Conversation

The other day I

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The other day I met a man who didn’t know where Tripoli was. Tripoli happened to come into the conversation, and he was evidently at a loss. Let’s see, he said. Tripoli is just down by the – er – you know. What’s the name of that place? That’s right, I answered, just opposite, Thingumabob. I could show you in a minute on a map. It’s near – what do they call it? At this moment the train stopped, and I got out and went straight home to look at my atlas.
A. A. Milne

An American has invented

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An American has invented a remote control that will turn off any telly within a 20ft radius. What a marvellous device! What a splendid invention! What a really helpful and improving way of devoting your time to building something that turns off culture. Next week, I’m instigating Burn a Book Week, to encourage even more conversation. I’ve come up with a fantastic little device which I’ll call a box of matches.
A. A. Gill

Without you the instruments

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Without you the instruments would die. One sits close beside you. Another takes a long kiss. The tambourine begs, Touch my skin so I can be myself. Let me feel you enter each limb bone by bone, that what died last night can be whole today. Why live some soberer way, and feel you ebbing out? I won’t do it. Either give me enough wine or leave me alone, now that I know how it is to be with you in constant conversation.
Rumi