From the Tate

On the banks of the Thames
beyond the doors of the Tate
glimpsed through the haze
of a London heatwave
the Post-Modernist of Fate
painting it all black
whilst trying hard to forget
his brush strokes of regret

Old Father Time
a blameless benefactor
or a facilitator of crime?
With mankind blinded
or simply near-sighted
to the truly sublime
Mother of Nature
on her bended knees
with no reason or rhyme
where life itself
is a thing to be endured
and measured by degrees
by the ties that bind

Time is a mystery
What was it?
What is it?
What is to be?
The scientists
the philosophers
they just can’t agree

Time is an ocean
that ends at the shore
where brave sailors
of the deep blue sea
sigh …
and cry out for more
Carefree spring days
Endless summers in the sun
Plenty of time for regret
… people neglected
… offers rejected
when your race is run

Life is
a privilege divine
in the giving
and the receiving
Keep on keeping on
beyond all the strife
and the loss
in choosing to become
the most becoming
becoming the most
as a love offering
to the Host of the Universe
the Keeper of Forever
the Giver of Life
and living risen King
my best friend … Jesus Christ

~ Words & Images;
David B. Redpath © 2018 – 2022

Photography:
David & Linda Redpath © 2018 -22

126 thoughts on “From the Tate”

    1. Thanks Stella, it’s my therapy.
      You reminded me of the
      Broken Hallelujah poem buried way back, so I revised
      and reposted. Thanks 4
      that. I’m travelling about
      at the moment so not able
      to do much writing.

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      1. It is a fantastic poem, I’m glad I reminded you.:) writing does the same for me, and it’s good to repost, you have some great poems back here that many haven’t seen. 🙂 safe travels

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Good one David. It has a great rhythm and then at the end, plenty of time to regret. Yep, let’s save that for later or not at all. The art certainly help emphasize the point.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  7. Your art work is superb
    And I find your poem
    Full of warmth and inspiration
    The finale is truly insightful
    “Life is a privilege.
    Life is a-happening thing.
    Keep on keeping on
    choosing the offering,
    till the setting
    of the evening sun.
    Plenty of time for regret
    when the day is done.”
    I’m happy that you’ve reposted and I got the chance to have a read.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  10. Wow. I love this poem & the underlying simplicity with which it flows into the reader’s mind. Indeed, life & time are two mysteries we’re bestowed with, the answer to which even the greatest scientists can’t figure out.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Nameera, for
      taking the time, to read and respond to my poem.
      Yes, scientist are now in a
      lather trying to decide whether
      ‘Time’ is fixed, broken, or
      speeding up?
      Is it a fundamental or an emergent phenomenon?
      I need a watch that’s universal!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. When it comes to time, E.C.,
      I subscribe to the String Theory;
      How long is a piece of string?
      The big end is coming,
      or is it just beginning?
      Is time a Removals Van,
      full of tomorrows, slowly
      reversing over, and over again,
      a piece of string?

      Like

      Reply

  19. My heavens David! If we could only just jump into your art! What a wonderful time that would be. Love it. I really liked your poem as well. There is an ease with your poem that I like. It takes me on this little trip, so lovely and full of thought. Thank you

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  21. Life is many a thing, and in many a thing
    Life in the sun and the Earth is its son
    Allowing to carry on, to keep on carrying on
    It’s back the very Life Life has been imbuing
    In more than one thing
    Because life is a song, and when the final tune has been sung
    Life is a silence of admiration for the piece of work the artist once sang.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. Things are relatively calm
      down under 🦘
      I’m walking a fine confined line,
      between safety and contagion,
      here in Australia 🇦🇺
      … thanks Chuck 😷👍
      But we see on TV the carnage
      in Europe and America 😢
      Best stay in your cabin.
      I’m sure it’s much safer 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  31. “sigh … and cry out for more”…
    yes, crying out for more…
    and if I could, I’d give you every award…
    You’re a brilliant poet
    and blog-friend
    and artist, and observer of art,
    and of
    the human and universal
    condition.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Choosing life,
      for me,
      is a daily decision.
      I can only assume,
      being human,
      that constant choice
      is not so uncommon.

      Thank you very much, Lia,
      for your positve feedback,
      and good vibrations.

