A representation of love: Stendhal‘s book titled Love
?What do you think about Alberich.
The following scenes in Chapter 1
Alberich’s repentance from sin. [Could Wagner be a Christian!?]
Wagner’s libretto — Stabreim
Groves Music Dictionary
Stabreim is a form of poetic verse
Iambic: Stress every second syllable
Shakespeare
Hamlet — “To be, or not to be: that is the question:”
Macbeth — “Double, double toil and trouble
Iambic Pentameter — 5 stress’ with a sentence of 10 syllables
e.g. Sonnet 18
Shakespeare & Goethe known to Wagner
Henry Cuyler Bunner, American novelist and journalist, on Goethe:
Shake, Mulleary and Go-ethe, poem
My poetry books:
Soaring Higher
The Tara Brooch
Wagner’s Ring*
Blazon
*Wagner’s Ring started. Not completed at the time due to Shakespearean Tudor anachronisms. However, someone said I “can still do it.” Decided on couplet paraphrase, instead — AA, BB, CC etc. Next, Simon Armitage, Poet Laureate, publishes his couplet version of the Owl and the Nightingale. Took my copy to the stage production at the Southbank Centre.
Read my incomplete paraphrase of Wagner’s Ring, Chapter 1: Rhinegold, Ii
Open mic:
Nick
Angela
Closing small talk.
Played during the opening of my reading ⬇️. Ten-stringed lyre.
"From left to right by nature’s design Flows continuously the ready river Rhine Lighter turquoise evenly spread Becoming darker towards the bed Near the floor the water dissipates Leaving an increasingly breathable state This vaporous man-sized space Moves continuously and at a pace Across the floor of the riverbed Where no man can naturally tread Are rough rocks and undercurrent tides And vertical caverns unimaginably wild."
As part of the Penge Festival 2025, I will be putting the case for Wagner’s Ring, debunking the myths about the composer and delivering my paraphrase of the libretto – not the entire 15 hours! we have 1.5 hours. The Rhinegold, Ii.
For data protection reasons, names of individuals and other details have been changed.
A true story.
“I am sitting at a table on a bright, sunny morning. At about 10:30 my mobile phone rings. When I pick up the phone and answer, that person on the other end says, ‘Hi, it’s Sally here! Do you remember that several years ago you applied to be on First Dates, the TV show? Well… it’s taken a long time but are you still interested in appearing?’ ‘Yes,’ I say. ‘Terrence at church posted on Facebook the application link. He said he knew the Producer of the programme and they were looking for Christians.’
“Sally then proceeded to ask me about my dating experience as a Christian, what type of person I would consider going on a date with and why, and what sought person I would not go on a date with. She also asked about my job and other interests. Then she said ‘I will send you a link to a Zoom call. It will be in two days. We will record the video for analysis and discussion with the producer. Oh, and don’t forget the dance music!’
“The Zoom call took the same format as the phone call. The only two differences was that I played Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique Sonata’ and danced to a praise and worship song by Graham Kendrick, called ‘The Feast is Ready to Begin!’
“Before the end of the call she confirmed that the programme will be filmed in Bristol over a weekend in May. And, yes, I already had an idea what I was going to ware to the restaurant.
“Several emails and phone calls from her colleagues followed.
“Then an email arrived with the travel arrangements to the studio where I would be interviewed by the Producer, MacNulty.
“For the event I needed a new bowtie and pocket square. And so, I picked one up the day before the shoot when I happened to be in Bromley. On the train back, Stephen from the production company phones with the final arrangements and checks before my visit to London. ‘Can you write a poem for your date and read it out to the camera tomorrow,’ he says cheerfully before we finish the timely call.
“I was brimming over with delight after that call; and even during our conversation.
“As it had been raining that day the streets were wet. I practically had not eaten all day but was full of energy and excitement about the next day. Realising this, I had to tell myself to not show my beaming radiance to anybody. After I verbalised this, I said, ‘I better get something to drink before going home.’
“So, I popped into the local Polish food delicatessen and happened to turn towards the shelves of bottled water. As I looked up at them, I heard the radio presenter mention water at the exact same time. Shouldn’t patriotic Polish shops play Polish radio stations for their Polish patriots?
“As I walked down the road to my home, I saw a rainbow in the sky that ended right there, at my home! It was then that I decided to write, and title, the poem for the next day: Rainbow Date. And that is exactly what I did with my Parker fountain pen.”
That reminds me: Must buy blue ink next time.
“Before retiring that evening, I said: ‘Tomorrow, I will be dating every single Christian woman on Planet Earth!’ Good English only permits me to use one exclamation mark here – but I could not stop laughing… and for a considerable length of time. I was like a drunk man, full and high.
“The next day, the day of the shoot, I decided not to don the brand-new wine-coloured bowtie and square, etc. I will leave that for the restaurant. Anyway, Stephen did say wear something bright. He must have seen the Zoom call video, my original application video from a few years earlier. Or maybe not? Who knows? Wearing my red and gold jacket and white silk scarf, I left for the train station with my half-eaten breakfast in my bag. I was late. Didn’t even have time to pass by a shop I visited the day before and repay them the few pennies I owed.
“Got to the station ticket machine to enter the code for the prepaid ticket they supplied, but before I had time the train arrived and so I used my credit card, instead.
“I was late!
“After I got onto the train and sat down, and reached Forest Hill, I realised that I have never had to catch a train to work in London in my entire life – man and boy – and made my way to the studio after leaving the train and station.
“When I arrived at the studio, I was escorted to the waiting area and dressing room. A member of the production crew made good conversation.
