Tag Archives: Oxford Blues

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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THE ONE AND THE MANY

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Universal Octopus

If there is only One,nothing can be special.If there is Nothing,what then? .

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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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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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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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LEARNING

Posted on February 19, 2019 by Universal Octopus

Learning out and learning inboth from now and here begin. Going back to change the clockyesterday’s secrets will not unlock. Writing plans on your diary’s pagemakes nothing happen (except old age). Singing old songs,reciting old parts,rights no wrongs,breeds more false … Continue reading →

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