Poetry : Tues 22 Aug
At the Dome last night, I was struck by the red and blue neon lighting which runs round the base of the cupola and along the vertical ribs which reach up into the vault. The lights were reflected onto the panes of glass in the roof, which distorted the look of the long tubes, throwing luminous shapes onto the backdrop of a cloudy night sky. I looked down and saw something, half-hidden under a tree, which was particularly moving and inspired the following poem
But both grant clear views right up to the sky.
But where the Pantheon's open to the rain,
The moon, the stars, the sunshine and the clouds,
A netted cap of glass covers the Dome.
But search deep in its depths and you will see
The heartstone which links it to you, to me,
To nature, elements, the world outside.
Carved on this stone is: 1629
BLISED BE GOD FOR AL HIS GIFTS. Perhaps
It's here, not Rome, that we will find
We can look up and feel the greatest peace of mind.
It reminded me of the beautiful inscriptions one can see around some of the 16th and 17th Century houses one can see around Edinburgh, notably the John Knox house, home to the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Turning my gaze upwards again, I wrote this in response to the image of the neon lights thrust violently against the sky.
But no Herculean hands will hold them in their grasp.
Nature, coloured by man-made beauty
Submits to its demise -
And the stars weep,
Because the sky is more beautiful
With snakes of light.
Entries for the Daily Pleasance Poetry Competition on the Topic of 'Pies' is being judged by John Hegley, who has a one-man show called 'Elevenses' running at the Courtyard every morning at 11.05. The winner will be announced tomorrow.