About The Author
"The soul of the artist cannot remain hidden."
Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932-1996)
“Poetry may make us from time to time a little more aware of the deeper, unnamed feelings which
form the substratum of our being, to which we rarely penetrate; for our lives are mostly a
constant evasion of ourselves.”
T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)
Thank you for letting me be myself, warts and all, for granting me this opportunity to bare my soul, to say what I honestly think or believe, for making me feel completely at ease, for your understanding and non-judgmental* presence, for taking the time to get to know me better, for reading a number of my poems so that you can get the right balance, for adding a poem or two of mine to your favourite folder, or passing a poem or two of mine along, even mentioning my website, and for taking the time to respond encouragingly, or to perhaps share a concern you may have.
Yes, it's people like you that I really treasure.
*There's
a big difference between prudent evaluations upon which one acts — certain judgments made — and simply being
judgmental. See my page Regarding Judging Others, Home page.
Because some people like to know a little about the
person
behind the website (and poetry, in this case), I have put together a
brief picture of sorts.
So here we go (as of the page date above):
I'm 73 years old having been born in 1951. Am what
one
might call a sixties child, though not a wealthy one. Left
school at 15 — silly boy.
I was born here in New Zealand, still reside here in New Zealand
(Wellington region) and
have never been outside of my country.
I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters. One sister was adopted by my
parents when she was a baby. The other sister passed away on the 26th
April 2012, aged 72. My oldest brother passed away 27 May
2019, aged 82.
I met my wife (now aged 71) when I was 17 and she 15. We married in
1971 and have
been together ever since. Have reached that 50 year anniversary.
We have 6 children — four boys, twin girls. Their ages — the boys
51,49,42,40, the girls 36.
I'm a vegetarian leaning towards veganism.
If you would like to read about the dangers of eating
flesh food, and even dairy products, visit my page Why I'm A Vegetarian,
Home page, purple box.
I somewhat have the
artistic temperament (am more attuned to the subtleties of human
emotion and experience, but no Vincent van Gogh though).
I also have a strong empathy
with the
underdog.
By the way, the
only things that I'm aware of that slow down the aging process (other
than things steroidal or hormonal, and no doubt concerning), are a
healthy diet, perhaps a daily vitamin/mineral supplement, ample healthy
water, regular outdoor exercise (and hence
sunshine and fresh air), lots of laughter, taking things quietly and
sensibly, appropriate
work, adequate relaxation and sleep, refraining from
injurious
substances like alcohol, other drugs and cigarettes, the
avoidance of unnecessary
risks that can lead to serious injury, and the avoidance of
unnecessary,
destructive stress.
As
far as jogging goes (which so many people are into
these days), and even those workouts in a gym, I
believe
such are not only unnecessary, but a pointless overuse of one's joints
which in time will painfully show. It's the old story — not too little,
not too
much. Moderation, in other words (coupled with temperance). Just like
those parts on a car, the more our joints are used, and the
harder on them we are, the quicker they play up and pack up.
Not that such really matters, mind you, but that you're part of the same human race.
However, I hope you’re smiling at me, 'cause very comforting that would be,
Given that I’ve kind of been waiting for you, have got terribly bored with me.
Okay, so what do I value,
love,
like?
I've respect and thought for creatures, love music, art, books, the
magic of language,
great
documentaries, good clean fun, riding my e-bike, and pottering
in a reasonable
sized
garden surrounded by trees and shrubs, and where I can work creatively.
At one stage I was very much into making things with wood, and
in the early
years, into sketching.
The
following combination: Enjoyable wholesome food, easy listening
music, good conversation, and good company
— that is, quiet, relaxed, refined company, two or three friends, say.
Generous,
charitable, kind-hearted people who don’t pull out a check list and pen
before they consider helping you out, who willingly search rather than
wait to be asked for help, and who take the time to ring and call to
see how you're getting on.
Open-minded, fair-minded, impartial,
receptive, truth seeking Christians who are just as much interested in
knowing
your views/beliefs as they are in sharing their own.
People who forgive and move on, rather than holding grudges or letting
it colour their behaviour.
