Green

Nelly's Meme vrs Vanilla Ice Cream

So my random book (and I do hope I’m not the person ramming opinions down people’s throats, if I am, I’m sorry), which isn’t very random because sitting here at my desk you have 3 choices, religion, technical or poetry - I try not to offend people with the first one here at all, the second would have bored you so that leaves the third. So, at random, ‘Poems on the Underground’ and opening at any page we have…

A 14-Year-Old Convalescent Cat in Winter

I want him to have another living summer,
to lie in the sun and enjoy the douceur de vivre —
because the sun, like golden rum in a rummer,
is what makes an idle cat un tout petit peu ivre —

I want him to lie stretched out, contented,
revelling in the heat, his fur all dry and warm,
an Old Age Pensioner, retired, resented
by no one, and happinesses in a beelike swarm

to settle on him - postponed for another season
that last fated hateful journey to the vet
from which there is no return (and age the reason),
which must come soon - as I cannot forget.

Gavin Ewart (1916-95)

(I included the whole poem for completeness, this goes against Nelly’s instruction slighty but I rarely do as I’m told.)

The words then: cat, summer, contented, journey, age.

Cat: Some cats I like, some cats I don’t. Generally as a group I find them duplicitous and wonder what plans they have for me. I have formed the opinion these plans are not good.

Summer: I do love the summer. Summer is a time for laying on the grass and watching clouds go by. Summer is great. In my opinion there is no season quite like summer. (But winter has it’s charms and vies equally for my attention.)

Contented: There are some parts of my life, namely those that happen during week days in the 9-5 slot, where all I want is this word. It’s my opinion that this shouldn’t be so difficult.

Journey: It has been too long since I last journeyed. Too long. I have South America and China at the top of the list. Everyone should journey at least twice, even if it’s only to the adjoining field.

Age: I am strongly of the opinion that everyone should have a right to a minimum amount of this.

«4 CommentsJune 25, MMV»

Reader Comments

Comment Form

Name:

Email:

URL (optional):

What colour is an orange?:

Comment (comments use Textile formatting):

About This

You've arrived at the homepage of Stephen Stewart. The archive is available here for those who want it. This site is happily hosted by Dreamhost. Click for more?

Recent Comments

• Cybez on One's too many an' a hundred's not enough
• Nelly on One's too many an' a hundred's not enough
• adele on And the sky was made black with unescaped entities
• adele on And the sky was made black with unescaped entities
• sharon on Fifteens
• Nelly on Mother is it just a waste of time?
• Stephen on Mother is it just a waste of time?

links to other people's sites

Recommended Viewing

• 300†
  Does exactly what it says on the (comic book) tin. Loved it.
• Little Miss Sunshine†
  Very funny, disturbing (the beauty pageant) and completely messed up -- but in a good way.
• Laputa: Castle in the Sky†
  Story great, characterization a little on the weak side -- though the big robots are cool.
• Porco Rosso†
  Stylish, funny, exciting.
• Grave of the Fireflies†
  Very sad, which was a little unexpected since I didn't know much about it before watching it. Can be a little too slow in places though, otherwise it's very good.
• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind†
  The story can get a little dense at times what with the various factions, but still really enjoyable, inventive and engaging.
• X-Men: The Last Stand†
  Opportunity, talent, money - all blown. Over 3 films X-Men has hinted of something great that could have been, this last one says "No, sorry - not going to happen". Bah.

flickr.com