Moonlight is my Silver, Sunlight is my Gold …
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Music was my first love
And it will be my last.
Music of the future
And music of the past.
The card, from where the title of post comes from, depicts this immortal tiger … reminding me of William Blake’s poem … but also bringing to mind John Miles' beautiful song from 1976 ...
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| Blake's original copy see link |
Tyger Tyger, burning bright …
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
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| The Nebra Sky Disc - the Pleiades represented as the circle of stars |
Then I remembered the Pleiades … their rising heralded
the start of the Ancient Greek sailing season using celestial navigation … which
cultures around the world have known since antiquity.
Onto the Cyclades … the island group in the Aegean Sea
- with uninhabited Delos considered the birthplace of Apollo – the God of Sun
and Light …
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| See antipodes for Crates Mallus |
My wandering
thoughts went on to Antipodes … any spot on earth diametrically opposite to it …
each point is as far away from its opposite as possible.
We are used to
referring to Australia and New Zealand as our Antipodes – not quite true, but
for the chit chat of life, near enough …
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| Trondholm Sun Chariot |
Well Bran Tub # 17 has let me wander around … each
word or image leading to the next … it seems my world always leads me onwards,
reaching out beyond the silvery moon into the great unknown of life beyond the
glowing sun …
With these thoughts and images I leave you … it is a
wonderful world.
Links to poems and images: for more information and credits ...
John Miles - musician, songwriter - who wrote "Music" ... the first verse appears here ...
Tyger Tyger referencing Blake’s original painting of
The Tyger c 1795 held by the British Museum …
Pleiades ... including the Nebra Sky Disc (c 1600 BC)
The Terrestial Sphere of Crates Mallus (c 150 BC) ... showing the region of the antipodes in the southern half of the western hemisphere ... and see Antipodes ...
Trondholm sun chariot ... a Nordic Bronze Age artifact, c 1400 BC
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
44 comments:
Bran tub challenge? Interesting. Music and poetry are powerfully expressive media. It's interesting listening to the music J enjoyed as a teenager from my LP collection. Not all of them last thdctest of time yet some stay absolute favourites for ever! Madeleine x
PS I've changed the settings on my new blog so hopefully if you try joining again your details will appear normally.
Even in the USA, Australia and New Zealand are just about as far away as you can get. That's a long flight.
A beautiful weaving together of the words with the images!
Isn't there a website that gives you the antipodes of where you are? I think I saw something like that a while ago.
A magical selection, Hilary, thank you 🌹
Hari OM
..."it is a wonderful world."... oh, it is, Hilary, it is!!! &*> Loved this roam around the connections. YAM xx
Thanks for reminding me of William Blake, Hilary. I have read quite a bit of modern poetry in recent years but this gives me the urge to get back to some of the classics.
I think I had as much fun wandering with you as you did on your own! What a wonderful variety of things to ponder and explore.
I may be the only one who doesn't know, though: what does Bran Tub stand for?
@ Madeleine – not so much a challenge, as a place where I can write eclectic notes. Music and Poetry are very powerful – they seem to come to the fore on occasion. I’m glad you’ve still got your LPs – vinyl is the thing today …
Re the blog – it’s something my end … not sure what – I’ve changed my photo … but it still doesn’t appear … it used to! One day I’ll sort it!
@ Alex – yup … long flights … I just liked the three words (Pleiades, Cyclades and Antipodes) … and as they fitted with my images – things stayed mix and match …
@ Damyanti – thank you … it was a weave – and I struggled to stop … but stop myself I did.
@ Liz – I’m sure there is … but I’m afraid I needed to stop looking at that stage and get the post up …
@ Carole – yes my imagination was fired up for this post …
@ Yam – it sure is ‘a wonderful world’ … glad you enjoyed my roaming with its connections …
@ David – I love William Blake – particularly this poem – but am glad this has jogged your memory to return to other classical poems … there’s so much to read and enjoy …
@ Lynda – so pleased you enjoyed my selection of linked ‘goodies’ - a motley selection.
Bran Tub is like a lucky dip at a fairground … a big bucket or barrel, filled with sawdust … into which small packages, toys, etc are mixed – and for a lucky dip (at a fee for charity of course) you get a prize … lucky or otherwise!
Thanks so much for coming by – I’d forgotten about my Bran Tub postings … glad I remembered at the last minute – so I could slot this post into the sequence … cheers Hilary
Oh. I love that song of John Mies, thanks for the memory...... It's a wonderful world, also great memories of Louis Armstrong. The Rhodesian Police band had a guy who looked and sung all Louis Armstrongs songs with of course the white handkerchief, he was fantastic, more amazing memories.
Hope all is well, cheers Diane
Hilary I read this and I assume it is your travels in your mind. I didn't know any of these places. I think you and your followers are rouge (?) scholars. I did enjoy learning about things. Sandie
Loved wandering some of the eclectic pathways of your mind with you. Many thanks. And yes, it IS a wonderful world.
It's a big wonderful world full of beauty. Enjoyed your post, glad I stopped over.
Cheers...
