They say the journey, not the arrival is what matters. To travel hopefully rather than to arrive. Where does the bridge go to/come from?
For visually challenged writers, the image shows a two-arched stone bridge stretching over a river. Traffic queues at one side waiting to cross. What will Morgarna find?
Bridge – Image by KL Caley
As Morgarna landed she took in the scene. She was perched up the hill looking down toward a riverside village and stone bridge. The place looked quiet and the weather was nice. Taking her phone from her bag she was pleased to see it was working, it was, she was five years into the future. Next she looked at her notes. Making her way down the hill she lit a cigarette and decided to find the nearest pub. Crossing the bridge Morgarna noticed everyone was smiling and behaving perfectly. Even the children were extremely well behaved. Definitely something amiss here, she thought to herself…what are these people on? have I landed in Stepford! Morgana entered the first pub she came to, it was packed inside and out. Looking around she noticed everyone was indeed happy…delerious even. At the bar she ordered a large Shiraz and went out into the garden. After a while she could see that among “The Smiley Happy People” she could make out some really dark shadowy figures moving around touching and whispering in people’s ears. Two approached Morgarna one put a willowy hand on her shoulder while the other whispered in her ear. “You are happy, you are so happy everything is perfect you are calm and all is well” As Morgarna felt the first feelings of control sink into her she discretely threw a protective spell around herself. All she had to do now was bite her tongue, smile a lot, act daft and find out who was messing with the village. “Are you happy Morgarna, are you relaxed?” the shadows asked. Morgana smiled and rolled her eyes “Yes I am indeed I am , I think I have another glass of Shiraz.” On her way back to the bar Morgarna noticed one of the shadows had a young woman in it arms while another was reaching in to her chest and pulling out her heart. Her friends were unmoved by this scary spectacle. Quickly Morgarna totally ignored what was happening and returned to her table in the garden to drink her Shiraz ….she smiled and lit another cigarette and pretend she was happy and unmoved! Inside she was extremely uncomfortable, she could not help the young woman now but if she kept her calm she could help those left.
Well here we are it’s Sunday again and time again for Jim Adams. I am late but I have a pass from my dear departed mum.
So it’s August 15, 2021 and our prompts for Song Lyric Sunday are – Nightmare, Danger, Terror,Fear And Horror.
My first choice is Nightmare by Halsey, you may as why I chose such a recent song, well I do live lyrics and in a weird way this song speaks of how I often feel even now.
“Nightmare” is a song by American singer Halsey. It was released as a single on May 17, 2019 and was sent to top 40 radio on May 21, 2019 through Capitol Records. The song was written by Halsey along with its producers Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat, and Happy Perez. The music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, accompanied its release the same day.
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Next up it has to be Dangerous by David Guetta featuring Sam Mark. Guetta’s fabulous creation so complimented by Sam Martin’s voice, what not to love? Plus a Si Fi video to die for💜
“Dangerous” is a song by French music producer David Guetta released as the second single from his sixth studio album, Listen. It features vocals by American singer and songwriter Sam Martin. It was released as a digital download on 6 October 2014. Both artists co-wrote and co-produced the song with Giorgio Tuinfort and Jason Evigan, with additional writing from Lindy Robbins. A remix featuring Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Martin was released on 9 January 2015.
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“Your my my courage when I worry in the deep of night”…we all know that feeling don’t we. Again I find myself drawn to group and the only reason is they sound so good! So that’s why I picked the Afters again.
The Afters are an American Christianpop rock band founded by Joshua Havens and Matt Fuqua. Havens and Fuqua first worked together in a Starbucks coffee shop in Mesquite, Texas, where they played for customers, before deciding to form a band. They were initially joined by Brad Wigg from the same Starbucks, and drummer Michael Burden and performed under the name Blisse. When Burden left the band Marc Dodd, from the Mesquite Starbucks, stepped in. Their song “Never Going Back to OK” was the most-played song on R&R magazine’sChristian CHR chart for 2008.
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With such Night terror prompts I had to include The Eye of The needle by Sia…. No one expresses the night terrors better
Eye of the Needle” is a song recorded by Australian recording artist Sia for her sixth studio album, 1000 Forms of Fear (2014). The song was released on 3 June 2014 as a promotional single by Inertia in Australia and Monkey Puzzle and RCA Records globally. It appeared on record charts of Australia, France and the United Kingdom.
