A new season of Poems on the Underground has been launched, this time with a World theme to coincide with the Olympics in the summer. I like getting on a tube train and noticing poetry on the walls. The first of the new poems I noticed was 'Carving' by Imtiaz Dharker with some lovely imagery and lines:
Imtiaz Dharker (see her website) is representing Pakistan since she was born there but her parents moved to Glasgow when she was one year old and she describes herself as a Scottish Muslim Calvanist. She's also reported to be taking part in the cultural events over the summer related to the Olympics, specifically the Poetry Parnassus at the Southbank.
The Southbank site states:
In summer 2012, Southbank Centre launches Poetry Parnassus. This visionary festival sees poets from all participating Olympic nations come together for a week of readings, talks and performances. Poetry Parnassus marks the first time that so many poets from so many parts of the planet have converged in one place; it is a monumental poetic happening worthy of the spirit and history of the Olympics.
This sounds quite an interesting venture and calling it 'Parnassus' is a nice link to the Olympics as well as well-worn artistic themes. I've been on Mount Parnassus, y'know. I'll watch out for tickets for this event and will need to get hold of some of the works of Ms Dharker.
Others can carve out
their space
in tombs and pyramids.
Our time cannot be trapped
in cages.
Nor hope, nor laughter.
We let the moment rise
like birds and planes and angels
to the sky.
Eternity is this.
Your breath on the window pane,
living walls with shining eyes.
The surprise of spires,
uncompromising verticals. Knowing
we have been spared
to lift our faces up
for one more day,
into one more sunrise.
Imtiaz Dharker (see her website) is representing Pakistan since she was born there but her parents moved to Glasgow when she was one year old and she describes herself as a Scottish Muslim Calvanist. She's also reported to be taking part in the cultural events over the summer related to the Olympics, specifically the Poetry Parnassus at the Southbank.
The Southbank site states:
In summer 2012, Southbank Centre launches Poetry Parnassus. This visionary festival sees poets from all participating Olympic nations come together for a week of readings, talks and performances. Poetry Parnassus marks the first time that so many poets from so many parts of the planet have converged in one place; it is a monumental poetic happening worthy of the spirit and history of the Olympics.
This sounds quite an interesting venture and calling it 'Parnassus' is a nice link to the Olympics as well as well-worn artistic themes. I've been on Mount Parnassus, y'know. I'll watch out for tickets for this event and will need to get hold of some of the works of Ms Dharker.
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