Humble
people who treat everyone the same regardless of their race, religion,
sexual orientation, situation,
circumstances, position, issues, handicaps, or appearance.
People who stand up for you when they see that you’re in the right or
when they see that you’re being treated wrongly.
People who’re not hung up on popularity and who’re not afraid to call a
spade a spade and rock the boat.
People
who are genuinely interested in you, understanding and accommodating of
your issues, and who go out of their way to help regardless of the
effort
needed and time of day.
People
who check with you to see if something they’ve heard about you is true,
and who give you fair opportunity to defend yourself.
People who keep their promises, don’t gossip, and are open,
transparent, honest, and trustable.
People who wouldn't hurt a flea, but who would come to my aid should
someone take a pot-shot at me (just as I would like to think that I
would
come to their aid too).
Good values, principles and standards.
Truth, honesty, lawfulness, rightness, goodness, beauty, harmony and order.
Sorry to digress, but,
Though having some darn good chats, I have to say, albeit embarrassingly.
But what else does one do when no one else is around and cats don’t understand?
Though I finding myself quite friendly, you know, kind of handy to have at hand.
And what do I
abhor,
dislike, or simply disaprove of?
Well, given my poetic mission, I'm sure you'll pick up on such as you
go, but one thing I will
say is, that I'm totally opposed to any violence, persecution, cruelty
and criminality of any kind.
And here's something to dwell on:
lawful and peaceable way of life free of cruelty, bias, prejudice and bigotry.”
The Author
So how would I describe
myself?
As
a very flawed individual who has a deep appreciation of the
human
condition, and as a consequence, much empathy for my fellowman, his
quirks and personal struggles. However, I also realise that we can't
use our unfortunate backgrounds or unfortunate circumstances as an
excuse for any wrong that we do, but simply as a reason perhaps, and
that it's foolish and pointless to add to our woes by
somehow
compounding things. Better to make the best of a bad situation. Oh, two
more things:
1) I believe that we should seek to leave this world a
better place,
and others happier, for our having been here. Or to put it another way:
If our
life hasn't turned out all that well in the scheme of things, let's
help the lives of others
to turn out well, remembering that what goes around comes around.
2) I
also believe that we should strive to reach the most noble of heights
in our character, and thus in our thoughts, words and actions.
Sorry to digress again, but,
Which is rather disconcerting given the strong similarity.
I guess I could learn to live with that, but what’s really bothering me,
Is that this person appears to have a copycat mentality.
Politics?
I’m
neither a member of, nor a supporter of, any particular party, and
abhor that left and right mentality that's devoid of balance and
integrity. I have
seen the horrid ills that come from both camps. However, I do find the
following two quotes quite interesting:
"A society which is socialist cannot also be democratic, in the sense
of guaranteeing individual freedom."
Milton Friedman, from the book Capitalism and Freedom.
“It
[socialism]
is paternalistic and creates a bureaucratic civil structure
that “cares for the people” as poor unenlightened children who need to
be led to understand their true place in the dialectic of history. It
promotes indolence, dependency, envy, and ultimately thief and
misappropriation through confiscatory taxes.”
Dennis Peacocke, from the book Doing Business God’s Way.
See my poem: Cause For Real Concern, which is on my Home page.
I'm
totally opposed to lawlessness, violent or thoughtless protesting, and insurrection of
any
kind, which includes conspiring against government. Though I may well submit my thoughts or views to any politician
of any party, I'm not politically involved in any way, and nor do I
believe in agitating or agravating.
Though I can't stop anyone contacting me via my website (and who I
might reply to), I'm not involved with any activist
organisation. I'm simply a societal poet who's conveying his personal opinions and beliefs for others to consider.
I'm also
interested in examining the material of investigative journalists and
those who have compelling arguments regarding certain
suspicions worthy of one’s attention. A truer construct of history is
another
thing that I'm interested in.
"Government is never more dangerous than when our desire to have it
help us, blinds us to its great power to harm us."
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004).
Oh, by the way:
You may wish to read about my younger days by clicking on the 'New
Zealand Through My Eyes' button near the top of this page.
You know, something else just occurred to me,
Therefore, should my life be ended, another me you wouldn’t see.
