As above…So
July 8, 2012
As above…so below
as I learn from both what I do and don’t know
as mistakes I do make that only time will show
as lessons I learn, whilst I stretch and grow
as people and times take me so high and low
as I stumble and I scramble by hand and toe
as forever upwards I know I must go
as always with others, somtimes friend and foe
as ever, through times of pleasure and woe
as like any other, I shall reap what I sow
as I ponder the truth….as above so below.
J. Coughlan ©2008
Plainsailing
July 7, 2012
Water lapping,
buoys strung along the side
gently tapping
warm breeze softly brushing my face
not much work for the mainbrace
as I’m plainsailing, plainsailing
thinking of postcards I may be mailing
I’m plainsailing, plainsailing
thinking. In London it’s probably raining
A tern soars
while way below the sun
I see the Azores
no-one to argue
’cause there’s no-one here
no-one here, lonely ?
no fear
and I’m plainsailing, plainsailing
thinking of postcards I may be mailing
I’m plainsailing, plainsailing
thinking. In London it’s probably raining
A cold beer
a toast to the passing hemisphere
a few beers later
I couldn’t care less
I slowly twist round
turn off the GPS
’cause I’m plainsailing, plainsailing, plainsailing………….
J. Coughlan ©2008
“True, This! —
Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! — itself a nothing! —
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it! ” E Bulwer-Lytton
How many times has the phrase been quoted ?
” The pen is mightier than the sword ”
But how many times has it been noted ?
not when the written word goes unheard
so when 20,000 books went up in smoke May 1933
did the pages tear free and put out the flames
no, they lay consumed, completely defenceless
Heine, Mann, Wells, Remarque were some of their names
words can exalt, protect and dignify
as well as do the opposite
but words without actions are meaningless
the actions not preferable but requisite
the pen is as mighty as the sword
depending on the situation
but words alone are simply letters
placed in a particular formation.
For the pen to be mightier than the sword
it must have a single additional part
for the pen to be mightier than the sword
the ink must flow straight from the human heart.
J. Coughlan ©2008
” When I think… ” …Humanity Inc.
July 7, 2012
When I think
I don’t shrink
I don’t even blink
don’t waste any ink
no time to wink
as I lengthen my stride
extending the rink
thickening my hide
this not-missing link
such a thick hide
but with human chink
tested and tried
that won’t ever sink
tasting humility
and I’m willing to drink
remaining a believer in………. Humanity Inc.
J. Coughlan ©2008
Reflections ( ie mirror-writing with our lives)
July 7, 2012
” No man is an island…..” ( attr. John Donne )
Reflections, reflections in so many directions
projections of thoughts, of our dreams and affections
taking on substance with each repetition
adding not subtracting, no division just addition
mutual endeavour, teamwork and exploration
affecting each other without glib affectation
sharing our humanity, our tears and high-fives
being there for our friends….mirror-writing with our lives
being true to ourselves and to others too
you reflecting me …….and me reflecting you……
J. Coughlan ©2008
Simple Isn’t Easy
July 7, 2012
Simple isn’t easy
simple makes me queasy
simple in life is not a straight line
simple is right but never on time
simple is never quite what’s expected
it can even slip by undetected
I’m glad that I am simple-minded
because it means I’m single-minded.
J. Coughlan ©2008
Mindelbrot 