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Of course I saved the best until last….no one does it better than Kate Bush….(well perhaps Immi) with Hammer Horror. It’s wonderful lyrics and video….it so beautifully hammy!
Hammer Horror” was Kate Bush‘s fourth single release and first single from her second album Lionheart. It was released on 27 October 1978. Following the top ten success of her first two singles, the song charted at a much lower No. 44 on the UK Singles Chart. The parent album, released a few weeks later, was unaffected and charted in the top 10. “Hammer Horror” proved to be a temporary blip, for Bush’s next single returned her to the top 20. In other countries it fared better, such as Ireland, where it reached No. 10. In Australia, Kate Bush devised the dance routine for the song in her Melbourne hotel room, and performed the song on the television show Countdown.
The song references Hammer Films, a company specializing in horror movies. However, Bush conceived of the song after viewing the film Man of a Thousand Faces, a biographical film – not produced by Hammer – about Lon Chaney starring James Cagney. “The song was inspired by seeing James Cagney playing the part of Lon Chaney playing the hunchback”, Bush stated in 1979. “He was an actor in an actor in an actor, rather like Chinese boxes, and that’s what I was trying to create.” The story of the song concerns an actor who gets thrust into the lead role of The Hunchback of Notre Dame after the original actor dies in an accident on the film set. The guilt-ridden narrator of the song ends up being haunted by the ghost of the jealous original actor, who was a former friend. A promotional video was made for the single featuring Bush and a black-masked dancer performing the song against a black background.
“Come on, we’re late! Cutting across the cemetery will save twenty minutes. I know it’s almost dark but I am more afraid of Mum than the dead.” James said jumping over the wall. “No” shouted Paul. James was home in 15 mins. Paul however was never seen again.
(278 Characters)
Here I am, the one you need, to get you through life’s challenges, I’m always up for a midnight feed!!
I am on hand for a cosy rest in front of the fire, sit with me in winter and watch the snow fall as the flames grow higher.
I am here for you in spring sit with me and sip your tea and listen as the Thrush sings!
Early morning late at night I am here for your delight!!
photo creditshttp://www.allposters.com/
I keep your secrets as you grow older and see your relationships get hot or colder. As you grow and become much bolder.
I am here for you when life becomes to hard to shoulder and encourage you as you climb up another gigantic life boulder!
You may change my covers to suit the fashion to look good or cool for swings from anger into passion. Never deserting always there the answer to exhaustions prayer.
I excel at family gatherings Christmas, Easter, Birthdays and especially Weddings. Usually I get tarted up when special visitors come to sup!
Always in need when there are babies, new, good for cuddles and sometimes a lot more too! I will not say what that’s about .I shall not disclose what you get up to when no one else is about.
Such comfort can found in my arms for weary heads with physical or mental qualms. I never nag or boss you. I am always here when your day is through. I have never done a nasty thing to you.
I’ve been with you good and bad shared your grief when you’ve been sad.Seen you laugh loud and free and kept the secrets you’ve given me.
Then one day comes a bolt out of the blue I am of no longer any use, you have found some one new! I am banished shoved aside not wanted even though I’ve comforted you whenever you’ve cried! Cast aside for versions new after all I have done for you!!
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.
Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! — An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And floundering like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under I green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, —
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.
Is sweet and glorious Die for his country.???
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I have given information on Wilfred Owen before but it is worth repeating myself.
Wilfred Owen (1893-1918) is widely recognised as one of the greatest voices of the First World War. His self-appointed task was to speak for the men in his care, to show the ‘Pity of War’.
Wilfred Owen
Owen’s enduring and influential poetry is evidence of his bleak realism, his energy and indignation, his compassion and his great technical skill.
The Wilfred Owen Association was formed in 1989 to commemorate Wilfred Owen’s life and work. You can learn more at http://wilfredowen.org.uk/home/
I do not normally add videos to these poems as they are so sad and I am trying to relate the truth. This song is everything I find so bad about WW1 A merry tune hiding a horrible horrible truth.
A young man like the one in the song could of enlisted at the start of the war and then received approximately 12 weeks training, by 1918 was down to 6 weeks. Training for a standard infantry soldier was basic as most people already accepted orders, routine, manual labour, so they were compliant. The main areas of training where rifle and bayonet drill, small unit tactics and learning the basics of trench warfare.
