The Climb

Look up, stairs begin

the steps are arching up,

winding their way over mountains, 

through clouds, and across valleys

steps of stone pave the way, 

multiple routes to choose from,

but in the end,

the destination is always the same,

the mountain top, the peak, top of the hill,

and the end of the climb, 

slip, stumble, scramble and bumble, step high

and carry yourself over 

the little stones, the pebbles

some who climb, rush to the top, 

climbing quickly,

swiftly, non-stop

some leisure, distinct and slow

no rush to get where they're gonna go

others still enjoy the view, 

never-mind the climb

it's surprising to see, 

just when you  think you've finished 

that the stairs never stop.

`

THE MEGAPHONE

Found poem from William Golding's Lord of the Flies.

Pages: 6-17, 45-53, 91-101

The megaphone?

The man with the megaphone?

Where's the man?

Silent, a gleaming tusk

fading pink,  spiral twist, covered 

embossed, delicate

right to speak

beginnings of power, shaking the mountain

calling an assembly 

I've got the conch

I've got the conch

Link with the world of Authority? 

Cradling the conch, cradling 

Take the Conch

The conch, he began to blow

savages appeared, they carried spears

moving among the trees

Mock hunting, hysterical laughter 

real terror 

Stop a minute!

right to speak

beginnings of power, shaking the mountain

calling an assembly...

He's got the Conch!


Hopefully the audio/video will upload properly:
https://vimeo.com/65123302

The Wars By Timothy Findley (9)

Having just finished Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars" I must say that I throughly enjoyed it.  The story had it's ups and downs, and with each twist it was slowly able to pique my engagement.  The story's epilogue was, I felt was a bit weak but, that might be because of the change in pace.    For anyone, who doesn't know, the novel, is essentially a tragedy, as the protagonist suffers and watches others suffer through out the course of the story.  You might say that Robert Ross, the protagonist, suffers from taedium vitae.   All the same, I throughly enjoyed the novel, albeit with small amounts of lassitude due to transitional stages that Robert goes through.

I recommend this novel to any major reader who has yet to read it.  Very thought provoking and historically relevant.  8/10

The Wars By Timothy Findley (8)

Having almost completed Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars," I have to say that while it is not my favorite book, nor the most action packed book, it definitely a good read, and it is a great read. Many parts through out the book have caught my interest and many parts are thought provoking.  However, with the good, also comes that bad, and as such, there are many dark parts of the book.  Many things that would be horrible experiences, are experienced by the protagonist, Robert Ross. I think that I might just recommend this book to my friends who haven't read it yet, because of it's eye opening ability and it's though provoking story.
I am working on the last chapter now, and so, I will write another post once I have finished it, and had time to think about it.  Thanks for reading. 

The Wars by Timothy Findley (7)

Tragedy is a dominant theme through out Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars". The book starts with the main character's sister dying and through out the novel, Robert, loses friends to the war. Eventually, through a series of complex events, he ends up in a struggle against the very people he was suppose to be fighting for. And throughout the entire novel, Robert takes a very naive and pessimistic view on life. Even though he is badly burnt near the end of the book, he still refuses to give up on life. One major cause of his problems is his naive view on life which is corrupted by the horrors he has to witness. Because of this, he loses his temper over many things and takes his rage out on the people around him. However, it's not just Robert Ross who has to undergo traumatic events, as many of the people that he knew have also been injured. For example, Taffler, someone who Robert respected, tried to commit suicide because Taffler lost both his arms during the war.
However, as much as tragedy is part of the story, there is still some happiness in the story. Not much sure, but it is there.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (6)

While reading Timothy Findley's novel, "The Wars" several questions have been dancing around at the back of my mind. The first thought is about what life must have been like during the war. During my life, the war in the Middle East took place, and although it was a serious conflict, it didn't require the same amount of sacrifice as the First World War. Robert had to go through an incredible amount of stress and hardship. His friends are killed, he lives in horrible conditions and almost gets killed many times. Even through all of it, Robert manages to hold onto his sanity, although he does struggle. I think that it is a testament to Robert's ability to survive, and to struggle on, even though it doesn't look like he can.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (5)

I'm about halfway through the book, and it really is just a story about a regular, but unfortunate guy during World War One. For example, at the point I am at in the book, there is a lot of information about the protagonist. It is basically just a description about what is going on in Roberts life, however it doesn't ever really go into detail on his thoughts. I find this a little strange because normally the author wants the reader to know what the protagonist is thinking. Anyhow, some of it is from the perspective of a person listening to a tape of a conversation, but it is easy to forget that because it is written somewhat awkwardly.

It is not very surprising, to me at least, that while it isn't a terrible book I don't have a lot to say about it. It feels like not much is actually going on, even though vast changes occur in the protagonist's life. That's all I really have to say at the moment, so long for now.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (4)

Having read a lot of Timothy Findley's book, "The Wars" today, I can happily say that it is starting to pique my interest. However, there is something that I am having a problem understanding. The main character's mother, Mrs Ross, is angry that her son enlisted, which I can understand, but what I don't get is how she seems to take it as a personal offence. I will have to read some more to see if it is explained better, but so far it doesn't really seem to make sense.

Something else that I wish to remark on, was the conditions of that time, before the soldiers even got to the trenches. For example, on the boat ride across the Pacific, the regular infantry and the officers both had to live in extremely cramped quarters. The conditions for everyone on board would be considered horrible, especially because it would be near impossible to treat any illnesses.
Anyways, those are my thoughts on the book for now, and so I'm off to read some more.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (3)

I find that the book, 'The Wars' by Timothy Findley for the most part  is hard to read and dull.  However, even though the book seems to have a very grey style of writing,  read boring,  I still think that it has some redeeming qualities. Such as when the complex relationship that Robert forms with people, such as Taffler.   And even though there is a fair amount of bigotry, especially against people who do not met the standard of what is normal, these relationships often shows what both character's personalities are like as well as what is typical of society at that time.

I find it interesting how much information the reader can discover from just comparing the ideals and lives of the people from other times and from their own, and their friends lives.

That's all for now.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (2)

I have just acquired my copy of "The Wars", and am finding it an interesting, albeit slow, read.  I am almost 30 pages in and so much has happened, even though the main character hasn't done very much. I find that this is common among Canadian novels, and it is a refreshing break from much of modern media.   Too often stories (especially t.v. and movies) focus on special effects and explosions while neglecting the story.  
Anyways, there is something that I find strange.   There is a scene in which the main character tries to stop someone who was hired to kill his recently deceased sister's rabbits.  He surprises the would be rabbit killer, who then proceeds to beat the protagonist  with a some kind of club.
What I find so strange about this, is that it explicitly says that the hired killer has to be pulled off of the protagonist, but it also says that the hired rabbit killer struck the first blow in self-defense and surprise.  However, why not just stop after the first blow or two?  Why would the hired man continue to beat the protagonist? (whose name by the way, is Robert)


That is about all I can think of to say about the novel at the current moment.  I'll have to read more so that I can discover what happens next.
Thanks for reading.

The Wars by Timothy Findley (1)

For my English 11 class, we have to chose a book to do a report on.  Because I was away on a school field trip, I missed the class and I was assigned the book 'The War'.  I didn't choose this book, but I don't particularly mind having to do it.   It should be an interesting read about life in the trenches during  WW 2.  Hopefully I will able to expand my grade 11 social studies knowledge about WW 2 although I'm not sure how accurate the information in the book will be.  I am interested to know if the protagonist will die, and the story will turn out to be a tragedy or if it will end happily.  I personally think it could very well be a tragedy.
Anyways, that's it for now.