Saturday 17 March

Carolyn reads today's poem, "The Trees" by Philip Larkin.

Here are some Little Hampden trees - a little later in the year but something to look forward to

Friday 16 March

Today's poem, "Rembrandt's Late Self Portraits" by Elizabeth Jennings, is read by Nadine. 

And here's one of them

Thursday 15 March

Today's poem is "The Moment" by Margaret Attwood. It's read by Rosie.

Listening to this, I was prompted to look outside my front door: it seemed appropriate to look around at what I thought I owned and the surroundings. The daffodils, the well, the wonderful walnut tree - I can see that they found me...

Wednesday 14 March

Today's poem, "A Little Church" by EE Cummings is read by Carolyn. Not surprisingly, the picture is of Little Hampden Church.

Tuesday 13 March

Today it's "Friends' Meeting House, Frenchay, Bristol" by UA Fanthorpe, which I'm reading. 

It's not really about this specific Meeting House, but here's a picture of it:

Monday 12 March

Today's poem is "Pax" by DH Lawrence. It's read by Rosie.

and here's a picture of Topsy "... asleep on a chair at peace, in peace..." 

Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 March

I'm posting three days of readings today - but no cheating!


Thursday is "A Poison Tree" by William Blake. This is Carolyn's first reading.

Here's an apple tree - not poisoned, I hope - to go with it:

Friday's poem is by Gerard Manley Hopkins. I'm reading it. I couldn't think of a picture to go with it, I'm araid.

Saturday's poem, "The Wrong Beds" by Roger McGough is read by Rosie.

Here's a picture of the Aegean I took a couple of years ago:

Wednesday 7 March

Rosie reads today's poem - "It is dangerous to read newspapers" by Margaret Attwood

Tuesday 6 March

Today's poem is "Affliction" by George Herbert, read by me.

Coming out of the affliction - Janet Morley likens this to depression - reminds me of dawn. Here's a Little Hampden dawn from last December:

Monday 5 March

Today's poem is "Alas My Lord" by Christina Rosetti. It's read by Brenda

Saturday 3 March

Another poem introduced by Sarah:

Friday 2 March - update

At last! We have the grandchildren with us so I'm late again with yesterday's poem, "I Saw Him Standing" by Ann Griffiths, translated by Rowan Williams. It's read by Matthew. Sam started to introduce his Dad but Sarah wanted a go as well:

Friday 2 March

Rather behind time today, I'm afraid. So so'll catch up tomorrow. Meanwhile, here is today's poem, "I Saw Him Standing" translated by Rowan Williams from Yr Arglwydd lesu, a poem by Ann Griffiths (1776— 1805).

Under the dark trees, there he stands,

there he stands; shall he not draw my eyes?

I thought I knew a little

how he compels, beyond all things, but now

he stands there in the shadows. It will be 

Oh, such a daybreak, such bright morning,

when 1 shall wake to see him as he is.

He is called Rose of Sharon, for his skin

is clear; his skin is flushed with blood,

his body lovely and exact; how he compels

beyond ten thousand rivals. There he stands

my friend, the friend of guilt and helplessness,

To steer my hollow body over the sea.

The earth is full of masks and fetishes, 

What is there here for me?Are these like him?

Keep company with him and you will know:

no kin, no likeness to those empty eyes. 

He is a stranger to them all, great Jesus. 

What is there here for me?

I know what I have longed for. Him to hold 

me always.

I didn't realise that Rowan Williams was a Welsh speaker.

Thursday 1 March

Today's poem is "The Call" by Charlotte Mew. I found this version on the web at Classic Poetry Aloud. I don't know who is reading it. This site has lots of poems to which you can listen: there are two entry points: 
http://classicpoetryaloud.podomatic.com/
http://classicpoetryaloud.wordpress.com/