Fall

 When I went to London recently I fell getting onto a tube on the Northern Line going south .

I blame my dyspraxia, of course, as well as the fact that I was hurrying, as the tube train was about to leave, but one minute I looked like any other commuter.

The next I was sprawled inside the tube with a dozen people looking concerned if not shocked around me.

Suffice to say I got to my feet immediately and as I sat down on the disabled seat, an Italian woman kindly called out “ are you alright?” 

I motioned that I was , but I had sprained my thumb pretty badly and embarrassment dictated that I showed no pain or discomfort. 

I blushed like a school boy 

Falling in public is an intensely humiliating experience. 

It shows your under belly to the world 

And underlines clumsiness, age and size and helplessness

Why do you think I’ve not told you about it until now? 

I’m imploding with shame….

What was funny about all this, was a genuine premonition, 

For when I was walking to the train in Prestatyn , that morning

I suddenly felt as though I was going to fall over that day…..

And later on , I did just that …….

My thumb is still sore btw

Caps & Gowns

 I never went to my graduation, 

Nu said I should be grateful for small mercies as they can be all anticipation for little reward.

But I wanted to wear my cap and gown in the colours of Bangor University and stand with my fellow graduates ( above) with some pride and hubris.

Im happy to say that my rented cap and Gown should be delivered next week and I shall be wearing it around the cottage like a house coat. 

I’m shallow and needy enough to enjoy the photographs like a toddler with a pink balloon

I’m sorry my mother and father never got to see such a photo.

The child in me still needs that validation….

Alicia Keys - North Wales

For Yorkshire Pudding

Oboe

 

The Metropolitan Orchestra ( who support the lisping Choir ) as Talia Grupo is sublime in this Disney tribute. The oboe player is a dish .

Counselling day today 

Clean Jumper, takeaway porridge for breakfast and big coffee start, walking with purpose , coffee in hand 

Am I pretending to live in New York ?

Too bloody right I am 

A post about nothing……

 I worked the last two nights and walked the dogs after a sleep

Shit it’s almost five pm and already almost dusk.

I ring to see if I can change an eye appointment , no answer

The twins loudly demand their tea, and even Weaver is rubbing my leg in anticipation 

Judus!

I run around and set out the recycling. 

A villager stops to chat for as moment and I ask about his sick brother in law, 

Moments later Animal Helper Pat stops him and asks the same thing. Such is life in small communities.

I unload logs from the car as Roger listens from over the kitchen wall

No goodies on the wall today, 

A day I could have done with one.

I finish laundry and organise a clean outfit for counselling day tomorrow, laying it out on the kitchen chair 

I feed the twins but Weaver has already peed on my fox cushion in what I can only assume as frustration temper.

I wash it but use up all the washing up tabs

Fuck and there’s no milk either

I make a coffee and sit looking at my spotty Ikea plate and jug of plastic tulips.

Mary farts in her sleep

And I wish I was in a sunny cafe in Madrid’s Atotcha 

Youhoooooooo! 

An old lady’s voice. It’s not Pat or Mrs Trellis but another villager I know

She pointed at my recycling and I prepared myself for some sort of neighbourly complaint.

“ look at these beauties braving the elements “ she crooned, pointing to a bit of lane buffering my wall

There, hiding away amongst the weeds were several delicate viola plants 

I had not noticed that the kitchen clock had not been moved back on Saturday . It’s only 4 pm

A violas are metaphor for getting on with the mundane and the ordinary.

Pride

 Royal recognition for the LBGT + community of the armed forces was gratefully received at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire today as the king gave his respect to the fallen, non serving and serving members of army, navy and airforce. 

The memorial is designed in the shape of a bronze crumpled letter, featuring words drawn from the testimonies of former service personnel affected for the ban of gays in the military  which was only revoked in the year 2000

Someone In The Room

 I’m sat with a patient,

In their room. It’s 12.55

The orientating clock says that clearly 

The patient knows I’m there

Medication has been given and the bed is comfortably made.

The patient is fighting sleep but desperately needs it .

Strange shapes hide behind the television and the wardrobe 

And I sit between them and the bed

The patient knows I am there

Silently I read the news on my tablet. 

I reply to an email and a message or two

And try to sound fatherly when I say

It’s time to sleep. 

The patient knows I am there. 

I watch a silent video about a blind horse

And a chubby gay New Yorker dances in the street

I read news on Gaza

And the reviews of a film I want to see

The patient approaches sleep but knows I am there

Someone is in the room.

FAIRYTALE - ALEXANDER RYBAK - TALÍA GROUP

I was in the audience for this performance …a tour de force for the violin section.

It’s optimistic and bright and mirrors today’s mood. 

Yesterday I reached out to an old friend who I had fallen out with and didn’t get a rejected response .

Most things can be repaired if the willing is there x

And that’s lovely