austraLasia #2132

Pentecost in Pentameter - Saints, Dragons and Bards

JERUSALEM: 23rd April 2008 -- Shakespeare, Cervantes and St George have one thing in common - April 23rd.  The first and second of them died that day. George held sway that day long afore them. England claims him, but despite Henry V shouting "Cry 'God for Harry, England and St George'!" (according to Shakespeare, that is), George is also beloved of Catalunyans, Orthodox Christians, Moslems, Boy Scouts and butchers (being patron saint of both). So let's have a party or, a least, a Poetry Soirée!  By now, readers will have worked out that Shmuel Hanagid Street, Jerusalem, is quite your little place for culture.
    Britons and Catalunyans - at least one of both species - there are at Ratisbonne, but also the odd Japanese, Italian, Indian, Brazilian, Filipino, Ethiopian, Maltese, Haitian, Tanzanian (and Tasmanian), Sri Lankan, Polish, American, Congolese and Ecuadorian. Students belonging to the Cultural group at 'Salesian Monastery' decided to round it off to a tried and proven biblical 12 x 12 - 12 poems from 12 cultures.  It was a kind of Pentecost in pentameter.
    From the EAO perspective, Daisuke Kitagawa treated us to an exquisite Japanese cosmology in the form of Miyazawa Kenji's 'Be not defeated by the Rain', reminiscent of Proverbs.  Fr Stephen Placente opted for Filipino national hero and poet Jose Rizal's 'Mi ultimo adios' (though it's believed Steve is staying on for an encore).  From west of Manila, South Asia was represented by a Tamil Nadu 'Invocation to Goddess Tamil' (Jesudoss Arokiam and Vincent Raj) and 'What is gone is gone' (Eugine Kujur).
    And of course, Shakespeare.  The Rector, Fr Francis Preston, recalled his forced learning of almost the entire 'Merchant of Venice' back in 19...., something for which he is now deeply grateful, he admits.  Fortunately, fireworks from Pesach celebrations down near the Old City ensured that only Gentile ears heard the famed lines:
                               Therefore, Jew,
                  Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
                  That, in the course of justice, none of us
                  Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy.
    Australia listened, enchanted.  It did not seem to be the time nor place for
                    On the outer Barcoo where the churches are few,
                    And men of religion are scanty.....
    Besides, Australia had booked the Good Night, and managed to get in Les Murray's  

Nothing’s said till it’s dreamed out in words
and nothing’s true that figures in words only.
which  echoed the line the cultural group had chosen to hang over the entire event.  Shakespeare again:
    My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: words without thoughts never to heaven will go (Hamlet, Act III, Scene iii)

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Title: australasia 2132
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces, SA, Poetry Soirée
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2132