In the summer most days were identical on JJ Williams Greek island<\/p>\n
Molly was on the narrow balcony that overlooked the garden<\/p>\n
JJ was at his typewriter<\/p>\n
Today he was writing a short poem<\/p>\n
Called Turner\u2019s Daughter<\/p>\n
It was to be set in Margate<\/p>\n
Molly\u2019s home town<\/p>\n
I was sitting in the shadow of the lifeguard\u2019s hut<\/i><\/p>\n
When a woman wearing a multi-coloured dress <\/i><\/p>\n
Sat beside me <\/i><\/p>\n
I looked at her as there was plenty of space on the beach <\/i><\/p>\n
Do you mind? <\/i><\/p>\n
No<\/i><\/p>\n
I know it is improper but to appreciate the Margate Light one has to sit in the shadows<\/i><\/p>\n
It is a very special light <\/i><\/p>\n
I know it was my reason for coming to Margate <\/i><\/p>\n
Where do you live? <\/i><\/p>\n
On a quiet Greek island <\/i><\/p>\n
Are you Greek?<\/i><\/p>\n
No <\/i><\/p>\n
Margate is Molly\u2019s home town <\/i><\/p>\n
My father used to live in Margate just over there where the gallery is now <\/i><\/p>\n
He was a great artist and travelled far but never forgot the light of this town <\/i><\/p>\n
What is your name?<\/i><\/p>\n
Molly my name is Molly <\/i><\/p>\n
Molly was sitting on a casual chair opposite JJ<\/p>\n
What are you writing? <\/i><\/p>\n
A poem about Margate <\/i><\/p>\n
I miss Margate do you? <\/i><\/p>\n
How can you miss Margate when everything is so beautiful here?<\/i><\/p>\n
My father used to live in Margate just over there where the gallery is now <\/i><\/p>\n
He was a great artist and travelled far but never forgot the light of this town<\/p>\n
What is your name?<\/i><\/p>\n
Molly my name is Molly <\/i><\/p>\n
Molly walked towards the small window<\/p>\n
I am going for a swim will you join me? <\/i><\/p>\n
No I am writing <\/i><\/p>\n
I wish you would build a swimming pool in the garden <\/i><\/p>\n
What is the sea for Molly?<\/i><\/p>\n
But other people swim in the sea<\/i><\/p>\n
You are very unsociable this morning <\/i><\/p>\n
I dreamt of the dead sailors again <\/i><\/p>\n
I was swimming in the cove in front of the Church when a sailor many years old rose from the sea\u00a0 <\/i><\/p>\n
What did you do?<\/i><\/p>\n
I covered myself<\/i><\/p>\n
The woman wearing the multi-coloured dress stood up and offered her hand to me<\/p>\n
Walk with me towards the sea <\/i><\/p>\n
We walked along the tide line towards the jetty as families enjoyed the sunshine<\/p>\n
When I was returning to my island kingdom of Ithaca following the Trojan War I met many people both good and bad <\/i><\/p>\n
For many years I was on Ogygia a far western isle the guest of Calypso <\/i><\/p>\n
She offered me immortality if I stayed but I longed to return to my wife <\/i><\/p>\n
What was your wife\u2019s name? <\/i><\/p>\n
Molly my wife\u2019s name was Molly<\/i><\/p>\n
Molly was glad that the beach was crowded as her dream still bothered her<\/p>\n
She decided to swim in the shallows<\/p>\n
No sailors bothered her<\/p>\n
She watched as the sea changed colour<\/p>\n
A Greek girl came up to her<\/p>\n
Why are you not swimming in the deep waters? <\/i><\/p>\n
Because I dreamt of sailors last night <\/i><\/p>\n
Swim with me I will protect you from these errant sailors <\/i><\/p>\n
What is your name?<\/i><\/p>\n
My name is Nausicaa<\/i><\/p>\n
My name is Molly <\/i><\/p>\n
I know <\/i><\/p>\n
For the next hour both women swam in the deep water and as they returned to the beach Molly looked at the Church<\/p>\n
A priest stole a swift glance at the women before turning his head<\/p>\n
I think that is the reason they stay and do not travel the world <\/i><\/p>\n
