Thoughts for November

Night view of Pimlico, London.  (P. Ferguson image, 1:29 AM, November 5, 2018)

Night view of Pimlico, London.
(P. Ferguson image, 1:29 AM, November 5, 2018)

The 5th for the 11th

This day of days – peace.

Days before – rumoured endings.

Does the rumble grow quiet,

with this stoppage of time?

As we await with eagerness,

for a new tomorrow?

(12:52 AM)

Asleep at one time this evening I awaken to the repeated poppity-pop of fireworks and ‘crackers. Roman candles are in the air, a fountain of colours like flares on a dark night of the front. Pimlico is not quiet this evening.

And now the mind is turning as thought upon thought does not drift to my presence but in torrents they come. Face after face of veterans once met and their Great War’s experience as elder faces return within my frequency of this night’s forthcoming silence.

As the thoughts cascade, there is only one way to calm the tide, a baton of words to capture this time, to sway the tide in favor of my wish to dream.

(1:18 AM)

 


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

Comments

One Response to “Thoughts for November”

  1. P. Ferguson says:

    Actual publication time based on London time – 1: 57 AM. Monday 5 November 2018.

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