 2016 An examination of Shrove Tuesday, and what it really means, along with my interpretation of it. I'm not particularly religious, and I don't follow any particular religion, but I do have my own personal 'beliefs' and I try to have a 'religious outlook', in the way that I lead my life. 'Nature's God', and the 'Force of Nature', is my personal interpretation of God, as a spiritual force that runs through all of nature. A force that is on a higher level of existence, and which we can touch and communicate with, through moving beyond our 'traditional senses' and using our 'intuition', and the 'power of thought' (perhaps telepathy). I know that all gets rather deep. Having religious beliefs is not important for engaging with my poem - I hope it is thought-provoking whatever your personal beliefs, and that it has a meaning that is 'unique to you'. 'Dream the impossible. Live the impossible'
42. (11th February 2016) Dream the impossible, turn it into the possible. 'Live the dream of reality'. Does a great space-elevator tether seem far-fetched, or impossibly futuristic? Let us ponder, and wonder, another question. Radio. Television. The telephone. Weren't they once far-fetched, futuristic, impossible? Fire, during the very 'dawning of humanity', would have appeared far beyond comprehension. Yet - we achieved all of those things! Giant solar panels in space, capturing the Sun's energy to beam to Earth. Clean, sustainable, fuel - it is there, we just need an efficient way to capture it. Solar power. Wind power. Hydro power. Even the power generated by a thunderstorm. the power of thunder, and lightning, and rain. Enivironmentally friendly. Clean. Efficient. Sustainable. Dream the impossible. Live the impossible. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I was reading an article in 'New Scientist' - and it really was about giant solar panels in space! Impossible? I started thinking. Isn't that what humanity always does, at it's best? Humanity dreams the impossible, turns it into the possible, and, in doing so, makes the 'impossible' a reality. Fire. The wheel. Radio. Television. The Telephone. Solar Power. The list really is endless. If we had never dared to dream, and we had never dared to try, then we would still be living in caves. Clean, efficient, sustainable energy is out there - energy which, captured in the right way, can be beneficial to the natural world, as well as humanity. We just have to find that means of capture, and it certainly isn't fracking (which will be a short-term disaster solution). Let's 'live the impossible'! 'A murmuring of Spring?'
44. (13th February 2016) 8.00 a.m. The morning rises. The Sun, golden and beaming, the air is chilly, yet calm, and fresh. The Seasons are already turning, the 'old' gives way to the 'new', slow, but sure, Winter born into Spring. Winter sets, Spring dawns. 5.00 p.m. The evening sets. The Moon, silver and shining, the air is crisp, and the sky is blue. The turning of the Seasons already, the 'new' given way by the 'old', sure, but slow, Spring born from Winter. Spring dawns, Winter sets. Under the 'crescent of the Moon', the birds are a chorus, of joyful song. A murmuring of Spring? © Robert Morrison, 2016 This poem is relatively short - it's simply the length that I felt it needed to be. It was light when I started work at 8.00 this morning, and it was still light at 5.00 this evening, on my way home. I heard the chorus of birds singing, and although it is still quite chilly, I had my first 'feeling' of Spring touch my soul. The two parts of the poem are a play on each other, a contrast on the same theme. They are saying the same thing, just the opposite way around. 'Self righteous. Sanctimonious. Perpetually offended'
46. (15th February 2016) Self righteous. Sanctimonious. Perpetually offended. There is a certain group of people. Quickly, on behalf of us all, whether they know us or not, they become offended, then they attack. Trial. Judgement. Sentence. Trial and judgement, by social media. What gives these people the right? We all have the right to an opinion, and an equal right to express it. But everyone has the right to respect, it's that respect that has started to wither. Judgement. Social media is a wonderful thing. Twitter and Facebook. But. It's no different to any communication, talking in person or on the telephone. When you can see their facial expression, or you can hear their tone of voice, you think before opening your mouth. At least, you should do. Judgement? Social media should be about thinking, and thinking again. Without facial expression, without tone of voice, and the benefit that they give, think. Think. Think. Think. And have a sense of humour, don't take everything too seriously. Find a healthy balance, between the two. Laugh. Smile. Think. Lighten-up, and toughen-up. Don't take everything as serious, and learn the ability to take a joke. If you don't find it funny? Fair enough. But don't be offended for everyone, leave each person to decide on their own, and quietly disagree with polite respect. Sentence? Trial? Judgement? © Robert