Tales from the mind of Kristian
Visit the darkest crevices of my mind, dare to tread where many fear to go. You may find something interesting or you may find a mirror to your soul.
I wrote this poem and shared it back in February 2019. It was a different world back then, but I wanted to share it again with you and I hope it makes you laugh.
Continue reading A Multiple Word Prompt Poem – A Letter from Beryl.
Chelsea Owens, on her blog, has thrown down the gauntlet in her latest Terrible Poetry contest. Click on the link below to see the post, why not have a go?
A cento is a poem made up of fragments of other poems.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cento_(poetry)
I thought I would try my hand at it, but it is a lot more difficult than it may at first appear. Here is my attempt:
The Owl and the Pussycat went to see,
the Elephant (Though all of them were blind),
Like Love, unkindly passing by.
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
A host of golden daffodils, they dance.
The reprieve papers are not signed, behind.
It was a poignant portrayal of the effects.
A collage of fragments of poetical objects.
I have included fragments from the following poems:
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear,
The Blind Man And The Elephant by John Godfrey Saxe
The Way It Is, by William Stafford
I wandered lonely as a cloud, by William Wordsworth
Reprieve, by Alison Prince
I have also included the following word prompts:
I started writing a murder mystery some time ago, this is the next instalment.
If you want to read this story from the beginning click on this link:
The Last To See Him
It was quite early in the morning when the telephone rang. Alice had only just brought in the breakfast tray consisting of a soft-boiled egg, toast, some marmalade and the compulsory cup of strong tea.
Placing the tray down on the bed next to Lady Patterson, Alice went and answered the phone.
It wasn’t every day that Audrey Patterson took breakfast in bed. In fact, she would usually have been up, washed and dressed by now, but she had slept badly and her head was being rather a pain. Her mind kept going over and over the events that had taken place. The murders of her friend, Claudia Halifax and her Maid, Elsie, had affected her badly. She had sworn to catch their killers, or it may well be that the killer of Claudia and of Elsie were one and the same.
Continue reading The Last To See Him – The Murder Mystery Continues
I’ve decided to repost this poem that I wrote back when COVID first appeared. I’m pleased to say that the signs are the COVID threat is passing but it hasn’t gone away.
Today’s Word of the Day is Bizarre.
Life is quite strange at the moment
It’s bizarre, it’s weird and completely surreal
Like an old-time disaster movie
Waiting for the villain to finally reveal
His twisted scheme for world domination.
And so, Covid-19 has been released
Threatening mankind and all of creation
An obituary for the deceased.
If we heed the advice we’ve been given
And stay at home for our own survival
We may yet find we’ll come through fine
It may bring about humankind’s revival.
No more selfishly thinking of ourselves
No more being, by crowds, pushed and shoved.
By staying indoors and being dependent
We find out that we are truly loved.
We may feel at times, scared and delicate,
Adrift in a sea of doubts and cares.
But we are all in this boat together
And togetherness can beat despairs.
So, I bring you this one and final thought,
That turns this whole disaster on its head
There is always a silver lining of a sort,
So, think about this positively instead.
It’s strange that a deadly virus, although
it’s keeping us all apart, however,
Also appears to be the very thing
that has brought us all much closer together.
Copyright: Kristian Fogarty 24 March 2020
This poem was written in the hope of spreading some positivity in these desperate times.
I have included the following word prompts:
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/obituary/
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/rdp-tuesday-delicate/
FOWC with Fandango — Dependent
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/03/25/together/
Last week I took part in this fantastic challenge, the theme was Tribute songs that were written in memory of someone.
Click on the link below to see my post:
The Song Lyric Sunday Challenge this week the theme is songs featured in films that made the charts
Click on the link below to see Jim Adam’s post and to take part in the challenge.
I have to say, the theme this week is absolutely brilliant! It sent my mind whirring as there are so many great films with some fantastic music. I was faced with a quandary. Should I go with something more traditional, like Moon-River by Henry Mancini, sung by Danny Williams for the film but also performed brilliantly by Andy Williams? Or Should I go with Ennio Morricone and use Gabriel’s Oboe from the Mission? Then I remembered one of my favourite Actresses who is also a Singer, someone who I have been surreptitious about being a fan of in the past, has often sung a song in a film that has become a hit. The person I refer to is Cher.
When this particular song came out, I used to dance along to it, secretly in my room, watching like a hawk to make sure no one could see me. I was never the cool kid at school, but my one consolation was I had no pressure to act cool, if I did something weird like sing along to Cher, then I had no street cred to lose.
The one i’ve chosen is The Shoop Shoop Song, that was featured in the film “Mermaids”.