This island is Heaven even with all these visitors <\/i><\/p>\n
Everybody is seeking their own share of Heaven<\/i><\/p>\n
Even the priests walking by <\/i><\/p>\n
Do you think he thought us Sapphic? <\/i><\/p>\n
Maybe maybe not but I will not deny him his pleasure <\/i><\/p>\n
Would you join me for lunch?<\/i><\/p>\n
Yes I would like to meet the shy writer <\/i><\/p>\n
He is not shy he just does not like a fuss made of his work <\/i><\/p>\n
I have not read his work you know <\/i><\/p>\n
Many people haven\u2019t it can be rather challenging <\/i><\/p>\n
JJ was sitting at his type writer<\/p>\n
Did you enjoy your swim? <\/i><\/p>\n
Yes this is Nausicaa<\/i><\/p>\n
I think we have met before or I have seen you at the beach <\/i><\/p>\n
I usually go to the beach when I am free <\/i><\/p>\n
Are we interrupting you? <\/i><\/p>\n
No I have not written much this morning<\/i><\/p>\n
Nausicaa and I will sit next to the pool do come down when you are ready <\/i><\/p>\n
I\u2019ve a Friend, over the sea; <\/i><\/p>\n
I like him, but he loves me. <\/i><\/p>\n
It all grew out of the books I write;<\/i><\/p>\n
They find such favour in his sight.<\/i><\/p>\n
The woman in the multi-coloured dress was sitting on the steps that led to the art gallery<\/p>\n
I noticed that her dress was changing colour<\/p>\n
Is that part of one of your works?<\/i><\/p>\n
No it is part of a poem called Time\u2019s Revenge by Robert Browning <\/i><\/p>\n
The woman\u2019s dress was now completely white<\/p>\n
I do like your dress and how it changes colour at will <\/i><\/p>\n
I am not wearing a dress <\/i><\/p>\n
Are you sure?<\/i><\/p>\n
Yes perfectly sure <\/i><\/p>\n
The woman smiled<\/p>\n
I am completely naked you know <\/i><\/p>\n
But to anybody passing you appear to be wearing a white cotton dress <\/i><\/p>\n
I assure you I am naked can you not see my breasts? <\/i><\/p>\n
No I can see the shape of your breasts but I cannot see your breasts <\/i><\/p>\n
That is common error <\/i><\/p>\n
Please explain <\/i><\/p>\n
It is easy really you expect to see me wearing a dress so you have created one in your mind all of the people near to us can see the dress <\/i><\/p>\n
I may be wearing a yellow dress <\/i><\/p>\n
I may be wearing a blue dress<\/i><\/p>\n
I may be wearing a green dress \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
It is their choice <\/i><\/p>\n
Then why did I see you wearing a multi-coloured dress on the beach <\/i><\/p>\n
Because you were thinking about the light<\/i><\/p>\n
You created my dress for me <\/i><\/p>\n
Why is in so pale now?<\/i><\/p>\n
Because the steps are pale because the gallery is pale <\/i><\/p>\n
I assure I am totally naked <\/i><\/p>\n
I always walk around this town naked but nobody sees my nudity because they are not expecting to see me naked <\/i><\/p>\n
Close your eyes what do you see?<\/i><\/p>\n
The light streaming through my eyelids <\/i><\/p>\n
Open them what do you see?<\/i><\/p>\n
A woman sitting on the steps wearing a jade dress<\/em><\/p>\n Do you remember the time a few years ago when you bet Molly ten pounds that she would not run to the clock and back wearing only a jade vest <\/i><\/p>\n Yes just as the clock struck twelve<\/i><\/p>\n What happened?