And the same holds true for you too, and hence why we should take great care,
Lest it be that either you or I far too early disappear.
Well, there it is.
Kind regards,
Lance Landall, poet and author.
P.S.
Of Cats And Men
Little did I know it, that I would become a poet, wielding a pen poetically,
A crafter of rhythm and rhyme, blessed with ability and time, and feline company.
Yes, a poet with a cat on his lap, sometimes a handicap, but still my little buddy,
One who likes to curl up and snooze while I’m penning poems, or absorbed in doing some study.
Yes, little did I know it, that I would become a poet, wielding a pen creatively,
One soon scratching his head, racking his brain, and too oft without gain, very frustratingly.
Oh, those days of writer's block, when ideas seem out of stock, and the desired words cease to flow,
Are something this aging poet too often experiences, until, it’s away we go!
But such is life, eased via a very kind wife, who hot drinks on a cold winter’s day supplies,
Which saves me from freezing, inevitably sneezing, and those medicines that one then buys.
And all in all, I do manage a few, expressing a point of view, and some humour too,
Which makes me feel better, encased in my warm sweater, until warmer days come into view.
Yes, such is the life of a poet, and boy, don’t I know it, having gone through pens rapidly,
For more oft I doodle instead, nothing going down in my head — just wasting ink, you see.
But despite it all, I do get to scrawl, and then out comes another, eventually,
Which makes it all worthwhile, and I even manage a smile, and hope on the horizon see.
Come on little buddy, it's time I stretched my legs.
By Lance Landall
A photo of our two cats can be seen on my Cool Bananas page.
Meantime, here's a photo of the not so cute poet below.
This
portrait was taken in 2019.
"To laugh
often and much; to win the respect of
intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the
appreciation of
honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to
appreciate
beauty; to find the best in others; to leave
the world a bit better whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know
even
one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have
succeeded."
Ralph
Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
I’m an individual —
in other words, I'm
uniquely me, simply I,
And so very complex, even complicated, and why I oft mystify.
And therefore, they will never figure me out — he,he,he — well, not
completely,
Because like I said, there’s only one of me, and only one
there’ll ever be.
Just In Case
Just in case I have unintentionally erred in some way, somehow, somewhere,
Remember I’m still learning and growing too, have some way to go to get there.
Hence why I mightn’t have always worded things that well, but though that be the case,
My poems have in fact been designed to provoke thought, for there’re things we need to face.
However, I can truly empathise with those people who’re struggling badly,
Be that physically, emotionally, or addiction wise, believe me.
All why my heart bleeds for them midst my own suffering, and I thus reaching out,
Though negative things mentioned at times in order to bring better things about.
So, dear friend, rest assured that I care, and that I am indeed cross where I err,
And that only penning things that please and delight is what I’d really prefer.
But good friends know that both sweet and sour have their place, and hide from such we shouldn’t,
And why when it came to leaving the sour things out, I’m afraid that I couldn’t.
Yes, I drawing from my own folly, bearing in mind the high price that I’ve paid,
That others may not suffer the same, nor cause any grief too, hence my crusade;
And it hardly pleasant, by the way, for brighter things I’d rather do and say,
But how selfish, for this world is far bigger than me, at the end of the day.
In other words, there’s you, and that’s the whole point, 'cause you might have more years ahead,
My life largely over, and thus why it’s better that my ponderings are read.
And hence why more often than not, I call a spade a spade, and a lie a lie,
Lest you, friend, take the wrong path, follow the wrong crowd, or the wrong side of things buy.
Yes,
I could do with encouragement too, but dare I consider myself again,
'Cause that’s where our troubles generally stem from — yes, that selfishness in men,
And women, and why I try to forget myself, though some things making that hard,
'Cause I, just like you, perhaps, am battle worn, wounded, hobbled, weakened and scarred.
So,
Mind you don’t bring more on yourself than life in general brings, it not worth it,
Nor so hurting others,
Hence why of my own misadventures and folly, I sadly write and admit,
But I doing my best to make the best of things, despite some concerns ahead,
'Cause one can’t turn the clock back — and why what might help you, I’ve well or poorly said.
By Lance Landall
