Category Archives: Oxford Blues

LA BELLE DAME

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Universal Octopus

She filled herself up with roseson which she could dependand invited her boyfriends in; then opened the door at the other endand dropped them into the bin. She shut herself up with her memories,neatly on a shelf,or scattered about rather … Continue reading →

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SOUND OF THE TIMES

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Universal Octopus

The patience of the bombfills the void with fear. And still those with earsand mortar boardslisten and do not hear. .

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COLD FROST

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Universal Octopus

We fill the time twixt sleep and sleepto stop the thoughts dig down too deepfor they have messages to keepthat what you sow is what you reap. .

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GURDJIEFF

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Universal Octopus

“You are both a wolfand a lamb.If you do not stay awakethe wolf will devourthe lamb.” Oh you, the Living and the Dead!Both those who earnand you who claim by rightyour daily bread. Encourage the fewthey will become the many.Encourage … Continue reading →

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WAITING

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Universal Octopus

Magdalen’s groundsare full of life,full of space. Space, which is mownand cleared,tended and enclosed,its waterways unchoked,brown and sparkling clear. It is home to ducksand coots,to dragonflies and deer. Grass and paths and gatesand streamsand yesterday’s undergraduatesare waiting. Not for the … Continue reading →

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BLONDIN

Posted on January 15, 2023 by Universal Octopus

Everyman is Blondin.Every lifetime a rope,finer than a spider’s thread,sharper than a sword,stretched between birth and death(breath and breath)across Niagara. .

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LABEL IT CORRECTLY

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Universal Octopus

In St Peter’s graveyardthe bones have labels. The labels are incised in marble or slate.The coming together of the bones is recorded.(God breathed on those bones). The dislocation of the bones is recorded.(God stopped breathing). The length of time in … Continue reading →

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SPECULUM

Posted on December 29, 2022 by Universal Octopus

Going out there is no other,coming back there is no trace.Though we must love one another,whose is the beloved’s face? Start from wherever you think you wish to,you cannot end up in a different place.Examine carefully the mirrors around you.All … Continue reading →

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AFTERNOON TEA AT THE WARNEFORD

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Universal Octopus

Speechreaches outto whisper and shout,praise and curse,across a silent universe;making of molecular vibrationa means of human communication. It wasn’t always quite like this;the groansand moans,the hissand howlsin the warm pre-Cambrian mudwere eloquent enough avowalsof love and hatred, fear and blood. … Continue reading →

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MAKE THE MOST OF IT!

Posted on November 12, 2022 by Universal Octopus

Said the Junior Dean. What is “It”that we should make the most of it?What have wethat we can justly boast of it? We have inherited our share of wealth;and karma and good sensehave brought us health. Time weighs not on … Continue reading →

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