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...
© Beatrice Otto 2021 - design & content unless otherwise stated - all rights reserved