The Inkwell
#Museums
The exhibits are rising
out on the floor – something is moving
movement of visitors feet going round the space
making a beeline for historic items and artwork
out on display – just waiting to be seen
reactions – muted behind a mask – but
out on the museum floor – they’re just happy to see the visitors again
when will be back to normal they ask – some couldn’t say – but now you need a ticket.
I
MMXX
a tie to the past
using an old numerical system
to tell you the year
and maybe the time
II
On a mission to bring Modernity
the diggers uncovered Tesserae
made from local clay
as architects called the uni
and builders downed tools for the day
III
They found some old spearheads, made by a legionnaire
and a clasp of a broach of a resident there
they said it were roman, as they found roman gold
and deduced they were at a market – where things were sold
IV
But as they kept looking – more modern things
were found by the roman antquities in the wings
Some shillings, and marble, a hammer, a thimble
found by a digger, who was quite nimble
V
And while the roman stuff goes to the big place
holding dinosaurs and plates
the modern stuff is staying in a place by the gates
so the people can see what was held in the ground
and the story of the objects that were found all around.
Something must have happened
Until now – we’ve been told to stay indoors
Move around only for Necessary Journeys
Maybe those down at Whitehall saw the
Elevated mercury from the thermometers on the wall –
Reaction varied – from the reserved to just plain crazy
The kids are acting as if they’ve never felt heat before, but
If they think – everythings back to normal – they’re wrong
Museums, Stadia, Art Galleries – all working differently
Expect to keep a distance when you visit.
#poetry #learning #expectation
Salford 16th February
A piece on school visits
Three coaches rolled up in the car park
One blue, one black, one green
Passing auntie, the football and the shops
Traffic jams were no fun
Or Waiting for the man with the sign to
Pass go from stop
There were grumbles getting off the coach
Old Trafford exchanged for the war museum
Pupils listening to sir, bore on
The security …. more of the same, but
Out of a corner….a new name
Person from a new place….change of space
Tanks and planes…new things to see
Objects to touch….and all for free
People to tell tales of air land and sea
And your guide at the entrance is about the space
A person to turn to with a friendly face
Telling a tale of the car, plane and gun
Making your visit a bit more fun
#Octpowrimo #Whoami
A notable thing is character
Being ones self
Creative experiences that
Define who you are
Even if its the only thing they’ll know you for
A few bumps and scratches along the way
Brain ops and chicken pox two little obstacles
Cerebral Palsy and “Juvenile arthritis” the other
Determination to walk and overcome the obstacles
Each medical “Expert” put in my path
A smile and friendly ear to all
Beavering away at a project or two
Crafting works with my camera (or pen and paper)
Delivering talks at a place of learning
Every week of the year
A keen reader, and audiobook listener
Bookshelves crammed with well known authors
Cricket shares space with Football (soccer) and Sci-Fi
Discworld stories and Tommy Cooper
Each book a page turner
A Family Album, now replaced by SD Cards
Brought to life by an electronic photo frame
Collated scribbles published by others
Don their own little space on the bookshelf as
Excited Spectators and Visitors are greeted by me
And memories of friends and family are all around
Behind individual knick-knacks sat in their spots
Commonwealth memories to
Days of academic achievement
Each one a little piece of the Jigsaw that makes me
#Fowc #Gratis
Sunday 16th June 2016
Gratuities gratefully accepted, but
Really, the entrance is free
As you wonder around amongst
The artifacts, in the grand building you entered
In fact, by dropping a few pence in the box – you might
Save the costs of preserving the items you walk around
#Fowc #Awesome
Salford 4th June 2019
If this reads a bit like a list – It’s not supposed to be!
Things I’ve done, Places I’ve seen
Being a cog as part of a much larger machine
Taking up writing as self – therapy
Helping out run some great events for free
Greeting students at the museum door
Laying down tiles of a competition floor
Rising to heights of an ancient scene
Keeping a log of the places I’ve been
Salford 16th August 2017
taken by inky like a magpie in summer, and collated for your enjoyment in response to the daily post
1. Diamond backed frog with two coins of the realm
2. The Moon, taken from a Salford Sky at Night
3. Plane in the test flight area of the RAF Museum at Cosford
4. Oldham Museum and Art Gallery – with its glass roof
5 . Coins
6. Pottery at Salford Museum and art Gallery
7. Imperial War Museum North’s Metal “Shattered Earth” – Really Shiny on Summer days
In response to the prompt
My Home town has plenty of green space to go at…
Two canals, a river network that runs up northern tributaries to Lancashire, and south towards Cheshire
These canals and rivers meet up near the old dock at Salford Quays, formerly “Manchester Docks”, I walk that way when I either head for the tram bound for Eccles or when i’m on duty at the Northern Branch of the Imperial War Museum
The Canal itself leads on through Manchester and other parts of the county.
The opportunities by the waterside have seen the waterways cleaned up and provide leisure for people all year round. Narrow boats are a regular sight on the canal network, and moorings line the route all the way to the point where the Irwell and Mersey meet
Opposite the Canal Basin at Castlefield lie the Forum where open air events take place, The Museum of Science and Industry, with its Engines, Cars, and Aeroplanes and the Roman Wall, where the Roman Fort remains are in situ.
Salford, 11th July 2017
when taking an interest in a subject, it pays to get the most of the subject matter.
Do your research, but don’t restrict yourself to a library 📚 books are great, however if you can see an item relating to your interest….it makes your interest solid.. tangible.
Its probably why I enjoy walking round the county museums and art galleries
taking in the counties art collections and exhibits and learning about the stories behind the picture.
I’ve covered the imperial war museum north a lot on this site. But there are many other galleries that bring art and history to life.
Lark hill place in the city art gallery is one such example. Whilst others admire the paintings of Lowry and other local artists, You walk down an actual Victorian street.
You can see items in the windows, smell the smells of Victorian life and hear the sounds of a Victorian day…hear the hooves of the horses hitting the cobbles, and the clang of the blacksmith getting ready to replace those horses shoes …all before going back to modern life and enjoying your packed lunch.
immerse yourself….you will enjoy it
The Inkwell