Arts Articles
Diversity of art at Bath
Celebrating the publication of his thirteenth novel this week, Howard Jacobson wrote ‘To lose oneself in making art – all questions of quality apart – is an incomparable way of living life. Never mind self-expression. The truly wonderful thing about being a painter, a writer or a musician is escaping self.’ It...
Art at Yearly Meeting Gathering
The futility of war
On Friday 1 August Sally Beamish’s Violin Concerto, based on the theme of war, is being given a London premiere at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms season. The programme, commemorating 100 years since the outbreak of the first world war, includes William Walton’s Symphony No.1...
The things which kill
When blinded Polyphemus chose a rock To hurl at bold Odysseus in his flight, His weapon was as one from cave-man’s stock; Its simple function: death to expedite!
Oblation
Wrapped in the silent Quaker hour I see behind closed eyes the lattice of a purple honeycomb. I watch the undulating butterfly draw nectar from the open flower whose shy sense shapes the gift of hidden power.
Not ideas about the war but the war itself
Dad hated those processions: strangulated distant bugles, rifles butting Whitehall tarmac, doleful incantations from the comfortable clergy resurrecting Albert, Chalky and those other lads who ‘grew not old as we that are left grow old’. And then the trumpet keening like a scrawny seagull over downturned heads and surreptitious coughs.
Antonine Legionary
I marched these hills not long ago, I travelled north in search of foe, Wild blue-faced tribes, encountered there, Barbaric people, caused such scare. We captured some, and sent them home, To slavery, in ancient Rome. Though I am Roman, not myself, A Syrian archer, trained in stealth.
Spring
Winter drags on: Grey day pursued by Grey day. The sun Appears, winks a bleary eye, Surveys his pale cold kingdom And disappears once more Behind the draperies of cloud.
Cry of the Earth
Last summer we put on Cry of the Earth in Leiden, Netherlands. I would like to share, with British Friends, memories of a wonderful performance. The music was by Tony Biggin and the libretto by Alec Davison. You are so blessed to have these two men with you, who make...
Ploughing
The farmer tells us Old Punch is due for retirement now, and that he’ll spend the rest of his happy days grazing contentedly in peaceful pastures.