For my friends, some of whom need it more than others at the moment.
For Any – a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon
I recently read a blog that raised big, important questions around democracy and leadership. These issues are dear to my heart, and I suspect that I may attempt to untangle them in my own mind in the fullness of time. Knowing where we want to go is one thing, knowing how to get there is another. Perhaps the solution is easier than we think? Maybe it has something to do with choice? Ah, choice. Yet another concept that exercises my mind.
Anyway, in the interim, here is a poem by Paul Vincent Cannon that speaks to this matter in ways that I can only aspire to.
If you haven’t checked out Paul’s poetry, you really should. It is wonderful.
Photo: fiveglobalvalues.com
For Any
Gestures of power fall in different ways,
and becomes ways of being,
for good or ill,
either for self,
or, for community,
though neither to judged,
until power is imprisoned
and forced into perversion,
the servitude of the many for the one.
But beauty,
artistry,
compassion,
breath,
nature,
demand more,
they are great equations of true power,
neither for the one or the many,
simply love for any,
in this shared venture we call life.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
Paul, pvcann.com
Remembrance Day
I think it is always worth bearing in mind that there may be differing views held by service men and women and their families about Remembrance Day and other days commemorating military victories and defeats. I’ve heard these views expressed myself in articles I’ve read and radio interviews I’ve listened to. Some find it particularly galling that these commemorations are held with all due solemnity and fanfare and yet our elected representatives appear to have learnt nothing from these conflicts. Often there is much censure for daring to question the symbolism of the occasions. Here is a reflection on Remembrance Day by David Cox, whose father fought in WWII.
I barely acknowledge it. I don’t hate it like I hate some stupid societal rituals but I don’t feel what I should about it. So, it comes. It goes. I should put on a better show than just buying a poppy, I suppose, but my father didn’t have much time for it. I learned from him. And he should know.
Seaforth Highlanders. Italy. WWII.
My father was wounded badly in a historic battle at Ortona. Hit by heavy artillery. Lay hanging in a tree in the battle ground for three days. Carried out on the dead cart. Received a 100% disability pension. They not only didn’t think he’d live, they thought that if he did, he’d be a vegetable. And they were right for about 15 years – like the plant in the Little Shop of Horrors, though. After that, he got a bit of life back but even then…
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Pool Party
This is my response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt of Saturday, 21 July 2018 — Duck.
I’m very sad to say that for most of my children’s lives, we had neither the money, time or energy to go on holiday together. Certainly, my husband and I rarely had holidays together as we took turns to take time off work to look after the children during the school holidays. The lack of family holidays is one of my biggest regrets in life. A few years ago, my husband and the boys went on a road trip around Victoria (Australia). I stayed home (with flu), and sent my little ducklings off with their dad on a great adventure. Read more
Thank You!!!
Dear Readers, if you enjoy reading historical fiction and memoirs, I would like to commend Martha Kennedy’s books to you:
• Martin of Gfenn
• Savior
• The Brothers Path, and
• My Everest – Thirty Years of San Diego Hiking with Dogs.
I have reviewed two of Martha’s books previously (links to my reviews above).
I am re-blogging a thank you issued by Martha Kennedy to readers of her books. Links to the books are on Martha’s website. Why do I re-blog a thank you? Because I enjoyed the two books I’ve read so far. And, because it is hard enough being a writer, let alone writer, editor, publisher and publicist all in one.
Kind Regards
Tracy
What’s In a Song?
WordPress Daily Prompt — Song
The WordPress Daily Prompt has taken me back down memory lane to the time I sang in an Aussie secular gospel choir. Our repertoire was mostly African-American spirituals. That probably sounds too weird for words, but somehow it worked. So why does an Aussie white sheila with no religious affiliation join a gospel choir? I’ll answer that with another question. Well, why not? Read more
December, in Kalgoorlie
Sometimes I get tired of my own voice – which is silly because I’ve tried to spare you every little thought that passes through my mind 🙂 . So I thought I would share another blog I came across recently – Shared Space, Musings of a Dawn Bird. There is a calmness in it that really speaks to me. I guess I’m just a country girl at heart. Enjoy.
I’ve just returned from my last trip to Kalgoorlie for the year. The two days went fast. Too fast. As I’m booked back-to-back on these trips, I always ‘escape’ to the Aboreteum during my lunch break. I love my time with the gum trees and birds.
The gum flowers blossom on straggly trees, their boughs droop with leaves, nuts and flowers. They are ordinary to the naked eye. I know this because I have ignored them for as long as I can remember. But, in the absence of other things that catch my eye, Kalgoorlie has introduced me to the beauty of these flowers, and, the perfume of eucalyptus.
The gum nuts are hard, and each frosted nut, perfection-in-waiting.
Evenly sliced around the crown, the flowers frill into bloom.
Delicate and fragile, the bees and birds lead my lens to them.
Some resemble a lashed eye.
Sharing this space with…
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Reflections of An Untidy Mind 