Found (February)

[For Ben Myers] [February 1979] Alexander Cruden moved us in sundry places. We found that ‘The Lord by wisdom hath found the earth.’ (Proverbs 3:19) That which was hidden from us was found. That may’ve been lost was found. The AV opened for us wisdom as an attribute of the Lord. By wisdom everything came into being. Abided, was restored. Roland Murphy found ‘the appearance of a cosmological role for Wisdom is sudden. She is now associated with the creative act of the Lord, who imitates human building.’ Thus the NRSV: ‘The Lord by wisdom founded the earth.’ [February 2019]

Justice (February)

[For Winsome Thomas] The whole people are presented with the unsacred scene. This February their attention is drawn to images the court calls true. The people discern the unsacred scene and believe, whether one detail or other is incredible. The scene confirms that which they yet believed. And lo, an unsacred scene in the very temple! Truth abides within the story. What truth? Justice cries out, though what are the people to believe? Solomon, a powerbroker from way back, might have heeded great words attributed to him. Wisdom opens, “Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth,” and more, at length.

Radiancy (February)

[For John Davis] Sunlight is our first thought. The entire scenario in radiancy. Our world lit wholly with its power. There is its surprise. Radiancy is not radiancy without surprise, like a sudden smile, or the theatre alive to words onstage. Radiancy that goes on and on is not radiancy, even if scientifically correct. A whole February of radiancy is exhausting. It can lead to heatstroke, or bushfire. Radiancy of a fire front is certain death. Escape with your life from radiancy! We do not seek moderation from radiancy, life-giving, alive. Yet value it by its unexpectedness, its passing completeness.

Fortify (February)

[For Winsome Thomas] City of coffee, fortified by coffee, a mighty hyperactive people-scape. Saved by coffee. Saved again, by coffee. The morning starter. Daily fix. Can’t get enough. Feel the lack. The act. Matter of fact, I’ve got it now. Pavements of coffee. Backrooms, coffee. Penthouses, coffee. Everybody fight about a spoonful. The coffee bean. Do yourself a favour. Fortify oneself against outrageous want. Where without it, withal? Without coffee, emptiness. Without coffee, nervous breakdown.  Without coffee, damnation. February fasters, suffer. No coffee, no hope. Ignore the naysayers. Trust your inner coffee. Indeed. Suitably fortified, what more does one need?

 

Aspidistra (February)

[For Charlie Nancarrow] (As seen in the Pergola Takeover episode of The Lego Movie 4) INSTRUCTIONS: Outline stem base pieces on emerald baseplate pattern. For main stem, build alternating curve bricks in jade and malachite overlaps, counter-clockwise. Insert 16 cantilever Edwardian ‘cast-iron’ leaves in spiral. Attach diamante water droplet studs to leaf holes. Place moss-green flower-sprout bricks on remaining baseplate. Lock fairy-lit flowers onto globe links. Collect the whole set: Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed. Pixilated Lego backdrops of urns, archways and birdcages EXTRA. Available till February, or while stocks last. WARNING: This product does not include David Tennant voiceovers.

Lateral (February)

 

[For Robert Whalley] This February each Book Depository package arrives with requisite bookmark. The latest series uses non-English words to sell mindfulness. No amount of lateral thinking, however, can right the contradiction on today’s bookmark: ‘The Swedish concept of LAGOM is a refreshing antidote for the extremes of modern day consumerism. It literally means “just the right amount” and can help you to find the perfect balance in your life. Discover your LAGOM and more with the best selection of mindfulness books at bookdepository.com/bookmarks FREE DELIVERY WORLDWIDE 20 MILLION BOOKS’ The verso commands: ‘For a balanced 2019 redress your LAGOM’

Preponderance (February)

[For Winsome Thomas] This is a wind-wind situation, saith the Preacher. Preponderance of heat lays you low while leaders vow belief in a coalface. Your fingers scrabble over keyboards, your words vanish in a clamour of Likes. North and south preponderance of ice bloweth whither it will. Hearts groweth mournful at the signs, heavy with what to do next. The wisdom of Solomon is required, what good it will do you. This is a loose-loose situation, saith the Preacher. His preponderance of thoughts is a fruitcake sermon: enjoy the raisins and avoid the fine-worded icing. Choose life. Outside it’s February.

Mellifluous (February)

[For Ceril Pereira] Bees hovering and tumbling over lavender are not said to be mellifluous. That vibrant hum can be steady as a freeway. Standing on one results in her stabbing into soft tissue of the ankle. The human is not mellifluous at this intrusion, the f-word in f-major, though the bee dies making its point. Nor is the hive thought mellifluous, even if it be the land rich in humming honey. The din in there’s more deafening than schoolgirls first week back in February. Nor is there a mellifluous way of discussing the reported threats to bee species worldwide. 

Carolling (February)

[For Robert Whalley] The Incarnation is carolling its way through every unexpected moment. Even if you are not carolling at the time, you can hear what’s going on. Symposiums on carolling are worthy ventures, doubtless, though it is hoped that participants are given space on the heavy agenda for carolling. The impression is widespread that carolling is for December, that by February we have moved on to sackcloth and lamenting, whereas carolling is year round, fairly much. Choir lofts and maternity wards are overflowing with carolling, no question. Like most things, carolling is less a noun than the present continuous.