Today I watched 'Big Fish' starring Ewan Mcgregor, quite probably the most surreal film i've ever seen. Thoroughly enjoyable though. My apologes for the lack of posting recently, i appear to be incredibly busy.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Monday, February 07, 2005
Having enjoyed Caleb's recent post on his enjoyment of the poem Batter My Heart by John Donne I have decided two share two of my current favourite poems on my blog. The first is actually actually a poem by Ben Jonson on John Donne himself and I came across it recently in my Reading the Renaissance module:
Donne, the delight of Phoebus and each Muse
Who, to thy one, all other brains refuse;
Whose every work of thy most early wit
Came forth example, and remains so yet;
Longer a-knowing than most wits do live;
And which no affection praise enough can give!
To it, thy language, letters, arts, best life,
Which might with half mankind maintain a strife.
All which I meant to praise, and yet I would;
But leave, because I cannot as I should!
What a glowing reference to have! The honour of having Ben Jonson exclaiming how great John Donne is as a poet must have been immense.
My second poem is one written by Sir Paul McCartney of all people. It is from him collection Blackbird Singing, a collection of lyrics and poems between 1965-1999. Although I do not rate a lot of his poems some are of great quality such as this:
On a full moon's eve
On a full moon's eve
A tiger sprang
And gnawed on
Who I used to be
A pale haze lights
The fox's eye
And . . .
Checking once
He leaves by a hole in the hedge
Old loves return
To kiss the lips
In case the empty gallery
Should fill with whispering strangers
Like a flood
I have to say that this poem lept out and bit me (or should I say gnawed!?) so much that I immediately had to rush around Rathbone sharing it with everyone and anyone. It is so beautiful and strong *sigh* yet another poem I wish i'd been able to write :-)
Donne, the delight of Phoebus and each Muse
Who, to thy one, all other brains refuse;
Whose every work of thy most early wit
Came forth example, and remains so yet;
Longer a-knowing than most wits do live;
And which no affection praise enough can give!
To it, thy language, letters, arts, best life,
Which might with half mankind maintain a strife.
All which I meant to praise, and yet I would;
But leave, because I cannot as I should!
What a glowing reference to have! The honour of having Ben Jonson exclaiming how great John Donne is as a poet must have been immense.
My second poem is one written by Sir Paul McCartney of all people. It is from him collection Blackbird Singing, a collection of lyrics and poems between 1965-1999. Although I do not rate a lot of his poems some are of great quality such as this:
On a full moon's eve
On a full moon's eve
A tiger sprang
And gnawed on
Who I used to be
A pale haze lights
The fox's eye
And . . .
Checking once
He leaves by a hole in the hedge
Old loves return
To kiss the lips
In case the empty gallery
Should fill with whispering strangers
Like a flood
I have to say that this poem lept out and bit me (or should I say gnawed!?) so much that I immediately had to rush around Rathbone sharing it with everyone and anyone. It is so beautiful and strong *sigh* yet another poem I wish i'd been able to write :-)
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Unlike Thom I make no apologies for my selfish posting. As far as I am concerned there are many well more qualified people to talk of the global issues at hand and my minor contribution would be so insignificant it would hardly be worth typing.
On the other hand, there is no other person more adept, qualified or authorised to record my pitiful existence other than myself so that is what I shall strive to do.
After a successful Mission week with CU, I am thoroughly tired having spent four of the past five nights staying up till until well after two. This was thanks to the thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile tea and toast events that we hold.
I actually have a few things to say but now is not the time unfortunately. So my Dear Reader I must leave to eat my lunch and play Ultimate Frisbee, but I shall be back to continue the chronicle of my life. Quell your beating heart until my return by listening to 'I Remember' by Damien Rice. Magical.
On the other hand, there is no other person more adept, qualified or authorised to record my pitiful existence other than myself so that is what I shall strive to do.
After a successful Mission week with CU, I am thoroughly tired having spent four of the past five nights staying up till until well after two. This was thanks to the thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile tea and toast events that we hold.
I actually have a few things to say but now is not the time unfortunately. So my Dear Reader I must leave to eat my lunch and play Ultimate Frisbee, but I shall be back to continue the chronicle of my life. Quell your beating heart until my return by listening to 'I Remember' by Damien Rice. Magical.
