Pictured left is a poet, holding her muse.
Our friend Kathy is a woman of many talents, not the least of which is her laser wit and wicked, typically British sense of humour. For me, however, her true genius lies in her ability to pen the most extraordinarily lyrical poems. I don't know much about poetry ... as they say, but after reading Kathy's words, I often feel the need to sit oh-so-still for awhile, and let the sounds and imagery wash gently over me, before finally sinking in.
(*And a final thanks to K for the concept of snout ratings. Graphics currently being workshopped.)
Sadly though - and like too many artists out there - her talent is in inverse proportion to her humility, so you won't find her work on bookshelves, or in the literary supplement of the papers. And yet, thanks to the goading of her IT-boffin partner Josh, she does have a blog: The Mouse's Tale. (See also under sidebar in "blogs I follow")
I give it a five snout rating* - for quality, if not quantity.
Do take a peek sometime, and leave a comment if moved to do so. Who knows, it may embolden her to write more, and then we'll all be happy.
And her muse? Well, it started with a suggestion tossed casually onto her Facebook page. Without hesitation, like the doughty Brit that she is, she took the pig by the tusks and dashed off the most touching poem, that somehow, with an almost breathtaking economy of language, summed up the one-of-a-kind relationship between a certain pig, his owners, and the little piece of rainforest they've come to call home.
And here it is, by kind permission of the author:
The PresentWe travelled a long way to find youFrom the tropics to the gentler climes.So small you were! A stuffed toyJumping off the shelf in your urge to be noticedAnd that snoutNever still.We brought you squealingTo your new homeWhere you lay in lushnessStunned out of existential horrorsInto a deep trough of luxury -A pig in mud!Things changed around youShadows on a houseLengthened, trees crept upwardsDownwards, the hill fell into a creek bed.And your shadow lengthenedKnee-high the chickensWe scurried with our plansWhich you kindly kept an eye onYou existAnd your absence would beA creek drainingThe trees fallingA lack in the lushness.Unthinkable. You grew with all the growthOur plans became paradise..."Oh yes, and Hamlet, of course."
Beautiful. As I said to Kathy, I've been busy memorising poignant couplets to recite to him. It may have a calming effect during those not infrequent, attention-getting tantrums.
And for those who know only his portliness, and doubt that he once was "a stuffed toy jumping off the shelf ", I give you:
(*And a final thanks to K for the concept of snout ratings. Graphics currently being workshopped.)
2 comments:
Hamlet is a fine muse indeed! Plus he is really adorable too. :)
Stephanie
Aw shucks.
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