Morning!
I was actually thinking about putting something else I love on here. Something that can captivate me as much as music does and that's poetry.
I know what you’re thinking...
“Perhaps this isn’t the blog post for me, maybe I should log back into Facebook” but hold on. I want to banish the dusty and immensely ignorant stereotype that poetry is boring.
If you think about it, how is poetry really any different from your favourite song?
Apart from the accompanying instruments, fundamentally, all lyrics start off as poetry. All that is different asides from the melody is how you approach it.
So I thought I’d post the best poem I feel I’ve read so far. That being:
“They Did Not Expect This”
By Vernon Scannell
"They did not expect this. Being neither wise nor brave
And wearing only the beauty of youth's season
They took the first turning quite unquestioningly
And walked quickly without looking back even once.
It was of course the wrong turning. First they were nagged
By a small wind that tugged at their clothing like a dog;
Then the rain began and there was no shelter anywhere,
Only the street and the rows of houses stern as soldiers.
Though the blood chilled, the endearing word burnt the tongue.
There were no parks or gardens or public houses:
Midnight settled and the rain paused leaving the city
Enormous and still like a great sleeping seal.
At last they found accommodation in a cold
Furnished room where they quickly learnt to believe in ghosts;
They had their hope stuffed and put on the mantelpiece
But found, after a while, that they did not notice it.
While she spends many hours looking in the bottoms of teacups
He reads much about association football
And waits for the marvellous envelope to fall:
Their eyes are strangers and they rarely speak. They did not expect this.
I can’t say why it captivates me as much as it does.
I actually first read it whilst studying GCSE English literature and was fortunate enough to have an amazing tutor to help me appreciate how brilliant writing can be. On first inspection, I remember not really understanding much of the deeper aspects to it. All that I could see was a basic story of a young, but foolish couple, that fall in love early on the grounds of hope for better. When this hope cannot be found, the love dies.
Even then on the most basic level it’s still an interesting story. I mean, I know it’s not the most heart-
warming stuff, but it's the beautiful way it's told that draws me in.
My favourite line is actually at the start; "Being neither wise nor brave and wearing only the beauty of youth's season”. I just think it says so much about the decisions we all make, that are not always based on solid thinking. It seems we’re all rushing to the next thing without contemplating the present. This also reminds me of a quote I once heard on TV. “I am beginning to see, that the only reason anyone ever does anything is either love or fear”
Ah... I think that's my profound thinking done for the day. And so to the 'good stuff'...
'A Town Called Malice’ By The Jam
If I’m honest, this is a song I actually only first heard through watching the film version of ‘Billy Elliot’, but if I had to pick one band who’s whole sound/vibe I completely get, then 'The Jam’ would be that band. I really can’t say why. Some people might think it sounds like some talented but angry musicians, but this is what I like. I like the rebellion and edginess of it all.
This track from 1982 is one of my favourites along with "Going underground" and "Eton rifles" or rather ETON RIFLES! Although I don't think I'm alone in having these as my favourites. I love the broad Surrey accent that comes through on all their songs and adds so much to their punk/rock style.
I should really spend time telling you about the wonders of their music, as they are incredible, but I’ve gone on enough.
However, they are definitely worth researching so I’ve added the link from their BBC music page -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/23228f18-01d5-493e-94ce-cfcde82a8db2
Enjoy!
Molly x
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