This Sweet Moment
This week’s poem is Clive James’s moment of triumph over his unnamed enemy, the humour of which lies in James’s witty description of his schadenfreude derived from the misfortune attending his opponent’s book. But just supposing that such an event should holdSome slight element of sadness, it will be offsetBy the memory of this sweet moment. Clive James (1939—2019) Poem 221. ‘The Book of my Enemy Has Been Remaindered’ The book of my enemy has been remainderedAnd I am pleased.In vast quantities it has been remainderedLike a van-load of counterfeit that has been seizedAnd sits in piles in a police warehouse,My enemy’s much-prized effort sits in pilesIn the kind of bookshop where remaindering occurs.Great, square stacks of rejected books and, between them, aislesOne passes down reflecting on life’s vanities,Pausing to remember all those thoughtful reviewsLavished to no avail upon one’s enemy’s book—For behold, here is that bookAmong these ranks and…
In Spite of Everything
This week’s poem is “Everything Is Going to Be All Right” by Derek Mahon and is chosen for those I know who are going through tough times at the moment.
To and Fro
This week’s poem is another by Francis Thompson and celebrates one of our national rain dances: cricket (our other rain dances being Wimbledon and the village fete). It’s also a nod to last weekend’s win for England against New Zealand at Lord’s.
The Harvest of His Dreams
This week’s poem is by Brian Patten and I have chosen it for Nicola, for her father Lloyd and for my cousin Roger, and for all those who we have lost.
Paying the Dane-geld
This week’s choice is “Dane-geld” by Rudyard Kipling: a warning against submitting to the demands of villainous blackmailers.
The Arches of the Years
This week’s choice is “The Hound of Heaven” by Francis Thompson.
It is a great poem, written by a man who plumbed the depths of Victorian England and chronicles his struggles with, and discovery of, God’s love.
The Chicken of Hell
This week’s choice is “Vindaloo in Merthyr Tydfil” by Les Murray, a tale of drink-fuelled hubris.
Your Goo or Bod
This week’s choice is Printer’s Error by P.G. Wodehouse, showcasing the agony of an author whose work is muddled by a printer.
No Country For Old Men
This week’s choice is Sailing to Byzantium by W.B. Yeats, a reflection on ageing.
Two Hearts Beating
This week’s choice is Meeting at Night, by Robert Browning. It marks what would have been our 19th wedding anniversary.