“Once in the studio, the Producer proceeded with questions. The most difficult part of the whole day was trying to, not only condense answers when asked to do so, but also retaining and replicating the same natural energy and enthusiasm when repeating answers with an abridged lexicon… How hypocrites do it I just don’t know.
“The last part of filming was for me to walk from off stage and into the middle of the set with my long-stemmed red rose, white gloves in one hand. and with the other, blow a kiss straight into the camera… peruse painted love heart hanging large as a canvas backdrop. Or was it cotton…?
“After the two hours in the studio, we all relaxed. And I did not even have the opportunity to dance to my prepared praise and worship song, or show the book of classical piano music that I composed.
The Ocean Kiss
…To continue on from the Greeting Kiss and the Parting Kiss, here is what I intended to post as part of the set of three!
One Sunday morning I was preparing to meet someone. We were celebrating their birthday and my sartorial choice included a Captain’s cap, dinner shirt with cufflinks, waistcoat, black bowtie, white and gold prince tunic and English-made shoes – neck polished. On Radio 3 somebody mentioned that they will be taking over from Petroc Trelawny for the breakfast show. I said a number of disparate things. But, when I expressed:
“The last thing he will say is, ‘Good morning.’”
I should add that I too say, context permitting, after communicating in the morning:
“Good morning.”
So, when I heard this from the BBC, I cried. No, sobbed uncontrollably. Tears falling to the ground. Despite this, I remained composed and carried on with my clothes brush. I never knew the extent, depth and humanity of my emotional intelligence.
British psyche, heritage and high society? Yes, that too. And Psalm 139 in the Bible says that we are: “Fearfully and wonderfully made”.
Any breach in any of this would result in tears.
The Greeting Kiss
ANALYSIS
Verse 1:
"The greeting kiss The holy kiss Never to miss This welcome kiss..."
When one meets someone else, does one kiss? Or, does one not kiss? Alternatively, does one greet with a holy kiss? Do you welcome greetings? Do you welcome people?
Verse 2:
"Means so much Breakfast, tea, lunch Without a thought And never taught..."
How much does greetings mean to you at any meal? At afternoon tea, for example, would you exchange kisses? Do you think about kissing or is it natural to kiss? No, no it is natural.
Verse 3:
"Just a touch Then its over Sets the tone Light as feather..."
Touching promotes health and growth. Research finds that delinquent teenagers that are touched by their parents change and are no longer delinquent. Even if it is just a touch on the shoulder now and again, the benefits are long lasting.
Verse 4:
"It means welcome It means bless It means connected It means love..."
Greetings mean home, people, comfort; goodwill will follow; impossible connections becoming possible; love is all around. If God is love, then love is everywhere.
Verse 5:
"'Good you’re here'
'I know you'
'In the beloved'
Feels so true..."
Telling someone how pleased you are to see them in person and that everything will be sweetness and light is good – and part of every day life. Telling someone that I completely understand them – their intellect and emotions for example – means that you know that person. Telling someone that they will be included into a group sometime in the future, if not at the moment. And, of course, there is a need for intimacy at the fundamental level of humanity. The greeting kiss.
Verse 10:
“Suitor to Suitress Hand gently taken Bows down head To touch tenderly...”
Imagine in societies where manners is everything. And you have interests in someone of the opposite sex; gentleman to gentlewoman. One would remember that she is fair and that you would, when greeting her, offer your hand. And as of upright, masculine character you would know that she needs to feel secure and allowed to be feminine. So, as I say, please “Bow down head,” gentlemen, and do not kiss her hand, but only with the very tip of your nose touch lightly.
Verse 11:
“Major key Prelude Priming the canvas ‘Whatever happens next You are loved’..."
In music, major and minor keys instruct what one may hear. Colloquially, happy or sad, respectfully. A Prelude is at the beginning whether in music or anything else. A greeting if you suppose. Masterworks have been, and will probably always be, created on canvas. However, before applying the oils, make sure it is alright and all white. Kisses are pure. Priming the canvas – that is, a greeting kiss – makes a masterpiece.
Verse 14:
“The greeting kiss The holy kiss Never to miss This welcome kiss...”
This last verse is a repeat of the first verse emphasising the importance of kissing. So, please kiss when greeting.
GOD CREATES was written with the sky in mind and appears in my first book. It was one of the poems that marked the start of an increase in my poetry interests following water damage to my Nikon DSLR camera. In the poem, the second person of the Trinity makes an entry, is crucified, rises from the dead, rises to the skies and returns from filling the universe to be the bridegroom at His wedding feast.
This is the only poem I have written where the title is in capital letters. Can one imagine writing anything of this nature and not use capital letters? For me the answer is: “No”. Even music I have composed on this subject has received the same treatment: a vocal chamber piece, a solo piano piece, a choral piece and an organ piece. These musical pieces, by and large, I estimate are falling within the category of virtuosity.
My GOD CREATES poem also retains, on reflection, elements of virtuosity:
10 verses
4 lines per verse
40 lines in total
3 syllables per line
12 syllables per verse
120 syllables in total
2 words per line — except line 39
8 words per verse — except last verse
80 words minus 1 in total
I am sure these numbers mean something to somebody, somewhere!
Would there be poetry if there was not music? Or, should that be: Would there be music if there was not poetry? I hope your happy conclusion has considered at least one of my poems. Perhaps this one?
The music in the video
G. F. Handel (1685 – 1759), Suite Nr. 4, Sarabande. The stately pomp and majesty of this Spanish dance fitted well with the subject matter of the poem: God and God in the act of creating. The rhythmic structure of the music agrees with the rhythmic structure of the poem.
Handel wrote the music for harpsichord, originally. On this recording I am playing it on my once John Broadwood & Sons piano.
Splashes of Ink 