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The Modern Ozymandias
The Sedoka is an unrhymed poem made up of two three-line katauta with the following syllable counts: 5/7/7, 5/7/7. A Sedoka, pair of katauta as a single poem, may address the same subject from differing perspectives. A katauta is an unrhymed three-line poem the following syllable counts: 5/7/7.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Poets
The Amazing Creations Of Gavin Penn
Introduction Although the website is under construction there are some amazing images to enjoy there. This is a totally unexpected post because I wandered into the Penn Gallery in Alnwick because the Star Wars Stormtroopers in the sea of the beach at Bamburgh Castle and Lindisfarne caught my eye.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Wander
A Wander Round Barter Books
The Entrance To Barter Books Introduction Last year I wanted to drop my first anthology into Barter Books but I was recovering from my liver cancer operation so could not make the fifteen-minute walk from the flat to the old Alnwick Railway Station. The stories about my operation and my first book are at the end of this article.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Education
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Introduction This is just a light-hearted playlist that I thought about doing by listening to the first "Help/Warchild" album, below is the introductory text from the website, it was the Blur contribution that stimulated this playlist.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Beat
Lessons From The Poison Garden
Introduction I wrote a story about my plans for this week and today I visited the Alnwick Garden but this is specifically about a went-five minute guided tour around The Poison Garden which may not be exactly what you expect and may disturb you. One of the first poisons that children encounter is nettles and they soon learn that the cure for a nettle sting is to rub it with dock leaves that contain oxalic acid.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Wander
Our Creations Build Our Time Capsule
Introduction Today I am giving three signed copies of my books to Barter Books in the old railway station in Alnwick. This story is inspired by the closed Time Capsule Challenge which you can read about below, but, obviously, I can not enter but I will still include a time capsule haiku at the end of this piece.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Poets
- Top Story - March 2023
The Joy Of LibrariesTop Story - March 2023
Introduction I just started writing this in Google Docs and then Grammarly asked if I wanted to sign up. I thought I had Grammarly everywhere but obviously not on this laptop which will be my computer home for my week in Alnwick. I wasn’t sure if I could write tonight and the lovely place I am staying in has wifi and TV issues, but thanks to DVD, a USB stick and a portable wifi hub provided by the owner I can actually write and post something, although I would have had the option of tethering to my phone.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Education
The Is Jah Wobble
Introduction Apparently, Jah Wobble's stage name came because John Lydon could not pronounce the name John Wardle properly and slurred it into becoming Jah Wobble. I loved his dub-based bass playing with Public Image but then when he left he looks to have tackled every music genre you can think of and a lot that you can't think of.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Beat
Tomorrow I Leave
Introduction This is just a bit of preamble for the week's holiday in Alnwick which is a twenty-five-minute train journey to Alnmouth then a friend's generous offer to take us to the flat overlooking Alnwick Castle where some of the scenes for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey were filmed.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Wander
A Cascade Of Flowers
Introduction I wanted to write a poem about flowers and ideally, the cinquain should be visually centred to give it a visual identity as well as a lyrical one. I thought about creating an image of a flower where each petal was a verse but that is something for the future.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Poets
Music About Musicians By Musicians
Introduction Dexy's Midnight Runners came on the radio covering Van Morrison's "Jackie Wilson Said" and I thought could I put together a playlist of songs or band singing about other singers or bands. We obviously have something to kick off this one and another has just come into my head, bands named after songs, but that can wait awhile.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Beat
The Imposter Syndrome Is Strong In This One
Introduction I write these pieces every so often when I feel that my work is rubbish and not worth sharing. One of the reasons I write them is for others who may feel the same, although when you feel like this you feel that you are the only one, despite assurances from peers and friends. So I will leap on without further ado and try to keep positive.
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydredabout a year ago in Confessions