The memories of which I speak, Are not the ones that live in my head. -There are plenty of those- But the ones that fill cupboards, And boxes, Nooks, And crannies…. —- Which I come across now and then. When putting away the laundry, Or looking for lost things. —— These are scribbles on paperContinueContinue reading “Memories”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Too easy
Is life; To breathe air To eat and sleep To work and play To talk (I talk too much) …. To sing songs To recite poetry To see beauty To look away To claim God’s care To walk with friends …. All these things are too easy for me. I have missed no meals norContinueContinue reading “Too easy”
Crossing the channel
A recent family misfortune has turned me into a frequent flyer, so to speak, between South London and East Germany. I’ve done 1st class on Eurostar, hated it, I’ve done fast trains, slow trains, semi fast, dead slow, I’ve even been driven by friends 5 miles across the Belgium border after a walk in theContinueContinue reading “Crossing the channel”
God bless the King!
HEADLINE NEWS MAN THROWS SMALL BITS OF PLASTIC THROUGH RAILINGS AT PALACE Shock/Horror? Police praised for handling difficult situation. Was this really headline news? Whose job was it this morning at the Beeb to assess the importance of this story, and how completely it should be told? Let us think for a moment… Spent shotContinueContinue reading “God bless the King!”
Should auld acquaintance be forgot?
Please click through for musical post. An appalling rendition of Auld Lang Syne Three Ships Was meant to be Auld Lang Syne Happy New Year, best wishes for 2023
I saw three ships…
A Beaufort Dinghy To day I chatted up the owner of Millie, a boat similar to this above. He is getting on in age, I’m guessing he predates Ian Proctor’s 1965 design for the16’6″ Beaufort Dinghy, which was, I am told, popular with the Royal Navy dinghy sailors, and was seen as indestructable. He hasContinueContinue reading “I saw three ships…”
Dying for democracy.
Today I viewed some grisly footage of conflict supposedly in Ukraine. It was offered as evidence of Ukrainian atrocities, and I felt it on my conscience to see it to the end. I’m not troubled by blood or gore, or death, but I am troubled by the argument, and should I be involved? As evidenceContinueContinue reading “Dying for democracy.”
Tumbleweed
7th June 2021 Its very quiet in here. Sadly I no longer have access to a computer at work. My wife’s two laptops do not tempt me, I’ve tried writing with my smart phone, but that doesn’t appeal either. It could also be that I don’t have anything desperate to say, or have done nothing worthContinueContinue reading “Tumbleweed”
Destiny in our hands
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/kisstheground Some time ago, I set myself up as a film reviewer, discussing Michael Moore’s unpopular film. https://schnark.home.blog/2020/05/05/planet-of-the-humans-hope-or-pragmatism/ I watched another film last night which seemed to pick up where Michael Moore’s left off. Moore calls out the lie that we will be saved by technology but this film tells very clearly that we canContinueContinue reading “Destiny in our hands”
Oh wretched mouse
Dear little mouse, It has been two years now Since your last appearance, And once again you have destroyed my peace. My poor dear wife is driven to distraction For fear of what you might be doing. And where did you find that acorn? In our attic studio. I understand your pleasure in devouring it,ContinueContinue reading “Oh wretched mouse”
Series Apocalypse
This blog is supposed to be about the end of the world, dinghy sailing, and other things. Other things seem to have taken over of late, mouse poems, cat poems and reflections on the mundane have held sway. I have been prophesying doom for many years, I remember years ago as I was sweating aboutContinueContinue reading “Series Apocalypse”
Is there life on Anne Ward?
Last night I went to St Thomas’ for a blood test. I was seen quickly by a good humoured phlebotomist, so as I left unhurriedly, I thought of my old dad up on the 9th floor who hasn’t been seen for weeks. It has suited me really to ignore him, to renounce all responsibility forContinueContinue reading “Is there life on Anne Ward?”
Little Bird
Dear little bird, You have become trapped under the netting Over my neighbour’s cabbages. A state of dire panic You exercise every muscle in your body In an effort to be free of that spiteful web. I am moved with pity and anger. I try to help But I need a knife to cutContinueContinue reading “Little Bird”
Fortune telling under the apple tree
Fortune telling under the apple tree. Down on the allotment, by Ravensbourne Brook, a mature apple tree flouts the height regulations. I think two metres is the usual rule, mine is closer to six. Fortunately, our committee have better things to do, and anyway, the apple tree was here before any of us. My treeContinueContinue reading “Fortune telling under the apple tree”
The Battle of Ravensbourne Brook
Beside my end of the allotments runs Ravensbourne Brook. I was taken aback when I got here tonight to see a silent dog fight in the sky between a crow and a heron. I fancy the heron was after eggs for his tea, the crows are amazing, they marked him constantly, and the heronContinueContinue reading “The Battle of Ravensbourne Brook”
Planet of the humans; Hope or pragmatism?
A beardy fellow I know, who is often seen in these parts out running in his yellow pyjamas, brought this film by Michael Moore to my attention. I watched it with my wife and we were both affected by it in different ways, we came to different conclusions. The next day I found this articleContinueContinue reading “Planet of the humans; Hope or pragmatism?”
