grains of sand and auguries of innocence by william blake

To see The World in a grain of sand........(Full poem is below)

More information about each microscopic photograph can be found here

Auguries of Innocence

BY WILLIAM BLAKE

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower 

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 

And Eternity in an hour

A Robin Red breast in a Cage

Puts all Heaven in a Rage 

A Dove house filld with Doves & Pigeons

Shudders Hell thr' all its regions 

A dog starvd at his Masters Gate

Predicts the ruin of the State 

A Horse misusd upon the Road

Calls to Heaven for Human blood 

Each outcry of the hunted Hare

A fibre from the Brain does tear 

A Skylark wounded in the wing 

A Cherubim does cease to sing 

The Game Cock clipd & armd for fight

Does the Rising Sun affright 

Every Wolfs & Lions howl

Raises from Hell a Human Soul 

The wild deer, wandring here & there 

Keeps the Human Soul from Care 

The Lamb misusd breeds Public Strife

And yet forgives the Butchers knife 

The Bat that flits at close of Eve

Has left the Brain that wont Believe

The Owl that calls upon the Night

Speaks the Unbelievers fright

He who shall hurt the little Wren

Shall never be belovd by Men 

He who the Ox to wrath has movd

Shall never be by Woman lovd

The wanton Boy that kills the Fly

Shall feel the Spiders enmity 

He who torments the Chafers Sprite

Weaves a Bower in endless Night 

The Catterpiller on the Leaf

Repeats to thee thy Mothers grief 

Kill not the Moth nor Butterfly 

For the Last Judgment draweth nigh 

He who shall train the Horse to War

Shall never pass the Polar Bar 

The Beggars Dog & Widows Cat 

Feed them & thou wilt grow fat 

The Gnat that sings his Summers Song

Poison gets from Slanders tongue 

The poison of the Snake & Newt

Is the sweat of Envys Foot 

The poison of the Honey Bee

Is the Artists Jealousy

The Princes Robes & Beggars Rags

Are Toadstools on the Misers Bags 

A Truth thats told with bad intent

Beats all the Lies you can invent 

It is right it should be so 

Man was made for Joy & Woe 

And when this we rightly know 

Thro the World we safely go 

Joy & Woe are woven fine 

A Clothing for the soul divine 

Under every grief & pine

Runs a joy with silken twine 

The Babe is more than swadling Bands

Throughout all these Human Lands

Tools were made & Born were hands 

Every Farmer Understands

Every Tear from Every Eye

Becomes a Babe in Eternity 

This is caught by Females bright

And returnd to its own delight 

The Bleat the Bark Bellow & Roar 

Are Waves that Beat on Heavens Shore 

The Babe that weeps the Rod beneath

Writes Revenge in realms of Death 

The Beggars Rags fluttering in Air

Does to Rags the Heavens tear 

The Soldier armd with Sword & Gun 

Palsied strikes the Summers Sun

The poor Mans Farthing is worth more

Than all the Gold on Africs Shore

One Mite wrung from the Labrers hands

Shall buy & sell the Misers Lands 

Or if protected from on high 

Does that whole Nation sell & buy 

He who mocks the Infants Faith

Shall be mockd in Age & Death 

He who shall teach the Child to Doubt

The rotting Grave shall neer get out 

He who respects the Infants faith

Triumphs over Hell & Death 

The Childs Toys & the Old Mans Reasons

Are the Fruits of the Two seasons 

The Questioner who sits so sly 

Shall never know how to Reply 

He who replies to words of Doubt

Doth put the Light of Knowledge out 

The Strongest Poison ever known

Came from Caesars Laurel Crown 

Nought can Deform the Human Race

Like to the Armours iron brace 

When Gold & Gems adorn the Plow

To peaceful Arts shall Envy Bow 

A Riddle or the Crickets Cry

Is to Doubt a fit Reply 

The Emmets Inch & Eagles Mile

Make Lame Philosophy to smile 

He who Doubts from what he sees

Will neer Believe do what you Please 

If the Sun & Moon should Doubt 

Theyd immediately Go out 

To be in a Passion you Good may Do 

But no Good if a Passion is in you 

The Whore & Gambler by the State

Licencd build that Nations Fate 

The Harlots cry from Street to Street 

Shall weave Old Englands winding Sheet 

The Winners Shout the Losers Curse 

Dance before dead Englands Hearse 

Every Night & every Morn

Some to Misery are Born 

Every Morn and every Night

Some are Born to sweet delight 

Some are Born to sweet delight 

Some are Born to Endless Night 

We are led to Believe a Lie

When we see not Thro the Eye

Which was Born in a Night to perish in a Night 

When the Soul Slept in Beams of Light 

God Appears & God is Light

To those poor Souls who dwell in Night 

But does a Human Form Display

To those who Dwell in Realms of day

Source: Poets of the English Language (Viking Press, 1950)

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sajid javid - nothing to see here (or tory corruption #935)

 From The Financial Times

Here's a gentle reminder...

