Newport State of Mind








 It’s been a rough couple of weeks; not so much energy to write. M’s funeral was last week and a privilege to go to. His son wrote a eulogy poem which is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.

After this I went up to wales, to be shown around by a sister of one of my Friends I met in Bangladesh. I didn’t know her sister at all at the start but she drove me around for three days, which was really kind of her. The valleys, Gower, Cardiff bay with its Tory-free government…  I got a proper welsh tour complete with obscure cocktails (the Trevor Nelson) and really personal insights (her parents remember Aberfan, her housemate is the first generation in his family not to work in the mines, and he described what it felt like to go down the mines and feel them breathing).


https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/britains-best-small-venue-shortlist-newport-le-pub-23362?amp


https://youtu.be/Eijc2tGe-zM


Feeling tired.

Feeling lucky.

_______________________________


B’s poem for M - “Lessons”

 

Over this lifetime I saw myself grow,

Embraced by your arms and in your shadow.

 These lessons I learned,

This grounding I know.

 

If there’s a choice,

Take the lesser of two.

If there are two voices,

Let their’s be louder than you.

 

In correction be gentle,

As more often you’re wrong,

Be Sentimental but remember,

You are here not that long.

 

The transience of life makes it beautiful,

It’s length unknown.

In your relationships be dutiful,

Be not overblown,

 

Put Ego aside,

Allow for humility,

Be the best you can be,

Love with ability,

 

Be a person of substance,

Lead with your heart,

Be a rock be constant,

Don’t be the end be the start,

 

Now your time is over,

Your life cut short,

We will always remember,

We will never retort,

 

In these moments of pain,

I know we must part,

Rest easy beautiful man,

Your lessons are on our hearts.




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