Writing is endlessly interesting. There are times when I just jot down a thought and later it may turn into a story or a poem. The following is just such a series of ideas that came to me about belonging. It was the very modern lust for fame or celebrity, often without substance to back it up, that filled me with sorrow at the futility of such ventures. These were the thoughts, the poem will come later.

Belonging

Full fame and world wide acclamation, a modern sickness, no rewards except the sound of empty phrases echoing to some strident chords. We need to feel that we are loved, belonging is another measure, only to one person’s pleasure.

Perhaps, just perhaps we need to make sure people are valued for who they are.

Denny Bradbury

We are very well served in this area for good live theatre. We are within striking distance of Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Oxford and London. It does not take much longer to get to Stratford and access all that has to offer in terms of the ‘Bard’.

James Corden

Recently my friends and I saw James Corden in ‘One Man Two Govnors’ at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. It was packed and the audience was not disappointed. The cast were all very good held together by James Corden’s brilliant lead. Although it would be unfair to emphasise that too much as they all offered beautifully drawn performances. In this rather sad economic time escapism through talented performance such as this lifts us out of the gloom.

I thank them all.

Denny Bradbury

Currently a friend and I are attending a 3 week course, at Buckingham University, on Anglo Saxon Art. It is very interesting to any who seek to understand where we come from and how, despite living in what is termed ‘The Dark Ages’ the Anglo Saxons were skilled in so many areas.  ‘Borvo’ (my latest novel)  is set in the time of King Alfred the Great. Perhaps one of the most famous pieces of ‘art’ of the period is the Alfred Jewel, currenly in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. I have seen it a few times but always want to go back and have another look. Another brilliant place for such items is the British Museum in London. With a little imagination you can take yourself back to those times and at least partially understand the complex society they built.

Denny Bradbury

Thanks to all who have told me that you are enjoying Borvo. As a character he is rather special to me and it is really heartening to know that he has touched the hearts of many of you also.

I will write more in the next few days about Renga style poetry.  It is for sharing which makes it inclusive and reactive and therefore exciting.

Denny Bradbury

When my muse sits on my shoulder I often do not know where she will take me. The following is included in  ‘A Denagerie of Poems’. At times of uncertainty I find it sustaining, even though I wrote it some time ago, is that not the beauty of poetry, its timelessness?

As we walk through the shadows on the shore                                                                    we follow the life that we live                                                                                                  each shadow’s length reflects our painful journey                                                         with light and sun warming the pain                                                                                     until we stay with happiness once more

Our footsteps pounding on the broken floor                                                                       we walk in prose but think in rhyme                                                                            couplets flooding in to break the empty space                                                                    that is our thought’s resting place                                                                                            thus we are whole and dwell there evermore.

Denny Bradbury