Poem Celebrating Halloween Horrors of Humanity

Marc Latham’s latest Folding Mirror poem celebrates Halloween, which is known as the Day of the Dead in some countries. Inspired by the weakening sun in the northern hemisphere, as our planet’s tilt switches to favouring the southern hemisphere, old traditions thought the boundaries between the living and spirit worlds were at their lowest.

Humanity is the Destroyer of Life

The Halloween tradition has evolved to portray fictional creatures such as vampires and werewolves as the monsters of the night time world. In reality it is humanity that causes nearly all the problems at all times on our planet; both for  humanity and other life.

While sometimes it is real life psychopaths, like the Halloween movie‘s Michael Myers, most of the world’s problems are caused by normal humanity, and its incessant desire to expand and control, killing and destroying everything in its wake.

The Banality of Evil

Individual humans are usually unconscious of their actions, simply living to the norms of their society. Sometimes the norms of society support some pretty gruesome behaviour; which looks like pretty similar to what the monsters do in horror films.

More humanity means more horror. As Francis Coppola and John Milius‘s Colonel Kurtz exclaimed in Apocalypse Now at the end of his lifetime in humanity: ‘The horror… the horror… the horror…’

ezimba-web- Shapes 3D Folded Mirror Pop Art (Photo credit: krossbow)

Defenders of Nature, Demonised as Witches

catch a falling star
transform it nuclear
capture the rainbow
mine every ounce glow
hunt sweet shaped cloud
sow together Earth’s shroud

humanity radiates acid rain, ancients interpreted to explain

fall of humanity continues
overseen by wise retinues
loving their lowest hour
protected by power
Big Bang reverse
one god no universe

dominion building (Photo credit: AЯMEN)

Marc Latham’s central site is the Greenygrey (http://www.greenygrey.co.uk), and he has books available on Smashwords and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/author/marclatham).

Travel Thru History Article Celebrates Greenygrey

While it’s great to see Marc Latham talking greenygrey here and in his articles, it is always nice to read other people noticing and appreciating greenygrey.

St. Kevin‘s Kitchen, Ireland Article

Hi, it’s Jack Wolfpac here, with exciting news from the world of greenygrey travel writing.

J.M. Bridgeman did just that in her St. Kevin’s Kitchen, Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland article on TravelThruHistory. Wondering what drew her to the monastery, she wrote:

‘Perhaps what propels me to Glendalough can be attributed to the romance of ruins. Or is it the literal tug of history, of grey moss-munched stones informed by human hands?’

There’s lots more interesting observations and five nice photos; which are all greenygrey; in the article, and here’s a couple more greenygrey ones of the area from Zemanta:

Glendalough St kevin´s Kitchen (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

 

Glendalough valley in County Wicklow. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hurricane in Britain Inspires Spitfire Dogfight

There’s a horrendous hurricane sweeping across Britain at this very moment, doing lots of damage to the greenygrey countryside, as well as threatening life, so we’ve delved into the vaults, and decided to post the first episode of the week of your favourite werewolf travels Australia to a Wizard of Oz theme travel quest epic satirical comedy classic virtual travel excellent expeditionary exercise in literary nonsense… but with a story and end.

Spit the Dog Story in Sydney

This episode continues the questing quartet’s travels through Sydney, with the Spit Reserve inspiring a whole lotta Spit the Dog tomfoolery.

There’s also more alliteration, which is described on About.com as:

‘The repetition of an initial consonant sound, as in “a peck of pickled peppers.” As J.R.R. Tolkien observed, alliteration “depends not on letters but on sounds.” Thus the phrase know-nothing is alliterative, but climate change is not.’ 

The alliteration is inspired by a star name and mythical mothman; met on our first epic ramble across North America.

Chapter 118.  Spit the Dog Reserved in Sydney

We continued north to the Opera House, where I felt like a proper tourist, and not a bedraggled traveller from another dimension. We looked at a Sydney map there, and one place stood out straight away: the Spit Reserve. I was a big fan of Spit the Dog when it starred on Tiswas, and thought the reserve must be where it now resided.

Crossing the Harbour Bridge to the Spit Reserve 

The Mothman Prophecies (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The others agreed to go there, so we made our way across Harbour Bridge to the north, with great views of Little Sirius Cove below. Pebbles glinted in the sunshine like stars on a clear night. Mosman reminded me of that Mothman creature I met while one half of the Greenygrey on our epic ramble across North America. Magical memories momentarily materialised once more.

There was a Spit Road leading to the Spit Reserve. I was impressed with the amount of respect they had bestowed upon my favourite puppet dog.

