I was made for Afternoons

i see the look in your eyes
your wonder
your confusion
a world of disbelief and awe
the tumbling of a heart

we walk through this world
as ghosts
too often
you and i -
we wander the same paths
regardless of the year
or the company
hoping for meaning
but finding it barren
or abandoned

we are relics
of a time
long past
our crusty views
emblazened in our very speech
we are champions
of long silent corridors
and saturday trading until one
of books and pipes and
evensong
of an unspoiled countryside
which both nutured and healed

silent conversations between friends

those days are
gone

or

is it merely me?

these grey mornings
leave me tired
before the day has begun
dragging feet in mid september stupor
like too much wine
without the pleasantness of mild over indulgence . . .

the romans are still calling me to read
think
digest
argue
but old father time
keeps slipping away with his gift

i feel like C S L
that
reading is the main business of the day . . .
everything else is an interruption

i need to be clearer
concise
yet obtuse
convinced
poetic
artistic
mythical
mystical

i loved this quote i found this week:

Bob Dylan believes in God,
and Richard Dawkins is never going to win an argument against Bob Dylan,
cause you need a poet to discuss these things.
So let's just say I'm with Bob.

(Paddy McAloon,
prefab sprout vocalist, songwriter
and now semi recluse)

all this
evangelical lay it on the table, read the bible, get the answer stuff
i making me tired
so i think
i'll stop
and go
for a long walk

Picked up a very cool magazine yesterday at the News stand on Oxford Street. Its the sort of magazine which hides itself away between brighter pages and more "news worthy" (read: gossip) editions.

Perth has been suffering an extended period of rain, wind and genuine winter weather.

After a steady day in a very wintry Perth ,I zipped out to grab a coffee at the "West End Deli" - just up the road from my school. Grendal recommends it via his great coffee map of Perth, and I thought I should check it out. Boho arty sort of vibe and an open view kitchen for an excellent view of the preparation of their wonderful menu. The coffee was Fiori, which is a lovely bean. My Latte was a good strength, but a little cooler than I usually prefer.

I am reading my way through Sallust's "Catiline's War, The Jugurthine War, Histories". A great translation I was quite moved by the opening chapter of the text and Sallust's thoughts on human nature, ambition and desire. I need to read this slowly as each sentence seems heavy with meaning and content.

Ancient Rome, like most periods of history, had to deal with warfare, battles, death and the inevitable searching meaning of life which comes from such events. I have never been much of a fan of battle, but I realize that Military history is important as it helps plot the development of nations, as well as the inevitable religious, culinary and knowledge transfer of culture and language.

I have developed more of an interest in my home, and decorating it, as I have got older. Initially I thought it would be vain and opulent to have nice things at home (this seemed to come from a sort of misguided humility, socialist, back beating protestant mentality) but as I age I see the goodness of having quality, which last and doesn't need replacing in 5 minutes (which is essential with young kids!), and making home a beautiful refugee for my family, and my friends.