Fresh from arguing the toss with Harry B a few posts down, I was driven to think a bit more about how dreary things can be when music or other art forms are too tightly alligned to people's political imperatives. I'm currently living in Palestine and the political overtones and constant emphasis on the need to use music and art as tools for resistance, or to put them in some confrontational context can be suffocating, although of course I can understand it. It just drains all the spontaneity out of a lot of music and makes the listener (well, me) feel that a more sombre resopnse than tapping one's foot is called for. I want to have a few beers sometimes here and listen to some local music without necessarily feeling that by doing so I helping hold the line against Zionism. I tried to find a copy of Frank Ormsby's poem, 'Apples, Normandy, 1944' which I seem to remember sort of addressed this issue, but can't find it. Would anyone who has a copy of this poem be kind enough to email it to me? It would greatly help to preserve my sanity here!
Sorry Jeremy, I know this one is pushing it a bit!
Apples, Normandy, 1944
Apples, Normandy, 1944
Fresh from arguing the toss with Harry B a few posts down, I was driven to think a bit more about how dreary things can be when music or other art forms are too tightly alligned to people's political imperatives. I'm currently living in Palestine and the political overtones and constant emphasis on the need to use music and art as tools for resistance, or to put them in some confrontational context can be suffocating, although of course I can understand it. It just drains all the spontaneity out of a lot of music and makes the listener (well, me) feel that a more sombre resopnse than tapping one's foot is called for. I want to have a few beers sometimes here and listen to some local music without necessarily feeling that by doing so I helping hold the line against Zionism. I tried to find a copy of Frank Ormsby's poem, 'Apples, Normandy, 1944' which I seem to remember sort of addressed this issue, but can't find it. Would anyone who has a copy of this poem be kind enough to email it to me? It would greatly help to preserve my sanity here!
Sorry Jeremy, I know this one is pushing it a bit!
# Posted on September 6th 2006 by sergeant fox
Re: Apples, Normandy, 1944
Can't find it. Does he still teach in INST? I work up the street from there.
# Posted on September 7th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Apples, Normandy, 1944
http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/literature/poetry/ormsby92.htm
"He (Ormsby) is the Head of English at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution". (Wikipedia)
# Posted on September 7th 2006 by Donough
Re: Apples, Normandy, 1944
So, he teaches in Inst. Could maybe get in touch with him, to see if he the words.
# Posted on September 7th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: Apples, Normandy, 1944
Thanks for the offer, BB, I'll ask me ma to pop down the library instead! Cheers.
# Posted on September 8th 2006 by sergeant fox
Re: Apples, Normandy, 1944
I suppose that makes more sense.
# Posted on September 9th 2006 by bodhran bliss