Morrison, 2016 My inspiration behind this poem was the following blog (link below), written by Stephen Fry. Mr. Fry has decided to quit Twitter (at least for now), and while I won't quit Twitter (or Facebook), I did re-tool how I use both of them, some time ago now (particularly Facebook). I control them, and they don't control me. There is a mind-set that (often without knowing or seeing a person), we can judge, trial and sentence (all from our keyboard). It's too easy to find yourself there, and I think Stephen Fry makes some very valid points. That's why it is very important that we take a good look in the mirror, at how we are all using social media. It's something I definitely try to do. http://www.stephenfry.com/2016/02/15/peedinthepool/ 'Shrouded in a red-haze sky'
48. (17th February 2016) Shadows. In the east, the rising Moon, shrouded in a red-haze of sky. In the west, burnt-orange clouds, the dying embers of the Sun, over the bright blue of 'day's end'. Haze. A silhouette plane flies into the setting Sun, Crows fly over to roost. There is a chorus of birds in the trees, chimney smoke wafts through the breeze. Winter is not yet finished, but Spring is definitely getting near. It is still cold, though getting warmer? The Moon is brighter now, a white light, hiding behind a grayish haze. Bright. © Robert Morrison, 2016 It's a real challenge to think of a new poem every day. I challenge myself with each poem, to write something that's slightly 'different'. This one is much more 'traditional' - a small poem, about the dying of Winter, and the birth of Spring. Winter is still very much with us, but I'm already 'feeling' all the little signs of Spring. They're starting to appear. Sometimes I find myself writing a length of verses (finding it difficult to stop), at other times I write only a few (because that is all that needs to be said). Next month, I'll think of a new challenge to give myself, in writing these poems (and hopefully keep them similar, yet fresh). |
'You can reach the end of the rainbow'
49. (18th February 2016) You only live once, so the old saying always goes. Live that life a thousand times, do the things that you most enjoy. Do the things that make you smile, and do the things that make you laugh. Smile and Laugh. Life is too short. Ride across the roughest seas, and reach the calmer waters. Over the edge of the waterfall, there's a rainbow, bright with colours. But. To get that far, you have to get wet. You can't make an omelette, without breaking one or two eggs. You can't reach the end of the rainbow, without enduring a little rain first. Endure hardships, reach better times. You can reach the end of the rainbow, the 'Rainbow' is a new beginning. You only live once? Laugh and Smile. Live the rainbow. © Robert Morrison, 2016 A friend said to me today, as I left work 'you only live once'. So I decided to treat myself, to a 'Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer'. Life is about enduring hardships, and getting a little wet, to reach the end of the rainbow, and a bright new beginning. C'est la vie! 'You have to make a judgement'
51. (20th February 2016) Politics Referendum. Neverendum. Referendum. People might say politics are boring, but that's one thing they are never. People might say politics don't matter, but actually, they're extremely important. But what are truths, and what are falsehoods? True or false? You decide. You have to trust the information you get, whether from mainstream media, or grassroots media, is to some extent true, and to another extent false, and then you have to make a judgement. You alone. Rely on yourself. Why don't you? You'll either be right, or wrong, or perhaps both. Right or wrong? You decide. The best politicians in the world, don't just talk and talk, they walk the walk. They work hard, they do their best, they really try. Don't say that they never do any good at all. They're human. Like us all, they make mistakes. But surely, some things, they get very right? False or truth? You decide. © Robert Morrison, 2016 With there not long having been a 'Scottish Independence Referendum' (which hasn't been properly settled for some), and with an 'EU Membership Referendum' approaching, I started thinking about politics. Not everything we hear is true, but not everything we hear is false, only we can make the judgement in the end (as individuals). And only we can decide what is right or wrong. Why must we leave everything to others, or to politicians alone? Why must we put some people on pedestals, and others on the scrap heap? I think we have to start taking responsibility for ourselves, and for a lot of things. Helping each other where needed (that's part of a caring society), but each of us doing our bit (the best that we're able to), and not leaving it all up to others. I'm certain that we are all better off united, while playing our own individuals. It's just how we do that, that's over-complicated to work out. Life should be simple, why don't we make it so? Politics - a long and thorny subject. 'To sleep in the darkness?'
