A Flock of Geese - Taking a Stroll

A Flock of geese taking a stroll in St James Park

TO CANADA GEESE

By Belle Schmidt

There is no traffic jam in the sky

when you spread your wings and fly

south along a boundless,

trackless pathway.

In undulating V-formation

unerringly you cross the nation,

wings waving to people far below.

Day after day,

like a precision drill team,

sun catching your feathers’ gleam,

in and out you weave and waver;

but never stray.

Your hoarse honking, its purpose clear,

although strident to our ear,

conveys to the flock aloft;

there’s no delay.

Guided along by an unseen force,

you follow an instinctive course,

and make us beneficiaries

of this wondrous display.

The London Eye and the Houses of Parliament - London

Circle of Wonder

In the shadow of political power,

stands the wheel,

where,

love can blossom,

horizons broaden,

dreams born,

take a ride

on the circle of wonder

in an ancient city

close your eyes

make your wish

you never know

it just may come true!

© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

A Poem For You

A Poem For You

Just the thought of you,

brings a smile to my face,

the guiltiest of pleasure,

those treasured memories,

beating hearts,

skips, quivers,shakes,

tattooed with your name,

tattooed with love

your green brown eyes,

brown velvet skin,

your secret smile,

it is all about you.

its all about my love,

for you

© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

Royal Academy of Arts - 'Tall Tree and the Eye'

Anish Kapoor 'Tall Tree and the Eye', 2009. Stainless steel and carbon steel.

Tall tree and the eye, a major new sculpture, is on display in the Annenberg Courtyard. Infinitely repeating and reflecting its surroundings, like much of Kapoor’s work, this object both disorientates and distorts, challenging our traditional notion of form and space.

Simon the Cat - Let Me In!

I have a cat his name is Cee and he is simply gorgeous! I came across this video of Simon the Cat and belive me it could of been Cee. If you have a cat you should be able to relate to it.

I hope you enjoyed it... I better let Cee in... he's looking hungry!

Merrist Wood Campus - Worplesdon - Surrey

Daybreak in Surrey

Take a Moment

take a moment to watch the darkness flee the scene,
take a moment to breathe the sweet scent in,
take a moment to feel nature greet the new day,
stand and as one,
with the beauty that surrounds you,
it only takes a moment, so don't let it pass you by
© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

Photo taken by JLS

Welcome to Carnaby Street - Christmas Decorations - London

The award winning Carnaby Christmas decorations take on a psychedelic theme this year to launch Carnaby’s 50th Anniversary in 2010; a year long celebration of the sixties, the decade in which Carnaby became an iconic fashion destination. Launched on Tuesday 10th November with an open air swinging 60’s disco Carnaby Street on with a live DJ set from Eddie Piller, founder of Acid Jazz Records.

Carnaby is known for quirky Christmas decorations, and this year is no exception. The twelve streets of Carnaby are filled with fifteen, six metre high inflatable decorations declaring 60’s festive messages of Love, Joy, Hope and Peace, along with four, six metre high inflatable hot pink reindeers, and surrounded by brightly coloured suspended Christmas trees and sparkling lights. Kingly Court is now home to beautiful, shimmering light installations and the Newburgh Quarter is full of Christmas trees in vibrant 60’s colours.

The decorations are designed by Paul Dart, from the James Glancy Design Agency; “A psychedelic Christmas is a fond homage to the 50th birthday of Carnaby as it was the birthplace of the explosion of British fashion design and its vitality still invigorates the design world today.”

The colours are reminiscent of the 60’s including pillar box red, bright yellow, orange, acid green, purple and candy pink, making this Christmas in Carnaby a sight to be seen.

Weekend Video Post - I Am a Man - Byron Hurt

Another video post which looks at the masculinity issues that face the modern black male in western societies. Please give a little time to watch this short, but thought provoking film and share your thoughts. I would welcome your views regardless of your background.

Trojan's Corner Welcomes everyone!

This blog welcomes free speech, but please be respectful in your views.

This award-winning documentary links everyday black men from various socioeconomic backgrounds with some of Black America's most progressive academics, social critics and authors to provide an engaging, candid dialogue on black masculine identity in American culture. Featuring interviews with bell hooks, Michael Eric Dyson, John Henrick Clarke, Dr. Alvin Poussaint, MC Hammer, and others.

Hungerford Bridge - London

Many thanks for all the lovely birthday wishes I received yesterday.
Today's post photograph is of Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges seen from the South bank.

I chose this photo to represent my mindset for my 37th year.
I want to be looking up at blue skies and crossing bridges towards something new and better.
Yesterday was the start of that journey.
I hope that this change in mindset will enable me start the journey towards a better place,
spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Blue Skies State of Mind
Take a step forward.
It may be in the dark
Or sometimes in the light.
But keep stepping,
Keep moving, striving forward,
Build bridges and forgive
because pain will only hold your back,
See the blue skies above
As that’s where I want to be.
So I keep walking,
One step at a time.

because i'm in a blue skies state of mind.

© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

It's My Birthday! 37 Today!

Today is my birthday and I now 37. Many thanks for all the wishes I have already received on Facebook, text messages, my blog, cards (sent through the post) and phone calls. I feel really blessed for my day to be recognised by so many people.

Thank you!

"Looking back without anger,

it's just a life lesson learnt,

I have disappointed others,

and been disappointed by some,

I truly learnt to accept love,

and love in return,

thank you for the journey, so far,

I feel its only just began,

so I will just say,

Happy Birthday to me!"

