When playing Russian Roulette
There can be no denial
That a man may be lucky for a while,
And yet
As the chamber spins
His sins …
Skins against skins.
One may throw the dice
More than thrice
And avoid the shot.
On evenings hot
When the wine flows
Temptation grows
And only a strong man can resist
Perfume on a girl’s wrist.
There was a young lady named Goose
Who’s morals where rather loose.
It was her delight
Of a summer’s night
To tease the bishop, who was somewhat obtuse …
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has produced a short film, explaining how sight impaired people navigate using the white cane.
Prior to getting my first guide dog, Nixon (no jokes about Watergate please), I used a white cane to navigate. I well remember people not paying attention to what was going on around them and tripping over my cane.
Admittedly, when I was in the process of learning to navigate using a cane, some of the tripping stemmed from my imperfect utilisation of it. However, as my technique improved, the tripping incidents which did happen flowed from the lack of attention demonstrated by sighted people (I apologised none the less)!
I am now working with my fourth guide dog, Trigger so my use of the cane is extremely rare.
However, back in 2016 Trigger had several lumps removed (fortunately all where found to be benign). While he recovered (a period of some 2 weeks), I used my cane.
Having fallen out of practice I had several bumps and scrapes as a consequence of my imperfect technique. I was, however soon back in the saddle and my acquaintance with telegraph poles and other obstacles became a distant memory.
For RNIB’s film on the cane please visit http://rnib.org.uk/cane-explained.
—
My collection of poetry, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is available, as a braille book from RNIB https://newauthoronline.com/2017/07/21/lost-in-the-labyrinth-of-my-mind-is-available-to-purchase-in-braille-from-rnib/. “Lost” can also be obtained, in print and ebook formats from Moyhill http://moyhill.com/lost/.
I am working with RNIB to make my recently published collection of poetry, “My Old Clock I Wind” available in braille. Once “My Old Clock” has been added to RNIB’s shelves, an announcement will appear here.
In the meantime “My Old Clock” can be purchased, in ebook and paperback formats from Moyhill http://moyhill.com/clock/.
Different shapes and sizes.
Once there were surprises.
Now whatever he devises
Passion rarely rises.
Black or white?
What does it matter?
Sometimes a brief delight,
But most dreams shatter
Delivery not completed.
Number deleted.
It is foretold
That all that glitters
Is not gold.
There was a young man called Mack
Who said “the best form of defence is attack”.
He hit a man
(His name was Dan),
Who promptly whacked Mack back!
If the stream flows
But the fish die,
Then who am I?
I perceive
That a stream can not grieve,
Nor can it wish
For future fish.
There is much history in books, if one looks carefully enough. By this I do not mean those works concerned with history itself, nor am I refering to historical fiction. Rather I am referring to passing references, such as that contained in the 4-volume edition of John Buchan’s “The Thirty-Nine Steps”, which resides on the top shelf of the tall pine bookcase in my bedroom. The book’s title page reads
“… printed and published by the National Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street, London W” and carries the date of 1938.
The National Institute for the Blind has, for many years, been the Royal National Institute of Blind People, and its head office is today located in Peterborough.
On turning over the title page, the reader comes across the following
“The price given for this book in the National Institute’s books catalogue represents the actual cost of production. The book is sold to libraries and institutions for the blind in the British Empire, and to blind persons resident in the United Kingdom, or in any part of the British Empire at one-third the catalogue price”.
The British Empire has, of course long ceased to be. However contained within the pages of the braille edition of “The Thirty-Nine Steps” I find a reminder of a vanished age.
I would be interested to learn of any books owned by this blog’s readers which contain interesting historical data. Please do comment below.
Kevin
I am pleased to report that my collection of poetry, “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is available to purchase, as a braille book, from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and can be found by clicking HERE.
Enter “morris kevin. lost in the labyrinth of my mind“, into the search field and click on search.
My book should then be displayed.
Alternatively “Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” can be ordered by emailing them directly at: library@rnib.org.uk, or by calling them on 0303 123 9999.
When contacting RNIB please quote order number 25686204.
“Lost” was originally brailled in 2016 (and I was provided with my own copy at this juncture), however it has only now been added to RNIB’s catalogue, meaning that it can be purchased by any braille user who wishes to do so.
“Lost in the Labyrinth of My Mind” is also available in print, from Moyhill Publishing, http://moyhill.com/lost/, and as an ebook in the Amazon Kindle store, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AF5EPVY
There was a young Futurist named Page
Who was in love with the industrial age.
When the music played loud
She would dance for the crowd,
On the cold and empty stage.
(The above limerick was prompted by this post by Paul Andrus, http://www.paul-andruss.com/futurist-manifesto/).
