The Climb

Look up, stairs begin

the steps are arching up,

winding their way over mountains, 

through clouds, and across valleys

steps of stone pave the way, 

multiple routes to choose from,

but in the end,

the destination is always the same,

the mountain top, the peak, top of the hill,

and the end of the climb, 

slip, stumble, scramble and bumble, step high

and carry yourself over 

the little stones, the pebbles

some who climb, rush to the top, 

climbing quickly,

swiftly, non-stop

some leisure, distinct and slow

no rush to get where they're gonna go

others still enjoy the view, 

never-mind the climb

it's surprising to see, 

just when you  think you've finished 

that the stairs never stop.

`

THE MEGAPHONE

Found poem from William Golding's Lord of the Flies.

Pages: 6-17, 45-53, 91-101

The megaphone?

The man with the megaphone?

Where's the man?

Silent, a gleaming tusk

fading pink,  spiral twist, covered 

embossed, delicate

right to speak

beginnings of power, shaking the mountain

calling an assembly 

I've got the conch

I've got the conch

Link with the world of Authority? 

Cradling the conch, cradling 

Take the Conch

The conch, he began to blow

savages appeared, they carried spears

moving among the trees

Mock hunting, hysterical laughter 

real terror 

Stop a minute!

right to speak

beginnings of power, shaking the mountain

calling an assembly...

He's got the Conch!


Hopefully the audio/video will upload properly:
https://vimeo.com/65123302

The Wars By Timothy Findley (9)

Having just finished Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars" I must say that I throughly enjoyed it.  The story had it's ups and downs, and with each twist it was slowly able to pique my engagement.  The story's epilogue was, I felt was a bit weak but, that might be because of the change in pace.    For anyone, who doesn't know, the novel, is essentially a tragedy, as the protagonist suffers and watches others suffer through out the course of the story.  You might say that Robert Ross, the protagonist, suffers from taedium vitae.   All the same, I throughly enjoyed the novel, albeit with small amounts of lassitude due to transitional stages that Robert goes through.

I recommend this novel to any major reader who has yet to read it.  Very thought provoking and historically relevant.  8/10

The Wars By Timothy Findley (8)

Having almost completed Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars," I have to say that while it is not my favorite book, nor the most action packed book, it definitely a good read, and it is a great read. Many parts through out the book have caught my interest and many parts are thought provoking.  However, with the good, also comes that bad, and as such, there are many dark parts of the book.  Many things that would be horrible experiences, are experienced by the protagonist, Robert Ross. I think that I might just recommend this book to my friends who haven't read it yet, because of it's eye opening ability and it's though provoking story.
I am working on the last chapter now, and so, I will write another post once I have finished it, and had time to think about it.  Thanks for reading. 

The Wars by Timothy Findley (7)

Tragedy is a dominant theme through out Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars". The book starts with the main character's sister dying and through out the novel, Robert, loses friends to the war. Eventually, through a series of complex events, he ends up in a struggle against the very people he was suppose to be fighting for. And throughout the entire novel, Robert takes a very naive and pessimistic view on life. Even though he is badly burnt near the end of the book, he still refuses to give up on life. One major cause of his problems is his naive view on life which is corrupted by the horrors he has to witness. Because of this, he loses his temper over many things and takes his rage out on the people around him. However, it's not just Robert Ross who has to undergo traumatic events, as many of the people that he knew have also been injured. For example, Taffler, someone who Robert respected, tried to commit suicide because Taffler lost both his arms during the war.
However, as much as tragedy is part of the story, there is still some happiness in the story. Not much sure, but it is there.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (6)

While reading Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars" several questions have been dancing around at the back of my mind. The first thought is about what life must have been like during the war. During my life, the war in the Middle East took place, and although it was a serious conflict, it didn't require the same amount of sacrifice as the First World War. Robert had to go through an incredible amount of stress and hardship. His friends are killed, he lives in horrible conditions and almost gets killed many times. Even through all of it, Robert manages to hold onto his sanity, although he does struggle. I think that it is a testament to Robert's ability to survive, and to struggle on, even though it doesn't look like he can.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (5)

I'm about halfway through the book, and it really is just a story about a regular, but unfortunate guy during World War One. For example, at the point I am at in the book, there is a lot of information about the protagonist. It is basically just a description about what is going on in Roberts life, however it doesn't ever really go into detail on his thoughts. I find this a little strange because normally the author wants the reader to know what the protagonist is thinking. Anyhow, some of it is from the perspective of a person listening to a tape of a conversation, but it is easy to forget that because it is written somewhat awkwardly.

It is not very surprising, to me at least, that while it isn't a terrible book I don't have a lot to say about it. It feels like not much is actually going on, even though vast changes occur in the protagonist's life. That's all I really have to say at the moment, so long for now.