Readings from the Pavilion End

Today we have a famous pre-war poem by Welsh poet, W. H. Davies, "Leisure." Born in 1871, Davies led a life filled with adventure, including a train accident in America that resulted in the loss of a leg. His memoir, "Autobiography of a Super-Tramp," provides a captivating account of his years of poverty and freedom.  Leisure is a startlingly simple poem of enduring relevance, beckoning us to take time to appreciate the beauty around us.  

Welcome to another episode of the Pavilion End podcast, where we dive into a captivating discussion between host Bill and Akshobh Giridharadas, a cricket writer and political theorist, about the riveting test series between England and India happening this week. The series so far has seen dramatic twists, with India feeling they should be leading 3-0, yet finding themselves 2-1 down. In this episode, they analyze the strategic brilliance of individual players like England's captain Ben Stokes who turned the tide in a tightly contested series; the intense pressure on both teams to perform, and the pivotal moments that have defined the series. Three down, two to go, with the fourth starting on Wednesday at Old Trafford, Manchester.   

In this episode, we have an extract from a much longer Tennyson narrative poem, 'The Princess', published in 1847. The poem tells the story of a heroic princess who 'forswears the world of men and founds a women's university where men are forbidden to enter' (source: wikipedia). 1847 was also the year of the founding of Britain's first university for women. This extract 'Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal' is from Part 7 of the poem and demonstrates Tennyson's interest in traditional forms of Persian poetry, which he could read. The poem consists of five stanzas, all beginning with "Now" and ending with "me", suggesting an urgency in which the lover and the beloved move towards union.  Motifs from mythology abound (Zeus and Danaë), with its references to the lushness of nature in the petals, firefly, peacock, the stars, meteors.. and hints of eroticism points to the larger theme of awakening and consummation whilst maintaining a Victorian propriety through the sonnet form.  The vivd and emotive language in the poem has also been set to music, most notably by the English composer and pianist Benjamin Britten in a song of the same title.  Find the poem here. 

Today's poem is dreamy and romantic, for Anita, whose birthday was celebrated yesterday on 5 December. Find the full poem here.  Intro music: Holizna Holy Night Lo-fi (Free Music Archive)

Today's poem was published in January 1920, one of e e cummings' earliest published works. As with many of cummings' poetry, it is best visualised on a page to appreciate its playful and deceptively simple construction. Take a look and find a commentary here.  P.S. Spread the cheer, share this with your friends! Intro: Santa's Lunch hour (Dee Yan-Key, Free Music Archive)

Count down to Christmas with an Advent calendar of readings. Today's poem is by Wendy Cope, after a child said, "If you don't have a real tree, you don't bring the Christmas life into the house." Hear Cope's narration here. P.S. We don't all have the luxury of a real tree, but this podcast is free so share it with your friends! Intro: Santa's Lunch hour (Dee Yan-Key, Free Music Archive)

Today we have an episode inspired by Bill's recent trip to Uzbekistan, a country full of history and culture. Reading from James Elroy Flecker's verse play, published posthumously, Hasan evokes vividly the splendours and charms of ancient Bagdad.   

A familiar and beloved classic, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, commonly known as 'The Daffodils'. 

A belated episode for Singapore's 60th National Day, a poem by Edwin Nadason Thumboo (b. 1933), poet and academic who is regarded as one of the pioneers of English literature in Singapore. "Ulysses by the Merlion" comes from a collection of poems by the same name, published in 1979. The poet adopts the persona of a well-travelled Ulysses encountering the Merlion, a half-fish, half-lion creature, and the people of Singapore.  Dedicated to Dr Maurice Baker, Thumboo's teacher and mentor, the poem is now on permanent display at the Merlion Park. When it was unveiled, Thumboo described the poem to be "doubly significant for me. Firstly, it is about Singapore, and gives a sense of the making of the city. Secondly, it is for my teacher, who like all good teachers is a maker of young minds. Good teachers hopefully produce good teachers in turn; they are part of the continuity of life."  Dr Baker's response: "The poem describes how Singaporeans have striven for racial harmony and, though of different cultures, have sought compromise. [...] The Merlion is a symbol of the aspirations of Singaporeans to have a new, spiritual image of themselves, beyond material success." It is debatable if the Merlion holds such lofty significance to Singaporeans, but surely, were Ulysses were to encounter the Merlion today, he would be puzzled, charmed by this unlikely creature.  

Welcome to another episode of Readings from the Pavilion End, where Bill is joined by the (now-familiar) Akshobh Giridharadas dive into the stunning fifth test of the India-England series at the Oval. It was a tensed finale with England chasing 35 runs and India needing four wickets.  This episode discusses historical parallels (Chris Woakes' brave return after a shoulder injury calls to mind cricketing legends like Colin Cowdrey and Nathan Lyon), iconic test matches, and the unforgettable performances of players who defied the odds.  We also touch on speculation for the upcoming Ashes, considering England and Australia's readiness for the epic showdown. Whether you're a cricket history buff or an Ashes series enthusiast, this episode offers discussions on memorable cricket events, sportsmanship, and the undying cricket spirit.

