Hereford FC players in isolation
kneel in support of peoples’
anger.
Bent knees in harmony
my home town football club says
‘Black lives do matter
A swell of emotion with anger and
frustration seem to have compelled
to take to the streets and show
their feelings and support
Internal anger
rises, floods the streets in protest
London not alone
Sunday, 7 June 2020
Saturday, 6 June 2020
A Small Tribute to Springwatch and the BBC
RESET
listen now to the silence
to the gaps in the birdsong
listen to the beautiful silence
then hear the birdsong-mixed-
melodies that not
many would know-about
or until now could care-about
lock-down locked-in
and some knocked-down
for ever with the echo of
grief re-peating itself
like a broken record
devastating for many
as they will re-flect on
their life and sit in
judgment of themselves
and everyone else
the earth has had a boost
with no interference
and nature reverberates
unhindered. Go on walk
on the wild side
re-furbish yourself
re-tune
re-wild
re-set
to see what you've still got
John Edwards (C) 27th May 2020
RE-FRAME.- this could be another approach.
listen now to the silence
to the gaps in the birdsong
listen to the beautiful silence
then hear the birdsong-mixed-
melodies that not
many would know-about
or until now could care-about
lock-down locked-in
and some knocked-down
for ever with the echo of
grief re-peating itself
like a broken record
devastating for many
as they will re-flect on
their life and sit in
judgment of themselves
and everyone else
the earth has had a boost
with no interference
and nature reverberates
unhindered. Go on walk
on the wild side
re-furbish yourself
re-tune
re-wild
re-set
to see what you've still got
John Edwards (C) 27th May 2020
RE-FRAME.- this could be another approach.
Friday, 5 June 2020
BLACK,LIVES MATTER EVERY DAY
I wrote this a few years ago
and it is as relevant this evening
as any other day. They say
‘Black lives matter’ and so
does every life and I make that
point with no intention of taking
anything away from the murder
of another black American.
Prejudice
Prejudice I hate you
subliminally or overtly
you subvert the reality
inventing the non-truth
cosseting it in your mind
nurturing it until it grows
into a monster
until it blows
all reason aside
you’re a head case
a slathering beast
emitting combinations
so debase
of opaque hatred
without cease
traipsing out of that
blinkered hole
of deceit
there is nothing recent
in your venom or decent
a descent into that blackness
where two worlds collide
you could hide
but there is
the hideousness
of anger exploding
telling a story
of misrepresentations of hate
a view of inner fury
where there can be no debate
Prejudice: fuels hate
and it is as relevant this evening
as any other day. They say
‘Black lives matter’ and so
does every life and I make that
point with no intention of taking
anything away from the murder
of another black American.
Prejudice
Prejudice I hate you
subliminally or overtly
you subvert the reality
inventing the non-truth
cosseting it in your mind
nurturing it until it grows
into a monster
until it blows
all reason aside
you’re a head case
a slathering beast
emitting combinations
so debase
of opaque hatred
without cease
traipsing out of that
blinkered hole
of deceit
there is nothing recent
in your venom or decent
a descent into that blackness
where two worlds collide
you could hide
but there is
the hideousness
of anger exploding
telling a story
of misrepresentations of hate
a view of inner fury
where there can be no debate
Prejudice: fuels hate
Thursday, 4 June 2020
AMERICAN ANGER
Everyone should have a voice.
JE
African tribes snatch
to supply the whiteman's trade
America burns 04/06/20
This relates to the image of Alok Sharma,
Secretary of State for Business,
Energy and Industry perspiring in Parliament
and diagnosed with the virus. 03/06/20
It's the presence that
exposes, controls and reduces
all to same level.
A man sweats in view
exposed, just doing his job
alone now, he waits.
JE
African tribes snatch
to supply the whiteman's trade
America burns 04/06/20
This relates to the image of Alok Sharma,
Secretary of State for Business,
Energy and Industry perspiring in Parliament
and diagnosed with the virus. 03/06/20
It's the presence that
exposes, controls and reduces
all to same level.
A man sweats in view
exposed, just doing his job
alone now, he waits.
Wednesday, 3 June 2020
Book Review - Sugar & Blood
Book Review
Blood & Sugar
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Pan Books
It should not matter what period a crime novel is set in. This one goes all the way back to 1781 and the filth of Deptford. A developing port, but a poor relation to London and Greenwich. The words on the striking front cover are ‘Magnificent’, ‘Powerful’, ‘Astonishing’, and ‘Enthralling’ and, C.J. Sansom adds, ‘A page turner of a crime thriller’
The details are amazing for we are told, in very clear terms what Deptford was like. Where they got drunk, the cost of a prostitute, how they dressed and what they ate. That’s in depth research at its best. I checked out one location and it was there and operating as depicted in July, 1781.
But what is it about? Well, I can start with a comment on today's news from America. White on Black yet again and the legacy of the slave trade. Deptford was a slaving port with most events based there although the devious corridors of Whitehall come into play too.
It's complex and the story evolves with many turns and twists. I loved it, but the book deserves more. The characters; some have class and position, others power, others have greed and control over fellow humans - both black and white. They have slaves as servants, for playthings and to do the master’s bidding. There is one more point in the book that brings in a totally different aspect and one that is current still. It is beautifully woven into the story.
It's also about a voyage and what happened in an Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean. The cast of characters and the Prologue feed us straight into the story and the cruelty. And that is in abundance!
I was delighted to find a different author, and another location to go along with Jane Harper and The Dry set in Australia, Will Dean’s novels from a Swedish swamp and Abir Muhkerjee’s during the time of The Raj. This story beats them all for its many moving parts.
