Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
Yesterday evening, UK prime minister Boris Johnson informed around a 30 million TV audience the lockdown edict of 'Stay at Home > Save the NHS > Save Lives', had been superseded in England with a slightly more libertarian advocacy of 'Stay Alert > Control Virus > Save Lives'. Advice, which is at this time, isn't being adopted... Continue Reading →
In lockdown, to continue revisiting some of the 60-70 poems written in summer 2017 (don't worry I'm not gonna post them all!), I present prose penned to a higher being, pleading my moribund father be granted more familial time. Who that being was/is I don't know. But regardless if it was one of the Holy... Continue Reading →
At a risk of alienating my readers and social media followers, this week I've embarked upon the always risky strategy of publishing my poetry. A controversial pastime which led to the following observations on the blurb of a poetry book I self-published a couple of years back. Today's sonnet contains a few observations about the... Continue Reading →
I've absolutely no issue with religion per se. The comfort it brings to those with faith in a host of dreadful situations is heartwarming and noble. In addition, I've nothing but admiration for those who live by the ecclesiastical edicts they serve as a life choice to follow. I am, though, baffled by individuals who... Continue Reading →
After positive feedback, I've been moved to publish more of my lockdown poetry. When I say positive feedback, I'm referring to a comment received this morning following yesterday evening's publishing of my sonnet Legacy To The Progeny ...... An acquaintance so emotionally stirred by my prose they posited "I tell you what, Gary..... That poem was nowhere... Continue Reading →
As relayed in the poem Poisonous Pathogen, in lockdown I'm revisiting the literary conduit of poetry. In this case with a revamped sonnet in tribute of my paternal and maternal grandfathers. Two men whose jocularity fuelled my penchant of seeking a quip out of the most challenging of circumstances. Legacy “I was in Bagdad when you... Continue Reading →
It's a few years since I've penned a sonnet. However, in the isolation of a West Yorkshire dining room, this evening I felt moved to quill prose about the prevailing shenanigans surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic:- SONNET TO COVID Indiscriminate pathogen, agenda stark Rendering us hermits, unless we roam park Enough already, you’ve made toxic mark Existence... Continue Reading →
More out of duty than faith in any political party, I've just voted in the UK's General Election. To my mind, a ballot where citizens of this sceptred isle are perched between a rock and a hard place when it comes to selecting who governs...... Or should that be a cock or furry face?! Footnote -... Continue Reading →
The narrative penned earlier this morning was the 1600th I've written since embarking on this literary journey in March 2015. An odyssey which was the catalyst to dragging me from the metaphorical ditch where at that juncture of my life I'd lain for many months stricken with depression. Although my penmanship was/is unable to resolve many... Continue Reading →