If you've not discovered my son's ArtByJohnny page on facebook as yet do check it out. Here's a poem about a true incident that happened at Johnny's Phoenix exhibition in April.
OUT OF PLACE
How old was he when he first learnt to paint?
An elderly lady asked
I reached for a book to share a photograph
of Johnny drawing when he was seven
'Just tell me' the woman barked
She had no interest in the photo
'Seven' I said, 'but more-so the last five years'
She retired to a seat in the corner
Her husband explained they had a grandson
who was autistic
'He doesn't paint at the moment'
the granddad added
Visitors to the exhibition filed past
already anticipating the next painting
The joyful colours
lit up the dull weather
The elderly lady sat alone for some time
and avoided eye contact
Her frame hung heavy
Her mind elsewhere ... See MoreSee Less
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John Cooper Clarke has a new book out - The Luckiest Guy Alive. This is his first book for over 30 years. He will probably be best known to Americans for the poem included in the Sopranos. Check out his new collection. It may be some time until the next one.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBcbc8eWz6UCheck out my remix: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3I-G0Pm1UI&t=0s The ending of The Sopranos S06E14 - Stage Five. On the day that would have been his late... ... See MoreSee Less
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Hello, it's about that time again for Mrs Normal's Blast From The Past. Here is an old poem which feels timely - what with it being the season of gift giving. I also love this picture of Henry in his late twenties (to think he used to be an insurance broker).
I hope you all have a lovely Christmas (see you on the other side) and here's to a healthy, inspired, fun, adventurous, poetic 2019 (Sans Brexit/ Trump).
Best, Angela XXX
A GIFT
At 7 o'clock this morning
I bring you a mountain
I tap gently on your window
and you wake half covered in sleep
"What's that?" you ask
"It's a mountain", I grin
"I've carried it all night
I couldn't sleep so I brought it here to show you"
"What do I want with a mountain in my garden
at 7 o'clock in the morning?", you ask
not used to being woken at 7 o'clock
with a mountain in your garden
I try to joke, now feeling a little embarrassed
"It's for you, a gift"
You say you don't want a mountain
You are too tired to understand
and I struggle to explain
it's not the mountain I've brought you
it's the fact that I could bring it to you
I strain to pick it up again
and wonder what I'm going to do with it now
I feel such a fool walking home with a mountain ... See MoreSee Less
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That's a bit more Christmassy. I took this photo in Stratford upon Avon on Shakespeare's birthday the 23rd April. There's a shop there that sells Christmas stuff all year round. According to historians Jesus was born in April anyway, although it is believed no actual nutcrackers were involved. ... See MoreSee Less
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