I haven't heard "Tyger Tyger, burning bright …In the forests of the night" for 55 years, but I still remember it clearly. Not that I ever knew the author... so thank you.
@ Diane - delighted John Miles' song rang a happy bell ... and now you mention it - Louis Armstrong's 'It's a Wonderful World' does come to mind. I'd never heard mention of the Rhodesian Police Band here before ... what fun - such amazing musicians who participate in their company bands ... so pleased those memories came back for you. All well, thank you ...
@ Sandie - they're interesting subjects and I learn when I write these posts up, and put the links in for others to check out and learn more.
@ EC - thank you ... these eclectic pathways lead me all over the place ... and I'm happy you're enjoying my rambles off. It is a wonderful world ...
@ Truedessa - so good to see you ... we are lucky we can enjoy our world.
@ Hels - it is one of those poems that seems to stick in the mind ... and always comes to the fore at appropriate times for me. William Blake was such an iconic poet, painter and printmaker ... yet at the time was mostly unrecognised for his work. I should study him more ...
Thanks so much to you all for visiting ... lovely to see you here - cheers Hilary
You are a wonderful "mental tour" guide!
Some very pretty pictures here! And I know how it is to wander from one thought to the next! I do it all the time.
I love your mind travels, research, and connections. Very esoteric and rich. Your illustrations and art match perfectly. Your Brain Tub is overflowing with fun. Thanks!
Antipodes has fascinating topics for some short stories I'm working on. No spoiler alerts but I'm having a lot of fun with it.
It is a wonderful world though some days I have to look hard to find it....though a tiger burning bright often helps....
Thank you Hilary, I will now have Tyger, Tyger etc. stuck in my head. I always do whenever I read it or hear it. One of my favourites.
You certainly wandered far and wide this time.
This is why I love your posts. So much cool stuff in this one. The winner: Antipodes. I had no idea what that was. If pressed, I would have said a Greek city!
What a wonderful post Hilary! I love the way your mind meandered across continents and literature alike..it wa sa joy to read. Thank you, Debbie X
How I love these connected meanderings Hilary - this is precisely my cup of tea!
You started with a song I love, reminded me of a wonderful poem and it got better and better as I read on! A delightful post Hilary.
You circle around and find new things that way.
I love tigers. Such beautiful animals.
I had forgotten that song and couldn’t have told you who sang it (even now I know I can’t place him), but as soon as I read the first line I could sing it in my head. Memory is a strange thing!
Moonlight, sunlight, poetry, the night sky, travel- I love it all. Thanks for sharing these thoughts with us. :)
~Jess
The universe and beyond are poetic travel points for me and for my art. I've always loved Tyger, Tyger burning bright...!
It truly is a wonderful world, so filled with variety, excitement, imagination. That little card of the tiger with his poem is lovely! Such a delightful verse.
@ Jz – thanks … delighted you enjoyed the brain food …
@ Sue – it’s distracting to put it mildly … but I do enjoy my flutterings around subjects …
@ Joanne – perhaps I could have called it brain tub – a thought … but I’m delighted you enjoyed the look around a different space …
@ Stephen – oh your antipodean stories sound fascinating … that’s great news ….
@ Ray – yes being with my mother in her last few years was very challenging … but the thing that kept me from going down was coming back here to the positivity that abounded … so keep your chin up – life is so challenging at times … particularly in your situation … I’m glad the tiger burns bright at times for you …
@ Jo – yes – it is one of those poems that creep back into our frontal lobes … it’s such a great poem. I’m not really sure how it came about … but that’s the blogging girl’s life at times!
@ Jacqui – thanks so much … I enjoy my learning too and wracking my poor brain when the grey cells won’t let the idea come to the foreground stretches me to remember or search.
Then you got me looking a little further ‘Antipodes’ could refer to other things … but this is the main one: the geographical explanation … but I’m glad you now know what it means in simple terms ….
@ Debbie – it really was a stretching reach … my brain got a little wracked … but I’m so glad it cheered you in your reading of it …
@ Deborah – many thanks … it was very much ‘off the cuff’ – then lead me out to these three subjects … it was meant to be about the Perseid comet shower that happens at this time of year … but I wandered off to the other three and forgot the Perseids!
@ Keith – thanks … when the brain got into gear the post came together … so pleased you enjoyed it …
@ Diane – remembering things, finding new things always gives the brain food for thought. Tigers are amazing creatures … I’ve always loved them … children’s stories …
@ Anabel – well if something underneath this comment form hadn’t enlightened me … I’d have never have known! I certainly can’t place John Miles – but he’s stood the test of time for others … Memory is a strange thing isn’t it …
@ Jess – once it started coming together it was a fun post to draft up and add the images … many thanks …
@ Monti – your art reaches out beyond … and you draw on so much that we experience in life and are able to express it through your paintings. Tyger, Tyger is an evocative poem … it always comes to mind …
@ Karen – thanks I picked the card up over on Vancouver Island … and sent it off to a special friend recently. It is a wonderful world – there’s so much to see, to experience all intertwined with life as it find us …
Thanks so much – delighted you enjoyed my wanderings around the universe – both earthly and cosmic … my mind was stretched somewhat … cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary!
