Wednesday 29 February 2012

Poetry please.

What a lovely time we have at our Poetry afternoons. Sadly, one regular member, S, was unable to come as she felt a cold brewing and nobly did not wish to pass it on to us all. So, if you are reading this S - thank you for being so thoughtful, get well soon - and we missed you.

As usual, we had such a variety of poetry. D read The Lady of Shallot - a poem which conjures up such wonderful pictures - and she read it beautifully. Then she read excerpt from Under Milk Wood - what a brilliant poet Dylan Thomas was - that marvellous idea of taking a village and immediately launching into description of the characters. And we all agreed on 'Bible black' being such a brilliant description too.

We had two poems on Starlings - the second one by Pam Ayres, read by J.

I can only describe it as the most civilised afternoon of the month. As usual, I meant to take a photograph of the gathering but forgot.

12 comments:

angryparsnip said...

What a wonderful afternoon !
Rather happy (?) to hear you forgot the photo of the group because I forget taking photos all the time ! I start talking and laughing and time zooms by.

cheers, parsnip

Gerry Snape said...

this sounds absolutely wonderful. What could be better than poetry and tea?! A super collection as well. I agree with you about Dylan Thomas.

Heather said...

Your poetry afternoons always sound such fun and so interesting. I would find it quite daunting to read poems aloud to others but among friends would probably be less so.

Gwil W said...

I'm really impressed by your friend S who had cold and stayed at home so as not to pass it on to others. I take my hat off to S.

Unfortunately there are too many of the other sort who are only too pleased to spread their germs wherever they can without regard to the health of the rest of the community.

In Vienna we appear to have the biggest flu epidemic for 30 years. The hospitals are overflowing.

Jennifer Tetlow said...

You paint a wonderful picture anyway - sounds like a lovely time. I've only just come to know The Lady of Shallot as my mother has determined to learn it by heart, and recites it often, so I know how magical it is.

Elisabeth said...

What a lovely notion, Pat, poetry readings of other people's poems. It must be inspirational.

steven said...

i feel envy and inspiration!!! steven

Cloudia said...

I might just be maturing enough to properly appreciate such a day!


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Midlife Roadtripper said...

I like that you mentioned how civilized the afternoon proceeded. That is what poetry does. That is why poetry is needed in our world - desperately. Even though many don't seem to quite get that. Helps provide the reason for being here.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post. I forgot that we also had Matthew Arnold's Dover Beach, which always inspires me although it is a bit gloomy.

Anonymous said...

I love the Starling poem by Pam Ayres. I have a recording of Richard Burton reading Under Milk Wood, it is so good.

Titus said...

Such a good idea, and glad you had a lovely time. Poetry heard is always different to poetry read.