Max, I am enjoying this piece very much. For some reason, I am tempted to
wonder what would happen if the stanzas were placed in a different order.
Would you be amenable to such considerations? This is not to say that there
is anything wrong with the order as it is. I just like to see what happens
sometimes. Sheila
On Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 12:18 PM, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
>
> First Thing
>
> Something's waking me -
> far too early
>
> judging by my joint-aches
> and the dark window.
>
> The dogs have begun to wrestle
> voicelessly so far
>
> but their tumbling
> makes highly audible thumping.
>
> Birds are at their tweeting -
> they can't have anything
>
> new to tell each other -
> earlier it was the park owl
>
> (Tawny Frogmouth, in truth)
> with its 'who whom? who whom?'
>
> possible answers being
> 'I catch small creatures.
>
> Don't you invade my beat.'
> Was Tawny in my dream?
>
> Whatever I was dreaming
> has already faded -
>
> why can't I have interesting
> dreams like other people?
>
> May as well roll out of bed
> submit to some doggy toe-licking
>
> and swop pyjamas for
> day-clothes and boots.
>
> At my feet two dogs sprawl
> supervising my moves.
>
> Can I reach my bootlaces still?
> Can I still tie a firm knot?
>
> The motor hum on the road
> is the newsagent's car
>
> as today's paper's tossed
> from window over roof
>
> dumped with a dull thump
> in the violets by my drive.
>
> Breakfast is in the offing.
> Muesli with banana and a cuppa -
>
> much later I'll have coffee.
> Testing the dogs' patience.
>
> Make a dash for their supplies.
> Labs never learn good manners
>
> or not in this house.
> Feed and be grateful.
>
> Such are the first things
> peace and gratitude
>
> while the paper says
> Syria Egypt Afghanistan.
>
> Who whom. Who whom.
>
>
>
>
> Max Richards
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
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>
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