Nov. 8, 2019

Birthday Blog

As a celebration of my upcoming birthday, I thought it fitting to write something that reflects my current daily life. It’s a great privilege to study, write and learn at this age. It has intrinsic worth in itself, without the “I’m doing this so that . . .” I am having enormous fun and pleasure, not to mention interesting challenges on my weekly trips to class in Manchester. Classmates are great to be with and are all wonderful writers. Carol Ann Duffy, our tutor, is an astute commentator on our work while being enormously supportive and encouraging. It is a great space to be in right now and I am so enjoying it. However, it doesn’t make writing any easier.

So read, enjoy, pass it on and send me encouraging and corrective comments, please !!!

Overview

Latest comments

25.11 | 22:15

Grief is experience through the mundane. Simple but powerful. The accompanying image really compliments the poem.

07.11 | 11:14

Hi Peter,

A great observation! Social media can be a scary place... I also need to reduce my time there

Hugs,

John.x

06.11 | 16:24

A great one, Peter, in the context you describe. I don't read social media myself, I doubt my equilibrium could stand it. 'The balance of his mind disturbed' yes, I think it would be.

06.11 | 15:59

Yes, gossip is a weapon of mass destruction.

In my business as well as personal life I have zero tolerance.

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Echoes of the Old on the New Battlefields

Warrior chiefs of the GAA were early on the field to prepare:

Posts and cones positioned to mark territories

Very young novices came later by parents’ chariots

clad and shod for the ensuing battles

Firstly, paced for speed, resilience and flexibility,

then marked off into opposing teams

Each warrior chief led a young squad of hopefuls

in further exercises to bring them to fit levels

There followed a huddle, an exhortation rant,

responded with clamour of intent and enthusiasm

Skirmishes began, speed across the field, hunt for the ball,

to be delivered as the goal, or to be prevented at all costs

Warrior chiefs egged on, instructed, altered the field of play

the young ’uns complied with fighting spirit

For every fall and hurt spells were cast on the side line

till fitness returned and they were entered back into play

Scores mounted, roars enhanced, casualties grew,

novices flagged and regrouped across the fields

Between bouts came the talks of encouragement

Stay back, pass, pass, pass, keep the pace.

Old hands passing skill onto new palms with dedication,

a gift of generous wisdom gladly given

Peter Clarke

20^th April 2024