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Thursday 15 September 2016

heads in the sand / The Spell

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#Yemen - A girl attends a parade held by women loyal to the #Houthis movement in #Sana’a  By K. Abdullah @Reuters: image via Photojournalism @photojournalink, 13 September 2016


 Urban fox, Bristol, UK: photo copyright by Sam Hobson / Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 14 September 2016

The Spell

The day of the dead when
the veil between us and them
is thinnest eyelash
kitty breath umbrella flutter
psychic butterfly --

A whole procession of them coming
pushing through the net –- the sugar candy
shedding of the skin and how
it lets the wind blow through the veins
the dance of the skulls and when
the spinning of the little mechanic
inside the toy clock stops
the dark man carrying two suitcases
steps from the now no longer moving train --

That’s the day when
I know someone will be
no longer waiting,
the unborn child said.
I invented what I wanted to say
in case anybody out there,
on a cold grey day in autumn,
wanted to hear the thoughts
of the dead --
I opened the door and
in flew a moth, thinking
twilight came early




 
 A common pipistrelle bat emerges just after nightfall from its roost in a derelict house in Salamanca, Spain, to go hunting. Each has an appetite for up to 3,000 insects a night, which it eats on the wing. Its flight is characteristically fast and jerky, as it tunes its orientation with echolocation to detect objects in the dark. The sounds it makes -- too high‑pitched for most humans to hear -- create echoes that allow it to make a sonic map of its surroundings: photo copyright by Mario Cea / Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 14 September 2016
 
Boys play next to the gates of the Zueitina oil terminal, west of Benghazi, Libya September 14, 2016. Picture taken September 14, 2016. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Boys play next to the gates of the Zueitina oil terminal, west of Benghazi, Libya: photo by Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters, 15 September 2016

Boys play next to the gates of the Zueitina oil terminal, west of Benghazi, Libya September 14, 2016. Picture taken September 14, 2016. REUTERS/Esam Omran Al-Fetori

Boys play next to the gates of the Zueitina oil terminal, west of Benghazi, Libya: photo by Esam Omran Al-Fetori/Reuters, 15 September 2016


Israeli Arab youths, from the scouts youth movement, prepare for a parade for the Eid al-Adha festival in #Israel
: image via AP Images @AP_Images, 12 September 2016

Muslims Israeli-Arabs play at the beach in Tel Aviv during the three day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) Muslim holiday on September 14, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANAMENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images

Muslim Israeli-Arabs play at the beach in Tel-Aviv during the three day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) Muslim holiday: photo by Menahem Kahana/AFP, 15 September 2016

Muslims Israeli-Arabs play at the beach in Tel Aviv during the three day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) Muslim holiday on September 14, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / MENAHEM KAHANAMENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images 

Muslim Israeli-Arabs play at the beach in Tel-Aviv during the three day Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) Muslim holiday: photo by Menahem Kahana/AFP, 15 September 2016


ISRAEL - Muslims Israeli-Arabs play at the beach in Tel Aviv during Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday. By @menahemkahana: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 15 September 2016


YEMEN - Smoke billows following a reported airstrike carried out by Saudi-led coalition in Sanaa. By Mohammed Huwais
: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016


SYRIA - Boys play on a see-saw in the rebel-held town of Arbin near Damascus. By @AmeerAlhalbi #AFP
: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016



THAILAND - A city worker sprays chemicals to control the spread of Zika virus at a school in Bangkok. By @TheLilyfish
: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016



KENYA - A hot air balloon carrying tourists is pictured during annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara reserve. By @CarldeSouza1: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016

A herd of wildebeests walks during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 13, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

More than two million animals migrate from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya from July to October annually, according to Maasai Mara. Here, a herd of wildebeests walks during the annual wildebeests migration: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016
Wildebeest drink at the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 13, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)
  
A herd of wildebeests reaches the Mara river crossing during the annual wildebeests migration: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

Zebra gather during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Zebra gather during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016 

Zebra gather close to a river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images) 

Zebra gather close to a river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

Zebras walk towards crossing wildebeest in the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 13, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Zebra walk towards crossing wildebeest in the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

A wildebeest herd is pictured on September 13, 2016 during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

A wildebeest herd crosses the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

Crocodiles fight during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 14, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images) 

A crocodile in the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

A large crocodile attacks a jumping wildebeest during the migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. The daring wildebeest returned after the first attempt by the crocodile and was attacked again but walked away unharmed. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

A large crocodile attacks a jumping wildebeest during the migration in the Masai Mara game reserve. The daring wildebeest returned after the first attempt by the crocodile and was attacked again but walked away unharmed.: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016 

A crocodile attacks a wildebeest in the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 13, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)  

A crocodile attacks a wildebeest in the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

A crocodile rolls over a wildebeest to suffocate it during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

A crocodile attacks a wildebeest in the Mara river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

A wildebeest herd is pictured on September 13, 2016 during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

A wildebeest herd is pictured during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

An elephant walks past a tree during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

An elephant walks past a tree during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

A hippo bares its teeth during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

A hippo bares its teeth during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

A hippo bares its teeth during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images) 

A hippo bares its teeth during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