Spit The Dog (Photo credit: tim ellis)

Entering the Spit Reserve was like every Spit the Dog fan’s dream, as there were dozens of the dogs all enjoying life in safety; although I couldn’t be sure if I saw the original Spit amongst them.

They seemed reserved compared to the original Spit, with not much wild spitting going on at all; I guess the passing of time in such a comfortable reserve had mellowed the spitline out.

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Notes

Spit the Dog was a puppet worked by Bob Carolgees on Tiswas (1970s/1980s fun variety show).

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Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Happy Halloween… Fun Animal Photos

Hi, it’s Baron Wolfman, head honcho of Greenygrey Creation in the absence of the legendary Andy Wolfhol, who is perhaps most fondly remembered in the Greenygrey world for his favourite slogan catchphrase ‘Wolf not War’.

Halloween Week Animal Photos

It’s Halloween week this week, with the main night in of celebration on Thursday 31st October. Halloween and similar traditions, such as the Day of the Dead deriving from Mexico, were inspired by old pagan festivals honouring the dead as they experienced the sun ‘dying’ in the northern hemisphere at this time of year.

Here’s some fun and greenygrey photos to celebrate Halloween, with links to their original sharers on google+ within the images, and all the good people and animals that have left the living world:

Four-way greenygrey trowl (tree and owl) photo, which could also be described as poetry in owl tree:

Bearable greenygrey:

Something fishy going on: cat amongst the greenygrey:

Howlingly healthy Halloween:

No werewolves, just a Halloween-loving wolf:

Werewolf Mary Wollstonecraft New Philosophy Correspondent

Hi, it’s Mary Werewolfstonecraft, new philosophy correspondent at the Greenygrey. For humans reading this, my closest parallel in the human world is Mary Wollstonecraft, who is described in Philip Stokes’s Philosophy: 100 Essential Thinkers as the original feminist, but who saw ‘the rights of both men and women as mutual and inextricably linked’, and ‘that slavery and the treatment of the poor at that time were immoral.’

Right Time and Place 

Albert Camus’ tombstone in Lourmarin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I think I probably got the job ahead of other great thinkers on the shortlist, Max Wolfer (Weber) and Albert Canis (Camus), because Marc Latham recently passed from the Kerouacian age to the Agnethan. That was of course explained in a recent blog here… and because I’m more a-were than them.

Talking of Marc Latham, I’ve got some of his recent thoughts and writing to report.

On Creativity in Humanity

In its On Books and Burning blog post City Jackdaw ended it by setting the question: Is it the appreciation of art, and of beauty, that sets us apart?

Deutsch: Hamburg, Heine-Denkmal am Rathausplatz, Tafel zur Bücherverbrennung, 1981-82 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Marc Latham promptly answered with the comment: ‘I think all human civilisations have appreciated art, even if they burned art they didn’t agree with. I’m pretty sure most intelligent non-human life appreciates beauty, and the art of nature, judging from the way they soak up the sun and wind; and even rain and snow at times, such as after drought.’

Then after taking more time to think (having studied Latham for some years I have come to the opinion that he is more of a slow thinker than a prompt responder [I think I might have sounded like Marit Meredith’s Diary of a Would-Be-Protagonist there, which I’ve recently been reading!]), and remembering his knowledge gained and information shared over the six years of the Greenygrey, added this even more greenygrey philosophical comment; which also reminded me of ol’ Wollstonecraft’s description above, which I just re-read:

Puffer Fish Artistic Structures 

‘I’ve been mulling over the question, and I agree with you almost totally, but would say it’s more: makes us different than sets us apart.

I think we are the most creative species, but others create things too, such as the amazing structures male puffer fishes (sic: Marc wrote fishes) make to serenade females.

And while some individual humans are creative with words or images, others might be with comedy or construction.

I think most people could be creative if taught, or had some inspiration; while others discover their creativity after illness or shocks: it’s there in the brain, but not used.’

I asked Marc if he was thinking about the Greenygrey philosophy when he wrote it, and he said no, but he noticed afterwards.

I told him we did too.

Paddington Sydney Bear Episode with Two Literary Nonsense Poems

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. We thought about posting more of Marc Latham’s thoughts today, but decided that a light-hearted episode of Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps would be more appropriate for the start of the weekend.

What Bear in Paddington?

This episode sees the quintessential quartet travel farther into Sydney, where they meet a Peruvian bear in Paddington after leaving Bronte behind.

It is most definitely more comedy than travel quest epic, but probably can’t be considered a classic. It does also contain two little literary nonsense poems. Can you guess who the ambling Andean is?

