Tag Archives: k morris poet

“Attack” by Siegfried Sassoon, as read by Dame Helen Mirren

A powerful reading by Dame Hellen Mirren of Siegfried Sassoon’s poem “Attack”,

We authors/poets are often exhorted to “show not tell”. Sassoon’s poem does a lot of “telling” and does it extremely effectively. Indeed I am of the firm conviction that many of those who exhort we writers to “show not tell” can not hold a candle to Sassoon.

Kevin

They Say that When Policemen Look Young

They say
That when policemen look young, you are getting old.
I was told
By a lady yesterday,
In a conversational way
That she was born
In the year
I came to old London town
To work.
A jerk
Of recognition within.
Hopes abandoned
There will be no sin …

“The Writer’s Pen and Other Poems” is now available in paperback

On 3 September, I published the Kindle edition of my collection of poems, “The Writer’s Pen and Other Poems, which is available here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GD1LBMV/ (for the UK) and here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GD1LBMV/ (for amazon.com customers).

I am pleased to announce that “The Writer’s Pen” is now also available in paperback and can be found here https://www.amazon.com/dp/1730814883/ (for amazon.com customers) and here https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1730814883/ (for the UK).

One reviewer of “The Writer’s Pen” writes as follows:

“This latest collection by Kevin Morris consists of 44 pithy reflections on life, death, and passing time. Some of the subjects and themes are the same as in Morris’s earlier collection, My Old Clock I Wind – nature, the seasons, clocks, sex, and mortality. A group of longer poems explores what might be called current affairs.

The tone of these works is darker and more serious than the earlier collection. I recognized no humorous poems, although a wry humor is present in some of them, such as “Libidinous,” in which the poet wonders about the activities of nymphs in a budding wood. “Summer” contains the delightful lines “Now ’tis the fashion / For short frocks / And tiny socks.”

I especially appreciated a sequence of several poems in which the poet strolls through a churchyard under light and shade, contemplating mortality in an almost cheerful way. In “To and Fro,” he says “Why should I care? / For I will not be there / To know.”

Several poems explore the poet’s ambivalence about politics and political correctness. “Legacy (a poem on the late Enoch Powell)” is one such. Morris expresses mixed feelings about Powell, while acknowledging that “An intelligent man / Frequently can / Do more harm / Than a stupid one.” “When a Monster Dies” and “The Monster’s Son” are particularly intriguing, pointing out in a few brief lines that every person is multi-dimensional and complex.

Two poems – “Rhodes” and “I Shower” – contain the phrase “feet of clay.” In the first, it’s used as a caution against facile judgmentalism, and in the second as a reminder that “the beast in man” is ever-present and not easily expunged.

The Writer’s Pen and Other Poems is one poet’s way of dealing with life’s complications and contradictions. The poems display a resigned acceptance that doesn’t quite cross the line into pessimism. I’m guessing Morris appreciates conversations with friends, in pubs or over dinner and drinks. Reading this collection of short, accessible verses is like sitting down with a thoughtful friend to talk about life, death, and the ways of the world. The poems are brief, but Morris’s skilful use of words makes them worth reading more than once, and contemplating their meanings in moments of quiet”. (Please see, https://audreydriscoll.com/2018/08/15/book-review-the-writers-pen-by-k-morris/). To read more reviews please visit the book’s page on Goodreads which can be found here, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41209405-the-writer-s-pen-and-other-poems.

“The Writer’s Pen and Other Poems” will soon be available, as an audio download from audible.co.uk and audible.com.

Early Morning Monday Humour

There was a wealthy Socialist called Jane
Who lived down an exclusive lane.
At her grand parties aplenty
She wept over the poor’s cupboards empty
Whilst sipping her expensive champagne.

There was a young lady called Brass
Who’s manners where extremely crass.
The parish priest named Moore
Could hear Brass snore
As he said the evening mass …

I Know a Tough Young Man Called Grub

I know a tough young man called Grub
Who works in a very rough pub.
A tattooed young lady named miss Moore
Throws troublemakers out the door
And me, I own that pub.

Sunday Humour

Last night as I walked in
I heard a terrible din.
There by the fireplace
Dressed in silk and lace
Sat the devil drinking my neat gin!

Last night as I walked in
I heard a terrible din.
There by my fireplace
Dressed in silk and lace
Sat Lucifer playing the violin.

Last night as I lay in sleep
The devil into my room did creep.
I remember her sweet scent
And the time we spent
And now I’m off to sleep …

As I went to bed last night
I met a young lady called White.
When I said “what are you doing here!?”
She replied “autumn evenings are so drear”.
‘So please, turn out the light”.