Welcome to the Pavilion End podcast, where today's conversation with AKSHOBH GIRIDHARADAS, a former sports journalist turned geopolitical specialist, traverses the fascinating and ever-evolving world of cricket. Bill (in Singapore) and Akshob (now based in Washington) traverses a 12-hour time difference to delve into the imminent World Test Championship final at Lord's, a thrilling face-off between Australia and South Africa. The episode unpacks the complex layers of South African cricket fandom, reflecting on their trials and tribulations in ICC tournaments and contemplating South Africa's prospects in the championship. Akshob and Bill explore the fluctuations of South African cricket fortunes and the challenges they face on the world stage. Beyond the immediate championship, the discussion stretches into the broader arena of Test cricket's future. They consider the potential impacts of the T20 format, the ever-changing dynamics of international cricket schedules, and the enduring spirit of the Test format.  Further reading by Bill and Akshob: https://akshobh.substack.com/p/the-pangs-of-being-a-proteas-supporter https://billpavilionend.com/looking-forward-and-back-to-world-test-championship-final/

On 8 May 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces and VE (Victory to Europe) Day was celebrated across Europe and the UK. The war in Japan would continue till August 1945 and the repercussions of the war, and the pain it left for millions who were affected, last even till this day. But on that day, there were celebrations for the ending of almost six years of fighting.  On the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe, we reflect on the ambivalence of living in a world where the echoes of past wars collide with the realities of present-day conflicts. Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est” exposes the horrific realities of war to young men, stripping away any illusion of glory and revealing the exhaustion, trauma, and bitter irony faced by soldiers. In stark contrast, we finish with Wendy Cope’s “Making Cocoa for Kingsley Amis”. If you're a fan of Cope, "All-Purpose Poem for State Occasions" from the same collection is fitting for the occasion as well.  

If you are listening to this, you probably enjoy poetry, but then...  Some people – that means not everyone. Not even most of them, only a few. Not counting school, where you have to, and poets themselves, you might end up with something like two per thousand. Like – but then, you can like chicken noodle soup, or compliments, or the color blue, your old scarf, your own way, petting the dog. Poetry – but what is poetry anyway? More than one rickety answer has tumbled since that question first was raised. But I just keep on not knowing, and I cling to that like a redemptive handrail. Translated by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh (The End and the Beginning, 1993) Source: The Wislawa Szymborska Foundation

It is the start of April, and we begin the month with a nonsensical poem to celebrate April Fools. Lewis Carroll's "Father William" was first published in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in 1865 in a scene where Alice recites this poem to the Caterpillar. Presented as a whimsical exchange between a boy and Father William, an elderly man whose actions defy conventional expectations of aging, the poem is actually a parody of Robert Southey's didactic poem "The Old Man's Comforts and How He Gained Them", originally published in 1799.   You might also enjoy S4 Ep 3 The Walrus and the Carpenter, also by Lewis Carroll.

Today's poem was part of a 1936 British documentary, produced by the General Post Office (GPO) Film Unit to demonstrate the postal system's modernity, and to boost morale of postal workers following the Great Depression. The film, which you can find online, documents the nightly steam train that travels from London to Scotland. The so-called Postal Service train is dedicated to carrying only post, and moves from Euston station in London, to Glasgow, then to Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The film ends with this poem, which vividly captures the quiet drama of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway's Scots Guardsman, touching the lives of so many.  Find out more about the poem's interesting history here.  Now off to write a letter to someone special!

A little bedtime story for small and big kids, enjoy!

Today we have Sonnet 29, one of the most beloved love sonnets of all time. You might be surprised that this forms part of the 'Fair Youth' series of 126 sonnets that scholars speculate were addressed not to Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, but to a young man. This compact sonnet consists of a single sentence and its meaning is direct, clear.. the speaker, in love and loved, would not trade his disgrace position with the state of kings. It's a little late for Valentines, but here's a belated greeting.  Find the sonnet here. 

Today's poem is a translation of Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert's The Power of Taste. Herbert, who lived through both Nazi occupation and communist rule, understood how far-reaching and oppressive authoritarian regimes were. This poem offers a sharp critique of the vulgarity of totalitarianism, suggesting that an aesthetic sensibility, the pursuit of beauty and dignity, can be an effective form of defiance.  Find the poem here. 

Bill's comments on the fourth and final day of the Galle test in Sri Lanka. Tell us what you think of the series, and find more cricket related writings on the blog. 

Bill reports live from Day 3 in Galle, Sri Lanka, an intriguing day.