© 2009 T.Gayle, all rights reserved.

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China Town - London

I would like to wish a colleage that I work with
a very Happy Birthday.

Today's post is dedicated to him.

J.Lek - Happy Birthday

Chinatown is an integral part of London’s history: haunt of Boswell and Reynolds, birthplace of the post office, first site of Ronnie Scott’s, host to immigrant communities from the Huguenots to the Maltese and now London’s vibrant Chinese quarter. The bustling Chinese community of restaurants and businesses has been here since the 1950s; however, the Chinatown story goes much further back – right across London and all the way to the Far East.

Ghost trees 'haunt' London Square

The stumps of 10 rainforest trees, complete with their roots, have been placed around Trafalgar Square to highlight the issue of deforestation.

Laser beams will mark the height the trees would have reached in the wild in comparison to Nelson's Column.

The legally logged trees will highlight deforestation in countries like their native Ghana which has lost 90% of its rainforest in the past 50 years.

Ghost Forest, by Oxford artist Angela Palmer, will remain there until Friday.

The installation went up at the central London location in the early hours of Monday morning.

'World's lungs'

The trees used in Ghost Forest come from the Suhuma forest reserve in western Ghana.

The artist went to a logging camp to locate trees for the exhibit.

Ms Palmer said: "The concept is to present a series of rainforest tree stumps as a 'ghost forest' - using the negative space created by the missing trunks as a metaphor for climate change, the absence representing the removal of the world's 'lungs' through continued deforestation."

The project has seven indigenous species -

Denya, Dahuma, Danta, Hyedua, Mahogany, Wawa and three varieties of Celtis.

The installation, which highlights the threat of deforestation faced by tropical forests, will be shipped to Thorvaldsens Plads in Copenhagen for the start of the UN Climate Change summit in December.

For more information on Ghost Forest Project click HERE

Redefining Black Masculinity - Byron Hurt - Re-post

This a very interesting piece talking about the concept of black male masculinity using President Barack Obama and 50 cent as role models. It really worth a viewing as it may challenge your perceptions on black men and they are seen in the wider society.

Let me know what you think and don't hold back on your opinion. Freedom of speech is welcomed here.

The O2 / Millennium Dome

The new millennium officially started in Greenwich, England on 1st January 2001; The World's biggest dome was built on the Meridian Line (The Prime Meridian of the World) in Greenwich to celebrate this historic event.

The Millennium Dome closed to visitors on 31st December 2000 a few hours before the new millennium officially begun!

The O2 / Millennium Dome

The Millennium Dome officially re-opened as the O2 on 24 June 2007

Autumn Quote - Yoko Ono

"Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance."

Yoko Ono

Green Park, London

Armistice Day by Tony Channing

What does Armistice Day mean to you?

Soldiers who fought to keep us free

Gather on Armistice Day

Each one frail with a memory

Of wars fought far away

Gather on Armistice Day

Each one frail with a memory

Of wars fought far away

They fought on land, sea, and air

Gallant in their obligation

Their one and only care

To keep free, our great nation

We walk the streets free from strife

With freedom of speech and thought

Because they paid the ultimate price

In the battles that they fought

Two minutes silence is all they demand

Two minutes from our year

Two minutes to honour them for their stand

That kept our freedom dear

I wonder if in future years

When they’ve all passed away

We’ll still be shedding tears

On Armistice Day

Armistice Day

by Tony Channing

Photograph taken by Trojan Gayle

Support Our troops

Wear your poppy

Eva Cassidy - Autumn Leaves - Green Park

The falling leaves drift by my window

The falling leaves of red and gold

I see your lips, the summer kisses

The sunburned hands I used to hold

Green Park, London

The falling leaves drift by my window

The falling leaves of red and gold

I see your lips, the summer kisses

The sunburned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I'll hear old winter's song

But I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall

Since you went away the days grow long

And soon I'll hear old winter's song

But I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall

I miss you most of all, my darling

When autumn leaves start to fall

Artist: Eva Cassidy

English Lyrics by Johnny Mercer and Music by Joseph Kosma

Pier Walk - Greenwich Peninsula - London

An exciting new development in the Greenwich Peninsula

View of the Terry Farrell designed "Pier Walk" building from Peninsula Square, North Greenwich. In the background, the not-yet-completed "Mitre Passage" building can be seen. In the foreground to the left can be seen the 45m high stainless steel sculpture, "The Mast"

Remembrance Sunday - London

"Every year at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month we remember the end of the First World War and all who gave their lives then and since."

Outside St James Palace -

Standing With Britons finest!

Support Our Troops!

Legion Values

Reflection - through Remembrance of past sacrifice in the cause of freedom

Hope - by remembering the past, a younger generation has the chance of a better future

Comradeship - through shared experience and mutual support

Selflessness - by putting others first

Service - to those in need and in support of the whole community

For more information or to support our troops please visitThe Royal British Legion

Autumn Watch - Green Park

"The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many".

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Looking up at the Autumn Skies - Guy Fawkes Night

"Remember remember the 5th of November, it Guy Fawkes night"

(Traditional English Rhyme - 17th Century)

Looking through the trees at the skies in Green Park, London

Tonight all over England, the 5th of November is still commemorated each year with fireworks and bonfires culminating with the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes (the guy). The 'guys' are made by children by filling old clothes with crumpled newspapers to look like a man. Tradition allows British children to display their 'guys' to passers-by and asking for " A penny for the guy".

Hopefully I will be able to post some pictures of my local fireworks display in a few days.