53. (22nd February 2016) Atmosphere. Alone in the night-time, a darkened room, the lights out, rain lashing, and wind rasping, against glass. A glimmer of light, through the curtains, the eyes of a 'Full Moon' Watching. Waiting. Horror. In the glimmer of the 'Moonlight', the slightest of movements wavering, 'unearthly' apparitions, In the silence of the night, the smallest of whispers echoing, and reverberating, through your ears. Fear To sleep in the darkness? 'Eyes' staring at you blankly, from the gap in the curtains? By torch-light or candle-light, snuggle down into your pillow, close your eyes, fall into slumber. Comfort. © Robert Morrison, 2016 In a slight break from tradition (the one that's formed for these poems), I'm not going to write too much. Just imagine you are alone in the dark, and trying to sleep (maybe it's raining heavily, and it's windy outside, and there's a little 'Moonlight', filtering through the curtains). Imagine every shadow, every slight movement, and every small sound ... 'We are seeing a 'myriad of Seasons'
55. (24th February 2016) Winter or Spring? Spring or Winter? Autumn? Summer? ???? It is getting pretty darned difficult, to predict what 'Season' it really is! Cold. Sunny. Wet. Warm. Snowy. We are seeing a 'myriad of Seasons', global warming, climate change. ???? Perhaps my earlier predictions were wrong, my feelings, of Spring slowly dawning. It's all too easy to forget, February is 'still' Winter! At least, it is here. 'The Northern Hemisphere'. But March is now less than a week away, so hopefully Spring will start to dawn. Snowy. Warm. Wet. Sunny. Cold. ???? Spring or Winter? Winter or Spring? Summer? Autumn? ???? © Robert Morrison, 2016 I looked out earlier this evening, and I was surprised to see that it had been snowing. There was already a blanket of snow covering the garden. It hadn't felt particularly warm, but it looked quite sunny, if overcast at points. At other times recently there has been rain. It made me think of 'a myriad of Seasons' and that is the purpose of this poem. To question. To question and think about climate. To question and think about global warming. It is a theme of mine, and I make no apology for returning to it. I often return to some of the same themes. My challenge is to always put a slightly different perspective on them each time - hopefully I succeed more than I fail! 'Let nature do the talking'
57. (26th February 2016) Nature. Birds' melody reawakening, from a slow, and steady, slumber. The dawning of a new Season, from the dying frost-chills, and decaying chimney-embers, of the last. Rebirth. Hope. Spring. Open the window. Let the 'Spirit of Nature' wash over your human soul, and touch your inner being. It is a life affirming moment. Winter sets. Spring dawns. Let nature do the talking. © Robert Morrison, 2016 This poem is all about 'opening the window' and letting 'nature do the talking', so I'm not going to say much more than that! I had an idea to present this poem in a slightly different way to usual (a unique way for me!), but I didn't want to miss posting it now. Stay tuned, and keep watching! 'The reawakening of nature' ('An invisible spiritual force')
59. (28th February 2016) Nature reawakens. The essence of Spring is blossoming, you feel it, with every breath. See it. Smell it. Hear it. Touch it. Brightly coloured, and fragrant flowers, cold-warm air, brushing against your skin, and the gently soothing songs of the birds, Close your eyes. An invisible spiritual force, binding together every living form. Our five senses can reach out, and feel the touch of that force. Open your senses. The reawakening of nature, and the 'coming of the Spring'. A new dawn. A new hope. © Robert Morrison, 2016 This covers 'poetic thoughts' 58 and 59 together, as they both have a similar genesis. They are about the 'coming of Spring' - the sounds, the smells, the sights, and the feelings, all the senses that wash over you. The afternoons seem much brighter, the evenings are staying light longer, and the birds are singing a cacophony of song, as they play 'the mating game'. Our senses take all of this in, touching the 'invisible spiritual force' which I feel binds all life and guides us. I put another title in brackets for 59, because really, that is an important meaning for the poem too. 'Spring renews the natural world'
61 (1st March 2016) March The early morning, bright and new, the air, cool, crisp and refreshing, wakes the lungs, with each deep breath. The birds, up already, are singing heartily. A new month. Sparrows dart, and fritter about, and a Blackbird takes elegant steps, Starlings peck at fat balls (and each other!), while Pheasants take a morning stroll, The Rooks congregate, getting frisky. The garden reborn. The early evening, (still bright) the Sun still shining before slumber, a 'burning sphere of blazing fire'. 'Spring renews the natural world, and the environment, all around us.' A new dawn. © Robert Morrison, 2016 March. A new month, the dawning of Spring. The weather is still very changeable, but the mornings are getting brighter earlier, the evenings are staying lighter longer, and the birds are singing all day - morning, afternoon and evening. The birds are collecting nesting material, and chasing after each other, and getting very frisky. It might not always feel like it, but the early days of Spring are here. 'The Telepathy of Nature'
