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Life and Work

Work Life

I don’t quite know how to start this. Blogging for the oratorio was easy and a great pleasure; blogging just for myself feels very strange. I’m a private person and cautious; I find it difficult to share what I think and feel. But, I am also a writer, and writing something every day is a good discipline. Making a blog instead of writing a diary is more of a commitment. So. I am not going to emulate my son Tom in writing a personal blog – although it is his blog, which I look forward to every day, which inspired me in the first place. I am first and foremost a librettist; and would aspire to be a poet.  And I’ve never dared to say that before. What I want to learn to do is write poetry. Every day I am going to post something new, maybe just a scrap of verse or a draft of a new song; whatever takes my fancy.

I am going to start with the lyrics I wrote last night which Jools and I might use for a bid. A website we subscribe to wants a country western Christmas song; a modern narrative. We are very unlikely to get the finished song  in by the deadline, which is Monday, but we might use it some other time, for something else. I’m not quite brave enough to write anything personal yet. (Update: Jools did get it in on time! So now we wait in the hope they like it.)

I’m sitting at a window
in the diner on the corner..
the streets are cold and mushy
and the dark is falling fast

My coffee cup is empty
and the waiter’s looking restive.
The chairs are up on tables
and the lights are turned down low.

I think
they wish I’d go.

The christmas choirs are singing
Childrens voices, happy carols
The church bells are all ringing
on the radio…

They don’t know that you called me
Said you were lonely for me
wished we hadn’t been so hasty
thought we might still have a chance

So I left my little pudding and
the box sets by the TV and
I came out here to find you
because I’m nobody without you

The christmas choirs are singing
Childrens voices, happy carols
The church bells are all ringing
on the radio..

But it’s just three hours to midnight
And it’s clear that you’re not coming
So I need to put my gloves on and
forget I ever met you
and just go.

The waiter hurries forward
and I stand up from the table..
and then the door swings open
and the freezing air blows in

And you’re here.
At last. You’re here.

And the christmas choirs are singing
Childrens voices, happy carols
The church bells are all ringing
And I love you so….