GETTING ACQUAINTED
A personal view
Try it, he encouraged over a devilish red flotilla of screaming chillies. His favourite restaurant. Unknown Japanese, Middle Eastern and Mexican eateries soon follow. Hmmm …. will he eat anything I can cook?
A publisher he said, of poetry. Poetry I’ve heard of? Probably not he said. Not Duffy or Armitage, I remember nervously intoning. He has this cute way of frowning over the top of his glasses.
He says he’s recently been publishing some 60 books of poetry a year, but is definitely cutting down; maybe 40 this year, 30 the next. Three years on and it’s creeping towards 70. Can ex-bankers not count?
Well they need publishing he says. It would be unkind to mention the Classics, the Donne and Carew this year, which provide no financial return but give him such pleasure.
Berlin the first of trips; Spring, epitome of romance. But curry sausages? How many art galleries and museums? All dreamed away on a blissful cloud of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at the Philharmonie; who but he would have thought of pre-booking that?
Or did he only choose Berlin for the bears, of which it is no secret he is inordinately fond. Crikey, that’s a serious-looking camera; is there anything he doesn’t do?
A personal view
Try it, he encouraged over a devilish red flotilla of screaming chillies. His favourite restaurant. Unknown Japanese, Middle Eastern and Mexican eateries soon follow. Hmmm …. will he eat anything I can cook?
A publisher he said, of poetry. Poetry I’ve heard of? Probably not he said. Not Duffy or Armitage, I remember nervously intoning. He has this cute way of frowning over the top of his glasses.
He says he’s recently been publishing some 60 books of poetry a year, but is definitely cutting down; maybe 40 this year, 30 the next. Three years on and it’s creeping towards 70. Can ex-bankers not count?
Well they need publishing he says. It would be unkind to mention the Classics, the Donne and Carew this year, which provide no financial return but give him such pleasure.
Berlin the first of trips; Spring, epitome of romance. But curry sausages? How many art galleries and museums? All dreamed away on a blissful cloud of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at the Philharmonie; who but he would have thought of pre-booking that?
Or did he only choose Berlin for the bears, of which it is no secret he is inordinately fond. Crikey, that’s a serious-looking camera; is there anything he doesn’t do?
Gosh, is this he? Black tie, not a cowboy belt or boot in sight. Twinge of remorse for exiling the latter; they would have looked good, silver twinkling through Scottish reels. Is there anyone who doesn’t want to dance with him?
First spontaneous gift: good heavens it’s a book. The Good Soldier. It seems my credentials are unensured until proper appreciation of the novel is confirmed. Phew, a pass. Gifts of Folio editions of classics follow. Who on earth can keep up with his expansive reading?
What does one give the self-sufficient man as a Christmas gift? My knowledge of cowboy boots is not up to the task. Of course … something special in the book line that can’t possibly already decorate the yards of shelving. Inspiration provided by Marius at the wonderful Peter Ellis bookshop: a special limited edition of B Bunting poems. Only to be kindly informed his own copy lay in the vast surrounding library. Where can one buy authentic cowboy boots in London?
First spontaneous gift: good heavens it’s a book. The Good Soldier. It seems my credentials are unensured until proper appreciation of the novel is confirmed. Phew, a pass. Gifts of Folio editions of classics follow. Who on earth can keep up with his expansive reading?
What does one give the self-sufficient man as a Christmas gift? My knowledge of cowboy boots is not up to the task. Of course … something special in the book line that can’t possibly already decorate the yards of shelving. Inspiration provided by Marius at the wonderful Peter Ellis bookshop: a special limited edition of B Bunting poems. Only to be kindly informed his own copy lay in the vast surrounding library. Where can one buy authentic cowboy boots in London?
His thoughtfulness is legendary, or should be. Neither rash nor selfish, he is quietly patient, considerate, kind and incredibly forbearing. Can his stoicism be rattled? At last an answer: No, I’ve tried.
Tony, enjoy your well-deserved Festschrift, a tribute to your extraordinary dedication (I know the hours you work ….) And thank you for being all that you are, but mostly for uncomplainingly putting up with cooking a little light on chillies.
Tony, enjoy your well-deserved Festschrift, a tribute to your extraordinary dedication (I know the hours you work ….) And thank you for being all that you are, but mostly for uncomplainingly putting up with cooking a little light on chillies.
Lynda Waters