63. (3rd March 2016) Telepathy There is a spiritual force, a telepathic connection, running through the 'whole' of nature, that reaches out, and touches your soul. All the 'parts' contribute to this 'whole'. The 'parts' and the 'whole'. There are no words, to describe this force, you can only imagine in your mind. How does the natural world make you feel? Think of the 'Spring evening chorus', of Blackbirds, and Robins, and Great Tits. Butterflies in your stomach, a smile on your face, and reinvigorated lungs, taking your breath away. Subtle, between conscious and unconscious, reaching a 'whole' new level of being. The 'world wide web' of the natural world. 'The Telepathy of Nature'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I read an article in 'New Scientist', about telepathy in humans. Brain communicating to another brain. It was an interesting article, but I think they are looking at it in the 'wrong' way - it's entirely 'material' in it's outlook (of how telepathy works). That inspired this poem - the 'Telepathy of Nature'. A spiritual force connecting, and running through, the natural world. We feel this force every day, whenever we interact with (and are closest to) nature. We just don't always realise that we are feeling it - because it is on a level between conscious and unconscious. That is the true power of telepathy in humans, and telepathy in the natural world. It's something that we are only just beginning to understand, and it's a difficult concept to comprehend (and get your head around), because it is largely a non-material event. That's what makes science fun! |
'A Picture of Four Seasons' - 1
65. (5th March 2016) A Picture of Four Seasons ... evolving, decays and renews. Winter White snow on the ground, streaks of Sunlight across it. Contrasts, of warm and cold. Spring Green leaves fresh and new, reflecting the dawning Sun. Rebirth, bright and vibrant. © Robert Morrison, 2016 'Some things are worth enduring'
50. (19th February 2016) A whirlwind. Waking up, with a start. Realising you've woken up late, much later than you should have. A whirlwind of activity, getting ready. Get dressed. Get washed. Bite to ear. You need to get to work. You need to be at work. Hectic! Setting the tone of the day. Hectic. Making it there, but only just in time. There's lots to be done, but not enough people. It is a relentless day - constant non-stop. The morning flies away, it is soon gone, and the afternoon, just as quick, is a blur. Where did the day go? A whirlwind. Making it home, still with energy, after a long, and tiring, day. Now it's time for a holiday, a week of relaxing and recharging. Blu-rays. Crisps. Beer. Some things are worth enduring the most trying of days for. This is one of them - me time! A holiday. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Waking up late. That can set the tone for your day. It was a day where a lot could easily have gone wrong, but it ultimately worked out alright. Some things are worth enduring, no matter how bad they first appear. When I got home, the Blu-Rays I had ordered had arrived, and I'm on holiday next week, so I have plenty of time to enjoy them. Perfect. 'Basic animal instincts, inherent in all of Nature'
52. (21st February 2016) Survive. The ability of Nature, to adapt and survive, is an every day amazement. Adapt. Take the common Hamster, (the name Hamster has origins in ancient German, meaning 'to hoard'). If a rodent is given access to all it needs, the resources most necessary for survival, a place of safety, food, water, bedding material then it will be more than able to survive. Hamsters are quite capable animals, they can (within reason!) look after themselves. Survival. A hamster can make a bed from 'cotton wool', pieces of paper, and shredded card, and sawdust. She can find food and water, using her sense of smell, and basic animal instincts, inherent in all of Nature. She can not defend against every predator, but she has a heightened sense of hearing, and agility, she has cheek-pouches for quick food storage, and chisel-like incisors can give a nasty bite! There's a clear reason, why Hamsters have survived. Adapting. © Robert Morrison, 2016 All this from just observing a pet hamster! Seeing the enormous bed she makes, and watching her empty her food dish. How quickly she wakes, and how soon she is immediately alert (and showing her teeth!). How easily startled she is (extremely efficient hearing), and how agile she at moving to somewhere safe (when she feels threatened). It fascinating to watch, that when you give her a piece of carrot, no matter how big it is, she'll always try and force it into her pouch before taking it into her bed (and her food store). Instinct kicks in (and doesn't go away - wild hamster, or pet hamster). Make sure the food is safe, and then get somewhere safe, quickly. Yep, there's definitely a reason why hamsters (and rodents in general) do so well. 'The primal instinct for survival'
54. (23rd February 2016) What causes conflict? What causes conflict between humans? Mistrust. Fear. Miscommunication. All leading to misunderstanding, the primal instinct for survival, for self-defence, for revenge, for fighting. Miscommunication. Mistrust. Fear. Misunderstanding. Communication. Hope. Trust. All leading to understanding, Move beyond our primal instincts. using thought and conscious reasoning, for co-operation, for goodwill, for peace. Trust. Communication. Hope. Understanding. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Obviously, conflict is much more complex, and there are many reason for it. But I wanted to touch on the subject, coming from my thoughts, after watching an interesting documentary on Channel 4, 'First Contact: Lost Tribe of the Amazon. It was about an 'isolated' tribe, on the border of Brazil and Peru, coming into contact with the rest of the world. One of the sources of conflict (at least initially) seemed to surround miscommunication (the barrier of language - different languages and dialect), mistrust, and fear. All understandable emotions (and reactions), but all leading to (or having the potential to lead to) misunderstanding, between the two groups of humans. Primal instincts for survival set in. One method to move beyond them is to use our thinking ability, and conscious reasoning, in order to co-operate and create peace. Communication, and hope, and trust, leading to understanding (or at least, the beginning of understanding). It was a very interesting documentary about us, about being human, seen through this 'isolated' tribe. Humans have so much to learn about ourselves, still. 'Do not ever stop challenging yourself'
