What a genuinely lovely and sincere tribute to your friends, Ella and Oliver on their wedding day! May it be part of the highlights that they will always remember. The last verse is my favourite:
Then it was done, as the day
packed itself away and the lights came on
the way the campfires did for our ancestors
in caves or jungles or out on the dry savannah
and the cycle begins again - that ancient thing within -
under the stars, under the moon, one love - one more forever
Thank you, dear Martin. It is such an ancient thing, celebrated in every culture, each in their own way. The common thread - a shared hope for the future....
It does depend on the context. I generally find being in a crowd extremely difficult - especially if it's a party. On the rare occasions I have ended up at one I have usually left again as soon as possible.
I can be a very good talker in small groups, amongst friends and family. Much harder with strangers....
Public speaking - for work - although I don't enjoy it I can certainly do that and seem quite professional, even in large groups.
Poetry readings - I have also done, (way back when I was publishing my work) - and sometimes I have more or less enjoyed it, but I have to be very careful which pieces I read, because those that are most meaningful to me unlock emotions which I struggle to control. That is why I have not recorded voice overs for any of those particular works on Substack.
Ah well, Dave. It was a happy day, and they are a wonderful couple…
Hey! I just posted a poem series about my week on a sheep station!!! (Admittedly, no actual sheep appear in the poetry, but a tuft of wool does, and the scent of lanolin). Now - how can you resist that??
An outdoor wedding. It seems like a lovely day. A lovely poem to create. Thank you for pointing out the ascending line lengths. I didn’t know you could enjoy poetry like that in English:)
Thank you my friend! The newlyweds are off having lots of fun (I hope!) in New Zealand. It is Spring here now, and we have travelled 300 miles South to catch up with family for a few days. Have a wonderful weekend! (It's Saturday here already)
Dave!!! this is really lovely, and oh it's wonderful to hear your voice!! I know you told me once that you aren't too keen on reading your work for fear of the emotions that readings will raise so I have to say that this is the best part for me--but that's a tough call seeing as how your writing is always so brilliant. I'm so glad I had the chance to be here for this one. I have hundreds of emails with missed posts to read from so many people that I haven't had a chance to read in so long and you are one of them. I'm sending warm hugs to you and Meg. I hope you are both doing fabulous! 🌞 ~Syl
In general, I really dislike crowds and formal occasions. The three church weddings I have attended were all excruciating. omg....
This was an extremely happy event though, outdoors under the trees in a gorgeous setting, with many lovely people.
I'm at my best in small groups so I sat pretty quietly through the night, which I hope was not misinterpreted as being disengaged. I have some luminous photos of Meg though - and a great video clip of her dancing with one of the Bridesmaids :)
It was a beautiful place, in perfect weather. (They were very fortunate). The wedding was delightful.
I'm truly glad that you enjoyed the Poem.
I use ascending line lengths fairly often. Sometimes, also, descending. One of the pieces I have most enjoyed writing recently does both. The lines in the verses ascend, and then descend, and that cycle repeats twice more. I did that to reflect the idea of the rise and fall of the ocean tide, because the poem and images are all about the ocean.
May I ask - is ascending line length a style used in Japanese verse? I apologise for my ignorance. I have a book of Japanese Haiku that I treasure, but I really do not know anything much about the literature of Japan.
What a genuinely lovely and sincere tribute to your friends, Ella and Oliver on their wedding day! May it be part of the highlights that they will always remember. The last verse is my favourite:
Then it was done, as the day
packed itself away and the lights came on
the way the campfires did for our ancestors
in caves or jungles or out on the dry savannah
and the cycle begins again - that ancient thing within -
under the stars, under the moon, one love - one more forever
Thank you, dear Martin. It is such an ancient thing, celebrated in every culture, each in their own way. The common thread - a shared hope for the future....
Best Wishes - Dave
I thought you were a talker! What a beautiful poem. Did you read it to the couple?
Oh! Well, dear Naz....
It does depend on the context. I generally find being in a crowd extremely difficult - especially if it's a party. On the rare occasions I have ended up at one I have usually left again as soon as possible.
