We were very fortunate at Southampton General Hospital this morning because my BCG vaccine procedure began on time and 20 minutes later I was ready to go home, This meant that we were on our way out of the building when an ear-bursting bellow vied with piercing higher tones from the tannoy system instructing everyone to clear the building by the nearest available exit. It seemed that the whole world then walked slowly towards the main doorways. No-one panicked which was a good thing. By the time we had walked to our car, those who still had appointments or work inside, continued to mill about outside. I had warned others approaching that they could expect an evacuation. We recognised many of them as we escaped by car.
It is interesting that I had forgotten the acute discomfort I experienced for the first 48 hours after the first session; I was soon reminded after we returned home. Never mind, I know it will pass.
I spent much of the afternoon reading the first of the three tragedies in the Folio Society’s collection by Federico García Lorca.
The frontispiece above is clearly a portrait of the author himself and that on the front board probably Yerma. This tragic figure struggles with her longing for a child to whom she talks while caressing her empty womb and wishes for passion from her cold husband while trying to suppress her own. She lives in a society where a woman doesn’t count as one unless she has children. Identifying with this belief she engages in fertility rites to help her conceive, yet clings to her honour.
García questions this through the voices of his largely female cast, including gossiping washerwomen; young girls; a sorceress and her acolytes; and the silence of her husband’s shrivelled sisters.
We have music and dance, and the poetic language one would expect from the writer that García is. “The rain smoothes the stones by falling on them, and then the weeds grow – people say they are useless – ….but there they are, I can see them moving their yellow flowers in the wind.” “Have you ever held a live bird in your hand? ….Well [pregnancy is] like that; only in your blood.”
Even the scene directions are telling (Pause. The silence intensifies and without any outward indication one is aware of the struggle between the two) or (The second sister appears and goes over to the doorway, where she stands like a statue in the last light of the evening)
Sue Bradbury, the translator, provides a knowledgeable and well written introduction to the writer and his work.
Presenting Peter Pendrey’s Lino-cuts as they lie on the page offers examples of the poet’s writing.
Wood pigeons are heavy, ungainly, birds more like barrage balloons than delicate creatures who could manage to feed on the crab apples I see beyond my window as they cling precariously to the bending branches and tear at the fruit, dropping as much as they consume. Today they faced the afternoon gloom and allowed rain to drip from their plumage.
This evening we enjoyed further portions of Hrodle Chinese Take Away fare with which I drank one glass of La Macha viña San Juan Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo 2023.
So the BCG procedure is on? Good. I had understood otherwise… A few friends of mine have gone through that with excellent results… Uncomfortable it must be, but you seem to understand that it will pass…
García Lorca now? He is quite a figure of Spanish literature. (I keep wanting to put two t’s as in French but the system tells me NO!).
Your 70’s edition is superb, like many others you’ve shared. I remember having similar editions in France in those days. I wonder whether they still do that? Either in the UK or France…
Be good Derrick.
Thanks very much. There are just a few specialist publishers that do – the Folio Society for one
I just looked them up. It’s now an employee owned trust. Fantastic… Wonder whether they ship to Mexico. 🤔
I’m glad your procedure was completed before the alarms.Did you find out why the building was being evacuated? I hope the discomfort is gone soon.
I’ve not read Lorca’s plays, but we saw Blood Wedding performed several years ago, and we also have seen a shadow puppet performance about him and his work.
Thank you very much, Merril. We were told nothing.
I find pigeons of any kind an annoyance. They eat everything in sight and make a big mess. The Rock Pigeon is a problem bird in Las Vegas. Companies specialise in removing them!
Thank you very much, John
You’re welcome. 😊😊
Sorry you will feel discomfort for a few days. Glad you didn’t seem to be stuck by the hospital evacuation notice. Love the pictures and language of the book review. Feel better soon.🙏
I am impressed you are strong enough to keep reading right after the vaccine.