56. (25th February 2016) Challenges. Yearly. Monthly. Weekly. Daily. Always give yourself challenges in life, dare to imagine that anything is possible, and, in your actions, make it happen! Dare the impossible. Live the impossible. You can only succeed if you try, and if you fail, try and try again. Challenge. Dare. Try and Try. Life is the greatest challenge there is. You can either give up, and give in, or you can fight, and keep on going, even in the face of absolute adversity. Keep challenging yourself to overcome things. You might fail, but somewhere you will succeed. do not ever stop challenging yourself. Daily. Weekly. Monthly. Yearly. Dares. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Actually written to give myself some inspiration. It's really is a challenge to think of an interesting poem for each day but, as ever, it is a challenge that I will keep on giving myself until this year is over. You can never stop daring, and challenging, yourself in life, even in the most adverse, and the most difficult, of circumstances. Keep on going. 'The Mating Game'
58. (27th February 2016) Spring The beginning of courtship. Evensong, in the lighter evenings, as all the birds sing to each other. in hope of attracting a soulmate. Males and females courting. 'The Mating Game'. Two birds, black silhouettes, perched amongst the tree branches, are they singing in competition? Gossip, or silence, between them, both fly off in different life directions One heads above, the other goes below. Life. Flying high and low. Geese, a cacophony of noise, a squawble, and a rabble, clearly heard, but high up in the sky, barely seen. Falling backdrop, behind the trees, of the 'burnt-orange Sun'. Glowing. Winter is setting. Spring is dawning. © Robert Morrison, 2016 'The parting of the ways'
60. (29th February 2016) Winter. It still lingers, cold on the air, yet the signs are here, in the trees. Spring. A lone Crow, grass in it's beak, preparing the way, to build a nest, in the light of the morning dew. Starlings, flying quick and earnest, Crows congregating, on the tree tops, cawing in expectation, of evening twilight. As the Sun falls and rises, 'the parting of the ways'. Winter to Spring. © Robert Morrison, 2016 The only poem I will write on the 29th of February (for a while at least, anyway!). It follows on from, and connects to, my previous three 'poetic thoughts', although none of them are linear in nature. The idea for this one is 'the parting of the ways', as the lingering Winter finally gives way to Spring. When this will be, who knows? There are still signs of transition, between Winter and Spring, at the moment. That's what my writing reflects here, and it feels kind of fitting for a poem written on the 29th of February. (the title also comes from a favourite 'Doctor Who' episode - 'The Parting of the Ways', by Russell T Davies, the finale of 'Series 1' back in 2005). 'The rebirth of the whole'
62. (2nd March 2016) Spring, rebirth and renewal. Renewing, and revitalising, every part of the natural world, allowing the 'rebirth of the whole' - a fresh outlook, and perspective, on life. Changing all of our perceptions. Spring may be slow to wake from slumber, with new snow falling, and settling gently, on the ground. But look to nature, as a source for inspiration and encouragement. The birds don't stop what they're doing. They carry on, often against the odds, and even in adverse conditions, foraging for food, building their nests. Nature keeps on going. Nature has a deep inner resolve, one that we can learn from. The 'parts' of the natural world inspire the 'whole'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 It was a beautiful morning, clear and sunny. I started thinking about the rebirth, and renewal, of Spring, and the refreshed outlook and persepctive it offers us on life. Then the afternoon was more overcast, it became colder, and then it began snowing. My thinking turned to how nature always keeps on going. Often against the odds, and even in adverse conditions. Nature does not stop, because it can not afford too. This poem reflects that 'inner resolve' of nature, and touches on the idea of the 'whole' again - the 'parts' making up the natural world inspiring the 'whole' (the 'whole' of the natural world, is reflected in the 'parts' of the natural world). I'm still studying the idea of the 'whole' - it has a deeper meaning than I'm able to go into here (both in this commentary, and in the poem itself). It is something I hope to write more about in the future. "The 'Whole' of the Seasons"