<\/i><\/p>\n She was stopped by the cops and was warned about her behaviour <\/i><\/p>\n Were the cops expecting to see Molly just in her vest? <\/i><\/p>\n I do not know <\/i><\/p>\n I expect that they were on the look-out for the normal drunken silliness<\/i><\/p>\n Exactly they were on the lookout for people being silly <\/i><\/p>\n Close your eyes what do you see? <\/i><\/p>\n I may be wearing a blue dress <\/i><\/p>\n I may be wearing a yellow dress \u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I may be wearing a green dress \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I included the episode in the book I was writing at the time <\/i><\/p>\n Close your eyes <\/i><\/p>\n Nausicaa and Molly were sitting by the pool<\/p>\n JJ walked slowly towards them<\/p>\n He was carrying a book<\/p>\n A book of poems by Robert Browning<\/p>\n I leaned on the turf,<\/i><\/p>\n I looked at the rock <\/i><\/p>\n Left dry by the surf <\/i><\/p>\n The work of the summer sun <\/i><\/p>\n James Lee the uncompleted quote is from James Lee <\/i><\/p>\n Do you know that I have never noticed this swimming pool\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I use this lane every day <\/i><\/p>\n That is because it is not here<\/i><\/p>\n Molly stood up and dived into the pool<\/p>\n It is here look I am swimming <\/i><\/p>\n There is a small orchard in front of your house <\/i><\/p>\n Today there is a pool in front of my house <\/i><\/p>\n Have you read any of my books? <\/i><\/p>\n No <\/i><\/p>\n Why not?<\/i><\/p>\n You cannot buy them on the island <\/i><\/p>\n What about the internet? <\/i><\/p>\n They are in English I do not read English fluently <\/i><\/p>\n Then I shall translate them into Greek <\/i><\/p>\n Molly threw a tennis ball in the general direction of JJ<\/p>\n Stop bullying her <\/i><\/p>\n Come in and swim <\/i><\/p>\n I prefer to sit in the shade <\/i><\/p>\n I will join you Molly<\/i><\/p>\n Nausicaa jumped into the pool deliberately splashing her host<\/p>\n The long dead sailors<\/p>\n In the waters deep<\/p>\n Saw a maiden<\/p>\n And began to weep<\/p>\n Close your eyes what do you see <\/i><\/p>\n JJ woke up with a start<\/p>\n Both the women were stretched out on the loungers either side of him<\/p>\n Molly was feigning sleep<\/p>\n But Nausicaa was looking at him with her deep Greek eyes<\/p>\n Look at the pool what do you see? \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n The pool <\/i><\/p>\n Look at the centre of the pool what do you see? <\/i><\/p>\n The centre of the pool <\/i><\/p>\n Look at the ripples what do you think is causing them? <\/i><\/p>\n Possibly the breeze <\/i><\/p>\n Maybe but I think we are having a minor earth tremor <\/i><\/p>\n Nausicaa placed her hand on the tiled surface under the sun lounger<\/p>\n Place you hand upon the tile <\/i><\/p>\n The island is speaking to you <\/i><\/p>\n JJ laid his palm on the tile but felt little<\/p>\n The island is silent again <\/i><\/p>\n Molly the island has been speaking to me again <\/i><\/p>\n Did you feel anything JJ? <\/i><\/p>\n No <\/i><\/p>\n Perhaps we do not feel things because we are strangers <\/i><\/p>\n The island has no borders <\/i><\/p>\n In 1917 there was a major earthquake in the area which killed a number of islanders<\/p>\n There was also a great loss of life at sea<\/p>\n The long dead sailors<\/p>\n In the waters deep<\/p>\n Saw a\u00a0 maiden<\/p>\n And l began to sleep<\/p>\n Browning? \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n I was on the beach again in Margate<\/p>\n The woman in the multi-coloured dress<\/p>\n Was still naked<\/p>\n And walking towards the church that was no longer there<\/p>\n From my vantage I could see her wearing a pale grey dress<\/p>\n The beach was beginning to empty<\/p>\n And the debris of the day<\/p>\n Lay in front of me<\/p>\n Plastic bottles and newspapers<\/p>\n