So six to twelve weeks and then sent forth to the bowls of hell. I have covered how much this challenge has taught me ……. you already know how I feel.
Poetry Challenge #7 is to create a journal of links and your reactions to poems by established (living or dead poets.) Details are here. Example response is here. Mr. Linky for Challenge #7 is directly below:
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With cramps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you’ll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Siegfried Sassoon was born into a wealthy Jewish family on 8th September 1886 in Matfield Kent and died 1st September 1967 one week before his 81st Birthday he was living in Somerset. He died of stomach cancer. Being an innocent, Sassoon’s reaction to the realities of the war were all the more bitter and violent — both his reaction through his poetry and his reaction on the battlefield (where, after the death of fellow officer David Thomas and his brother Hamo at Gallipoli, Sassoon earned the nickname “Mad Jack” for his near-suicidal exploits against the German lines — in the early manifestation of his grief, when he still believed that the Germans were entirely to blame). As Paul Fussell said: “now he unleashed a talent for irony and satire and contumely that had been sleeping all during his pastoral youth.” Sassoon also showed his innocence by going public with his protest against the war (as he grew to see that insensitive political leadership was the greater enemy than the Germans). Luckily, his friend and fellow poet Robert Graves convinced the review board that Sassoon was suffering from shell-shock and he was sent instead to the military hospital at Craiglockhart where he met and influenced Wilfred Owen.
Siegfried Sassoon was decorated for bravery on the Western Front. He became one of the leading poets of the First World War.He was a key figure in the study of the poetry of the Great War: he influenced and mentored the then unknown Wilfred Owen; he spent thirty years reflecting on the war through his memoirs; and at last he found peace in his religious faith. Some critics found his later poetry lacking in comparison to his war poems. Sassoon, identifying with Herbert and Vaughan, recognized and understood this: “my development has been entirely consistent and in character” he answered, “almost all of them have ignored the fact that I am a religious poet.” ….. http://www.poemhunter.com/siegfried-sassoon/biography/
Another poem that wrenched my heart and flooded my brain with images of war. The more I read the more horrors I discover.This is pure and simply the tale of a of a young country lad ( it could so easily of been Siegfried himself.) who was taken from his hard but happy rural life and thrown into trench warfare. Noise , blood, mud, smells, dead bodies, rats, lice, fear horror. Would you like to eat , sleep drink , urinate , defecate all in the same space???
I am sure that many more frightened boys committed suicide just because they could not stand the nightmare they had landed in. Again there is nothing more that I can say the poem has said it all. I am also sure that that men and women may well have done the same in the more recent wars too.
Lest we forget.
Poetry Challenge #7 is to create a journal of links and your reactions to poems by established (living or dead poets.) Details are here. Example response is here. Mr. Linky for Challenge #7 is directly below:
Sir Herbert Edward Read (1893-1968), the poet and critic, was born in Yorkshire in 1893.
His college studies, at Leeds University, were interrupted by the outbreak of the First World War, in which he served with the Yorkshire Regiment in France and Belgium. During his service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Military Cross in the same year, 1918.
He continued to publish poetry for the remainder of his life, his final volume, Collected Poems, being published in 1966. Knighted in 1953 by Churchill for services to literature, Sir Herbert Read, who married twice, died on 12 June 1968.
His wild heart beats with painful sobs,
His strin’d hands clench an ice-cold rifle,
His aching jaws grip a hot parch’d tongue,
His wide eyes search unconsciously.
He cannot shriek.
Bloody saliva
Dribbles down his shapeless jacket.
I saw him stab
And stab again
A well-killed Boche.
The poem shows the dirty horrible side of war. The blind terror, the mental agony the mind so numbed with fear that the soldier slobbers un- known. This is what was laughingly known as the happy warrior, this happy band! So sad so very sad.
Poetry Challenge #7 is to create a journal of links and your reactions to poems by established (living or dead poets.) Details are here. Example response is here. Mr. Linky for Challenge #7 is directly below:
I am with 12 years of experience and ready to achieve any type of works such as, converting any form from JPG, PDF, ...etc into Excel,Word, PowerPoint and other editable forms, In addition to having a deep experience in inserting and managing data
Wilfred Owen
Sir Herbert Edward Read (1893-1968), the poet and critic, was born in Yorkshire in 1893.
willowdot21 