In August 2020 Sajid Javid became a paid advisor to JP Morgan, where he formed Morgan Health in May 2021.  He then became Health Secretary in June 2021.  In November 2022 JP Morgan started aggressively investing in 'Promising Healthcare Companies', which of course had nothing to do with Javid calling for the NHS to be reformed (January 2023), before he returned to JP Morgan. 

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Beth Orton - Blood Red River

Bo Diddley - Bring it to Jerome

what did new labour ever do for us?

 

horse for the national

Think I've got a cert for todays Grand National.  Off to the bookies.

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TREX cooking

The TREXtasy one is from 1937, but the top advert was familiar to anyone around in the 1970's.

I can't comment on what it was like to cook with this stuff, but the T.Rex band sure meant a hell of a lot more to me.

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Luna - Friendly Advice

Blue Skies - Willie Nelson

robert tressell - always correct

 

tonight's outfit is sorted

 Right. l've got tonight's outfit sorted.  The only question is, where should l go?

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rwanda trips booked

I will make this easy for everyone.  The landlord and wife are racist, and our Home Secretary, despite the fact she is black, is supporting them, because she is currently stirring up as much racial hatred as she can, to polarise and deflect.

Send all three to Rwanda, and never vote Tory.

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meanwhile, in south west norfolk

This fucking country.  We're talking about Liz Truss here, the woman who broke the economy, and after 13 years of the Tories wrecking everything.  What more do the fuckers  have to do to stop these twats voting for them? It's just as bad in Richmondshire (where l live), a safe seat for Rishi Sunak. No wonder politics annoys me.

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I agree with Mick

 Or he agrees with me.  Either way...

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bloody ticket prices nowadays

Thought l might re-live some of my younger years by going to this. 

Then l had a look at some of the prices, and quickly changed my mind.

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The Ballad of Billy Stein HD - Urban Commandos

Went to see these last night in Richmond. It was a Birthday do, and l thought l was going to see your usual run of the mill covers band, so these were more than a pleasant surprise, playing lots of their own songs, but also covering The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, who I love, so an excellent night was had by all.

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Happy Easter!!

 

carl cox - music is revolution

I still wouldn't mind a t-shirt with this printed on. A Carl Cox 'Music is Revolution' poster l nicked in Ibiza.  One day l may get around to doing it myself (but l doubt it).

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crows cartoon by moose

 

north park, bootle 1947

My relatives may well be in this picture, as they were alive at the time and only lived round the corner from here, and l spent many happy days here myself many moons ago. The rather wonderful North Park in Bootle.

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This man is a leader - Rep. Justin J Pearson

Articulate and compassioned Justin J. Pearson speaks out after two black Democrats, (himself and Justin Jones) were expelled by Republican House of Representatives in Tennessee after protesting about gun violence legislation. Gloria Johnson, who was with them and just happens to be white, was not expelled.  This man is a leader and gives me some hope that the USA has a future, rather than the blighted present of Trumpism.  Let's hope the people get out to vote and support him, as he has a long career in politics ahead of him if he wishes to continue on that path (and hopefully isn't targeted).  

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football italia / gazzetta football italia

This takes me back to the glory days of Jimbo (James Richardson) and Football Italia / Gazzetta Football Italia back in the day.  It all seemed so foreign and exciting, as there was hardly any UK football on TV at the time (compared to nowadays).  Nowadays, the English Premiership is everything, and is slowly engulfing the other leagues and top players.

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a great response from ellie goulding regarding mars bars

Ellie Goulding - straight to the point with minimum fuss regarding Mars bars. However, it's a pretty minor rumour (or insult) compared to Marianne Faithfull and a Mars bar, which she then had to tolerate for years.

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all hail keith richards

Once again, time to praise and acknowledge Mr Keith Richards, who rather like myself, appears to be indestructible, and at one time (with some help from Mick), was very very cool.

Remember - in front of a judge and about to be sent to prison, he famously stated "We're not old men, we're not worried about petty morals".  That takes guts.

