The Writing Guy

Thomas Bowdler, an editor who gave a new word to the English language, died this day in 1825. And Gushy, writing troll #3, lives on!

Metrical dissection of the original and final version of one of English poetry's most famous lines.

Does Eliot surrender his spirit here to the will of God? That's how it feels to me, but what do you think?

Eliot talks about the people walking in spiritual darkness, refusing to surrender to their true divine nature. ✨ We are separated both from our nature and Mother Nature, which Scott believes is the root cause of the climate crisis. In other words our relationship with ourselves governs our relationship with all living things.

Part of Eliot's Marian poetry, ie his worship of the Virgin Mary, whose colour is blue and whose purity is symbolised by white.

Eliot describes his ascent of a staircase, looking back down at the characters (states of mind?) he meets. Is this the mystic spiral of spiritual ascension?

A reading of this short passage ('Lady, three white leopards sat under a juniper tree...'), on Day 2 of Lent

Scott marks the first day of Lent by reading part I of Eliot's poem.

A great exec summary must give more than facts and figures. It must also convey a sense of the spirit and intention behind them.

Cocky thinks he can wing it and dive into drafting without planning. Think again, Cocky!