There is no need for the confessional
For she is not a professional
And ‘tis such a little thing
To pawn one’s ring,
And you can, I am told
Buy back gold,
But what of other things?
Pawn
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Category Archives: newauthoronline
The Timeless Power of Public Clocks
Ever since I can remember, clocks have held a fascination for me. As a child I would sit entranced listening to the ticking of a wall mounted or grandfather clock, The hypnotic tick tock combined with the movement of the pendulum transporting me to another world.
During my career I have worked in Westminster, and when the office windows where open, and the wind was in the right direction, the chimes of Big Ben reached my ears, . I feel lucky to have heard this historic timepiece, not merely on news broadcasts but also during my time working in Westminster.
Given my interest in clocks, I was pleased to come across David K. Leff’s essay, ”The Timeless Power of Public Clocks”, in which the author discusses the enduring hold communal timepieces exert over us.
In my recently published collection of poetry, “My Old Clock I Wind”, the passing of time is (as suggested by the title) a key theme running through the book. “My Old Clock” is available (in ebook format) from Amazon and can be found HERE.
It is also available from the publisher in both print and electronic formats and can be found here, http://moyhill.com/clock/.
For a recording of me reading the title poem “My Old Clock I Wind” please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG-TzllCqkg.
Dice
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
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 Cane Explained
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.
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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/.
The Bored Lothario
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
Pending
Delivery not completed.
Number deleted.
It is foretold
That all that glitters
Is not gold.
There Was A Young Man Called Mack
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!
Stream
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.
The hidden History Contained in Pages
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
