When Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, I wrote the following poem, based on his own words. I think the verdict is now indeed 'empty rhetoric'!
Choleric Musings
(On the day Gordon Brown became Prime Minister)
‘I have heard the need for change.
…now let the work of change begin.’
Footage of journeys along The Mall;
political metamorphosis by Royal Assent.
Traditional photo-shoot at number 10
of this nation’s primary (Scottish) gent.
‘I remember words…which matter a great deal today:
“I will try my utmost”.’
Forgive a somewhat jaded view
from a veteran of decades past.
Successive governments have promised as much;
will your offerings be the ones to last?
‘I will build a government that uses all the talents.’
Are you capable of bringing stability?
Will your changes be climacteric?
Will patients see improvements they seek?
Are your sound-bites empty rhetoric?
© Copyright 2007 Dr Robert M Jaggs-Fowler
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Magic Flute in Fifty Words
A few years ago I accepted the challenge of describing a named opera in no more than fifty words. It is not an easy task! However, the result is shared below:
The Magic Flute
Romance parallels Masonic ritual.
Through luminary initiation and the assistance of three genii, ophidiophobic, muted, magic-flautist Tamino and lovelorn, tipsy, campanological Papageno rescue suicidal Pamina from the debauched Moor, Monostatos, and unite her with Tamino. Papageno discovers his feathery amour, Papagena; Sarastro is pardoned and the evil Nocturnal Queen banished.
I now challenge you to try your own hand at one!
The Magic Flute
Romance parallels Masonic ritual.
Through luminary initiation and the assistance of three genii, ophidiophobic, muted, magic-flautist Tamino and lovelorn, tipsy, campanological Papageno rescue suicidal Pamina from the debauched Moor, Monostatos, and unite her with Tamino. Papageno discovers his feathery amour, Papagena; Sarastro is pardoned and the evil Nocturnal Queen banished.
I now challenge you to try your own hand at one!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
A very Happy Easter to you all.
May the Christian spirit of peace, harmony, love, trust and understanding be with you now and for always, whatever faith you profess.
Our World depends on it.
May the Christian spirit of peace, harmony, love, trust and understanding be with you now and for always, whatever faith you profess.
Our World depends on it.
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Late Lord Slynn of Hadley
The former Law Lord, Lord Slynn of Hadley, died on the 7th April 2009, at the age of 79 years.
Lord Slynn was a lawyer with a vast intellect. Between 1981 and 1988, he was Britain's advocate-general at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, followed by four years of being a judge at the same court. He was elevated to the House of Lords in 1992, where he served the English judiciary for several years, being involved in many difficult cases including the debate over whether General Pinochet should be extradited to Spain to stand trial over alleged crimes of genocide; a decision regarding which, Lord Slynn dissented from the Lord's majority.
Lord Slynn was also a gregarious man with a shrewd sense of humour. He went to great lengths to put those around him at ease, and never lost the opportunity to attend a good cocktail party, where he would be a much sought-after guest.
I first met Lord Slynn when he became the Prior of the Priory of England & the Islands of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Within a short space of time, and true to his temperament, I was made to feel like a long-standing friend.
He will be sadly missed.
Lord Slynn was a lawyer with a vast intellect. Between 1981 and 1988, he was Britain's advocate-general at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, followed by four years of being a judge at the same court. He was elevated to the House of Lords in 1992, where he served the English judiciary for several years, being involved in many difficult cases including the debate over whether General Pinochet should be extradited to Spain to stand trial over alleged crimes of genocide; a decision regarding which, Lord Slynn dissented from the Lord's majority.
Lord Slynn was also a gregarious man with a shrewd sense of humour. He went to great lengths to put those around him at ease, and never lost the opportunity to attend a good cocktail party, where he would be a much sought-after guest.
I first met Lord Slynn when he became the Prior of the Priory of England & the Islands of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Within a short space of time, and true to his temperament, I was made to feel like a long-standing friend.
He will be sadly missed.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
The New-Style Musings of a Literary Doctor
Welcome to the fresh new look for Musings of a Literary Doctor.
All the previous posts are still available. However, after three years of blogging, the style was beggining to look a little dated. So, here we are - a new look, with lots of new posts coming soon!
Don't forget to sign up for automatic updates as new posts are added, and please feel free to add comments. It is good to have a debate on some issues.
All the previous posts are still available. However, after three years of blogging, the style was beggining to look a little dated. So, here we are - a new look, with lots of new posts coming soon!
Don't forget to sign up for automatic updates as new posts are added, and please feel free to add comments. It is good to have a debate on some issues.
Travel with James Tusitala
Following a year of travel writing for www.beabritdifferent.com, I have decided to run with my own travel site.
Travel with James Tusitala can be found at www.travelwithjamestusitala.blogspot.com.
Do come along for the journey...there are plenty of seats on the transport!
Travel with James Tusitala can be found at www.travelwithjamestusitala.blogspot.com.
Do come along for the journey...there are plenty of seats on the transport!
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Twittering on...
Following a year of blogging distraction, I am about to upgrade this site and rekindle the 'musings'. So watch this space!
Last year's 'distractions' included a regular slot on www.beabritdifferent.com, a travel website expounding all that is best about England for the USA tourist. My posts are still there (all 144 of them), so catch them whilst you may!
The year also saw the publication of my first collection of poetry. A Journey with Time is available through all internet book sellers, or directly from me at a discounted price - just e-mail me and ask!
Meanwhile, 'Musings' has ventured off into Twitterland...still very much the new boy and learning the ropes. However, a few rudimentary 'feeler' posts are out there, and hopefully I will be able to upload a photo soon (a problem with Twitter Bugs - nasty little things!) Anyway, if you are also in Twitterland, do add me in. Just look for 'James Tusitala'
Last year's 'distractions' included a regular slot on www.beabritdifferent.com, a travel website expounding all that is best about England for the USA tourist. My posts are still there (all 144 of them), so catch them whilst you may!
The year also saw the publication of my first collection of poetry. A Journey with Time is available through all internet book sellers, or directly from me at a discounted price - just e-mail me and ask!
Meanwhile, 'Musings' has ventured off into Twitterland...still very much the new boy and learning the ropes. However, a few rudimentary 'feeler' posts are out there, and hopefully I will be able to upload a photo soon (a problem with Twitter Bugs - nasty little things!) Anyway, if you are also in Twitterland, do add me in. Just look for 'James Tusitala'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)