Giraffes stand together during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Giraffes stand together during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

A male lion injured from a fight with another male during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve is seen on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

 A male lion injured in a fight with another male during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve is seen: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

Wildebeest walk in front a hot air balloon during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 12, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

Wildebeest walk in front a hot air balloon during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

An ostrich walks in front of a hot air balloon carrying tourists during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 14, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images)

An ostrich walks in front of a hot air balloon carrying tourists during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 14 September 2016

A wildebeest herd is pictured on September 13, 2016 during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images) 

A wildebeest herd is pictured during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016


Zebra gather close to a river during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 12 September 2016

Wilderbeests stand in the Savannah during the annual wildebeests migration in the Masai Mara game reserve on September 13, 2016. (Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images) 

Wildebeest stand in the savannah during the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara game reserve: photo by Carl de Souza/AFP, 13 September 2016

yrian boy rides a donkey as they play in the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern edges of the capital Damascus, on the second day of Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday on September 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Sameer Al-DoumySAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP/Getty Images

Syrian boy rides a donkey as they play in the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern edges of the capital Damascus, on the second day of Eid al-Adha: photo by Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP, 14 September 2016

yrian boy rides a donkey as they play in the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern edges of the capital Damascus, on the second day of Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday on September 13, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Sameer Al-DoumySAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP/Getty Images

Syrian boy rides a donkey as they play in the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern edges of the capital Damascus, on the second day of Eid al-Adha: photo by Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP, 14 September 2016

Windows are opened in a high rise building as mild spring weather arrives in Sydney

Windows are opened in a high rise building as mild spring weather arrives in Sydney: photo by Peter Parks/AFP, 14 September 2016

Windows are opened in a high rise building as mild spring weather arrives in Sydney

Windows are opened in a high rise building as mild spring weather arrives in Sydney: photo by Peter Parks/AFP, 14 September 2016


AUSTRALIA - Windows are opened in a high rise building as mild spring weather arrives in Sydney. By Peter Parks #AFP: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016
 
Pakistani children buy balloons to celebrate the Eid al Adha in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Pakistani Muslims are celebrating the Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, on Tuesday to mark the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim -- Abraham to Christians and Jews -- to sacrifice his son. During the holiday Muslims slaughter sheep and cattle, distribute part of the meat to the poor and eat the rest. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Pakistani children buy balloons to celebrate the Eid al Adha in Karachi, Pakistan: photo by Fareed Khan/AP, 13 September 2016

Pakistani children buy balloons to celebrate the Eid al Adha in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. Pakistani Muslims are celebrating the Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice, on Tuesday to mark the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim -- Abraham to Christians and Jews -- to sacrifice his son. During the holiday Muslims slaughter sheep and cattle, distribute part of the meat to the poor and eat the rest. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) 
 
Pakistani children buy balloons to celebrate the Eid al Adha in Karachi, Pakistan: photo by Fareed Khan/AP, 13 September 2016

An Indian Muslim child purchase decoration items for his goat after it was purchased from at a livestock market

An Indian Muslim child purchases decoration items for his goat after it was purchased at a livestock market #AFP: image via sajjad hussain @sajjadkmr, 11 September 2016
 

INDONESIA - Shantyhouses are seen on the banks of the Ciliwung river in Jakarta. By @b4yismoyo #AFP: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016


 A govt school in Shoian, Anantnag #Kashmir in flames after catching fire during clashes. #KashmirKillings: image via Umar Ganie @UmarGanie1, 10 September 2016   Munshi Bagh, Jammu And Kashmir


RUSSIA - A street vendor waits sits next to portrait of president Putin at a kiosk in Moscow. By Kirill Kudryavtsev: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 14 September 2016

A general view shows an overturned fishing boat in the aftermath of super typhoon Meranti, at Sizihwan in Kaohsiung
A general view shows an overturned fishing boat in the aftermath of super typhoon Meranti, at Sizihwan in Kaohsiung: photo by Sam Yeh/AFP, 15 September 2016 

A general view shows an overturned fishing boat in the aftermath of super typhoon Meranti, at Sizihwan in Kaohsiung

A general view shows an overturned fishing boat in the aftermath of super typhoon Meranti, at Sizihwan in Kaohsiung: photo by Sam Yeh/AFP, 15 September 2016

A large cardboard depiction of a woman is placed in one of the windows of an office building in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A large cardboard depiction of a woman is placed in one of the windows of an office building in Bucharest, Romania: photo by Vadim Ghirda/AP, 15 September 2016

A large cardboard depiction of a woman is placed in one of the windows of an office building in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) 
 
A large cardboard depiction of a woman is placed in one of the windows of an office building in Bucharest, Romania: photo by Vadim Ghirda/AP, 15 September 2016

4 comments:

Hazen said...

Terrific poem, Tom. It gets right down to the heart of the thing.

Sandra said...

delicado y poderoso mensaje ...

TC said...

Gracias a mis compadres.

El corazón es el corazón del mensaje...

Nora said...

I’ve been thinking of this poem all day. You don’t have to approve this comment, Angelica (if it comes to you). I’m just missing Tom and thinking of you both.