This weeks Photo Challenge is about animals in nature, and I’m always fascinated by the mystical world of dragons, and that’s “My Dragon” in the featured image above, and also in the picture below, where I’m giving my friendly dragon a pat. You can read all about my dragon by clicking on this link >> https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2017/09/23/my-dragon-the-trilogy-2/ I know my dragon is very fond of the local swans residing nearby on Corio Bay.
There are readers of mine who would remember my Lizard Of Wizardry, Lizzy, who(it has been suggested) was the reincarnation of my little furry friend, Lily, and if you’d like to read about Lizzy the lizard, click on this link >>https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/lily-and-a-lizard-of-wizardry-2/
I do miss my little dog Lily, and we both enjoyed our walks to the lovely bush setting of the Moorabool Valley Chocolate Cafe. Every now and then we would encounter a cheeky magpie on the Cafe’s outside patio area, and below, photos of the magpie and, lily proudly sitting in her wild natural habitat. I also wrote a poem about that cheeky magpie, click here on this link >>https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/cheeky-magpie/
I was fortunate enough to go see Xavier Rudd, live in concert last night, as part of his Storm Boy Tour of Australia, and he was here in Geelong, and what an incredible show he put on, in front of a pack house in his hometown. He’s a rare talent, playing multiple instruments, including the Aboriginal Didgeridoo and “Lioness Eye” is a good example of him playing the didgeridoo. Click this link >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZk-EhCevm0 Attached below is a few of his songs that he performed last night. I did try taking some video clips, but they were very poor attempts I’m afraid, Yes, Ivor should stick to trying to write poetry.
And of course there’s no Xavier Rudd show/concert, without listening to his classic song, “Spirit Bird”, I’ll post this version so you’re able to follow his lyrics, a heartfelt message of important significance for all walks life of our world.
“Spirit Bird she creaks and groans
She knows she has
Seen this all before she has
Seen this all before she has”
I hope you enjoy his music as much as I do.
Featured Image: From Aesthetic Magazine, July 17th 2017.
Share your poem with me! Written By Gina, of Singledust
“Last week in my feature at the Go Dog Go Cafe I put out a call to write a poem to introduce yourself. the idea was formed from a spoken word poetry meet I attended.
If it inspires you to write one, Pingback to here or my Come Sit With Me post and I will feature it this week at the Cafe!
No word limit but….you know what I mean!
I would really like to read who you are in your own words!
Singledust Living on the equator but longing for snow
Has nominated me for a 3 Day Lyric Quiz
Thank you Gina.
A three-day lyrical challenge
The Rules:
1 .Thank the person who nominated you. – Thank you Again, Gina
2 .Share one of your favourite song/lyrics one at a time for three days.
3 .Nominate three other bloggers each day. (or one, one is probably enough)
Day 3 of my “Three-day Lyrical Challenge”, and for all of my readers that know me well, it was always going to be about Leonard Cohen, whom I unashamedly admit has been the biggest influence on my life. He has been with me since I was a teenager, his music, poetry, books and philosophies, have been my constant companion throughout all of the undulations during my life’s journey. For me to choose one special song is a difficult task, but I shall pick an older tune, that I played often during my days/months/years recovering from a stroke, at a time, I could barely read or write properly. Life was tough, and there were moments of “Do I want to go on”, and Leonard was there in my darkest hours, my saviour. Now to that all important song, “Sisters Of Mercy”, and when you read the lyrics, you might understand the significance of the song, during my time of both physical and mental healing. I’ve also added a footnote with some further information …
Sisters Of Mercy, Lyrics
O the sisters of mercy they are not
Departed or gone,
They were waiting for me when I thought
That I just can’t go on,
And they brought me their comfort
And later they brought me this song.
O I hope you run into them
You who’ve been traveling so long.Yes, you who must leave everything
That you cannot control;
It begins with your family,
But soon it comes round to your soul.
Well, I’ve been where you’re hanging
I think I can see how you’re pinned.
When you’re not feeling holy,
Your loneliness says that you’ve sinned.
Well they lay down beside me
I made my confession to them.
They touched both my eyes
And I touched the dew on their hem.
If your life is a leaf
That the seasons tear off and condemn
They will bind you with love
That is graceful and green as a stem.
When I left they were sleeping,
I hope you run into them soon.
Don’t turn on the light
You can read their address by the moon;
And you won’t make me jealous
If I hear that they sweeten your night
We weren’t lovers like that
And besides it would still be all right
We weren’t lovers like that
And besides it would still be all right.
“It is a mysterious process, it involves perseverance and perspiration and sometimes, by some grace, something stands out and invites you to elaborate or animate it. These are sacred mechanics and you have to be careful analysing them as you would never write a line again. If you looked too deeply into the process you’d end up in a state of paralysis.” –Leonard Cohen, about the process of writing.
Though Cohen would produce dark, funereal imagery at will, all his work is undercut with a wry and playful sense of humour.
Singledust Living on the equator but longing for snow
Has nominated me for a 3 Day Lyric Quiz
Thank you Gina.
A three-day lyrical challenge
The Rules:
1 .Thank the person who nominated you. – Thank you Again, Gina
2 .Share one of your favourite song/lyrics one at a time for three days.
3 .Nominate three other bloggers each day. (or one, one is probably enough)
Today I’m presenting a band that might be new to most of my readers, however they have been going for a while. The dø is a French/Finnish indie pop band founded in Paris in 2005. The band is composed of Olivia Merilahti and Dan Levy. I find Olivia Merilathi’s voice unusually captivating. In this video we are getting two songs for the price of one, the first song is, Despair Hangover & Ecstasy, the lyrics are below, and the second song is called, Miracles, and the lyrics are also below.
