Category Archives: Poetry

Poetry Evening – Hull University. 18/08/17


The Assembled The usual suspects from the English Department Assemble, Levitically, as romantic as Monday morning. Late, crusty defensive years and ears hear Sunny but arid words. Brynmor evenings thwart noon’s thirst for torpor, But siestas can be a moveable feasts. Midday slumbers threaten the evening air. The Readings Gangs of knowing smiles Show pinchedContinue reading “Poetry Evening – Hull University. 18/08/17”

Let life be a game! Gustav Meyrink and Covid


Time to reflect on a monotony of days, repeating a pattern as never before in my lifetime. Here is a bit of unpretentious light verse, to cheer the day. It should be read as quickly as possible. I apologise in advance for any rhymes that offend the modernists,but any creativity is good for the soul.Continue reading “Let life be a game! Gustav Meyrink and Covid”

Old Age – Taken apart by Goethe


I visited a museum in Weimar. There was a quote from Goethe. ‘Ich bin zu alt um nur zu spielen, und zu jung um ohne Wunsch zu sein.’ The greatest lines can be an inspiration to writers and get the block out the way. ‘I am too old to only play and too young toContinue reading “Old Age – Taken apart by Goethe”

Grandad smokes pot. Shuffling words for lost men.


Grandad smokes pot – three words, but how much information do they impart? I found seven meanings to ponder: a man who is old has children who have children he smokes forbidden substances Here’s my memory of my father’s step-father. He should have smoked pot, when crippled with arthritis, after a life of work, tooContinue reading “Grandad smokes pot. Shuffling words for lost men.”

Stuck for a Christmas Present? – Think Hull!


I’ve waited until panic is setting in, before offering people from Hull and the East Riding the perfect Christmas present. The lucky receiver definitely won’t have it already, nor will be they be given it by anyone else.
Full colour illustrations of our beautiful city.

The Trouser Role


It’s great fun to write sonnets according to Shakespeare’s rules. AB AB, CD CD, EF EF, GG
10 syllables to the line with a turning point after line 12.
Try it for a brain workout.
Many are disgusted by Strauss’s opening. A woman plays a lad making love to his cousin, and the lesbian interpretation has to surface.