Poem 229 of 230: JOYS OF LIFE
Leightons, and other great art;
Plumes of fireworks at night;
The vivid reds of sunrise -
Repeated at day’s last light.
The beats through us of a drum;
Winter’s sun felt through closed glass;
Handing in the last exam;
Awakenings - alarmless!
The ball, off thee, whacks their net;
When, to palms, leather has stuck;
Orange juice during half-time;
A warm bath to wash the muck.
Limited-overs cricket;
A golf ball, for once, well struck;
Viewing velodrome cycling;
From net-chord, levelling luck!
Sticks, chants, didgeridoo,
Haunting harps, and all bagpipes;
Clog, flamenco, tamure,
Hula, and other dance types.
Out, by a cast, being told;
In - taking tea and T.V.;
Highland views that command rest;
The buildings of Italy.
Thrifty plant-propagation;
By a wave, one’s body hit;
Upstream of camp - with paddle;
By a fire - strongly lit.
Forest spent-leaves under foot;
Tasting a host-nation’s fare;
Alcedo atthis at work;
Just-bills being brought to bear.
Allegros when feeling low;
An andante to wind down;
Spoken French and chorused song;
The quiet when out of town.
A stroll through a kept garden,
Before Sunday’s roast dinner;
A pub game, drink and meal;
One’s team a comeback winner.
(C) David Franks 2003
Leightons, and other great art;
Plumes of fireworks at night;
The vivid reds of sunrise -
Repeated at day’s last light.
The beats through us of a drum;
Winter’s sun felt through closed glass;
Handing in the last exam;
Awakenings - alarmless!
The ball, off thee, whacks their net;
When, to palms, leather has stuck;
Orange juice during half-time;
A warm bath to wash the muck.
Limited-overs cricket;
A golf ball, for once, well struck;
Viewing velodrome cycling;
From net-chord, levelling luck!
Sticks, chants, didgeridoo,
Haunting harps, and all bagpipes;
Clog, flamenco, tamure,
Hula, and other dance types.
Out, by a cast, being told;
In - taking tea and T.V.;
Highland views that command rest;
The buildings of Italy.
Thrifty plant-propagation;
By a wave, one’s body hit;
Upstream of camp - with paddle;
By a fire - strongly lit.
Forest spent-leaves under foot;
Tasting a host-nation’s fare;
Alcedo atthis at work;
Just-bills being brought to bear.
Allegros when feeling low;
An andante to wind down;
Spoken French and chorused song;
The quiet when out of town.
A stroll through a kept garden,
Before Sunday’s roast dinner;
A pub game, drink and meal;
One’s team a comeback winner.
(C) David Franks 2003
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| Leightons, Manchester Art Gallery; 9/3/2017 |
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| Leightons, Tate Gallery, London; 29/7/2016 |
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| A Leighton, National Gallery, London; 30/5/2016 |
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| Leightons, Art Gallery of N.S.W; 3/12/2018 |
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| Baguio, Philippines; 30/11/2015 |
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| Walthamstow, London; 5/11/2016 |
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| Sunrise south of Manchester; 12/12/2017 |
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| Sunset in Birmingham, England; 4/5/2015 |
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| "Winter's sun felt through closed glass"; my studio-flat on 26/1/18 |
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| Veldodrome, Manchester SportsCity; 13/6/21 |
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| In Portobello Market; 26/9/2015 |
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| Photo of a print, in my flat, bought from Barcelona artist in May 2018 |
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| "Told" at London's Globe Theatre; 14/7/15 |
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| Saint Paul's, Rome, Italy; 4/5/19 |
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| My "thrifty plant-propagation" & the 3 R's |
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| Thai fare at a Chiang Mai hotel; Dec. 2018 |
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| Moroccan fare in Agadir; March 2023 |
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| Santa Maria Beach, Cabo Verde; 15/12/23 |
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| Stroll through well-kept Singapore Botanic Gardens; October 2013 |
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| Primrose Hill, London; 23/5/16 |
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| Anvil cloud S.W. of Manchester; 25/5/2017 |