64 (4th March 2016) The 'Whole' of the Seasons. 1. A Winter dawn, in early morning, white frost-dew settling on the ground, it is disturbed only by the chilly breeze. 2. Spring arrivies, in the afternoon, a melodic harmony of soothing birdsong, the Sun is rising, as flower buds awaken. 3. A Summer evening, the Sun is setting, with the musty air warm and calming, the gentle evensong, slow and sleepy. 4. Autumn wind, filling with chimney smoke ochre leaves falling from bare branches, green buds dormant, waiting for Spring. The frost-dew starts to settle ... 5. The 'Parts' of all the Seasons, make up the 'Whole' of one Season, a single day of the year. Every day undergoes Seasonal changes, (often subtle, and always there) - the days, weeks, months and years. © Robert Morrison, 2016 The weather has been very changeable over the last week, and this poem is an attempt to reflect that. It again looks at the 'Whole', and how it is reflected in the 'Parts'. Just as there are seasons across the months of the year, there are seasonal changes from week to week, and over the course of a single day. All of this is In a 'Cycle' - just one of the many cycles on Earth. The poem is made up of 'parts' (making up the 'whole') and is my impression of each month (a little bit embellished, rather than my 'exact' experience over the last week - that's alright, that's part of poetry). My next two poems also follow this theme, whilst reflecting the idea of the Seasons being a 'Cycle'. Two poems, each in two 'parts' (Winter and Spring, Summer and Autumn), and each making up the 'Whole', in a continuing cycle. Poems 65. and 66. also accompany four photographs, representing each of the four Seasons. 'A Picture of Four Seasons' - 2
66. (6th March 2016) Summer Field-green in golden Sunlight, a tree branch reaching above, Vibrant, warm and light. Autumn Golden ochre leaves of old, bathing in the risen Sun. Evolving, decays and renews. white snow on the ground ... © Robert Morrison, 2016 |
'The Spring renewal of times gone by'
67. (7th March 2016) The Spring renewal, of 'times gone by'. The 'Past in the Present', looking forward to 'the future'. At times, a tougher life of discipline, at other times, a gentler, happier life. And where there was discipline, there was also healthy respect. The Past. Spring is about change. melding the best from the past, with the the best of the present. Taking 'the best of both worlds' into the future, and far beyond. The Present. Mixing older, trusted, methods, with the ingenuity, technology, of today. Spring is something old, something new. Moving forwards, with the best of what is behind us. The Future. Learn from the past, in the present, and transpose it into the future. Ground it with those better values of 'times gone by' - the discipline and respect. Past. Present. Future. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Spring is about renewal. I wanted to look at Spring, and renewal, in a slightly different way. This poem is about the renewal of past values, the values of 'times gone by', and the renewal of tried and trusted methods. Most of all, the sense of discipline and respect that there used to be. Take the best qualities from the present, while learning from the past, and moving into the future. Build a better tomorrow, and build it on a solid foundation (of discipline and respect). 'The natural world in a whole new light'
69. (9th March 2016) See Spring. Look at the world in a new, and different way. The natural world in a 'whole' new light, a fresh and renewed light. It can be the smallest of things. Two female Pheasants in the garden, one of them up on the bird feeder, pecking away at the suet logs. That's not something you see every day! That's the fun of discovering Spring! The art, and instinct, of survival, foraging for food, and finding a mate, animals have to do all of these things, and sometimes, they'll do the unexpected! The beautiful wonder of life, and renewal. The surprises of Spring. © Robert Morrison, 2016 Spring, from a different perspective again., I thought about how unexpected nature can be - how it can surprise you. I looked out of the kitchen window in the morning, and there were two female Pheasants in the garden. This isn't unexpected, of course - there are fields beyond our back garden, and Pheasants quite often visit. What did surprise me was to see one of them actually standing on the bird feeder - even more so, given it was a rather large and cumbersome bird! 'The mornings are bright and alive'
71. (11th March 2016) Trees. Bathed in the light-rays of the morn', the birds sing a rousing, triumphant, song, fleeting from branch to branch, over the garden. the thrill of the 'morning chase'! Hedges. The 'spoils of war', friend and foe, birds chasing each other, high and far, males chase males, females elude males, the 'mating game' is hotting up! Spring. The mornings are bright and alive. A male Chaffinch flies by proud, puffing out his pink breast. Love is in the air. © Robert Morrison, 2016 The mornings are alive at the moment, bright with sunshine and the activity of birds. I wrote this poem to reflect that - to capture the beauty, and the love, and the renewal of Spring. There is also the contrast again, of friend and foe. Males are chasing other males away, and competing with them. Females are eluding males, that are chasing after them. Males and females are 'coupling up' together in the 'mating game'. You can see all this, watching from your window in the morning. Spring. 'Tomorrow? Today'
73. (13th March 2016) Tomorrow? Clear cloud-haze in the sky, a bright warmth rests on the air, the heavens are calm and waiting. Sparrows and Finches are light holograms, tweeting and chattering, the afternoon chorus. Waking. Today. © Robert Morrison, 2016 These two poems are both connected together. They are about contrasts again.The dull evening, slightly damp, the Rooks cawing and falling into sleep. The bright afternoon, warm and dry, the Sparrows chattering and waking up into life. They are about cycles again too - the cycle of 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'. 'Tomorrow?' has a question mark, because you're never quite sure what tomorrow will bring, what it will be like. All you know is what yesterday 'was', and what today 'is'. What 'will' tomorrow be? |
'Spring evolution. Spring revolution.'
