Robin Lloyd-Jones “I Am Because We Are”
During the journey from 2014 to publish Robin’s book Autumn Voices in 2018, Robin and I became close friends and have worked together on another book called “I Am Because We Are” and “I am because we are” are probably my farewell words to Robin because he is terminally ill and may die very soon. Below is an extract from the book I published called the Steadfast Trickster – based on interviews with Robin’s family, friends, readers and colleagues.. For the past two years, Robin has been a member of the Die-a-log group where we talk openly about all matters related to death and dying. I’ve promised Robin that I would finish the book, and extracts are now published monthly on the PlaySpace Publications Substack.
“I first properly met Robin when he asked me to support his Creative Scotland application, by stating I would publish a book he was editing based on interviews with writers over 70 about ageing and creativity. I agreed, and my small press PlaySpace Publications printed 600 copies of Autumn Voices. They are now nearly sold-out. I was surprised when Robin invited me to be one of his interviewees for Autumn Voices. At that time, I had recently turned 70 and Robin had turned 80. At the end of our two-hour interview, Robin said he wants to write a biography based on my story. This led to a never-ending-story based on the philosophy of Ubuntu: I AM BECAUSE WE ARE. Over the past six years Robin has attended most of my groups, workshops and retreats. And we’ve become close friends. Within a few years, Autumn Voices became a charity with the motto “Growing Old Creatively” and that’s exactly what Robin’s been doing.”
“At a residential men’s retreat Robin confessed that he had never hugged a man before – and we were doing lots of hugging. He had never hugged his son. Now Robin has become a consummate hugger, never missing an opportunity for a warm embrace. Robin Lloyd-Jones was born on 5th October 1934 in a nursing home in London. His parents were on extended leave from service in the Indian Army. Robin’s childhood was in India until the age of 11. Robin was then sent to Blundell’s School, Tiverton, Devon, a public school for boys, going on from there to read Social Anthropology at Cambridge University. Robin describes himself as a public-school survivor. He claims that he was living in an institution that had a great deal in common with a police state. . . . .”
The Poet’s Way “Live in-person” Sundays 1st & 29th September
Doors open at 5:15pm for a prompt start at 5:30 – ending around 9pm and with one short comfort break and a longer 30 to 40 minute break for refreshment and writing time. Venue: Glasgow Buddhist Centre: 72 Berkeley St (G3 7DS), sharing space with the Glasgow Unitarian Church. Bring a poem to share, your own or a favourite published poem. Please bring 4 copies of the one poem you want appreciated.
The Poet’s Way awakens to the power of poems to compliment & enhance our spiritual practice. Inspired by Manjusvara’s book The Poet’s Way (Jane Hirshfield says “this book offers warm-hearted, step-by-step awakening into the possibilities and powers of poems”).
Autumn Equinox Poet’s Way 19th September 7pm UK-time
Bring an Autumn poem to screen share, your own or a favourite published poem. The evening will include a guided meditation and small appreciation groups for close reading of poems, and a Poetry Shower.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting. When: Sep 19, 2024 07:00 PM London Register in advance:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrd–rrj8uEtF0zfKrxyoySboRIugADLkg After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
New Moon Writing Hour – 3rd September 4pm
Linda France’s New Moon Writing Hour on zoom. The next Writing into Being Writing Hour Tuesday 3rd September 4 – 5pm BST. Here’s the zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89571264876?pwd=mchP92u5WJYgn2DWGRWx7RkZR5aFzh.1
gannets are the give-a-way
During July and August, for three + weeks, my partner Ratnadevi and I had our first experience of covid. And we were very ill indeed! Some days I could hardly walk. For our recovery we went to Gairloch in Wester Ross and had a holiday/retreat in a friends croft with no electricity. Whenever we go away for any length a time, we usually write/play a renga:
Badanial, Badachro
Gairloch 10th to 14th August 2o24
wifi-free cottage
recovering from covid
we take it easy
a bouquet of wild flowers
for Buddha in Badachro
nothing much happens
she makes vegetable soup –
then afternoon snooze
riveted by his book on
Scottish slave trade: Bought & Sold
what can one say?
she reads Forty Rules of Love
on Sufi poetry
sky and sea a silver grey
polarities disappear
we scramble through woods
for chanterelle blessings:
no other word for it
mint tea under pink clouds
cool breeze prevents midges
learning from neighbours
gannets are the give-a-way
we missed the dolphins
a friend’s terminally ill
we leave to say our farewell
PlaySpace Publications 