Gentle music

What brings you peace?

Folk music, lyrical music, gentle music.

I like light classical music, piano sonatas, even film scores.

I don’t always know the name of the musical piece, or the composer, one of my worst skills is answering music quiz questions. But it doesn’t matter what it is as long as it gives me a feeing of gentle calmness.

Singing with a choir has the same effect. Especially when we are practicing and not performing. I hear the other parts, soprano and alto, and try and meld my voice in with the others. It gives me a real sense of peace and quiet. Gentle Maori lullabies effect me, and sweet folk aires from ancient history. They are all really meditations. That and the breathing required to do it help make me feel at peace.

Peace reflected

Collage of my dove of peace based painting. The dark line across the centre makes it look like the birds are reflected in water. I did this to show my support for Ukraine.

Hearing that the Russians have destroyed a dam in Ukraine makes me wish for peace even more. Villages are flooding and water levels are rising. The hydroelectric plant there has been affected anf the Nuclear power plant nearby is also at risk. This is awful. Inhumane, violent, innocent citizens will lose (have lost) their homes. It’s also an ecological disaster, destroying habitats that were homes to animals on the delta. How can Putin be so evil? Those responsible need to be bought to account. Give peace a chance.

Listening to birdsong

Describe one simple thing you do that brings joy to your life.

He often sits up in the tree

Ot atop a chimney pot

He starts to sing

His voice raised

In skirls and slides

Whistles and trills.

Old blackbirds sing longer

And better, complications

Added each year.

Attracting and announcing

Territory and partnership.

His music gives me joy

Taking the time to listen

Releases peace,

Simple and sweet.

Ukraine again

Memory lapses, things happen and the world turns around the sun. But in February it will be the anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine waged by Russias Vladimir Putin. Not that that was the start of it, first Russia took The Crimea, now the resolution seems to be to take the south east of Ukraine from its sovereign people. The argument seems to be that it used to be Russian and will be again.

The awful thing about it is the vicious tactics that are being employed.. Sending missiles against the power and water grids in the country. The senseless murder and maiming of the civilian population in their apartment blocks, in hospitals and in maternity wards. The leader of this chaos and destruction is one man, Vladimir Putin. He was involved in the terrible war in Syria where he supplied weapons to President Assad. He has a history of pushing boundaries (literally) and was given too much support by the ex president of a western country. He thinks he will get away with it, I hope he stops and gives Ukraine peace and freedom again but I’m not holding my breath.

Trying to enjoy

My mind is muddled,

My thoughts are muddied

My intentions busy

But ideas are muzzy…

Such a joyous time of year

To enjoy, with good cheer

Or so they say, and so I wish

To drink and eat a tasty dish

To share love far and wide.

But also remember those that died?

For they are here no longer, live

And for their memory we will strive.

We cannot follow where they’ve gone

We can only know their life is done.

So sad and sweet my thoughts entangled,

To relax my mind I’ll try to wrangle.

I can not say about it, more,

I do not want to be a bore.

I can only think of farewells

Then listen to midnight bells

And listen to the Christmas carols

Sung by all of heavens heralds.

Enough of this

Peace is my wish.