The film came out in 1990 with Cher in the main role along with Bob Hoskins. Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci played her daughters. Set in the 1960’s the film was about a young single mother with two kids who move to Massachusetts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaids_(1990_film)
The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss) was written by Rudy Clark and first released in 1963 by Merry Clayton but it didn’t chart. It was later recorded by Betty Everrett in 1964 who had a hit. It was later recorded by other artists and then Cher’s version for the film Mermaids became a number one hit in the UK, only her second since Sonny and Cher “I’ve got you, Babe”. Apparently in the US, it did not do quite as well. It may not be a majority view, but I consider Cher a fantastic actress. Her performance in the film Tea with Mussolini is my particular favourite of her roles.
Does he love me, I wanna know
How can I tell if he loves me so?
Oh, no, you’ll be decieved
(Is it in his sighs?)
Oh, no he’ll make believe
If you wanna know
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
If he loves you so
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
It’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is, oh yeah)Oh no, it’s just his charms
(In his warm embrace?)
OH no, that’s just his arms
If you wanna know
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
If he loves you so
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
It’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is)
Oh, it’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is)Whoa, Hug him and squeeze him tight
Find out what you wanna know
If it’s love, if it really is
It’s there in his kiss
Oh no, that’s not the way
You’re not listenin’ to all I said
If you wanna know
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
If he loves you so
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
It’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is)
Oh, It’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is)
Whoa, Hug him and squeeze him tight
Find out what you wanna know
If it’s love, if it really is
It’s there in his kiss
Oh no, that’s not the way
You’re not listenin’ to all I said
If you wanna know
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
If he loves you so
(Shoop, shoop, shoop, shoop)
It’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is)
Oh, It’s in his kiss
(That’s where it is)
Oh, yeah it’s in his kiss
(It’s in his kiss)
(That’s where it is)
Ooh, it’s in his kiss
(It’s in his kiss)
That’s where it is
It’s in his kiss
That’s where it is
Ooh, it’s in his kiss
That’s where it is
Ooh, oh it’s in his kiss
Oh, oh, it’s in the kiss
That’s where it is
That’s where it is
I hope you enjoyed this post.
I have included the following word prompts:
Said the Kingpin to Miss Golightly
“you look dirty and rather unsightly
And It’s rather a strain
Seeing you again and again,
Why don’t you attempt bathing nightly?”
This Limerick was written in response to the following word prompts:
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/07/09/nightly/
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/07/09/rdp-tuesday-strain/
Hark and listen to this tale of old,
Of an oafish man, quite otiose,
Who’d believe any story he was told,
And act in a manner bellicose.
Belligerently he’d wander around
Spouting words of nonsense, some would cheer
Picking fights wherever honest men were found,
His arrogance defying belief, year on year.
But wait! Don’t look back with wistful eyes,
It was in the past, a book upon the shelf.
Appears again, this otiose man who belief defies,
For history is always repeating itself.
Copyright@ Kristian Fogarty
This poem was written for Chelsea Owens Terrible Poetry Contest:
The Weekly Terrible Poetry Contest
I have also included the following Word Prompts:
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2020/01/26/your-daily-word-prompt-otiose-january-26-2020/
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2020/01/26/rdp-sunday-wander/
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2020/01/26/wistful/
Last week I took part in this fantastic challenge, the theme was songs that feature lyrics of Bomb, Gun, Knife, Weapon.
Click on the link below to see my post:
The Song Lyric Sunday Challenge this week the theme is Tribute songs that were written in memory of someone.
Click on the link below to see Jim Adam’s post and to take part in the challenge.
I must admit that the theme for this week forced me to think about a topic I try to ignore, that of death. It was quite debilitating but with dogged determination, I considered the options that were out there. Songs about death often come at the topic in a gentle, euphemistic way, describing someone resting or asleep. The emotions expressed often comprise an element of regret or a wish to see that person again in the future. I finally chose a song that doesn’t skimp on tugging at those heartstrings. “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor was written in 1969 and released in August 1970.
The song follows Taylor’s reaction to the suicide of Suzanne Schnerr, a childhood friend, and his experiences with drug addiction and fame.
Lyrics
Just yesterday mornin’, they let me know you were gone
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can’t remember who to send it to
I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again
Won’t you look down upon me, Jesus?
You’ve got to help me make a stand
You’ve just got to see me through another day
My body’s aching and my time is at hand
And I won’t make it any other way
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows, when the cold wind blows
It’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line
To talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you, baby
One more time again, now
Thought I’d see you one more time again
There’s just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you, fire and rain, now
I hope you enjoyed this song.
I have also included the following word prompts:
Last week I took part in this fantastic challenge, the theme was songs that feature lyrics of Concern, Fear, Fret, Worry suggested by Fandango of This, That and the Other.
Click on the link below to see my post:
The Song Lyric Sunday Challenge this week the theme is songs that feature lyrics of Bomb, Gun, Knife, Weapon.
Click on the link below to see Jim Adam’s post and to take part in the challenge.
The first song that came to mind, and I’m sure will come to others, is that perennial Karaoke classic song recorded in December 1967 by Tom Jones, entitled “Delilah”. The lyrics were written by Barry Mason, and the music by Les Reed.
