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Prayer

Some days, although we cannot pray, a prayer
utters itself. So, a woman will lift
her head from the sieve of her hands and stare
at the minims sung by a tree, a sudden gift.

Some nights, although we are faithless, the truth
enters our hearts, that small familiar pain;
then a man will stand stock-still, hearing his youth
in the distant Latin chanting of a train.

Pray for us now. Grade 1 piano scales
console the lodger looking out across
a Midlands town. Then dusk, and someone calls
a child's name as though they named their loss.

Darkness outside. Inside, the radio's prayer -
Rockall. Malin. Dogger. Finisterre.

-- Carol Ann Duffy

Date: 2003-05-11 03:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] raspberryfool.livejournal.com
Lundy. Fastnet. Irish Sea...

What is it about the Shipping Forecast that inspires poetry?

Date: 2003-05-11 03:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com
What is it about the Shipping Forecast that inspires poetry?

The words are beautiful, and you hear them in the middle of the night.

Date: 2003-05-12 12:55 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Beautiful - thank you.

Now feeling the urge to check if those three white leopards are still under the juniper tree.

And to watch a certain episode of Black Books again.

Katlinel

Re:

Date: 2003-05-13 03:51 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com
The leopards will be waiting for us, as soon as we're ready to sit still.

Which 'Black Books'? (I've only seen the first season, is it a later one?)

Date: 2003-05-13 05:50 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
While we're learning how to care and not to care?

The Black Books ep is the one with the new security system and
where Fran's ex, Howard, has got a job reading the shipping forecast.
She takes her phone off the hook to listen (and other things).

Katlinel

Re:

Date: 2003-05-14 08:58 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] altariel.livejournal.com
Ah... I know which episode now :-D

Date: 2003-05-12 02:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] communicator.livejournal.com
Well chosen. Thanks for posting it.

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