workshop w/e 3 November

[Neville Briggs]

THE RIDE

It takes you back so many years,
how we would go to Manly Pier
and ride the scary Ghost Train.
Back then it was those rumbling seats,
today it's chrome and clean white sheets
that carry you along to meet
a frightful fate uncertain.

With dread you watch the lights go by
along a mystery passage way,
who knows what's round the corner?
You glimpse weird creatures wearing masks
their rubber hands hold blood filled flasks,
what torture do they do? don't ask !
it's all behind a curtain.

The grim end of this terror ride
is that you find yourself inside
a room for carcase cutting.
Two gleaming eyes look down on you
he says we'll have you done by lunch.
Remember Doc. just take your time,
to measure twice and cut once.

[Maureen K Clifford]

That was my Dad's favourite saying - measure twice and cut once and good advice it is as well, especially for a surgeon.

Nicely crafted and good fun Neville - well done

[Neville Briggs]

Thanks Maureen.

[DollyDot]

Like it Neville! Especially the first stanza. I love reminiscing! W
hy does what was seem superior to what is?
Well done!

cheers Dot

[Neville Briggs]

Thanks Dot. If the past seems the good old days, I suppose it's because we interpret, choose what's good and leave out the bad.

I think that's also the task of the poet, to interpret that is, not to give a false impression.

Also ( you got me going on a sermon , sorry ) I read an interesting comment the other day by the artist David Hockney, he said that artists should not see like a camera; a camera sees everything at once. We don't, we see things bit by bit. And I think that is something to remember when we do poetry. Not try to tell everything at once, but show the experience as we see it, bit by bit, some things in focus some things a bit blurred.

Do you know what I mean. ( I hope you do, I am not sure I know what I mean. )