Category Archives: Oxford Blues

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 →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged Time, fruit, karma, wealth, health, Desires, It, parable, talent, ashes, too late, Dean, downward | Leave a comment

SCRATCHING WHERE IT DOESN’T ITCH

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Universal Octopus

The fastest may not be the bestnor is Ben Nevis Everest. The rules for host may not suit guest. When the Holy Grail was the Quest,Lancelot’s prowess failed the test. Laughter in the Coliseumcould not be suppressedthough the victims did … Continue reading →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged Ben Nevis, Everest, Holy Grail, human heart, itch, journeys, Lancelot, laughter, lonely, men, Quest, rest | Leave a comment

CHINA BOUND GIRL

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Universal Octopus

China-bound girl,not-yet-happiness-made-her-found girl.Airport-station-taxis girl,brand-new-outside-sensations girl.Three-plus champagnes-anything can-do girl,anywhere-go preferably-Katmandu girl.From-past-sadness-ever-fleeing girl,balanced-on-the-very-edge-of seeing girl.Wonderful-from-the-very-beginning girl,so-afraid-of–losing-she-must-be-always-winning girl.So-shy-her-confidence-is overwhelming girl,she-keeps-her-captains-firmly-at-their-helms-ing girl. China-bound girl,Love at her heels,how does she think what she knows she feels?Glides like an image one flower ahead of sorrow,floating through … Continue reading →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged China, customs, fun, happiness, heart, Katmandu girl, love, shadows, sorrow, sun | Leave a comment

WAITING

Posted on October 11, 2022 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 return of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged being, bless, dragonflies, ducks, empty heart, future, Life, Magdalen, Oxford Blues, past, paths, peace, play, space, undergraduates, waiting, Yes! | Leave a comment

OXFORD: MICHAELMAS

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Universal Octopus

Christ Church meadowis awash with driving rainand a wind which bites the skinand chills the blood within.Its paths are sticky, yellow mud.And the Cherwell, brown and dull,slips ever higher.Ducks, moorhens, squirrels endure it.As they endure frost and iceand the teeth … Continue reading →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged chapel, Cherwell, Christ Church, Christian culture, ducks, frost, ice, Man, medieval, Merton, Michaelmas, New World, Oxford, peace, spiritual ache, vision | Leave a comment

KATHLEEN

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Universal Octopus

‘Going out there is no other,coming back there is no trace’.Love and care for one another,smooth the sadness from her face. Like Orestes how she travels!Light-foot ever, onward roams;as the skein of life unravels,everywhere she makes her homes. Loves she … Continue reading →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged Eurydice, grass blade to her star, Kathleen, king of Shades, Life, love, Orestes, Orpheus, Oxford Blues, pain, Pluto, sadness, smile, sunshine, travel | Leave a comment

TRUTH IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Universal Octopus

Thousands of magnolia flowers,by Danby’s gateand yellowstone walls,test vernal powersagainst the winds of March; and wait. Slowly, blossoms fall,like heavy snowflakes, one by one,lit by a dull and clouded sun. Tourists have gathered here to seethe wonder of this snow-blossom … Continue reading →

Posted in Oxford Blues | Tagged "inner eye", Botanic Gardens, harvest, march, Oxford Blues, photography, snowflakes, tourists, Truth, vernal power | Leave a comment

MIDWINTER’S DAY IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Posted on December 20, 2021 by Universal Octopus

Hippophaewith clusters of orange berrieson spiky twigs. Set in this ancient, yellowstone wall,which separates the formal walksfrom the marsh garden to the south,is the gateway (with gate long gone).At its base, nerines – all mauves and reds –spill over on … Continue reading →

Posted in Blondin, Oxford Blues | Tagged Blondin, Botanic Gardens, Brian Taylor, Cherwell, Magdalen, magnolia, medicinal garden, Merton, mid-winter, Oxford, Oxford Blues, winter jasmine, yew tree | Leave a comment

ARMISTICE DAY

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Universal Octopus

“Died some pro patria non dulce non et decor.”So Ezra Pound adapted Horace’s linesfor those whose sufferings for their nationhad bred a dull, dark, painful generationwith gloria cauterised from their minds. In the calendar their deaths are still recorded.Poppies and … Continue reading →