The Do Lyrics
“Despair, Hangover & Ecstasy”
We’re breaking promises we thought we could keep
We trigger avalanches unknowingly
We travel in and out, we take off, we land
We live in airports like we don’t have a plan
This is a journey and we call it home,
And when it stops we’re feeling miserable, wellWe’re breaking promises we thought we could keep
We trigger hurricanes unwillingly
It’s our fault
When it all
Breaks into everyone’s lives
But are we really to blame?It’s like a pain in the chest
Despair, Hangover and Ecstasy
So many people around
We disappoint and let down
And though we’re trying our best
Despair, Hangover and Ecstasy
Despair, Hangover and EcstasyWe’re breaking promises we thought we could keep
We trigger avalanches unknowingly, oh
We’re not so different from convicts on the run
Freedom could kill us, but we’d rather go on
This is a journey and we wanna go far
They say we’re selfish but this plane is on fireWe’re breaking promises we wanted to keep
We trigger hurricanes unwillingly
It’s our fault
When it all
Breaks into everyone’s lives
Still we would do it againIt’s like a pain in the chest
Despair, Hangover and Ecstasy
So many people around
We disappoint and let down
And though we’re trying our best
Despair, Hangover and Ecstasy
Despair, Hangover and EcstasyLike a pain in the chest
Despair, Hangover and Ecstasy
So many people around
We disappoint and let down
And though we’re trying our best
Despair, Hangover and Ecstasy
Our only mission, our destiny
The Do Lyrics
“Miracles (Back In Time)”
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna, really wanna go?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back?I still have some pictures on my wall
I still know the places where they’re from
I still find all answers in my dreams
I still feel the gum under my shoeHow about holding a palm full of miracles
How about building a house on the moon
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back?
I still care about you being well
I still wonder how we conquered hell
I still love this nonsense team we make
I still think we’re twisted both the same
How about holding a palm full of miracles
How about building a house on the moon
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna, really wanna go?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Do you really wanna, really wanna go?
Do you really wanna go back in time?
Singledust Living on the equator but longing for snow
Has nominated me for a 3 Day Lyric Quiz
Thank you Gina.
A three-day lyrical challenge
The Rules:
1 .Thank the person who nominated you. – Thank you Again, Gina
2 .Share one of your favourite song/lyrics one at a time for three days.
3 .Nominate three other bloggers each day. (or one, one is probably enough)
I’m going to see Xavier Rudd live in concert next Saturday night, 25th August, here in Geelong, so it’s fitting that I should present one of his songs and lyrics. His lyrics are superb, please take the time to give them a read while you listen to his beautiful song.
When will you learn that the more that you take
Means the less that you have at the end of the day
Stillness of the mind is so hard to embrace
Freedom of the heart is what we crave
And we sit by the river with a cup of tea
Watch the movement of the tide in the gentle breeze
Pelican drifting slowly looking for a feed
Like Mr Percival the storm boy, you to me
Kookaburra calls just like he knows
And I call right back “Yes I’m home”
He’s been with me
He’s watched me grow
Through those rainy days and those rocky roads
And now everybody smiles in the setting sun
And smiles with contentment when the day is done
Hand in hand
With the one you love
Feeling blessed by the magic of the moon above
And we sing
Sha la la la la
We’re just living in this beautiful world
Sha la la la la
We’re just living in this beautiful world
It’s time for fire
Smoke and leaves
The only mosquito repellent we need
Pay respect to the North the South the West and the East
Pay respect to the spirit of this whole country
Freedom in the hearts of the young and brave
Who know little of the journey of the diggers who gave
Their lives to the service and the government gains
So that we could dance together on this beautiful day
And now everybody smiles in the setting sun
And smiles with contentment when the day is done
Hand in hand
With the one you love
Feeling blessed by the magic of the moon above
And we sing
Sha la la la la
We’re just living in this beautiful world
Sha la la la la
We’re just living in this beautiful world
Ohh
Ohh
Aye
Now the winter seeps into my bones
And I hear the call from the North
Yeah I will go
Yeah I will go
And now everybody smiles in the setting sun
And smiles with contentment when the day is done
Hand in hand
With the one you love
Feeling blessed by the magic of the moon above
And we sing
Sha la la la la
We’re just living in this beautiful world
Sha la la la la
We’re just living in this beautiful world
It’s Saturday evening here at Tullawalla in Geelong, I’m going to bed soon, to do some reading, and listen to my music, and some quiet bush rhythm music from Oka. Then next, as I’m getting into bed, to be “Safe & Sound” a beautiful piece from composer William Joseph.
Goodnight, sweet dreams.
Featured picture: That’s my temporary little computer, the small black box on the left.
Climb Aboard, (Introduction by, Jane Basil)
all who wish an end to war are welcome;
we beg you to share our message of peace,
that it may reach across the wildest desert,
weave through cities, travel with the waves of the seas
that stroke our shores and soak into our sands.
Let it grow to encompass our nurturing planet;
let every peacemaker of every nation join hands,
and be embraced with love in return.
Let peace become a pandemic
the like of which we have never known.
This was written for our peace campaign which was dreamed up by my amazing friend Paul Sunstone. Yep – remember the name; that man has greatness in him. We want the campaign to go viral. Share his post (see link below) and/or write a post of your own.
Below an older poem of mine from over 10 years ago, and I’m afraid nothing has changed, and Click onto “Return The Bullets” title to view Paul Sunstone’s latest post.
Hopefully this one works too. A song from another of my favourite artists, singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer. Her music and lyrics have been an inspiration behind some of my writings, and the lyrics in this song are sensational.