I was prompted by ‘Time Clock’, today’s thought-provoking post from SueW, to visit my library to retrieve
a teenage poem I penned more than sixty years ago. I began with the classic iambic pentameter, then tried something more concrete.
Through mirky windows on this the gloomiest morning of the week I watched still timid visitors who had just found bird feeders installed a few days earlier.
This robin can’t have been one of our normal residents, because
it flew off upon coming aware of me, even though I kept behind the glass.
Most small birds don’t alight on their target immediately, but, like this great tit, first occupy an intermediate perch taking a shufti around to be reasonably assured of security before
chancing their claws on the proffered food.
This evening we dined at Lal Quilla in Lymington. My main course was Chicken Jaljala; Jackie’s, Chicken Dopiaza; We shared mushroom fried rice and egg paratha, and both drank Kingfisher.. In the two months since our last visit they have been tastefully redecorated and staff have changed. Manager Raj is still there and the service is as friendly and efficient as ever.
I think that poem has stood up well to the passing of time.
Many thanks, Pauline. Neat and appreciated comment 🙂 X
Superb Derrick, 60 years ago, wow, very impressive ?
Thanks very much, John.
How wonderful that you still have that poem, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Jill. I was rather pleased that Sue’s post reminded me of it.
What a terrific poem! You were a poetic prodigy.
Thanks very much, Leslie. My English teacher thought so – he wanted me to take S level English, but the head wouldn’t allow it because I wasn’t going to university. In fact I got S(scholarship) marks but hadn’t sat the extra required paper for that reason.
I’ll never understand the differences in our educational systems. Of course I often don’t understand our own, so it’s not surprising that I don’t understand yours. His frustrating for you and for your English teacher.
Basically it would have given me subsidised university entrance, but the family needed me to earn anyway. And It’s all changed now.
And you turned out splendidly.
🙂 X
Most admit I miss a good bottle of Kingfisher. Love the photos of the Great Tit.
Many thanks, Gary. We are lucky – Lal Quilla does draft.
Oh! I just read your poem in your comment on Sue’s WP site! Her post on Time was wonderful! 🙂
And I “liked” your comment there because I thought your poem is amazing!
Amazing for any writer, but especially a teenage writer! (My writing from my teen years is filled with lovey-dovey, and boys, and a little angst. Ha!)
‘Tis a joy to see the birdies enjoying The Bird Restaurant. 🙂 Thank you so very much for feeding them!
HUGS!!! 🙂
Carolyn, thank you so much for the kind comment about my Time Clock post. ?
You’re welcome, Sue! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I really appreciate your comments on the poem. X
You’re welcome, Derrick! 🙂
That poem is really great – I especially like the phrase “anguished shoe.” I think I’ve worn one of those during exam time! Love the bird pictures too – do you make those treats that are in the bird feeder?
Thanks very much, Pamela. Your views are particularly appreciated. The bird treats are all bought – we have a plethora of garden centres.
You were so young to write such a wise poem about TIME.
I like watching the birds timidly decide if our birdfeeder is safe. After a few weeks, they become old friends and allow us to get near and watch their eating prowess.
Thank you very much, Pamela. A lovely. comment about the poem, and interesting observation about the birds.
It is good to see a selection of treats for your bird visitors. You are very competent to be able to find a piece of work written 60 years ago. I can’t even find my cap most days.
Longer term memory, perhaps? Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
Interesting poem, in both variations, Derrick. I wonder how Nugget and Muggle feel about the outsiders visiting bird feeders.
They are quite happy with small birds visiting their own feeders at the back of the house. These new ones are at the front, so I guess not on their territory. Thanks a lot for the comment on the poem, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
Derrick,why did you stop writing now, your poem creats a perfect picture of examination hall and expressed so well the emotions of a kid /teen !!
Thanks very much, Dee. I duo appreciate the question. I guess early marriage, bereavement, and single parentage played a part
You can again start!!Think about it.
🙂
It is serendipitous that I have come to drop my daughter to an Examination, as I read your poem penned way back in time, and I guess little has changed, except that they use computer terminals.
Synchronicity at its best, Uma. Many thanks.
It wasn’t until I got to umashankar’s comment that I realized my assumption that the ‘examination room’ was a physician’s office might have been off the mark: or, at least, an alternate reading! Your reflection on time reminded me of one of my great-aunts. Her name was Rilla, and she was given to malapropisms. A favorite, that still can be heard in family conversation, is “Tempus fidgits.”
A marvellous malapropism from Rita. I suspect our reading of that poem depends on our age – I was probably doing A Level exams and not seeing medics. 🙂
Wow so great you held onto that for as long as you have.
Thanks very much, More.
You’re welcome
Wonderful poem ???
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I really like your poem! It so perfectly captured the exam room in a William Carlos Williams kind of way.
Are your birds feasting upon suet balls with sunflower seeds?
They are, Liz. I hadn’t realised that 🙂 Thanks for your much appreciated assessment of the poem.
My pleasure! The poem so vividly brought back the feeling of taking exams in 19th-century buildings.
The birds at our feeder still haven’t learnt that if we’re in the dining room, we’re not after them and they fly off straight away. On the other hand, they do show a lot of interest in the room and sometimes they perch and seem to watch me at the computer.
Fascinating, John. Thanks very much.
How lovely to read your poem in full – I have to agree with everyone else on here. Way beyond your tender years.
Our long standing bird nut feeders appeared to have been untouched for a week or so, eventually I went over to the trees and took a closer look and found they were full of mould. That has never happened before but with so much rain this autumn I suppose it was inevitable.I cleaned out the feeders and left them soaking in bleach to kill the mould.
The birds are back feeding once more.
Thanks very much, Sue – especially for prompting my memory of the poem which has gone down so well. Well done for recovering the bird food.
Everyone who reads your blog knows you have a way with words. Your poem definitely conveys the feeling of an examination room. Murdering time sounds Shakespearean.
Wonderful photos–I particularly like the bird in the tree with the berries, swirling-looking branches, and a few gold leaves.
Thanks very much, Merril. I was so looking forward to your thoughts on the poem.
You’re very welcome.
Great post today, Derrick. A bit different than usual.
Thanks very much, GP. As days are often different I like to ring the changes.
You have many talents, Derrick – poet, artist, photographer and writer! I also enjoyed the views from your bird feeders.
Thank you very much, Lavinia.
I’m late to the comments and almost all has been said about your poem, which for me was very concrete and visual. Amazing Sue’s blog called it to mind and gave everyone here feelings about time as well. And I’m looking forward to more birds at the feeders pictures.
Very many thanks, Lisa.
Those birds look very much like our chickadees. Such darling, chipper birds.
Thanks very much, Laurie.
An excellent poem, Derrick; I am so pleased you were able to find it again. What happy birds you have in your garden now!
Thank you very much, Clare.
The teenager in you penned a stunning poem! You must have been much wiser than your years. Shakespeare would have certainly been impressed by your use of iambic pentameter. Superb. xo
Sweet tit — a true athlete?
Thank you so much, Rose. I do appreciate your view.
I enjoyed your poetry greatly, and how cool is that–to see the same words in two forms. I should try that out. Also it is fun to see the page typed on a typewriter, as I have reams of from when I first started typing them out. They looked much the same.
Curious, how these birds eat in a new place, much like I do, when I eat in public, looking about. Also, shufti is a new word for me.
Thanks very much, Pleasant. Your observations on the poetry are particularly valuable