Both sides now...Joni Mitchell

Its the words , it's the words...and its Joni

Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons ev'rywhere
I've looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on ev'ryone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say 'I love you' right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living ev'ry day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Posted by Poirot, Saturday, 8 May 2010 9:15:49 PM
Özymandias" by Percy Bysshe Shelley (1817)

Oh yea, now we are talking top shelf...great choice.

Foxy:"I was politely asking you for civility
because as Severin has told us, her mother
is terminally ill and very frail,"

She may have told you that, but it doesn't alter my case, nor does it alter your hypocrisy in the matter. If my mother was dying (which she did about 25 years ago) would that mean I would be on the "good" side?

Let's look at the issue another way. If Severin's mum had chosen, as Severin has, not to have children, who would now be looking after her? You got it, someone else's children, thus making my point. You claimed that I was "extremely selfish" for expressing this, while you say that Severin's Mum is not. Nice double standard based entirely on what you perceive as your relationship with us both.

Civility is a pretence designed to lubricate social interactions and stop a bloke's hanf heading for the sword-handle every couple of minutes. It is an overlay on what we say at best and the fact that some of you are unable to get past the overlay in your response is more telling of you than me. Some of the most "civil" people I've ever met have been car salesmen and lawyers so I don't see it as a hobby worth pursuing.

Foxy:"you've got the nerve to talk about honesty."

Yes, I do. In fact, I have the nerve to actually BE honest, both with myself and others, which seems to be beyond you. That may be "chutzpah" to you, but I don't rely on the faux-civility of others to define my own values.

foxy:"I would appreciate
your not posting at all"

So you've said several times, as well as your usual "civil" dog-whistling. I suggest a good lie down.

Sympathy for the Devil, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

"Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint

So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, and some taste
USE ALL YOUR WELL-LEARNED POLITESSE
Or I'll lay your soul to waste"

Apparently Jagger claims to have been inspired by Baudelaire, but he always was a pretentious bugger. The point, of course, is that politesse, courtesy, taste are no guarantee of good, but often mask much nastier characteristics

Foxy, Poirot

Those words:

"The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sets looking
over harbour and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on."

Took me back to my childhood. I have bought Roald Dahl books for my niece and nephew, however, thanks for reminding me of the delicious and visceral words to be unearthed in the Mother Goose rhymes. I was not exposed to these when young, having only discovered them when older and now appreciate that I can pass on these and other works to my little cousins - the joys of email. I don't necessarily have to buy entire books but can work in some poetry into my emails to them.

Poetry touches us all - even though we may interpret the words in ways that are unique. Even translations from other languages can reach us, which is extraordinary considering how the placement of particular words can be intrinsic to the meaning.

Dear Poirot,

I'm also a big fan of Lynley Dodd's
books and I often use them in my
Storytime sessions at the library.
Kids love them.

As a librarian I've always felt it
important to develop a private
collection of poems and books of poems.
I did this over a period of time so that
old and new favourites could be shared.
Of course my 'private poetry library'
was augmented by the local library and
school library holdings, but it was my
own collection that was more near and dear.

Dear sonofgloin,

Thanks for Joni Mitchell. For me the imagery
builds on the sense of my own thinking and
feeling - so in a way there's a three-way
interchange between writer, poem, and
reader/listener. Great stuff!

Dear Antiseptic,

You've certainly given me some food for thought with
your recent postings. I usually take people at face
value - but perhaps you're right there could be
"something nastier lurking underneath." I had
always assumed that you, for example, were not an
ignorant, heavy-handed creep, but merely chose to
play one on the internet.

As Severin said, it's what's in your heart that matters.
And if yours is flawed - Ah well, I'll try to be more
understanding of you in the future.

"It is a crime to write in slime,
All of us say it's true.
But blessed with the curse of reprehensible verse,
That's all a septic mind can do."

Dear Severin,

I've always believed that a rich array of poetry for
the young comes first through the oral tradition.
I've recited Nursery or Mother Goose rhymes and
sung to children who delighted in the range of
experience the rhymes provided. Lullabies, jingles,
riddles, jokes, robust and life-like characters and
good stories abound in Mother Goose: Humpty Dumpty;
Georgie Porgie; Tom, Tom, the piper's son, and so on.