Norah Lofts Message Board
Djo posts on 1/12/2009 7:49:14 PM
How embarrassing. Mary, I didn't realise that you wrote the poem when I wrote my post, I just assumed you found it online somewhere. It's very good. I had fun trying to put some lines together - I haven't written poetry for years now. I think I'll carry on with what I've written, but do it as a stand-alone poem.
Rita posts on 1/12/2009 5:56:57 PM
Oh Mary What a poem. I loved it. I know that sometimes when reading of Layer Wood or the Hawk in Hand and the phone rings, for just a split second I cannot differentiate between now and then. Just for awhile the reality was THERE.
But then, we all know I am a little nuts.
Cassie posts on 1/12/2009 10:22:44 AM
I would love to have a genealogical list. I have not read enough to have made them on my own, but I do find myself wondering if "so and so" was the same "so and so" from a different book. I think that I never really paid attention to the books that went together in a series, I just picked up my mom's books and read them as I came upon them. So I can see that some are related to each other but I don't even know which ones they are. I'm sure with a tiny bit of research I could figure it out.
Karen posts on 1/12/2009 4:50:33 AM
You know, at least a couple of us have done the genealogical links.... I'm sure we could share them, if you like. (New Paragraph) I enjoyed the verses, too... there are families I would have liked to have known more about, and stories NL hinted at, perhaps ones she meant to come back to one day, but we will never know what they might have been. Oh, heck, I did not mean to get depressive....
Djo posts on 1/10/2009 9:32:37 PM
I have to admit, that despite being disgustingly busy and behind of several things, I have been mucking around with some follow on verses. If I manage to finish them, I'll post them. They are not in exactly the same style, but I like to think they have kept the same feeling and mood. I really, really mustn't work on them tonight ...I'm sooo busy. I am also struggling NOT to read Bless This House. I am so naughty, but if the girls are busy playing I end up picking up the book for 10 mins instead of doing housework or other tasks. It's been so long since I've read that book I've forgotten most of it. I'm in NL heaven!! The urge to try and map the area and try to establish the genealogical links is almost overwhelming.
BarbaraH posts on 1/10/2009 9:23:06 PM
Ok, I can see that adding to a long-finhed work is not a good idea. Are you doing the Neverending quiz on Goodreads? I am adding NL qu's all the time , it is a fascinating ( if time wasting) occupation!
Mary posts on 1/10/2009 8:52:40 PM
Thank you, Barbara! After so long, I think I'd like to leave it as it is, but I was pretty sure I'd find an appreciative reception here!
BarbaraH posts on 1/9/2009 11:27:40 PM
I love your peom Mary and have copied it so it can be written out in proper stanzas. Mybe you could add a verse though, that says they will all never really die while there are people like us around
Mary posts on 1/9/2009 1:21:44 AM
Here's a poem from about twnety-five years ago:
In Memoriam Norah Lofts
The lights are out in Baildon. Every street From Saltgate to the Abbey ruins lies Empty and dark. No tread of moving feet Is heard in Market Square, no words, no cries From children at the Grammar School, no voice. The lanes are still about the countryside. Fennels at Ockley, Hattons at Mortiboys Are gone, and brambles choke the Lady’s Ride. The books are closed in Turnbull’s law chamber. Cobwebs hang thick upon the shuttered door Of th’ Hawk in Hand, and down at Bywater The ships lie beached along the silting shore. The bell has tolled its last for Martin Reed At Flaxham Church. The last Tom Thoroughgood Has bred at Nettleton his last gold steed. Silence has fallen over Layer Wood.
Karen posts on 1/8/2009 7:35:16 PM
I agree, BarbaraH. I'm here to talk about NL's work. I enjoy the conversation. In particular, I love the historical novels... especially the 'house' books.
Click Here for Messages:
1 - 10
11 - 20
21 - 30
31 - 40
41 - 50
51 - 60
61 - 70
71 - 80
81 - 90
91 - 100
101 - 110
111 - 120
121 - 130
131 - 140
141 - 150
151 - 160
161 - 170
171 - 180
181 - 190
191 - 200
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the posters.
