The Stones of Mithras

The Stones of Mithras is a beautiful and evocative book of poetry and prose from author and actor Tim Dalgleish. This contemporary traveler's tale is full of unforgettable historical images of lost and ancient cities (especially those of Spain). The poems talk of the inspiration of great art, philosophizing over a cup of coffee, Greek and Roman architecture and mythology and the joy of sitting in parks and imagining the exploits of travelers and writers that went before, from Marco Polo to Maimonides to Marcuse, El Greco and Lorca and even the romance of acting Shakespeare. The author describes the poems as "secular religiosity, a non-believer's paganism reflecting my joy at splashing about in the cross currents that blended Roman, Visigoth, Muslim, Jew and Christian in the great mezcla that is Spanish history." He adds: "If you have the feeling of freedom in your heart you begin to look at all things in the world, cornflowers, cigarettes, smoke, clouds, sky, statues, whatever is nearest to hand or vividly remembered as embodied with, soaked in, painted by, the simple magic of light. Light and especially sunlight has always made me feel everything good is possible. In a world of tragedy and chaos, an individual needs a place, a feeling, a hideout, to settle and renew their thoughts and energies. For me a sun-filled day is that hideout."