Escapism
Originally posted on Does Anyone Know Where I Set My Coffee?:
by Mr. Schnell Recently got the last season of “Game of Thrones” and the last season of “The Big Bang Theory”. Guess which one we are currently bingeing on! Can’t tell you specifically what I have seen. I am trying to convince a friend…
James
I don’t know much about James, Only that his heart is not filled with cold cynicism like my own. His mind is uncomplicated and his spirit pure. He sees opportunity in the weariness of strangers. The pleasure of kindness. I am jealous of James. I don’t know if I can learn from James. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18328363.kind-hearted-james-leaves-gifts-nhs-staff-battling-coronavirus-john-radcliffe/&ved=2ahUKEwjE3YevyrvoAhXMYcAKHaijC0wQFjAAegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw2E-bjwudscyCwO9IqrwHYV IContinueContinue reading “James”
A month of stormy Sundays
The third weekend of “Wet Play” in a row. A challenge for someone “in his prime”, who is imprisoned at a desk through the week. The short days mostly passing by unseen, or unnoticed, Outside the office window.Let alone the poor postman bent on his Saturday morning round,And returning home sodden and exhausted. IContinueContinue reading “A month of stormy Sundays”
Sleeping with my mother’s mouse.
Mother didn’t see the mouse because of her cataracts Until he grew quite big. There is, of course, only ever one mouse. Tonight mother spotted him. He ran into my bed room, And under the bed. I sat quietly on the bed as mother was in the bathroom. The mouse ran out, into the hall,ContinueContinue reading “Sleeping with my mother’s mouse.”
Small World
If the world were made of plasticine I would carve it up. I would free Africa from the gaze of the west. Children in Sierra Leone would not see pictures of western luxury. But then I’d carry on dividing. Perhaps a small island For Mr Trump, very low lying. And divide and divide, And throwContinueContinue reading “Small World”
Reply from the bird
Reply from the bird Dear sir, Thank you for your letter of the 31st December 2019 We note your apprehension With the state of the world, And we believe you are entertaining mis-placed optimism. We birds are a web of knowledge. We communicate across continents and oceans. We know when things are going badly. TheContinueContinue reading “Reply from the bird”
Station cat
Station Cat I see you often Stretched across the card reader That guards the step free access. I guess you have a story, Not just a pat on the head from each passing commuter. Today your cover’s blown! My train is slashed from eight carriages to three, This puts me centre stage atContinueContinue reading “Station cat”
Letter to the bird
Dear Bird, We do enjoy your singing so, And we do not wish to complain, But is there a reason why you were up So early this morning in Penge? We didn’t fully awake, But I’m sure it was five o’clock When I was first aware of your song. Every other one of God’s creaturesContinueContinue reading “Letter to the bird”
The many singing lochs of Penge
Praise for I live in Penge close to the true Lake District as referenced in this article from the Independent from 2013. Neither of Norwood’s lakes is the singing loch of which I speak. My singing loch cannot compete with the ancient mythical status of Michael Graeme’s. I think he will agree with me thatContinueContinue reading “The many singing lochs of Penge”
“And one clear call for me”
“And one clear call for me!” How I yearn for this call. A call to arms A call to action A call to war. What is wrong with me that I can only imagine a call to fight. A call to create? Too much has been created. Too much has been made. Too many busyContinueContinue reading ““And one clear call for me””
Short poem about death
From Alfred, Lord Tennyson Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me!And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam,When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after thatContinueContinue reading “Short poem about death”
Political anonymity and the end of the world
Dear friends,I nail my colours to the mast.I am a tory, but I didn’t vote for them.Is this of interest.No.Not if you don’t know who I am, or have no interest in me.If I am political, I must be public.If I am intelligent but not political I should shut up. (no, really).It is no goodContinueContinue reading “Political anonymity and the end of the world”
The mouse who lives under my woodpile
Published after the Tory party were re elected with a shift to the right wing. The mouse who lives under my wood pile Has an excellent healthy diet. He lives on Strawberries, Redcurrants and Mulberries. He finds all of these vitals, within easy reach of his cosy warm burrow. If I everContinueContinue reading “The mouse who lives under my woodpile”
For Chris
Welcome Chris, Pull up a seat. You asked to hear of what I’ve read and how I’ve been inspired. Mmmm…. Tricky…. Not sure if these are in any order, but… There has been a lot of silly nonsense… Jack De Crow by Alexander/Sandy MacKinnon MacKinnon sets off along canals and brooks from a Shropshire PublicContinueContinue reading “For Chris”
The writing life – growing some soul?
Originally posted on The Rivendale Review:
The online world remains the easiest outlet for creative expression, at least one that comes with an audience. I’d say it was my “preferred” option but that would be to suggest I have any other choice which, in common with many of my kind – at least those of…
A pilgrim’s tale
Your hero and heroine have journeyed from the little old town of Westerham, near the mighty M25 turnpike, where the high street turns its back on London and reaches out to Wessex in the west and Kent in the east, to the great cathedral city of Canterbury, without resort to any horse, donkey or porter.ContinueContinue reading “A pilgrim’s tale”
Reflections of the Schnark
The beginning The fires this year in Brazil and Australia along with the failure of governments around the world to wipe their own bottoms allow me to conclude briefly and without ambiguity that humanity will self-destruct. Right, got that out of the way. I find pleasure in nature, in escape from crowds, in discoveringContinueContinue reading “Reflections of the Schnark”
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