Well, I’ve arrived here while contemplating doing a joint article with a poet on ‘Love and Disappointment’. The poet is putting the pressure on, setting deadlines – end of October, what shall I do!!?

Another complication is that I want to include these words from Gerard Manley Hopkins:

High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing…
No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermilion.

and these…

Only what word
Wisest my heart breeds dark heaven’s baffling ban
Bars or hell’s spell thwarts. This to hoard unheard,
Heard unheeded, leaves me a lonely began

I was thinking about this as a confirmed bachelor-hermit from northern NSW who travels on trains, realising that there might be some communication barriers in dealing with a confirmed spinster from southern NSW who travels on planes.

We can be quite poetic when saying our prayers on a plane flight, no? Can we draw upon Hopkins’ The Windhover? And answer the question of Love and Disappointment at the same time?

Can anyone help me? Maybe I should just steal the Flight Captain’s joke book…then again, Love and Disappointment are serious matters.

Dear Mr Hence the Hermit,
* I’ve also taken the liberty and posted (and replied) to this correspondence under our new ‘Love at First Sight’ story. Fits in very well there as well. And more people will get to meet our new Hermit under a new post. KJ.

The Rev Kev recomends The Sound of Music for all working families.

As that movie person says on Radio National – see you in the front stalls.

(And let’s have no cheap tweets like: not if I see you first).

The Rev Kev.

I don’t want to go National.

I’ve spent many years carving out a niche for myself in the exclusive ranks of REGIONAL airlines’ Mile High Clubs.

I’m Faster than The Ginger Man with MORE manoeuvres than Captain Baker.

Two boys at the front door.

Is G at home?

Sure! You want him to come and play?

Yes. We’re making a bomb.

Fine. But first he’s got to get out of his pyjamas.

Dear Greek & loving it,
Good work! In years to come you DON’T want to have a juvenile delinquent on your hands telling the social worker: ‘I am angry because my cruel and overbearing Mummy wouldn’t let me make a bomb, she wouldn’t let me make a bomb….. ‘ KJ.

Gonna leave on the Midnight Train,

All My Sins Are Taken Away.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/10/10/2710390.htm

Hanging upside down over a saltwater crocodile is not the best for introductions.

Chief Monk: I spin fra yo Ginerall! Kooran say lub yo enemas! One enema at a time! Truedat, YESSIREEBOB…..!

Grand General Bim Bang Golly Whata Bim Bang: You and your Darvish heretic friend are in for some interesting experiences. Do have a last request?

TGM: Yes, give me an Absinthe and play this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naC0PIL0EXE

TGM: Good to be in East Timor – Timor L’Este. Territory of the Free. No mistakes this time.

Control Tower: You make one very big mistake, Irishman. This is WEST Timor. You will be all taken into custody and brought before Grand General Bim Bang Golly Whata Bim Bang, the Territory Governor.

Captain Baker: We’re all gonna die!

Napoleon: I demand full imperial rights as extended to me on Elba and St Helena.

TGM: Shut up, Nappy, this is serious. Break out the Pacific oysters that seem to have crashed through the windows, and serve them for breakfast.

……Then coming back to the sound of Vera Lynn, and a bottle of the green stuff.

Why is everything so BLOODY WHITE?

To be continued.

Please Mister Hockey Stick, please Mister Hockey Stick……return to yo seat.

All under control, yesirreebobtruedat.

To be continued.