To compose an ode in honour of The Bard
Whose famed lines ensnare hearts
From stages encircling this precious globe
As well as from upon it
Is a task too high to reach
Instead I shall write in praise of those
Whose mouths have uttered his enchantment
Weaving spells through speech inspired
To whisk us from this mundane life to
Distant islands, courts and faery realms
Owning this sacred space these mortals become
As gods with creator’s power to form
The world anew for a few brief acts
Transforming landscapes without and
Landscapes within
And here we dwell until the final cheer
Echoes from its stalls and as one
We rise in awe to praise before
Returning to our mortal homes
His lingering whisper remains
Shakespeare’s Globe is one of my favourite places, a haunt where magic still happens.
(29.10.21)
© Ben Quant 2021
Entertainment
Poem 15 – First Post-Lockdown Gig (Reprised)
Waves of nostalgia crash
Upon that human sea
Gathered in one place to sing
Beating in unity
Arms outstretched as one reach out
Rock and roll god on view
‘Radio’, our one last cry,
‘Someone still loves you’
The final song of Roger Taylor’s set from yesterday’s gig was Radio Gaga, which he wrote. To stand in the crowd clapping the signature clap is an awesome thing, looking around seeing a see of people clapping as one. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to do this as part of the crowd at Wembley. As I did so, I found myself wondering if this will be the last time I do so with a member of the original band playing in front of me.
(23.10.21)
© Ben Quant 2021
Poem 14 – First Post-Lockdown Gig
Queues ensnare the theatre
A human lassoo, snaking
Jostling for position with nervous interrogation
Is this the right one?
Reassurance offered with a shrug
I think so
Friendships of proximity initiated
Transitory, later abandoned
Once settled the lull
Nothing to do but wait
Disturbed only by the request
To check bags or Covid passes
(A disturbing novelty still)
Hidden beneath the quiet
Starting positions are taken
Twitchy, false starts repeated
Until (on your marks)
The doors (get set)
Open (go!)
Then the sprint
Eventually lights drop
Music fades
Hush
An expectant pause…
Written whilst in the queue to see Roger Taylor’s solo show at The Shepherds Bush Empire
(22.10.21)
© Ben Quant 2021
Poem 10 – Take Five
As Dave’s Quartet begin to play Paul Desmond’s piece
I find myself asking what can be achieved
In this most frustrating length of time
Not sufficient to take on a major task
Like cooking a meal, taking the kids to school
Or saving the planet
But not too small to ignore
Long enough to play a tune, perhaps
Boil a kettle, read a letter
But only if you’re ready when the time begins
No room to get prepared within its span
‘Cause when the countdown counts the pressure’s on
Is five minutes long enough to compose a song,
Tidy a room, polish my shoes or pen this poem?
Turn back the clock!
Take five?
Five is not long enou….
The first thing in my diary this morning was taking a school assembly on Jonah, which was a delight, doing it as an embarrassing Dad rap with audience participation and beats. But all set and ready to go I found myself with five minutes to spare and wondering what could fill that time…
Dave’s Quartet refers to the famous jazz outfit, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, famous for their hit Take Five, penned by their saxophonist, Paul Desmond.
(18.10.21)
© Ben Quant 2021
Poem 6 – To Boldy Go…
No longer has no man been before
Because he, our childhood’s captain, finally went
Taking off whilst nearing his final frontier
That common countdown which all approach
Strapped secure, he faced the black abyss
Before briefly free from bodily constraint
Knowing perhaps a foretaste of future bliss
Until mass once more became weight
Returning back toward the blue planet
And terra firma firmly beneath his feet
Ecstatic smile described upon our screens
Captain Kirk’s come home
Inspired by the journey into near space by William Shatner, the actor who played the part of Captain James T Kirk of the Starship Enterprise in Star Trek, at the age of 90.
(13.10.21)
© Ben Quant 2021
Image by NBC Television – eBay itemphoto frontpublicity release, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16442606
Poem 3 – Here Be Dragons
Here be dragons
And spaceships
Lost temples
With treasure
And quests
And beer
Here be laughter
And sorrow
Bewilderment
And longing
And hope
And fear
Here be dungeons
And dragons
And character sheets
With friends
And dice
And cheer
A lifelong hobby has been playing tabletop roleplaying games, a wonderfully social and imaginative pastime. This was written before heading out to a much anticipated day of gaming with friends after the Covid pandemic had kept us physically apart for 18 months.
(09.10.21)
© Ben Quant 2021
Ode for the Day 