random acts of senseless beauty

i remembered this, my favourite poem, as I was reading Bananie’s blog. It’s by R.S. Thomas.

Prayers like gravel
flung at the sky’s window,
hoping to attract the loved one’s attention.
But without visible plaits to let down
for the believer to climb up.
To what purpose open that far casement?
I would have refrained long since
but that peering once
through locked fingers
I thought that I detected
the movement of a curtain.

**

Last night I totally forgot to go to a gig. Brian Houston and Juliet Turner were playing in Putney and I FORGOT. What kind of madness is that?

This morning The Houstie sent me the following text:

Hey Jude, You didn’t show
I sang my songs even better
I waited for you to buy me a round,
but it’s all come down to writing this
letter letter letter letter letter letter ah!
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
nah nah nah nah
Hey Jude

so I replied:
Oh Brian Boy! I am so very sorry.
All I can give , is a ropey excuse
Had a shit day, and clean forgot about it.
What can I say? As your friend I’m no use
But this I know! Next time you are in London,
Nothing will stop me watching while you play
(but I might need reminding in the morning)
Oh Brian boy, I’m sorry, what more can I say?

I was very proud of this re-version, as I was impressed with his. I felt less proud when I got another text 15 hours later to say he’d only just realised it was to the tune of Danny Boy. Humph. So much for my genius.