Saturday 28 December 2013

Words, words, words.

My first published book of poetry


During the time between writing the last blog and now, I have written, no, started composing many others in my head, none of which ever came to fruition. For on each occasion the desire for a slice of cake, a laced coffee or even a small tot of cherry liqueur slipped into my mind and as you probably know a well fed mind that has no hunger within loses its’ desire to create. 

The next day and thereafter the process was repeated; not though today. 
For last night into my mind came nine words - a metaphor - which is like a long lost solitary piece of a jigsaw puzzle and it is still echoing in the recesses of my being. As yet I have neither inspiration nor inclination to do anything with it. That line will be entered in a page of a notebook which has other lost lines and like the others it will grow neither fat nor slim, until one of them drops like magic into a rightful place. Hopefully I shall get started soon and start scribbling away.

At this time of the year, during mid winter we listen to the radio far more than at other times of the year (no TV by choice). 
During my late teenage years I realised that listening to the radio was far better than watching the attention seeking one eyed monster in the corner of the lounge, because at the very least I could paint or read a book at the same time.
So when I reached the age of maturity my decision was not to have a TV. 

Writing about that non-sensical box has revived memories of the letters that I would receive annually from the TV licensing authorities and of the great delight I had when making my polite replies. All of that altered [the politeness - that is] when they changed their previous format and started their letter with a threat to prosecute me, to which I replied with extreme vehemence.
I told them how dumb they were in not noting the contents of my previous sixteen letters and of how they needed to keep a register of non-conformers like myself which would save both of us the cost of postage etc.

Since becoming a pensioner however, the powers that be have granted me a free TV licence for life and I no longer get any letters. That too has its drawbacks as I can no longer vent my spleen annually and rid my self of my accumulated angst !

16 comments:

  1. Mr Tisdell said :
    I am just reading a book by one of my heroes Willie Nelson (Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die). He explains some of the sources of inspiration over his long career. Whatever works and how it works is a personal thing for all creative beings I presume?.
    Happy new year.
    Jack Tisdell

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jack, some sort of coincidence here I'm listening to the Johnny Cash story.
      HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and yours

      Delete
  2. Mel, I have no TV either - also by choice - but how come they kept demanding license fees if you had no box? Don't they believe that some people just don't want one? Is that so inconceivable? A shame you have lost that outlet for your outrage though. Anger can be very creative :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Val, I think that the bureaucrats of the world believe that we other folk (plebs) all follow the same pattern, in that we are a herd with common likes and traits.

      My "anger" I can of course and do channel towards the perpetrators of injustice !

      Delete
  3. PS HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND MRS H!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I did smile, we have no TV by choice and my husband also enjoys writing indignant replies. He even offered them an appointment to come and inspect our premises for illicit TV sets... we're still waiting for their visit... I baked a cake and everything! :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KATH,
      I can see that your husband is a man after my own heart - well good for him :-)

      Delete
  5. About once a year it does one good to vent one's spleen, doesn;t it? It cleanses the system and allows one to start again. I had a lovely Page a Day diary for Christmas and intend to use it for the same purpose as you, so that when on day inspiration is lacking, I have something to fall back on. Happy New Year to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment Weaver. I think there is a more satisfying difference in actually having a live recipient, than venting off in a day diary however, what ever works for you is all that matters :)

      Delete
  6. Nothing like a well constructed complaint letter to lift the spirits! I enjoy writing them, sadly I feel they are not so well appreciated by the recipient.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment Suzie; it has hardly surprising that the recipients do not appreciate criticism very well. After all it is due to their ignorance that 'we' write such letters :-)

      Delete
  7. How dare you not be monitored! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I hope 2014 proves to be a good year for you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jerry and many happy returns to you.

      Delete

Be polite at all times or run the risk of being blocked.