Monthly Archives: December 2016

Changing reading habits

It was a holiday in Turkey some years ago which was the catalyst to a major change in my reading habits.

I’d finished the last of the books I’d brought with me – three days before our holiday ended. We were staying in a small town which had shops selling hand-painted pottery, gorgeous silver jewellery and clothing – but no books. The DH, who listens to audio books, panicked at the thought of me being without a book for three days. I panicked at the thought of being without a book to read by the pool, in bed and – terrifying thought – nothing to read on the plane.

Somehow – I think we have Google to thank and the Brits who love cats – the DH tracked down a source of books. In an estate agent’s office discovered a narrow, but tall, set of shelves crammed full of paperbacks…

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There Was A Young Man Called Pailing

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There was a young man called Pailing
Who went out with his dog sailing.
They got lost in the ocean,
And there was quite a commotion,
You should have heard their weeping and wailing!

—

There was a young man called Pailing
Who bought a brand new railing.
But the darned thing broke,
And he remarked, “what a joke,
And the light it is certainly failing!”

The Robots Are Coming

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A speech by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England in which he predicts that over time upto 15 million jobs are at risk of automation in the UK. The occupations at risk include that of estate agent, call centre operative and customer service roles.
The Industrial Revolution saw the replacement of the artisan craftsman by the cotton mill but, ultimately the jobs market adjusted to the change and mass unemployment (as invisioned by Carney in the present instance) did not result. However the past is not, of course an infallible guide to the future although we can learn much from history.
One job which does, in my view remain safe is that of barmaid and barman. Particularly in locals (pubs which serve a group of “regulars”, for they are much more than places to which people repair in order to drink. There is, in a good local a tremendous rapre between the bar staff and the “regulars” with friendships and, on occasions relationships being forged across the bar. While in vast supermarket-like pubs (which usually serve an ever changing customer base) I can envisage vending machines playing a much greater role and perhaps replacing bar staff (other than a manager or 2) completely, I cant see this happening in all pubs. Indeed its perfectly possible that having “real” staff behind the bar will be a selling point for those pubs who retain them.
For the article please visit, http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mark-carney-speech-robots_uk_584675e1e4b07ac724498813.

There Was A Young Lady Called Anna

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There was a young lady called Anna
Who waved a rather rude banner.
When people did complain
She said, with disdain
“This is just my normal manner”!

Nothing in Particular

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On a fine
December day, when the sun does shine,
I breathe in the smell
Of old books, and hope all may be well.

Dust causes me to cough.
One may scoff
At the idea
Yet I fancy, death brings up the rear.

My wardrobe door creaks at a late hour.
Reason’s power
Has gone astray
And I pray
That despair
Remains in his lair.

Self Publish! It Can’t Get Any Worse

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An interesting piece which just goes to show that well established publishing houses can make significant mistakes with author’s work.

Podcast of Kevin’s poem, “My Old Clock I Wind” on Vancouver Co-op Radio

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Many thanks to Neall of Vancouver Co-op Radio for reading my poem, “My Old Clock I wind” and Ariadne for facilitating this. The poem is below:

“My old clock I wind
And much philosophy therein find.
I can bring
The pendulum’s swing
To a stop With my hand,
Yet I can not command
Time to default
On his duty and halt
The passing of the years.
He has no ears
For our laughter and tears
And his sickle will swing on
Long after we are gone”.

The show was broadcast at 13:00 on Thursday 8 December and can be found

HERE

My poem is read approximately 45 minutes into the programme.

I will be interviewed on Vancouver Co-op Radio on 12 January 2017.

Kevin

Kevin’s poetry to be read on Vancouver Co-op Radio

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Thank you to Ariadne Sawyer for kindly agreeing to read one of my poems in her programme, which broadcasts from 1-2 pm today, on Vancouver Co-op Radio.

K Morris - Poet

I was delighted to learn that Ariadne, from Vancouver Co-op Radio (http://www.coopradio.org/content/world-poetry-cafe-2), has kindly agreed to read one of my poems, during her programme, which airs between 1-2 pm on Thursday 8 December. Ariadne presents the World Poetry Reading Series (http://worldpoetry.ca/), a regular feature on Vancouver Co-op Radio. I am grateful to Ariadne and Vancouver Co-op Radio for this opportunity.
I will, at a later date be interviewed by Ariadne on her programme. Once details are known I will post them here.

Kevin

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