Category Archives: Oxford Blues

UPWARDLY MOBILE CAT

Posted on July 14, 2020 by Universal Octopus

The cat sitsin the Provost’s chair! Wisdom,being devoidof Right Understanding,has become Worldly Savoir-Faire. (poem from OXFORD BLUES) .

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WAITING

Posted on April 30, 2020 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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AREOPAGITICA

Posted on April 23, 2020 by Universal Octopus

The Vice Chancellor is leaving!And the mourners go about the streets,throwing their mortar boards in the airand waving their gownslike bullfighters’ capes. In the Vivisection Laboratory,the faintest of grey lightsslants through the bars of cageswhere animals waitto be scientifically torturedfor … Continue reading →

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T.S. ELIOT AT 4.00 PM

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Universal Octopus

Ten thousand pieces on the floorreconstruct his own jigsaw,each one shaped at the five sense doorsto compose the picture he is looking for.Achensee with snowflakes?Earl Grey tea and cakes? He cannot hide.He cannot escape into the seascape’s swell,nor is the … Continue reading →

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POST IMPERIAL BLUES

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Universal Octopus

A terrorist gets his way by violence. Like Alexander,he would prefer a city to surrender peacefully.Like Alexander,he will destroy it if it doesn’tand enslave its population. A successful terrorist,like a successful leopard,does not change his spots. A pugilist can break … Continue reading →

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GUESTS

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Universal Octopus

Who are the deadI have not reached(or been unable to find)who wait with such patiencein quiet corners of my mind? Seek with the mindyou get thoughts.Seek with the heartyou get understanding.Speak with thoughtsyou reach a man’s mind.Speak with understandingyou reach … Continue reading →

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CHINA BOUND GIRL

Posted on January 30, 2020 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 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 … Continue reading →

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COLD FROST

Posted on January 26, 2020 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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MAKE THE MOST OF IT

Posted on November 9, 2019 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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GURDJIEFF

Posted on September 30, 2019 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 the … Continue reading →

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