Abandoned beach toys<\/p>\n I looked at the sky<\/p>\n It was beginning to change colour<\/p>\n A gecko scuttled across the sand<\/p>\n It stopped<\/p>\n Watch the day from the very high <\/i><\/p>\n Close your eyes and touch the sky <\/i><\/p>\n Do you not think that she had the finest breasts you have ever seen? <\/i><\/p>\n Who? <\/i><\/p>\n Nausicaa<\/i><\/p>\n They were indeed fine <\/i><\/p>\n She reminded me of Helen of Troy <\/i><\/p>\n The name comes from The Odyssey <\/i><\/p>\n Odysseus was shipwrecked on the Isle of Scheria and was befriended by King Alcinous and his daughter Nausicaa<\/i><\/p>\n A banquet was arranged in his honour and it\u00a0 was there that Odysseus revealed his true identity\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n He was requested to tell the story of his wanderings and his time in the country of the Lotos eaters <\/i><\/p>\n Lotos eaters?<\/i><\/p>\n It is a plant that when eaten helps one to forget the past <\/i><\/p>\n In Margate the town clock struck twelve<\/p>\n Two cops were standing in its night shadow<\/p>\n We will put an end to this silliness <\/i><\/p>\n You are very right <\/i><\/p>\n This is a respectable town <\/i><\/p>\n Do you remember the woman in the jade vest?<\/i><\/p>\n Clearly <\/i><\/p>\n We should have arrested her <\/i><\/p>\n I agree <\/i><\/p>\n Her bottom reminded me of Helen of Troy <\/i><\/p>\n That is why I let her off with a warning <\/i><\/p>\n The woman in the pale grey dress was sitting in the car park where the church used to be<\/p>\n She was consuming a Lotos plant<\/p>\n With a little hot water<\/p>\n She could see the cops<\/p>\n Through the open doors of the church<\/p>\n The church was bathing in the waters of the Lotos plant<\/p>\n It wanted to forget its past<\/p>\n Molly looked out of the small window in JJ\u2019s study<\/p>\n May I invite Nausicaa to supper tomorrow?<\/i><\/p>\n How long have you known her?<\/i><\/p>\n I only met her yesterday whilst swimming <\/i><\/p>\n I have spoken to her many times <\/i><\/p>\n Her father is a fisherman <\/i><\/p>\n He died in 1917 <\/i><\/p>\n During the terrible tempest caused by the earthquake <\/i><\/p>\n Does she miss him?<\/i><\/p>\n She sees him everyday <\/i><\/p>\n All daughters miss their fathers <\/i><\/p>\n He was once the King of this island<\/i><\/p>\n He had five daughters <\/i><\/p>\n Each was called Miranda <\/i><\/p>\n But when the sixth arrived <\/i><\/p>\n He called her Nausicaa<\/i><\/p>\n Which angered the God\u2019s <\/i><\/p>\n An because of this the earthquake arrived <\/i><\/p>\n The King was lured out to sea by the promise of a golden shoal <\/i><\/p>\n But this was a falsehood <\/i><\/p>\n And he died with many others within the fearsome waves <\/i><\/p>\n On what day did the earthquake arrive? <\/i><\/p>\n The 8th<\/sup> of July <\/i><\/p>\n Today is the 8th<\/sup> of July<\/i><\/p>\n They found his body and cremated it on the beach <\/i><\/p>\n The very beach from which you swim <\/i><\/p>\n I was so upset I could not watch and hid in my carriage <\/i><\/p>\n They removed his heart and it still resides to this day<\/i><\/p>\n In his daughter\u2019s secret casket I was in my Margate flat when there was a knock at the door<\/p>\n It was the cops<\/p>\n We have reason to believe that unsafe substances are being smoked and eaten in this flat <\/i><\/p>\n They are and we are all naked officer please come in\u00a0 <\/i><\/p>\n You are dressed sir <\/i><\/p>\n What do you see?