This stanza was written on the day the Labour Party’s National Executive decided to support a second referendum on Brexit – but only in particular circumstances, all unlikely. Jez and a sufficient number of his adherents were clearly still keen on being seen to be “honouring” the result of the first referendum of 2016. That word “honouring” was deceitful, of… continue reading
The Parrot on Fault-lines
Still the Parrot Paces
In the third stanza of “Speak, Parrot” by John Skelton, you’ll find these lines : “With my bekė bent, my little wanton eye,/ My feathers fresh as is the emerald green,/About my neck a circulet like the rich ruby,/ my little leggės, my feet both feat and clean,/ I am a minion to wait upon a queen…”
Amen to the… continue reading
The Parrot Shakes Again
Parrot has another go at making sense of what is happening in the world that swirls and shudders around his cage. This time he makes use of a few religious images… continue reading
The Parrot Shakes the Bars
Instead of “shakes the bars” the author might just as well have written “wracks his brains” – a more conventional image, though equally physical a description. But since the parrot lives in a cage, it seemed fitting that he should do some violence to that, instead of to himself.… continue reading
The Parrot Advises on Leadership
This stanza offers some general thoughts on leadership and the part it plays – or fails to play. But it is also based on the specific image of the UK House of Commons, in which the Party of Government and the Party of Opposition face one another across the aisle. Neither of the present leaders merit the position they hold. … continue reading