68. (8th March 2016) Spring evolution The wonder, and beauty, of a butterfly being born. A caterpillar gourges on leaves, until it can no longer eat any more. It enters a chrysalis, or a 'womb of rebirth', where an evolution, a revolution, takes place. Evolution of the physical body, revolution of physical being. Spring revolution Enter the 'chrysalis of the mind', the rebirth of thought, and consciousness. Morph your perceptions, and your attitudes, move away from primal, savage, and unconscious, towards cognition, enlightenment, and conscious. Evolution of the mind and soul, revolution of eternal spirit. Spring evolution. Spring revolution. © Robert Morrison, 2016 For me, this poem is all about looking at Spring from a different angle. Spring is about evolution, and revolution. Look at the way a Caterpillar forms a chrysalis, and then emerges as a butterfly. I translated this into a 'chrysalis of the mind' - the evolution, and revolution, of our mind and soul, and of our eternal spirit. Our evolution to a higher level of being. It's another reflection of the 'whole' - the physical 'chrysalis of the caterpillar and butterfly', and the non-corporeal 'chrysalis of the mind, soul and spirit'. All of these ideas fascinate me. Evolution. Revolution. 'A resting sleep'
70. (10th March 2016) Dawn. You see them both every day, dawn in the east, sunset in the west, a cascade of energy and colour. They really aren't that different, twin bookends, and part of a cycle. The beginning, and the end, rolling into new beginnings, eternal. Sunset. Do not think of the Sun setting, as a process of dying slumber, think of it as a resting sleep, awakening again in the morning, to begin anew. Spring. © Robert Morrison, 2016 A relatively simply poem, looking at the contrasts, and similarities, between 'dawn' and 'sunset'. I was watching a sunset one evening, and started thinking, that you shouldn't think of the sun as entering a 'dying slumber', but rather a 'resting sleep', and one from which it will reawaken again in the morning - to 'begin anew'. That is the essence of Spring, and the cycles of the Earth. 'Yesterday. Tomorrow?'
72. (12th March 2016) Yesterday. Grey-white clouds in the sky, a drizzle of moisture on the air, the heavens are ready to open. Crows and Rooks are dark silouettes, cawing and wooing, the evening twilight. Sleeping. Tomorrow? © Robert Morrison, 2016 'Wandering aimlessly, lost in your thoughts'
74. (14th March 2016) Signs of nature, and Spring, in a clear suburban setting. A 'tale of happenstance'. I can hear a Yellowhammer, 'a little bit of bread and no cheeeese', singing close, but hidden from view. I think I will not see him, but then he sees me first! 'The falling Sun'. Plenty birdsong. Insects. The 'house that time forgot', hidden in an undergrowth of plants and trees. A Sparrow nest? A Duck chases a Duck. Signs of the recent flooding, but also signs that nature will recover, the natural world has that capacity. The Moon is getting brighter, or the Sun is getting duller. The Moon is rising, while the Sun is falling. 'Wandering aimlessly, lost in your thoughts'. You don't need any tools, just your senses and your soul. Rooks gathering in the 'rookery'. To rest. © Robert Morrison, 2016 There is nothing quite like just 'wandering aimlessly, lost in you thoughts' - your own thoughts. All you need are your senses, and your soul. A camera (and, in my case, a pen and paper), can help you capture the moment, but they are not essential. You don't need any tools. Just step outside, walk, and see where it takes you!I went on my first Spring walk today, and it was beautiful - the Sun was still bright, and the air was alive with the sound of birdsong. I sketched a few notes, and formed them into this poem. It reflects my 'aimless wander' and is a 'tale of happenstance'. (N.B. - The 'Photo Gallery' below goes with this poem) |
'The Therapy of Nature'
75. (15th March 2016) The 'Therapy of Nature'. You don't have to go far, you can enjoy nature anywhere. From the comfort of your home, open the window, or keep it closed. Take a short walk, around the block. The sound of birds 'soothes your soul'. The 'Therapy of Birdsong'. Autism can paralyse with anxiety, and you don't even know why. The best medicine is nature, fresh air, and being around the natural world. It can be as simple as hearing a Blackbird, singing a lullaby. The 'Therapy of Nature'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 I'm trying to write a poem inspired by Spring, and nature, in the month of March. I'm also aspiring to make each poem thought-provoking and different. I confess that I got a little lost with this one. I knew the title of the poem, but I didn't know where to take it. My autistic side left me confused, a little anxious, and a little uncertain. That can lead to self-doubt (is my writing any good?). It's difficult to describe, the 'anxiety of autism' - while it's still quite unsettling (some days more than others), I've learned to control it long before it results in a meltdown. I just needed to listen to the birds singing outside (I don't even need to open the window - there's such a chorus at the moment, because it is Spring!), and go away and watch some television. I just needed to reconnect with nature again, so I went for a walk by the river on Thursday, and finished writing my latest three poems. I overcame this challenge, and that's all this is - the daily challenges of life. We all have those, it just happens that mine are influenced by autism. It's a challenge that I keep overcoming, and will continue to do so. 'Just take a few moments, and wander'