      After reading your recent posting,
      I feel that there is something you,
      me, and Jesus, have in common
      … a dislike for state religion.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  33. I love everything about this, David. My hearts are not far from where you are standing in the photos (daughter and granddaughters). We’ll be spending time together later for storytime. I can’t wait. Who is the artist of that first painting? ♥.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, I’ve been reminiscing over
      happier times, Niki. Such as
      London in the summer time.
      The first picture is a ‘stylised’
      photo I took of a performance
      artist outside the Tate Modern.
      Next stop … Spain 💃🇪🇸
      Hope to see you there, Niki 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Wow, that’s a photo? I thought that was an impressionist painting. Nice! Such a great idea to reminisce this way. Thanks for taking us along. I remember when you were in Spain – Barcelona,right. I can’t wait to see Spain again. ♥.

        Liked by 1 person

  36. DAVID!!! This is all BEYOND superelasticbubbleplastic AMAZING! Love everything about this post. Thank You for this! Cheers and hugs Your way!!! I hope Y’all are well…stay safe! 🤗❤️🌀🙏🏼😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. A far out coincidence Katy!
      This post was inspired by a walk
      along the banks of the Thames,
      when I was picked up by a big 🔘
      soap bubble that happened along
      But the trip came to a sudden stop
      when the bubble went “POP! ” 💥💦
      And yes, Linda and I are slowly
      going crazy 😜 But safely 😎
      Thanks for asking, Katy ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Thank God for big bubbles
        that ferry us away
        that blow our wild minds and make our souls sway
        “Crazy!” indeed is the word of today
        sanity’s out, bananaty stays…
        May Y’alls sweet time grow sweeter deep in Your cave
        and Your imagination provide all the roaming You crave!!!
        Sending huge hugs Y’alls way. Thanks for the smiles You gift! 🤗🦋🙏🏼🌀🌸❤️😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. “Bubbles in the water,
        bubbles in the air.
        Go all the way to the
        other side of the world.
        you’ll find bubbles there.
        Revolution even ain’t no
        substitution for bubbles.
        Since the beginning
        of the Universe
        man’s been blessed
        with bubbles 🔘”

        ~ Bubble Dylan

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much 🙏
      But I owe it all to my camera 📷
      It was subjected to much darkroom
      chemicals in it’s celluloid youth. So,
      it has developed into a digital artist,
      without negatives or proof 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  39. Thank you, Buckeye,
    with much appreciation.
    Beyond the storms of strife
    with the God of all creation
    this journey of life
    is a celebrated culmination
    in our Lord, Jesus Christ ✝️

    Like

    Reply

  41. This is beautiful. That turnaround in the end was done really well with that final note of hope. We all have regrets, and some live in despair. Your poem really touched me.
    (WordPress is still acting wonky. This post didn’t show up in my feed either.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Very much appreciated, Joni 🙏❤️
      Linda and I have been extremely
      busy on the road travelling, but as
      they say, it broadens your horizon
      seeing 👁️♾️👁️ more of God’s
      glorious creation 🌏

      Religion organised
      like a well oiled machine
      sounding proud
      with loud siren screams
      of fallen angels
      with no human soul
      Organised religion
      is often just a tribal hole
      to make a last stand in
      whilst tied to a totem pole
      Religion can be a prison
      Jesus is the Word
      speaking true freedom
      A love with real meaning
      A hope that spoke
      to the heart of us caught
      in a world unravelling
      mindful that we are but dust
      Jesus is a person
      always within reach
      and never out of touch
      Body, mind, and spirit
      unified, healed, and made whole
      Religion is often just a tribal hole

      ~ David B. Redpath 😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. So beautiful and so true. I don’t remember being a little girl and not knowing God. He was always with me because I was afraid all the time. I think it is wonderful that you tell people about Jesus. These are troubled times and having God in your heart takes all the fear away. Bless you my friend. I am glad you and Linda have this special time together. Take care of one another sending love to you both. You are an amazing writer and photographer. ❤️🙏❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      3. You are so welcome completely my pleasure. You two enjoy one another. There is nothing like being equally yoked to your spouse. Once you are you treat each other like they are literally a part of you. One flesh. 🦋

        Liked by 1 person

    1. The Tate was a highlight of my
      London trip. Being face to face with
      a Salvador Dali, and a René Magritte,
      made my stay completely sublime
      ( … and/or sublimely complete ).
      It would be a crying shame not to
      go back to the Tate once again . . .
      in the fullness of time ⌚😎

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks for taking the guided tour,
      John 🙏 I’m more of a rambling
      traveller than a tourist, but in
      general, I find life’s journey is
      far better when being guided by
      someone who knows the layout,
      and what they’re talking about 😎👍

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
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