Chapter 117.  Into the Lair of the Paddington Bear 

English: The first edition title page of Agnes Grey. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte took up the first two volumes of this edition. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wondered if a book of Grey was a sign, and quickly flicked through it. Although it was certainly not literary nonsense, it did not seem to have much relevance to my life or journey. So I didn’t investigate further, and donated it to the Bronte library Bronte section.

Whatever will be, will be,
and if Agnes Grey re-enters my story,
I will return to the Bronte area library,
and look it up under section Bronte.

Paddington Bear Gives us a Scare

We walked up through Bondi at quite a pace,
and were resting five minutes in Paddington place,
when a colourful bear entered the street
marching purposely in wellington-booted feet.

He looked harmless, dressed in an old coat and hat, and carrying a big suitcase, but you never know! He came right up to us and asked if this was the right direction for Peru.

English: The Paddington Bear statue at London Paddington railway station. This image is used in a Nintendo DSi in a travel application created by The Content Works (http://www.thecontentworks.com/). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Funnily enough, I’d seen a boat departing to Peru in a day or two on Bondi Beach, so I told the Paddington Bear.

He thanked me, and gave us a marmalade sandwich each before saying adios.

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Notes

Paddington Bear (Michael Bond creation).

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Poem of Human and Animal Mind Conservation

Marc Latham thinks his latest Folding Mirror poem has several inspirations. Here on WordPress a discussion on City Jackdaw‘s blog got Marc thinking about a question asked: Is it the appreciation of art, and of beauty, that sets us apart?

Marc’s also been doing a little biological research on the web, thinking about doing a poem about the two halves of human and animal bodies, getting as far as bilateral symmetry. There’ll hopefully be more poems about that in the future.

It’s Right to Conserve What’s Left 

That’s in its early stages, and this poem quickly developed into a wildlife and nomadic tribes focus, no doubt inspired by Marc recently finding lots of interesting environmental conservation and Native American groups on Facebook and Google+.

Finally, he was listening to old Scorpions and Rainbow music before and while writing the poem, and they have some spacey environmentally conscious songs. So instead of the usual photos above and below the poems he’s embedded the videos.

Human Direction, Wildlife Freedom

nothing left, or up
outside the human mind
written down at least
do dolphins think
in such a way
or do they see the ocean
as eagles fly the sky

turning by sonar, circling on instinct

the land was once open
for nomadic tribes to follow seasons
each day like play
not worrying over
making roots of concrete
inside living mother earth
feeling down, squandered right

Marc Latham’s central site is the Greenygrey (http://www.greenygrey.co.uk), and he has books available on Smashwords and Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/author/marclatham).

Q Awards and WoO Bronte Sydney Poetic Arrival

Congratulations to Ellie Goulding, who was the biggest winner at the Q Awards last night. She won the Best Solo Artist and the Readers’ Vote awards. Ellie Goulding was of course backed by the Greenygrey this year.

However, best greenygrey outfit of the night goes to Stooshe, who created this great greenygrey photo upon arrival on the red carpet.

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. Thanks to Stella Lagerwolf-Bruno for that fashion-focused musical awards introduction.

Werewolf of Oz Reaches Bronte, Sydney

Now it’s time for that fashionable poetry-filled book about a werewolf travelling Australia to a Wizard of Oz theme. This chapter mainly consists of two literary nonsense poems on either end, with another sighting by Grey of something relevant to the closer and closer ending in the middle. 

The first four lines of three words poem celebrates the surreal sight of whales in the ocean at night; like a scene that appears in Life of Pi. 

The second poem celebrates some of the most renowned British female authors and their books: the Bronte sisters. It was inspired by the Werewolf of Ozzers arriving at Bronte, Sydney.

Chapter 116.  Arriving in Sydney, Booked by Bronte

Moon moves milky
waves washing whales
rising rolling roaming
entrancing ethereal eternal.

Sighting Sydney is a Sight for Salty Eyes

Sea and shore were serenely silent for seventeen hours on the approach to Sydney. Just before reaching land
I thought I saw a commotion
farther out in the Tasman Sea,
and wondered what it could be.

English: bronte house, sydney (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

However, the sea was calm moments later. None of the others seemed to have seen it, so I didn’t say anything. There wasn’t time anyway, as we had to decide where to dock.

Docking at Sydney

Cronulla looked made of vanilla
Coogee appeared too easy
so we landed at Bronte
as it seemed to have something to say.
There was no time for wuthering
as the winds reached record heights.
We saw a woman by the name of Jane Eyre
fly head over heels all up in the air
dropping a book our way
by the name of Agnes Grey.

