absolute lights like baths of golden snow

For once, I will have some kind thoughts about Parliament. For the last couple of days they've been debating key issues in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill (biggest shake-up of fertility law for nearly 20 years, to quote the BBC news website). And on the four key issues, they've come out on what I think is the right side in all four cases.

a) Abortion limit kept at 24 weeks rather than being reduced to 22 weeks, 20 weeks, or less.
b) Rejected need for doctors to consider the need for a "father and a mother" before allowing IVF treatment (ie, single women or same-sex couples).
c) Rejected ban on "saviour siblings".
d) Permitted creation of "hybrid animal embryos" for stem cell research.

That's a relief.

Watched the first Eurovision Song Contest semifinal earlier this evening. (Second semifinal is on Thursday, final is on Saturday and is usurping Doctor Who for the week, alas). No, it's not great music, but a good proportion of the songs are pleasant enough, and it's just simply enjoyable to watch people across Europe having fun. (And the Azerbajan one was hilarious.)

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this is the garden: colours come and go

this is the garden: colours come and go,
frail azures fluttering from night's outer wing
strong silent greens silently lingering,
absolute lights like baths of golden snow.
This is the garden: pursed lips do blow
upon cool flutes within wide glooms,and sing
(of harps celestial to the quivering string)
invisible faces hauntingly and slow.

This is the garden. Time shall surely reap
and on Death's blade lie many a flower curled,
in other lands where other songs be sung;
yet stand They here enraptured,as among
the slow deep trees perpetual of sleep
some silver-fingered fountain steals the world.

-- e.e. cummings