Thank you very much, Sylvie
So sorry you have to endure that discomfort. Your attitude is wonderful in remembering it will pass.
Thank you for sharing this excellent review! The artwork/illustrations and the story/words certainly work well together to keep the reader reading.
Sweet pigeon photos…I know pigeons have a bad rep sometimes…but they do seem so peaceful and they are pretty. I’ve always been fascinated that they have wings, but they walk a lot. 🙂
(((HUGS))) and ❤️❤️!!
PS… “Retain a calm heart, sit like a turtle, walk swiftly like a pigeon, and sleep like a dog.” – Li Ching-Yuen 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn XX
My goodness what a busy day. I’m glad the evacuation didn’t begin earlier while in mid-treatment!
Those photographs are just lovely.
Thank you very much, Sue
I hope your discomfort is short-lived. I didn’t realize that Lorca was also a playwright. His essay about the duende is an all-time favorite of mine.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I must admit I have never heard of Lorca. As a book lover, I hang my head in shame. Hope you feel better soon. Sound as though you had a very exciting time at the hospital.
Thank you very much, Laurie
An interesting review, but tragic stories are not my favorites … oh, that wood pigeon does look heavy, Derrick … glad to hear you escape the hospital just in time …
Thank you very much, Ivor
You were lucky to have had your BCG procedure done before the evacuation.
How tragic for the infertile Yerma! Sadly, such cultures still exist today.
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
Your experience at the hospital could be the plot of a good mystery. 😉
Thank you very much, Chrissy
You sure know how to find little adventures – even in the hospital – with good timing. I admire your attitude in recognizing that the acute discomfort will pass. I hope it passes quickly.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
I am glad you got your treatment done before they evacuated everyone! Reading is a good way to let the meds settle in. Hang in there!
Thank you very much, Dwight
You are welcome.
I’m glad you are strong enough to do all that reading and what not after getting the vaccination and the like.
Thank you very much, Byung. Concentration was difficult
Wish you a peaceful time through the BCG installations. Thank you for introducing Garcia, and the capable capture of his ouvre. The lines quoted are poetic and deeply symbolic. I do have a couple of volumes by the author, untouched and unread, waiting for willing finger to unravel them someday. The closing paragraph on the wood pigeons presents a brilliant atmospheric picture.
Thank you very much, Uma. What a shame he died so young
I am glad your procedure was completed before the alarms. Did you get to know why the building was evacuated?
Thanks a lot for the great review and the beautiful photos!
We didn’t know, Luisa. Thank you very much
As always you are so very welcome.
My pleasure dear Derrick!
I’m glad it went well.
Thanks very much, GP
Vaccines can be rough this time my covid vaccine left me sick for a week. I hope your reaction is short-lived. Why did everyone have to leave the hospital was it just a drill?
No – it was real – but I don’t know why. This vaccine is installed directly into the bladder by the usual painful route – not a needle in the arm. It is to prevent any possible return of the cancer tumour and will take a year of staggered series.
Keep safe Derrick and enjoy reading. Sometimes the latter makes you forget the discomfort of the treatment.
It does its best, Arlene. Thanks very much
Wow! What an experience, Derrick. I am glad your procedure was done before the evacuation. Thank you for the wonderful review and lovely photos.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
How fortunate you were done with your procedure before the evacuation. Hope the side-effects were not too bad.
You have the most interesting collection of books, Derrick.
Love the photos of the wood pigeon noshing on those tiny crabapples 🙂
Thank you very much, Dale
The pigeons are made better with the backdrop. I find all of the pigeon photos just gorgeous with the red of the crab apples. What a relief for you both to be exiting the building anyway when the alarm sounded.
Yes, phew. Thank you very much, Crystal
I am glad the BCG treatments are going well, and that the discomfort will pass.
I agree you have an interesting set of books, Derrick!
The wood pigeons are beautiful amid all the bright red crab apples of autumn.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
I saw that Lorca play performed by a Glasgow University student group in the 60s. It was a powerful piece of work.