77. (17th March 2016) Re-discover Nature. Society problems, seem all too apparent. Too much litter. Too many cars. Too much speed. To much desire (to be somewhere else). Problems. Pollution. The solutions are in nature, it is there that we should look for them. Everything we need is right in front of us, in the simpler ways of the natural world. Amidst the complexity, and the chaos, there is order. 'Just take a few moments, and wander'. Everything you need is right in front of you. Re-discover Nature. Re-connect with the 'Whole'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 My walk by the river re-invigorated my soul, and helped me in re-discovering nature. I never lose sight of nature, but I do have to make sure that I 're-connect with nature' all the time. I feel it's something we all should do (but that's just my opinion). Somehow, when I'm out in nature, I transcend to a whole new level of being - 'petty human politics' don't bother me so much, as there is something much higher (and far too beautiful) in the natural world than 'human pettiness'. It did dismay me, to see so much litter, too many cars (that's more a symptom of over-population, than a worry in itself), and too much speed (we always seem to be in such a hurry, perhaps by necessity sometimes). There are problems in society, but I am convinced that many (maybe even all?) of the solutions can be found in nature - we can find them by re-discovering nature, and re-connecting with the natural world, and the 'Whole'. Those are the thoughts behind this piece of writing. 'Hope, of solutions for society'
79. (19th March 2016) Hope, of solutions for society. Spring is all about renewal. How about a renewal of our morals? A better foundation for society, a humanity 'grounded' in Nature. Hope. We have stepped back, and seen the 'Natural World', from a different perspective. Now we need to reconnect with it. Hope, for the future. © Robert Morrison, 2016 These two poems, 78 and 79, ended up being written together. They show two different perspectives. A frustration with the problems of society, and the inability of a single person to change anything (on their own). But one person can think, can talk, and can write - they can share a message, and help to change the world. Together. This leads into a hope for solutions in the future, solutions grounded in nature, and based on a better foundation. A more 'moral' foundation - one without money, and greed, and power as its base. As humans, we have stepped back and seen the 'Natural World' from a 'whole' different perspective, but we are still 'part' of that 'Natural World', and it is time for us to reconnect and find a better balance with 'Nature'. Spring is about renewal, and renewal can mean all sorts of thing - in this case, a renewal of our connection with the 'Natural World'. |
'The Simpler Moments'
76. (16th March 2016) The 'Simpler Moments'. Enjoy nature, even the simpler moments. Look out of the window, into the garden - sacred place. The "Bird Bath' sits, water glistening, visited by two Blackbirds, and a Sparrow, each one after the other. Spashing, a ruffle of feathers, and then they are gone. Beautiful 'happenstances of nature'. The 'Simpler Moments'. © Robert Morrison, 2016 This poem has the same origins as the previous one. I knew the title, I scribbled down the first few lines, and then I got lost. When I was out on my river walk, I started to think about the simpler things, and I realised this poem didn't need to be too long or complex. It's about enjoying the 'simpler moments' of life - like watching Blackbirds and Sparrows enjoying a splash in the bird bath, from the kitchen window. The little, beautiful, 'happenstances of nature' which brighten, and cheer up, your life. The 'simpler moments'. 'Frustration, at the problems of society'
78. (18th March 2016) Frustration, at the problems of society. Money. Greed. Power. A desire for material possession, distance from the 'Natural World', and the great danger of ideology. Frustration. Planet Earth, our home, is amazing, yet everything is taken for granted. How can one, single, person change this? They can think, and they can write, they can get the 'message' across. Frustration, yet hope. © Robert Morrison, 2016 (commentary below 'Poem 78') |
© Robert Morrison, 2019
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The copyright in all material appearing on this website remains with the author. No part of this website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.