I had the pleasure of going to a University in Wales and every weekend you could hear this song being played or sung and it was a great crowd-pleaser. Everyone sang along to it.
Lyrics
I saw the light on the night that I passed by her window
I saw the flickering shadows of love on her blind
She was my woman
As she deceived me, I watched and went out of my mind
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
I could see, that girl was no good for me
But I was lost like a slave that no man could free
At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting
I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me Delilah, I just couldn’t take anymore
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, Delilah
Why, why, why, Delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me, Delilah, I just couldn’t take anymore
Forgive me, Delilah, I just couldn’t take anymore
The second song that came to mind, was the song by a group called Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark, entitled Enola Gay. Now you may think “What on earth has this song got to do with the theme”, but the song was actually an anti-war/anti-nuclear weapon song. I think you can glean the message from the words, particularly once you know that the Enola Gay was the name of the plane that dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and the “little boy” mentioned in the lyrics was the code name for the bomb itself. It sends shivers down your spine the instant when you become fully aware of the meaning behind the words, doesn’t it?
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Enola Gay
You should have stayed at home yesterday
Ah-ha, words can’t describe
The feeling and the way you lied
These games you play
They’re going to end in more than tears some day
Ah-ha Enola Gay
It shouldn’t ever have to end this way
It’s 8:15
And that’s the time that it’s always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal, and you’re coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today?
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It’s never ever gonna to fade away
Enola Gay
You shouldn’t ever have to live this way
Ah-ha Enola Gay
You should’ve faded our dreams away
It’s 8:15
And that’s the time that it’s always been
We got your message on the radio
Conditions normal, and you’re coming home
Enola Gay
Is mother proud of little boy today?
Ah-ha this kiss you give
It’s never ever going to fade away
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Mc Cluskey Andy / Mc Cluskey Andrew
I can’t believe it but even though the Song Lyric Sunday Challenge is one of my favourite challenges, I’ve not taken part since the 12th of December! How very remiss of me.
The Last time I took part, the theme was songs that include nonsense lyrics suggested by Amy Braun, ai love music aisasami.
Click on the link below to see my post:
The Song Lyric Sunday Challenge this week the theme is songs that feature lyrics of Concern, Fear, Fret, Worry suggested by Fandango of This, That and the Other.
Click on the link below to see Jim Adam’s post and to take part in the challenge.
Anyone who knows me knows that my musical tastes tend towards the old-fashioned or classical. If I can thrust a musical song into my posts then I tend to do so with gusto.
For the theme of Fear, Worry, Concern, Fret. I instantly thought of two musical numbers that have the same theme, feel the fear but don’t let it rule you or stop you from setting out to explore the possibilities out there. Coincidentally they were both written by the same artists, the brilliant writing due to Rodgers and Hammerstein who were clearly at the top of the pole when it came to musical writing talent.
The first song I’ve chosen comes from the musical The King and I and is entitled “Whenever I Feel Afraid”.
The Musical first appeared on stage in 1951 and the role of Anna Leonowens was performed by Gertrude Lawrence. When it transferred to film in 1956, Deborah Kerr was chosen and is often attributed as the singer of this song. However Hollywood had a habit of choosing leading ladies for their acting ability and their public profile rather than their singing ability and simply secretly dubbing their voices. Marni Nixon was the voice of Deborah Kerr here. She was also the voice of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Natalie Wood in West Side Story. Deborah Kerr actually spilled the beans about Marni Nixon’s fantastic contribution to musical history.
Whenever I feel afraid
I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune
So no one will suspect
I’m afraid
While shivering in my shoes
I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune
And no one ever knows
I’m afraid
The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well!
I whistle a happy tune
And ev’ry single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I’m not afraid
Make believe you’re brave
And the trick will take you far.
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are
[Louis]
While shivering in my shoes
I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune
And no one ever knows,
I’m afraid
[Louis and anna]
The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well!
I whistle a happy tune
And ev’ry single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I’m not afraid
Make believe you’re brave
And the trick will take you far
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are…
The second song that I’ve chosen is surely the Maximal when it comes to big musical numbers. It was so powerful that it’s been adopted as an anthem and a theme, including for Liverpool Football Club. It speaks of holding your head high as you walk through a storm. I imagine someone about to walk through flames and rather fearing they are inflammable, believe themselves impervious, and walk through safely encased in an armour of their own self-belief.
Written for the musical Carousel in 1945 by Rodgers and Hammerstein. The film version came out in 1956. It is unusual for a big musical number that it wasn’t sung by the main character. In the film, it was sung by Americal Contalto Claramae Turner who played the role of the main character’s Cousin, who is an older, motherly figure to Julie Jordan (played by Shirley Jones), a young girl who has fallen for a bit of a rogue.
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk aloneYou’ll never walk alone
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
I hope you enjoy listening to these songs and take heart from these lyrics. Music can be so inspiring, can’t it?
I have also included the following word prompts:
Tales from the mind of Kristian 
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