POEM FOR OUR AMERICAN COMPANIONS

[keithgood838]

The following is in appreciation of our marvellous
American members, Ed in Orlando, Paul jh in Maryland,
and Lori in Kansas et al.
Notwithstanding a galactic array of their stars to behold,
they have opted to look up, devotedly, to a star of the
British constellation:

SONNET TO AMERICA

America! At this thy Golden gate,
New travelled from those portals of the West,
Parting - I make no reverence! It was best
With backward looks to quit a queen in state!
Land of all lands most fair, and free, and great,
Of countless kindred lips, wherefrom I heard
Sweet speech of Shakespeare - keep it consecrate
For noble uses! Land of Freedom's bird,
Fearless and proud! So let him soar that, stirred
by generous joy, all lands may learn from thee
A larger life, and Europe, undeterred
By ancient dreads, dare also to be free
Body and soul, seeing thine eagle gaze
Undazzled, upon Freedom's sun full-blaze.

Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904)

Keith

[usafret]

WHAT A WONDERFUL GESTURE KEITH.

IT IS VERY KIND OF YOU

THANKS TO ONE CULTURED GENTLEMEN

ED

[paul jh]

Thanks for posting the sonnet, Keith. I've never read it before.

[Baz]

Hello Keith
I just joined today and write a lot of poetry.
I have produced two little poetry booklets that are doing quite well.
( David Cameron and Michael Howard have one each for example)
I'm a builder but seriously dabble with the arts...music , lyrics and poetry in fact The poetry is therefore "different"
Nice to see a lover of poetry in here.
I once made an album with my old friend Humphrey Lyttelton.
( I have a lot of American friends in fact)
Cheers,
Barry.

[jon]

The BBC is starting a new poetry season soon. Interesting trailer on TV showing Culture Show presenter Lauren Laverne in a car park quoting Shakespeare. Some would say her piloting of the show is another case of cultural dumbing down, but I couldn't possibly comment...

[keithgood838]

Hi Baz
It's tremendous to have a kindred spirit,
a new poetry voice, on the forum.
We have a poetry corner on the Thought of the Day
thread. I do hope you will post some of your
stuff thereon. Welcome back to this fabulous website.
Keith

[ROBERT M.]

jon, I don't think it is dumbing down, as Lauren Laverne always seems so intelligent and smart to see, also she looks sooooo very attractive too

[keithgood838]

POETRY TO TASTE

Robert I'm with you on this one,
sorry Jon.
I'm prepared to be swayed by the charms
of sweet Lauren Laverne.
For a start the brand name sets
the euphonic juices flowing;
I see her as a golden nouvelle sauterne
awaiting the endorsement of Bacchus, the all-knowing.
Whether she will be a connoisseur's dream
will remain in some doubt,
but I'm sure we can agree guys,
it will be fun finding out ...

Keith

[Baz]

Thanks Keith.
Thanks for the mention.
I have been a "jobbing builder" for 50 years
so my poetry is down to earth and basic.
It's based on my experiences of course and on current happenings.
I will find the place you mention and put a few poems
in there for my latest booklet " Powerful poems"
Best wishes,
Barry.

[lori]

I wish to thankyou for your beautiful poetry, and particularly mentioning the U.S.A. friends so enchanted with the music of Matt Monro.I can assure you his music will be a part of my life forever more.. and I thankyou and all the friendly people on the forum..

[Baz]

Hi.
I was showing off 25 years of Humphrey Lyttelton memorabilia on the Roadshow and played a tune on harmonica for them which was shown last November, so I wrote a poem and included it in my latest booklet. Here goes:-
THE ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
=================
The Antiques Roadshow is a blast.
They set up stalls upon the grass
all to look at goodies from the past,
a British institution.
Experts value the world of toys
bought along by girls and boys,
grown up now and making less noise to this British institution.
You never know who might be on the Uk Antiques Roadshow.
I went myself the other day to a fine old castle which is down our way
to hear what Jon Badderley had to say, another institution.
They offered me a friendly hand.
My bag is Jazz and I had made a friend
of Humphrey lyttelton of radio fame
another institution.
Well Humphrey Lyttelton had led a band for sixty years
what a man!
I have also made a cd with this man.
Will I become an institution?
I played a song upon the show called "simple life", it's not too slow
I play harmonica, there you go
British I tell you from head to toe
Good luck to our institutions!
Baz the poet.
========

[Marian]

Michele mentioned when you were on The Antiques Roadshow Barry, and several of us looked in to see you and your fantastic collection of memorabilia. I've also seen the photos of the day on your website.
Good poem too!
Marian

[Baz]

Thanks Marian. It was a lovely experience. The whole of my "artistic" journey has happened due to my love of Jazz and the arts in general.
Nothing was planned really...it just evolved by getting involved. My good friend, the late Pete Strange became Humph's trombonist and arranger in 1983 and I met Humph as a result. Then spent the next 25 years knocking around with the band. Finally, wanting to get more involved I build myself a recording studio and asked Humph is he would be a special guest on my debut harmonica album and to my complete amazement, he agreed. The whole thing just evolved really. It was an expensive journey but worth it. I have fantastic memories.