This lovely post certainly takes us on a journey; past and present, overland and celestial. I was reminded of the song “By the light of the Silvery moon” which was recorded by Al Jolson, who also did “Red, Red, Robin” another childhood favorite ;-) Celestial navigation has always fascinated me, especially the fact that, in addition to humans, birds, seals, and insects rely on it as well.
I hugely enjoyed this stream-of-consciousness post! A real ramble through your mind and memory!
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s never knowingly novaturient Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
It's a wonderful world indeed, Hilary.
Cheers,
It really is a wonderful world, especially when looking at it from a different perspective such as yours. I was born in 1976, I have always loved that poem and you taught me a new word, at least I think it's new to me for I don't remember "antipodes" - very interesting. I feel the need to find the antipode to where I live now. Good fun. Thank-you Hilary!
Andrea
I am going to have to tell my HS Geography teacher he was wrong.
From poetry to antipodes, you covered a lot of ideas and wrapped them up in a lovely little package! Next time I’m with my boys, I’ll try to impress them by dropping antipodes into the conversation. I always enjoy learning new things here, Hilary!
Julie
@ Diedre - yes I did wander along (or around) didn't I. Thanks for reminding me about Al Jolson's two songs ... both wonderful ... and Red Red Robin takes me way back to my pre-teen years.
Celestial navigation just amazes me and like you I'm fascinated by it - thanks for reminding us that birds, bees, butterflies and the beauties of the ocean also somehow rely on instinctual navigation ...
@ Bazza - that's exactly what it was ... a real ramble along - I must say: I enjoyed it, and it seems to have done me some good! Showering happy thoughts within this blogosphere ...
@ Sandra - yes, our wonderful world ...
@ Andrea - my take on life is a little different to most people's. Blake's poem I've always loved ... and I'm not even sure where I learnt it - I suspect at home ... but could have been school.
Antipodes - it's interesting it's a word we here in Europe and down under (Australia and New Zealand) seem to know ... yet the American continent doesn't apparently seem to know about the word 'antipodes' - looks like it's because most of them are in the ocean: so I'm afraid you're unlikely to find your Canadian one ... I've had a brief look.
@ Powdered Toast Man - oh dear ... what did your Geography teacher get wrong? We've learnt so many new things in recent years ...
@ Julie - your conversation will be hilarious ... I'd love to be with you listening to the banter ... I'm afraid as far as America is concerned yours too is a drop in the ocean! That would not be funny!
Thanks to you all - here we grow up with antipodean family and friends ... and I'd never really realised that there are actually very few antipodean cross matches - strange but true ... check out the link I included. It is a strange and wonderful world - so pleased these meanderings made happy reading for so many of you - cheers Hilary
It absolutely is a wonderful world, Hilary.
I love your tapestry of thoughts and images!
Swinging over to say hello. I love the word antipode, and seeing what is the direct opposite of where you are located. It's a term I've never heard until now!
Well, this was an interesting roundabout tour of your mind. :) Isn't it funny how our minds can flit from this to that like a happy butterfly? Thanks for taking us along for the trip. Yes, it IS a wonderful world.
What is this "Bran Tub" you speak of, Hilary? Looks like a fabulous prompt to spark one's imagination! Can anyone join in?
Music, poetry history...you've covered just about everything. Had the pleasure of visiting two of the Cyclades islands, Mykonos and Santorini. They were magical, as is all of Greece! 💖 Lovely post!
When I lived in the USA, China was considered the Antipodes (if you dig far enough, you'll get to China). Let's not discuss the error in geography. Now that I'm in NZ, I thought that somewhere in the UK was our antipodes. I just looked it up and it is Setenil de las Bodegas, Andalusia, Spain for Auckland.
@ Donna - I know there's so many possibilities, so many who will help in time of need - while what we can learn is never ending. Thanks ... my tapestry of life makes me happy.
@ Rosey - it's interesting ... I didn't think antipodes would be so unknown on the American continent - but hadn't realised your antipodes (and actually as well as ours) would be a lot of ocean.
@ Susan - yes my wandering mind really did let the winds take it this way and that ... but it's always good to see what's around.
@ Debbie - the "Bran Tub" - is a 'thing' we have at fairs or local attractions ... where there's a barrel, or a bucket filled with sawdust (or similar) material ... into which small (wrapped) prizes/gifts are buried to be 'won' as a surprise for a payment of a small donation.
I started writing them in July 2016 ... and had forgotten about that series - so thought I should revive it. There are things I want to write notes about - not a full bloodied post ... just whatever is in my mind ...
Greece is amazing isn't it ... and I can understand your love of Greece and its islands ... magical as you say ...
@ Rhonda - it does seem that China is considered antipodean to the States - and yes I agree re the 'error' in geographical interpretation.
I was interested to see where Australia and New Zealand appeared as antipodean to us ... we're as oceanically-wet antipodean-wise as the Americas are ... the maps are interesting to be aware of. Taught me something ...
Thanks so much to you all - I'm glad the post generated some cross references - cheers and have good weeks ... Hilary
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