Category Archives: musings

Poets Anonymous

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On the evening of Friday 3 July, I spent a pleasant couple of hours participating in a poetry reading organised by Poets Anonymous on Zoom, http://www.poetsanon.org.uk/.

Poets Anonymous organises poetry readings. Prior to the pandemic these took place in and around London, (many of them in Croydon). However, since the outbreak of COVID-19 events have moved online. The group also sends out emails to interested people regarding poetry matters, including competitions and opportunities for poets to have their work featured.

I greatly enjoyed listening to other poets reading their work, and reading several of my own poems from “The Selected Poems of K Morris”, and “Light and Shade: Serious (and Not so Serious) Poems”. One of the poems read by me is entitled “In This Old Familiar Wood”, and runs thus:

“In this old, familiar wood

I take my hood

Down, just

In time for the rain.

I shall not put it up again.

Thoughts of lust,

Of lost love,

And friendship I shall retain

For a while. But this wood,

And the rain,

Shall remain.”

(“In This Old Familiar Wood” can be found in “Light and Shade: Serious (and Not so Serious) Poems”, which is available in paperback and Kindle, and can be found here, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B37VVKV/.

Of Poetry and Felines

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Following on from my post of 1 July, https://kmorrispoet.com/2020/07/01/poet-kevin-morriss-interview-on-the-world-poetry-reading-series-is-due-to-be-aired-at-9-pm-uk-time-on-thursday-2-july/, I am pleased to announce that a podcast of my interview on Vancouver Co-Op Radio’s the World Poetry Reading Series is now available and can be found here, http://www.coopradio.org/content/world-poetry-caf%C3%A9-96.

My interview starts approximately 20 minutes into the podcast, and runs for some 15 minutes.

I listened back to my interview using Google Chrome, so know that Chrome works. However, as is so often said, other browsers are available!

During the course of the podcast, you will hear the interventions of Tommy the cat. He did, I think enjoy my poems, or perhaps his mews where his way of saying, “is there not something more interesting I could be doing, than listening to a middle-aged poet reading his poetry!”.

Poet Kevin Morris’s Interview on the World Poetry Reading Series is Due to be Aired at 9 pm (UK Time) on Thursday 2 July

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As explained in this post, https://kmorrispoet.com/2020/06/21/poet-kevin-morris-to-be-interviewed-on-vancouver-co-op-radios-the-world-poetry-reading-series-on-thursday-25-june-2020/, I was due to be interviewed by Ariadne Sawyer of the World Poetry Reading Series concerning my poetry and, in particular my recently released collection, “Light and Shade: Serious (and Not so Serious) Poems“, over Zoom on Thursday 25 June.

The interview duly took place, and will (technology permitting) be broadcast at 9 pm (UK time), on Thursday 2 July.

The World Poetry Reading Series can be found here, https://worldpoetry.ca/. My interview takes place approximately 20 minutes into the show, and can be listened to online, via smart speakers such as Amazon Echo, or on digital radio.

Kevin

I Scent the Early Summer Air

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I scent the early summer air,
And there
Find a hint of autumn leaves.
The trees
Hold what will be gold
Once autumn calls, and leaves
Fall down,
To the ground.
For within this early summer air,
I scent the autumn hiding there.

Shopping During the Pandemic

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Being in need of some new trainers (the 2 pairs I own are fine for walking the dog, but not much else), I visited TK Maxx with a friend yesterday.

According to this Guardian article, https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2020/jun/10/shopping-for-clothes-is-about-to-get-weird-heres-how-to-make-it-simpler, one can expect the following when clothes shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Staff wearing masks.
The presence of free hand sanatiser in stores.
A 2 meter social distancing rule,
And any clothes touched by customers quarantined (if not bought) to prevent the spread of the virus.

Being blind, I did my shopping with the assistance of a sighted friend.

Sure enough, on entering the store, we where directed to hand sanatiser which we both used prior to commencing our shopping.

“Are the staff wearing masks?” I enquired?”, as we stood by a clothes rail. “no”, my friend replied.

