As wriggly as…
Such a friendly word for a sinuous path, and so the likening to a piece of thread fallen on a carpet...
How to build a library … Alexandrian style
The Library of Alexandria had 30-50 state-funded scholars and agents scouring the Mediterranean for new books. It's believed that...
Food-rich water
Here's to hoping the future will see the ocean still full of food-rich water.
'Its dredger-bucket mouth agape...
Wind-besieged islands
The North Sea is full of such islands and Nicolson finds in a place of 'sun-trap warmth', sheltered from the...
Anagnorisis
Normally referring to the moment in a play or other work when a character makes a critical discovery, perhaps understanding...
Heard it on the radio
This sweeping and damning judgement of England, found entirely wanting, is contrasted with the simplicity of the source, the radio.
...Easy-limbed stirring
I liked this description of a boat responding like a limber-limbed youth to the movement of the sea. 'Easy-limbed stirring'...
Thick-pelted richness
Lovely notion, a frog-hopping place, cosy and dense with goodness, not to mention harbouring secrets. See also this meadow's...
Alone nothing, together everything
When I searched 'together' to find an image for this simple, striking quotation, I was struck by how many photos...
Million-fingered responsiveness
Nicolson captures the single signal transmitted through a vast flock of geese, yielding a 'million-fingered responsiveness'.
'They are...
Poikilometis
Nicolson refers to this word, used to describe Odysseus, and translates it as ‘dapple-skilled, with so much woven into him...
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