In all our sanctuaries we sit at risk

Category: General

  • The Dry Fly Fisherman

    Posted:

    I was with some young people during the Christmas holiday. I liked them a lot and wanted them to flourish, for all our sakes. They were vividly awake to the difficulties in front of them,  and were discussing how to take their next steps,  what risks and uncertainty seemed justifiable, what strategies to deploy for…

  • Fable 6 – Jason on the Walls

    Posted:

    I am adding Fable Six here to the pieces uploaded in previous posts (see further down on the blog for the earlier Fables).  In “Jason on the Walls,” we find ourselves in an ancient Greek landscape for a discussion on hope, leadership and decision-making. With relief, but in grief,  Jason gives up the leadership of his…

  • A Statement of Principle in time for Christmas

    Posted:

    I suspect that many of us see “principle” as something we can just hive off and leave in airy-fairy land while we hurry out to do our Christmas shopping.  So I’ll say straightaway that, on the contrary,  true and meaningful principle may in the end be the only fact that counts, far more significant and…

  • Freedom of the Press does not mean Free Speech

    Posted:

    With Leveson now published, and much debate on the subject being reported, I think it is worth pointing out  that the Internet is not the only elephant in the room in these discussions. So long as newspapers are owned by super-rich oligarchs, ex-pornographers and the like, and mirror or reflect in any way the views…

  • The Resignation of Denis MacShane

    Posted:

    Denis MacShane was Minister for Europe under Tony Blair.  He brought a wider and more cultured vision and experience to that role than many politicians and activists  ever get near, at least in this country. For instance, he  translated into English a Brecht poem for “Poems on the Underground”.  He also responded positively to a…

  • Fable 5 – The Fisherman who Stopped Bailing

    Posted:

    I am adding Fable Five here to the pieces uploaded in previous posts (see below). Called “The Fisherman who Stopped Bailing,” it contrasts two different responses to life’s demands  – give yourself over to a life of bailing your own leaky boat until your energy runs out, or risk trusting others to co-operate with you in…

  • In fervent hope of the re-election of Barak Obama

    Posted:

    I wrote the poem below in 2008, in wonder, delight and trepidation at the election of Barack Obama. Was America ready for this wonderful development ? The answer would appear to be, barely. Four years later, he is still there, but has had to fight for every inch of movement into the light, restrained and…

  • On Air

    Posted:

    Even as I age  and wrinkle, I seem to be growing a poet’s shadow.  This blind companion, still strange to me, yet lifelong, has even begun to lead me about.  The development is partly of my own making , of course, or at least of my assenting, since it is absolutely necessary for my health,…