I hope it gets into the last six for the final vote for Theakestons Old Peculier Crime Writers Award. I voted for it. It’s mutilating excellent.
Blood & Sugar
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Pan Books
It should not matter what period a crime novel is set in. This one goes all the way back to 1781 and the filth of Deptford. A developing port, but a poor relation to London and Greenwich. The words on the striking front cover are ‘Magnificent’, ‘Powerful’, ‘Astonishing’, and ‘Enthralling’ and, C.J. Sansom adds, ‘A page turner of a crime thriller’
The details are amazing for we are told, in very clear terms what Deptford was like. Where they got drunk, the cost of a prostitute, how they dressed and what they ate. That’s in depth research at its best. I checked out one location and it was there and operating as depicted in July, 1781.
But what is it about? Well, I can start with a comment on today's news from America. White on Black yet again and the legacy of the slave trade. Deptford was a slaving port with most events based there although the devious corridors of Whitehall come into play too.
It's complex and the story evolves with many turns and twists. I loved it, but the book deserves more. The characters; some have class and position, others power, others have greed and control over fellow humans - both black and white. They have slaves as servants, for playthings and to do the master’s bidding. There is one more point in the book that brings in a totally different aspect and one that is current still. It is beautifully woven into the story.
It's also about a voyage and what happened in an Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean. The cast of characters and the Prologue feed us straight into the story and the cruelty. And that is in abundance!
I was delighted to find a different author, and another location to go along with Jane Harper and The Dry set in Australia, Will Dean’s novels from a Swedish swamp and Abir Muhkerjee’s during the time of The Raj. This story beats them all for its many moving parts.
I hope it gets into the last six for the final vote for Theakestons Old Peculier Crime Writers Award. I voted for it. It’s mutilating excellent.
Tuesday, 2 June 2020
POEM - GUTTER PRESS (and my dislike of 'door-stepping)
GUTTER PRESS
Like rats scurrying to a corpse,
scenting one thing or the other
to chew on. The hacks of the
media world are no respecters
of anyone's feelings.
They don't care.
They don't give a shit about hurting.
It’s what happens when a
scrummage of bodies block
the footway allowing no egress
for the target to pass unfettered
by their questions.
Are you going to resign?
They are no respecters of people
these hacks of the media world.
They don't care.
They don't give a shit about hurting.
Harassment it is, but the world
seemingly doesn't care;
It’s news that pays mortgages.
Perhaps I'll recruit a lynch mob
for the pavement blockers
and check their morals out
maybe even find a pulse!
John Edwards (C) 25th May 2020
Like rats scurrying to a corpse,
scenting one thing or the other
to chew on. The hacks of the
media world are no respecters
of anyone's feelings.
They don't care.
They don't give a shit about hurting.
It’s what happens when a
scrummage of bodies block
the footway allowing no egress
for the target to pass unfettered
by their questions.
Are you going to resign?
They are no respecters of people
these hacks of the media world.
They don't care.
They don't give a shit about hurting.
Harassment it is, but the world
seemingly doesn't care;
It’s news that pays mortgages.
Perhaps I'll recruit a lynch mob
for the pavement blockers
and check their morals out
maybe even find a pulse!
John Edwards (C) 25th May 2020
Monday, 1 June 2020
A QUICK CHECK FOR EAGLE OWLS
June 1st and it is the first day of summer although our temperatures in San Miguel de Salinas have been easily in the high twenties. Although today, there is high cloud with a hazy light. Now we are in stage two we can go to, in and around Alicante, and this will be our destination with Bryan as extra ballast on Friday.
This evening I headed towards Torremendo and then towards Estación to check on the pine ridge that has provided a nesting site for the Eagle Owls - Búho Real -and to see what else was on view.
I expected it to be quiet and it was. Almost a total absence of small birds, but with a Blackbird continually calling. Amongst the pines Turtle Doves called from several locations and one flew in clear view. A Common Cuckoo called three times and that was it.
The verges on the sides of the road was been strimmed to nothing and so no wild flowers to admire. A couple of Swifts provided a fly past as I descended back into Torremendo. On passing Embalse de Pedrera i noticed that the water level was high and that could prove advantageous when I next visit. I know that Glossy Ibis have been seen in the area.
I drove into San Miguel via the canal which is my first trip along it since the series of heavy rains in the autumn and this spring. There had been damage, some had been repaired and the roadway still needed attention. Two Little Grebes were the only birds seen. Maybe the other normal residents had been washed away!
So good to be out and only my second trip of 2020
This evening I headed towards Torremendo and then towards Estación to check on the pine ridge that has provided a nesting site for the Eagle Owls - Búho Real -and to see what else was on view.
I expected it to be quiet and it was. Almost a total absence of small birds, but with a Blackbird continually calling. Amongst the pines Turtle Doves called from several locations and one flew in clear view. A Common Cuckoo called three times and that was it.
The verges on the sides of the road was been strimmed to nothing and so no wild flowers to admire. A couple of Swifts provided a fly past as I descended back into Torremendo. On passing Embalse de Pedrera i noticed that the water level was high and that could prove advantageous when I next visit. I know that Glossy Ibis have been seen in the area.
I drove into San Miguel via the canal which is my first trip along it since the series of heavy rains in the autumn and this spring. There had been damage, some had been repaired and the roadway still needed attention. Two Little Grebes were the only birds seen. Maybe the other normal residents had been washed away!
So good to be out and only my second trip of 2020
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