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Notes

Brontes and books (Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte).

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Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.

Yetis are Polar Bears that Stayed in Mountains

Hi, it’s Chris Packwolf, wildlife correspondent at the Greenygrey in the style of Chris Packham in the human. Talking of Chris Packham, I think I must apologise for the Greenygrey, because since I took up a similar role in the Greenygrey everybody seems to want to go greenygreying with poor Packham.

Kate Humble and Me

Kate Humble gets a great perfect balance four-way greenygrey (Kate’s green top and green grass matched with the grey sign and wall) with Chris Packham captured in this image:

Kate Humble and Chris Packham (Photo credit: East Point Photography)

In this photo, Me looks like she sneaked the green bag into the photo once Chris was focusing on the camera to create a greenygrey foreground and background double.

Chris Packham and me (Photo credit: JeanM1)

I wonder if the man behind them is Me’s accomplice, getting in another grey to make it eight greenygreys by my reckoning (three greys in the jackets, together with sea and cloud, making five greys altogether, while the bag, trees and grass make three greens).

Greenygreying is of course still in its early years, and the scoring is therefore controversial. The sea could be classed as blue. Maybe one day we’ll have some kind of goal-line/magic eye technology to settle disputed calls.

Yeti and Me

Anyway, I have digressed, and now need a rest, without getting to the main story I’m here to present.

Swimming Polar Bear (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Last night I watched a fascinating documentary about yetis in the Himalayas. This has relevance for the Greenygrey as it is also looking for its origins of course.

The Channel Four documentary Bigfoot Files featured DNA analysis of ‘yetis’ found in Ladakh and Bhutan by Professor Bryan Sykes.

The DNA matched that of modern polar bears, so they think yetis are real, and that they are bears descended from the same origins as polar bears before they separated 40,000 years ago.

It’s a great discovery, but I hope it doesn’t lead to more yeti hunting!

There have of course also been sightings of Greenygreys in the Himalayas, including one of Greenygreys congregated in a groupack:

 

Oz Werewolf WWW Wordplay, Literary Nonsense Poetry

Hi, it’s Greenygrey. It only seems like two days since the last episode of Werewolf of Oz: Fantasy Travel by Google Maps. Maybe that’s because it is! Yes, that’s one great thing about having a late first episode of your favourite werewolf travels Australia to a Wizard of Oz theme travel quest epic comedy classic. And that’s the start of the satire.

This episode combines travel quest with comedy as the questing quartet continue their sea journey up the Oz east coast , with Shell Cove, Warrawong, Wollongong and Scarborough providing most of the wordplay inspiration, supported by a literary nonsense poem perhaps worthy of Edward Lear.

I wouldn’t really call the episode a comedy classic or travel quest epic, but it’s pretty good in a greenygrey hodge-podge of the two.

There’s not much dialogue in this episode. I asked Grey why, and it said their voices felt husky after leaving Huskisson. Enjoy…

Chapter 115.  Wall on Gong in Wollongong Keeps us Moving On

We continued travelling north up the east coast, thinking we’d overnight in Wollongong. We stopped in Shell Cove to re-energise, and were served by a friendly snail called Michelle.

Her shell reminded me of lobsters, and I told her I hadn’t seen any around. ’chelle replied with the cove-shaped Ode of Shell Cove:

There were 110 lobsters eating pears
contentedly up a crab-apple tree.
When along came a storm
and swept them out to sea.
They made themselves at home
and decided that’s where they’d be.

I thanked her for letting me know, and providing the energy, before bidding farewell.

War gorillas, War is wrong and Wall on gong 

Warilla-Lake South Gorillas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As we passed Warilla we saw gorillas warring on the beach. I was amazed to see this, as the gentle giants are usually very peaceful.

This was confirmed when we reached Warrawong, because the beach was full of gorillas holding a peace protest proclaiming ‘War is wrong’.

Strange events relating to place names seemed to be the theme of the day, because approaching Wollongong we heard a deafening gong sound from that direction. I wondered if we should land at Wollongong, as planned. The decision was made for us when we approached the city, because there was a massive wall all around it, just above the gong. 

So we continued past, hearing the gonging grow louder off Wollongong, and reach its decibel zenith parallel with Battery Park. Somewhere between Wombarra and Scarborough we sensed the sounds of silence again.

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Notes

Simon and Garfunkel covered Scarborough Fair, an old British ballad. They also had a song and album called Sounds of Silence.

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Link for Amazon book and kindle.

Link for multiple Ereaders at Smashwords.