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Werewolves Of London - Warren Zevon

The old joke that always amuses me

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tory corruption #784 - scott benton and voter suppression

Surprised Scott Benton was caught out?  You obviously didn't spot him at Aintree, Wimbledon and the Euros, with his tickets provided by the gaming / gambling industry. Despite the fact that he is chairman of the all party parliamentary group for betting and gaming, which he's meant to be overseeing.

Never vote Tory

Meanwhile in voter land....One of these makes you eligible for voting under the new photo ID law, but one doesn't.  Guess which one of the two is more likely to vote for the Conservatives, and it's kind of easy to work out.

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labour stooping as low as the tories

As anyone reading this blog would have easily guessed, l despise the Conservatives and pretty much all they stand for, but Labour have stooped to a low point with this kind of electioneering.  The last thing they should be doing is competing with the Tories for the populist separatist market in this way, as it will only tarnish their own brand and message.  It's a short-sighted attack which could have long term consequences, and should be removed.

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ashamed of being tories

 No mention of being Conservatives. Even they know it's not a good idea to publicise it when they are after your votes.

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Sugar Me - Lynsey De Paul

I remember years ago my father saying he thought Lynsey De Paul was good looking, but at the time, she just seemed really old to me and I thought he was crackers (obviously l was a lot younger).  Now when l see her, l can't believe it, as she now looks (to this old git) very young, and l can now understand what my father saw in her.  Getting old makes you lose your marbles.

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Childish Gambino - This Is America (Official Video)

nudity is strickly forbiden

 I only wish l had seen this sign earlier, and perhaps l wouldn't have been banned. 

Plus, shouldn't it be spelt 'strictly'?

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nigel lawson has died

 As someone who remembers his policies working with Margaret Thatcher, and had to live through the consequences, l hope he has joined her in whatever hellish afterlife she was sent to. However, if Nigella wishes to call around and persuade me otherwise, l may change my opinion.

From The Guardian

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another brexit dividend - the eu price cap

 

the beatles norwegian singles

Yes please!!!   I'd like all of these, but l also don't want to start collecting something else such as foreign releases of singles, as l would definitely need a larger house and a lot more money. They do look very nice though, and l am currently salivating (a wonderful image for all and sundry).

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a grooming reminder

While the Tories continue their racist rhetoric, a gentle reminder that they are (as usual) talking crap, backed by their own Home Office investigation.

Never vote Tory.

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T.A.F 4-2-4 Football game

Thinking about football games after the post below - here's some adverts for my favourite one from when l was a kid. T.A.F  4--2-4 Football Game, which to me at least, was so much better than Subbuteo, as it involved some tactics, thinking ahead, and you could do more with the players. Later rebranded as Grand Slam and Premier Football.

Obviously l have the original version, signed by the inventor - Tom Waterman.

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ho-mo football / soccer game

I really don't give a flying fuck about anyone's sexuality, but surely the makers of this football / soccer game from the 1950's could have come up with a different name? 

Unless of course, it was all a hilarious practical joke to them, or they were making some kind of statement. In which case - respect!

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This Is What She's Like (full version) - Dexy's Midnight Runners

I've seen Dexy's Midnight Runners a few times over the years, but my favourite show was probably at Newcastle City Hall when they were touring this song and the album it is from (Don't Stand Me Down). There were not that many people at the show, but we were all encouraged to come to the front, and the band stayed around afterwards for photos and autographs.  I'm aware Kevin Rowlands'  voice isn't for everyone, but he sings with real emotion, and l absolutely love them. 

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Dexys - I'm Going To Get Free (Official Music Video)

Not sure about the choice of hat and cravat, but l like the song and suit, and it's always good to hear new stuff from Dexy's.

Celebrate Kevin Rowland while we still can!  You don't get many like him in this life.

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tory caught in brothel

Another day, another doughnut, and another Tory scandal.

My money is on Matt Hancock.

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peter kay and our waters being filled with shit

 

feeling sorry for the bravermans?

I would take a long hard look at the choice l had made as a wife, go and change my piss stained pants, and re-evaluate my life, you sad victim blaming hate filled racist supporting enabling fuckwit.

#I'mwithgary

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the jesus trump

I was wondering what kind of decorative feature could be the main focus of my living room wall, and l think l now have a winner! 

I think Donald Trump may have a completely different kind of person behind him in the showers if he goes to prison (not that l think he will).  Fingers crossed though.

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rishi's april fools joke