<\/i><\/p>\n A jacket and trousers<\/i><\/p>\n Just you and me<\/i><\/p>\n There are two of you at my door <\/i><\/p>\n Three times six and many more <\/i><\/p>\n Does Molly live here?<\/i><\/p>\n Yes<\/i><\/p>\n May we speak to her?<\/i><\/p>\n No <\/i><\/p>\n Why?<\/i><\/p>\n Because she is with me in far off Greece <\/i><\/p>\n Would you please give her a message sir <\/i><\/p>\n What is the message?<\/i><\/p>\n That she reminds me of Helen of Troy and if she wants to dance around the town clock it is okay with the local police <\/i><\/p>\n I used the incident in my novel<\/i><\/p>\n I know <\/i><\/p>\n Have you read it? <\/i><\/p>\n No<\/i><\/p>\n They how do you know? <\/i><\/p>\n I read Greek extremely well<\/i><\/p>\n Write it again<\/i><\/p>\n Tell tell tell <\/i><\/p>\n I will sign your note book officer but your rhyme is rather forced you will need to work at the subtlety of your poetry it is mere doggerel\u00a0 at present <\/i><\/p>\n JJ and Molly walked through the orchard towards the lane that led to the beach<\/p>\n JJ decided that he would remove the clich\u00e9 of this description at a later date<\/p>\n He fully intended to enjoy the day and had decided not to write<\/p>\n He never wrote on the 9th<\/sup> of July<\/p>\n As an absent minded servant had locked him in his carriage<\/p>\n Nausicaa was already on the beach<\/p>\n She rose and kissed them on each cheek<\/p>\n 2×2 = 4+2 =6<\/p>\n JJ thinks that you have fine breasts Nausicaa <\/i><\/p>\n He wants to them to be on the dust cover of his latest book <\/i><\/p>\n His publishers are very keen to feature your breasts\u00a0 <\/i><\/p>\n Your breasts are also fine Molly<\/i><\/p>\n They are white and European <\/i><\/p>\n I am most flattered that you want to use my breasts to illustrate your new book but sadly I must decline the illustration <\/i><\/p>\n Why? <\/i><\/p>\n Because they are promised to the island <\/i><\/p>\n Look at those fishing boats what do you see?<\/i><\/p>\n Brightly coloured fishing boats ready for the morning sea <\/i><\/p>\n Examine the figureheads what do you see? <\/i><\/p>\n They are my breasts each on each of the boats <\/i><\/p>\n It brings the fishermen a fruitful passage and a safe return<\/i><\/p>\n If my fine breasts were to be found on the cover of your latest novel then we would risk making the God\u2019s angry again <\/i><\/p>\n I have spoken to them and they are quite happy for a figurehead to be photographed and to be used as the main illustration on the cover on your new book Whist the women were away<\/p>\n JJ searched through the ashes<\/p>\n Of the missing King<\/p>\n He searched and searched<\/p>\n For the golden ring \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Have many books have you written?<\/i><\/p>\n Six<\/i><\/p>\n And you have been very successful <\/i><\/p>\n Quite successful <\/i><\/p>\n Do you have a secret?<\/i><\/p>\n No it was just luck <\/i><\/p>\n Being in the right place at the right time <\/i><\/p>\n Where is Margate?<\/i><\/p>\n On the Kent coast not that far from Dover <\/i><\/p>\n I am told it has a special light <\/i><\/p>\n It has <\/i><\/p>\n Like Venice?<\/i><\/p>\n Yes and no <\/i><\/p>\n Describe it to me <\/i><\/p>\n It is not an intense light as we have on this island but it is a very knowledgeable light <\/i><\/p>\n My father returned to it again and again <\/i><\/p>\n A waitress sat down next to JJ<\/p>\n Who was your father? \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n My father was an artist<\/i><\/p>\n What are you doing in Greece?<\/i><\/p>\n Serving food and drink to the tourists <\/i><\/p>\n How well do you know Margate?