In England, its compulsory to wear masks/cover one’s face on public transport. However the wearing of face coverings in most other settings (including shops) is voluntary.

Whilst in store, I tried on several pairs of trainers, one of which I purchased, whilst the others where returned to the shelves.

My friend and I both handled clothes and put back those we did not purchase, as there seemed to be no separate place for depositing garments destined for quarantine.

In England, the 2 meter social distancing rule has been reduced to 1 meter plus. This means that 2 meters should still apply when practicality allows, but 1 meter is allowable where 2 meters is impossible or unreasonably difficult (for example in the hospitality industry). TK Max had a 2 meter distancing rule, which customers all seemed to be respecting.

Following our visit to TK Max, we went into a nearby Sainsburys. This was much busier than TK Maxx and I was glad to have my mask on (although just how effective face coverings are is still a matter of debate). Unlike TK Maxx, Sainsburys did not appear to have free hand sanatiser available for their customers use, although its possible that we failed to spot its presence.

Conclusions:

Pre COVID-19, I would, as a blind person enter a shop and take the arm of a member of staff who would conduct me round the store, help in the choosing of items ETC. Whilst under the Equalities Act stores (and other businesses and service providers) have to offer assistance to people who are disabled, just how this will happen during the pandemic is a cause for concern. For example would a member of staff be happy for a visually impaired person such as myself to take their arm? My own view is that with the wearing of a mask and the cleaning of the arm once the assistance has been provided, should greatly reduce the risk of transmission of any infection.

I have no idea what the policy of TK Maxx is as regards guiding, as I was guided by my friend. The store staff where pleasant and helpful and I’ve no negative comments. However I can’t help wondering what my experience would have been like had I gone in alone, with my guide dog or white cane.

The apparent absence of a quarantine pile for unwanted items did not entirely surprise me, as I’m not sure how practical such a policy is. Even where such a policy exists it is, of course dependent on customers remembering to place unwanted items on the quarantine pile.

As for masks, I am not sure how effective they are. I don’t wear them on the street, in parks ETC. However I will wear them in crowded shops. Although they are impractical in settings such as pubs and restaurants.

2 Reviews of My Collection of Poetry, “Light and Shade: Serious (and Not so Serious) Poems

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I was delighted to discover that my collection of poetry, “Light and Shade: Serious (and Not so Serious) Poems” has received a further 2 reviews on Goodreads.

—

Veronika Sizova:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this poetry collection, which has immersed me into a vibrant universe of scintillating humour and alluring melancholy
simultaneously. The bold contrast between the sections “Light” and “Shade” has particularly fascinated me, being reminiscent of the chiaroscuro technique
used by Renaissance artists to accentuate the beauty of their paintings by incorporating the dichotomy of lightness and darkness into their masterpieces.
Kevin Morris has demonstrated exceptional poetic artistry in combining humorous topics with serious themes, such as profound contemplation of human life’s
inevitable evanescence and immortalizing one’s beloved in art.

I would also like to applaud the author for his thoughtfulness and brilliant decision to add footnotes, describing the references he used throughout the
book. An ardent lover of literary allusions, I have particularly enjoyed the poem “The Weather Was Chill,” where Emily Dickinson’s “feathered hope” makes
a flamboyant appearance. It was also my pleasure to find a playful verse referencing “La Belle Dame sans Merci,” which I highly admire.

As Kevin Morris would say, indulging in rhyme is not yet a crime, so don’t hesitate to read his excellent poetry!”.

(For the review please visit, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3412806912?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1.

—

Audrey Driscoll:

“Section 1 – Love, Nature and Time — comprises poems on themes familiar to those acquainted with Morris’s poetry. The atmosphere is almost uniformly somber,
with occasional touches of wry humour. Appreciation of nature is inevitably paired with awareness of mortality. Desire is of the unfulfilled variety, with
overtones of irony, as in “Escort (an Acrostic),” the final poem of the section.

Similar poems are grouped together; thus, we have five poems featuring autumn leaves and four that mention wind. They are all brief, but almost seem like
different versions of a single poem.

