Glimpse through a Veil

ROGER TABER - POETRY READING

21 March 2017 – Part 3

Note from Roger’s friend, Graham

Hello again, welcome. And sorry for my long absence.

I’m sharing the final recording segment of the trio. I haven’t included the usual visual narrative for much of this as it’s essentially a question and answer session. The audience pose some interesting questions, I think, and Roger’s answers are candid. It lifts the veil on his creative process to some extent – which may interest any aspiring wordsmiths out there. In hindsight, I should have recorded and filmed more of his performances*. Ah well, c’est la vie.

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gygG7RTkbbw.

I intended to post this clip last autumn. Sadly, circumstances overtook me with the passing away of my mother. We were very close and I’m still not reconciled to her loss.

One of the tragic aspects of getting older is the inexorable loss of those we love. It can feel as if one’s life is being dismantled piece by piece. The grand aspirations we build – all brought to ruin. But even destruction has beauty. The fallen tree makes space for, and feeds new life. In dissolution, rebirth.

Meanwhile… I’m presently taking time off work to cat sit for a workmate. I’m residing in Whitstable; a small seaside town on the Kent coast. It’s a bright spring day with gulls gliding effortlessly in pastel blue sky. Pebble beaches and groynes interweave and arch; diminishing into a hazy headland. Above the chorus of glittering waves; the wistful cries of the gulls. People gather. Dog walkers call to their excited pets. Couples muzzle one another dreamily. Children, exuberant with laughter. Back at the house my two feline friends greet me affectionately. They gather at empty food bowls mewing expectantly…

I’ve stayed here numerous times over the years. And Roger often used visit. He adored cats and they obviously sensed his affinity for them. Another attraction for him was nostalgia, I think. Roger attended university in the nearby city of Canterbury. As you might expect we enjoyed many a boozy afternoon on his daytrips here. With conversation sometimes descending into vulgarity. I recall his comment at The Neptune (a beachside pub)… about ‘Neptune lapping at the groynes’ (or groins!). A reference to the Roman god of the sea, of course.

I plan to revisit The Neptune later. And watch the sun setting over the oyster beds. No doubt I’ll raise a toast to those dearly departed. Loved ones who remain part of life’s rich landscape.

* * *

PART 3

Questions and Answers

Observations on the Human Nature of Cats

Ode to a Mermaid*


(CC) R. N. Taber 2017

* originally published here: A Poet's Blog: Roger N.Taber shares his thoughts & poems...: Ode To A Mermaid.