<\/i><\/p>\n I have never been to Margate <\/i><\/p>\n Do you paint?<\/i><\/p>\n I am poor and the only employment I have is the decoration of the fishing boats <\/i><\/p>\n Do you know Nausicaa?<\/i><\/p>\n Yes she is my sister<\/i><\/p>\n Is your name Miranda <\/i><\/p>\n Yes <\/i><\/p>\n Where are your other sisters? <\/i><\/p>\n They are here<\/i><\/p>\n JJ looked up<\/p>\n You are all identical <\/i><\/p>\n Yes we are all identical <\/i><\/p>\n Why is Nausicaa so different? <\/i><\/p>\n She is identical can you not see that? <\/i><\/p>\n No it is not all apparent<\/i><\/p>\n Nausicaa is very dark whereas you and your sisters are fairer as if you have originated in Northern Europe<\/i><\/p>\n We are as dark as our sister <\/i><\/p>\n We are all Greek <\/i><\/p>\n When do you all finish?<\/i><\/p>\n We have never started<\/i><\/p>\n Then be at my pool within half an hour <\/i><\/p>\n We do not finish to three <\/i><\/p>\n Then make your excuses as my publisher is vising the island <\/i><\/p>\n As normal I was sitting in the shadow of the lifeguards hut<\/p>\n The hut was painted yellow and red<\/p>\n Alcinous assists Odysseus and aids his return to Ithaca where he meets his daughter Molly who has been searching for him all over the Mediterranean for many years<\/p>\n Between them the kill and maim the remaining sailors who have been courting the chaste women of the island<\/p>\n The naked woman invites me into her studio<\/p>\n She is wearing the dress of many colours again<\/p>\n On the wall of her studio there is a large oil painting<\/p>\n That is almost complete<\/p>\n She has named it<\/p>\n Coastal Landscape with Fishermen Launching a Boat<\/em><\/p>\n It is the most beautiful painting I have ever seen<\/p>\n The naked woman has used only red<\/p>\n Brown and yellow<\/p>\n The effect is stunning<\/p>\n The world is ending as it begins<\/p>\n Why do you think the fishermen are launching their boats at sunset?<\/i><\/p>\n I would only be guessing <\/i><\/p>\n They know that the fish admire the Greek sunsets above all and are easily captured <\/i><\/p>\n Is your father on the boat?<\/i><\/p>\n Yes he is the figure nearest to me <\/i><\/p>\n Did he know he was going to die? <\/i><\/p>\n Very much<\/i><\/p>\n He knew he had offended the Gods <\/i><\/p>\n JJ was in his studio<\/p>\n He had just finished a large painting<\/p>\n Which he called<\/p>\n Coastal Landscape with Fishermen Launching a Boat<\/em><\/p>\n It showed a vivid sunset that occured in Margate in 1917<\/p>\n Margate was Molly\u2019s home town<\/p>\n I was sitting in the shadow of the lifeguard\u2019s hut<\/i><\/p>\n When a woman wearing a multi-coloured dress <\/i><\/p>\n Sat beside me <\/i><\/p>\n I looked at her as there was plenty of space on the beach <\/i><\/p>\n Do you mind? <\/i><\/p>\n No<\/i><\/p>\n I know it is improper but to appreciate the Margate Light one has to sit in the shadows<\/i><\/p>\n It is a very special light <\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the summer most days were identical on JJ Williams Greek island Molly was on the narrow balcony that overlooked the garden JJ was at his typewriter Today he was writing a short poem Called Turner\u2019s Daughter It was to be set in Margate Molly\u2019s home town I was sitting in the shadow of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2268"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2268\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stuartmillerosborne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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