The best of the serious verses have a roundness and a satisfying trajectory. “I Saw a Great Bough,” for example, and “The Sun’s Light Ends in Night.” Others
limp a little. For example, “The Point of Poetry.” “Why must I / Attempt to capture / Every rapture / Or simple pleasure? / The weather / Is there to be
enjoyed, / Be it fine or wet, / Yet.” To my ear, the line “Is there to be enjoyed,” is a bit too long and breaks the rhythm. But perhaps this is intentional,
since the poem’s final line mentions “a poor rhyme.”

Several poems at the end of Section 1 mention the effects of Covid-19. “The Pubs are All Closed,” is the most obvious example, as it expresses regret for
a lost sense of community, even though “girls in short clothes” continue to “go by.”

“Do Good Men Count Sheep?” is interesting. It contains yet another ambiguous reference to women – or rather, to “girls” – who appear often in this collection
as passing by, being glimpsed, or being unavailable.

Section 2, Humour, is considerably longer and a departure from the serious. In fact, many of these short, limerick-like verses are goofy, zany, and downright
bizarre. Here again are groups of similar verses; for example, the set of ten under the title “Miss White.” Each one features a lady by name of White in
a different situation. Many of these verses display a spirit of gleeful naughtiness in keeping with the limerick tradition.

While the limericks adhere to the AABBA rhyme scheme, I did find problems with the rhythm in some cases. Too many syllables in a line causes unexpected
jolts, as in “There Was a Horologist Named Sue.” I must admit that incorporating the word “horologist” into a limerick is a challenge, so perhaps I should
not be too critical.

Quite a few of these short poems are clever and funny. I particularly enjoyed “A Young Lady from France,” “Concrete Poetry,” “Hall’s Ball,” and “There
Once Was a PM Named Boris.”

“Physicists Say” returns to the philosophical, but with a lighthearted tone. Another poem that departs from the limerick form is “Poetry and Prose.” It
neatly sums up a poet’s thoughts about his art.

I recommend Light and Shade to anyone who appreciates short, thoughtful poems. Readers may dip into the serious side if so inclined, or skip over to the
Humour section for a smile and a giggle.”

(For the review please visit, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3412237891?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1).

“Light and Shade” is available in paperback and Kindle and can be found here, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B37VVKV/.

The Darkening Glass

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The weather grows
Hot. Girl’s clothes
Are short.
I aught
To recollect my age!

This brightly lit stage
Will go dark,
And the lark
Cease to sing.

Spring
And summer pass.
While lad and lass
Must pass
Before the darkening glass.

Cover Up

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The journal Pulse reports that:

“the BMA believes face coverings should be worn at all times where practicable, including outdoors, in case social distancing is not observed for whatever reason.” (see http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/bma-calls-for-the-public-to-be-required-to-wear-face-masks-in-all-settings/20041054.article).

I have the greatest respect for the medical profession. They saved my life as a small child by removing a blood clot from my brain. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals work extremely hard, and have put themselves at great risk during the Corona pandemic in the line of duty.

I do, however hope that the UK government resists calls by the BMA for the wearing of face coverings “in all settings”.

We have been told that, when outside, the risk of contracting the virus is greatly reduced due to the circulation of air. Indeed the first lockdown restrictions to be lifted pertained to allowing people (not from the same household) to socialise outdoors. Yet we are now being advised (or told depending on how one interprets it), by the BMA that we should all be wearing masks as a matter of routine in all settings.

I for one would rather take the risk when in a park, strolling through the woods, or in some other place of beauty where the air is good, of not wearing a mask and actually feeling that I’m living a life (rather than merely existing)

Are we to be medicated to the extent that we remain “safe” whilst joy dies?

I accept the need for face coverings on public transport where social distancing is frequently impossible. However imposing the wearing of masks/face coverings “in all settings” is a step to far, and I sincerely hope that the government does not act on the advice of the BMA in this instance.

Are we really going to turn into a society where policemen pop out from behind trees in the forest and say, “excuse me, why are you not wearing a face covering?” The very idea is, at the same time both risible and rather sinister.