Memories.

 

          Away back in 1986 I was part of the small  Amnesty International group that planted a wee tree in the grounds of Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum to mark 25 years of Amnesty's work.. Forgot all about but recently thought I would try to re-visit it, but wasn't sure exactly where it was planted. So today with my partner we sought out the tree and it was, no longer a slim sprig of a tree but a beautiful powerful knuckled tree with its magnificent roots plunging into the earth. Of course when we planted it, I didn't need the extended aluminum arm, it seems age has acted on both of us, but the tree seems to be going from strength to strength. I only hope the fight for freedom and justice grows stronger like our wee tree.

Visit ann arky's home at https://spiritofrevolt.info  

Memories.

     My wee rant will be stilled over the next couple of days. It's my daughter's birthday and she and her family have booked a wee cottage in Auchterader in Perthshire for the weekend and we are invited.

 Auchterarder main street, the longest main street in Scotland.

   It will be interesting to see what memories it will bring back. During the war, WW2, not WW1 as some people might think when looking at me, I like many other school kids from Glasgow were "evacuated" further north away from the risk of bombing in the cities. I and two of my sisters ended up living on a farm just outside Auchterarder. For a wee Glesca lad it was a wonderful and very pleasant experience. The farmer treated me like a son and I have fond memories of those days.

     Will I find the farm I lived in? Will I find the house that was the school? Who knows, what has changed and what has remained, fascinating.

Visit ann arky's home at https://radicalglasgow.me.uk

Magic Moments.

        Life can be quite a struggle in this unequal, unfair, unjust society, so much so, that sometimes we lose sight of those precious gems close at hand. However, we can still have those magic moments. On the 2nd January, we had some of the family round, so it was an opportunity for another of those magic moments, another excuse for a fire in the back garden, another chance at chatting, drinking fruit juice, and toasting marshmallows on the fire. Despite the bitter cold it was a great night, for a short period, we created a simple world, planted a friendly memory, captured the delight of laughter, pleasant chat and strengthened the bonds within a group. A nice way to start the year.

My grand-daughter, Stefania, toasting a marshmallow on the fire.

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk

 

Companions.

COMPANIONS.

Glowing embers in a fading light

Thoughts of absent friends

Memories paint the picture

Creating companions through the night.

Glimpses of that childhood mate

Running wild through youth

Spending days with indecent haste

Then finding age, became sedate.

The first love who lit a fire

That burnt with fervent flame

Causing reason to flee, before

Starting to splutter and then expire.

A youth with a boundless dream

Shaping a thousand tomorrows

A mad dance soon to become

With age, a meandering stream.

Friendships forged in pain

Companions merged by trust

Families spliced in love

Creating a priceless chain.

Visit ann arky's home at www.radicalglasgow.me.uk