I can be a very good talker in small groups, amongst friends and family. Much harder with strangers....
Public speaking - for work - although I don't enjoy it I can certainly do that and seem quite professional, even in large groups.
Poetry readings - I have also done, (way back when I was publishing my work) - and sometimes I have more or less enjoyed it, but I have to be very careful which pieces I read, because those that are most meaningful to me unlock emotions which I struggle to control. That is why I have not recorded voice overs for any of those particular works on Substack.
D
I am sure your friends will always keep this next to them, Dave, as they head out into their lives together.
Thank you my friend. They are a genuinely lovely couple...
D :)
Wow, imagine getting a poem to celebrate your marriage, what a fantastic gift. Thanks for sharing, mate, it’s lovely. D
Ah well, Dave. It was a happy day, and they are a wonderful couple…
Hey! I just posted a poem series about my week on a sheep station!!! (Admittedly, no actual sheep appear in the poetry, but a tuft of wool does, and the scent of lanolin). Now - how can you resist that??
lol
Dave :)
The scent of lanolin is what I usually smell of 🐑
You will be right at home mate!! :)
An outdoor wedding. It seems like a lovely day. A lovely poem to create. Thank you for pointing out the ascending line lengths. I didn’t know you could enjoy poetry like that in English:)
Beautiful poem! I am sure this will long be treasured by your friends, Dave.
Blessings to the newlyweds and to you! ~Wendy💜
Thank you my friend! The newlyweds are off having lots of fun (I hope!) in New Zealand. It is Spring here now, and we have travelled 300 miles South to catch up with family for a few days. Have a wonderful weekend! (It's Saturday here already)
Best Wishes - Dave :)
Dave!!! this is really lovely, and oh it's wonderful to hear your voice!! I know you told me once that you aren't too keen on reading your work for fear of the emotions that readings will raise so I have to say that this is the best part for me--but that's a tough call seeing as how your writing is always so brilliant. I'm so glad I had the chance to be here for this one. I have hundreds of emails with missed posts to read from so many people that I haven't had a chance to read in so long and you are one of them. I'm sending warm hugs to you and Meg. I hope you are both doing fabulous! 🌞 ~Syl
Thank you, dear Sylvia!
It is indeed hard to keep up. We are well and loving these gentle early days of transition to Spring - though in truth I love all seasons.
Love from us both
D abd M :)
Ah, this sounds like such a nice wedding, likely without the almost-inevitable Southern Baptist preaching that tends to plague weddings around here.
I figured you are good with crowds....interesting. I was always great with crowds and I still know how to work a room, but it makes me tired.
I didn't learn how to be alone until the last few years. I always wanted someone to talk to, to be with me. Now I relish my time alone.
Thanks for adding the note about line length, though I'm sure it will not help at all. Most people use the app, I think. I hate the app.
Did you give your lovely poem to your friends?
Hey Rebecca
In general, I really dislike crowds and formal occasions. The three church weddings I have attended were all excruciating. omg....
This was an extremely happy event though, outdoors under the trees in a gorgeous setting, with many lovely people.
I'm at my best in small groups so I sat pretty quietly through the night, which I hope was not misinterpreted as being disengaged. I have some luminous photos of Meg though - and a great video clip of her dancing with one of the Bridesmaids :)
D
Hi dear Mai !
It was a beautiful place, in perfect weather. (They were very fortunate). The wedding was delightful.
I'm truly glad that you enjoyed the Poem.
I use ascending line lengths fairly often. Sometimes, also, descending. One of the pieces I have most enjoyed writing recently does both. The lines in the verses ascend, and then descend, and that cycle repeats twice more. I did that to reflect the idea of the rise and fall of the ocean tide, because the poem and images are all about the ocean.
https://davidkirkby.substack.com/p/whangaumu
May I ask - is ascending line length a style used in Japanese verse? I apologise for my ignorance. I have a book of Japanese Haiku that I treasure, but I really do not know anything much about the literature of Japan.
Very Best Wishes - Dave :)