yes, don't know why I said tree instead of catkin. I can't believe I
don't remember what it's called in finnish, but I've picked them on
many an easter too.
and joanna, I think it's only positive that 'pussy' can only be used
in a dirty context now -- to use it any other way (e.g. in
'pussywillow' or to refer to a cat) would just highlight how out of
date the word has become, and draw attention away from the word's real
reference & context.
KS
On 26/09/2007, Joanna Boulter <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> No, no, Kasper, it's what the catkins are called -- pussy-willows,
> pussy-palms. The catkins look like a cat's folded paw, very soft and silky.
> I used to pick stems of it with my grandmother as a very small child (help!
> *how long ago?) to decorate the church for Palm Sunday, and I can't have
> been the only one of us who used to do this.
>
> joanna
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "kasper salonen" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:02 AM
> Subject: Re: Snap, 26 September 07 : Rite of Spring
>
>
> I'm with P on this one, that word is so distracting. even though
> that's the tree's name, I'd be more careful than this about using the
> word. someone stoned enough might get the image of a tree with vaginas
> hanging off it like apples!!
>
> the poem is quaint, & nice, & plain. pretty.
>
> KS
>
> On 26/09/2007, Max Richards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > Rite of Spring
> >
> >
> > At a small bridge in the Warrandyte road
> > the creek in a culvert passes under
> > on its way to the Yarra,
> >
> > Andersons Creek no less,
> > where gold was found just before
> > the great Ballarat gold rush.
> >
> > Warrandytešs rush was lesser.
> > Now as they say, therešs just
> > the annual gold of the wattles.
> >
> > Thatšs early spring, September,
> > when I always watch as well
> > for the rebirth of the willows,
> >
> > roadside, creekside, riverside,
> > freshest green on the Weeping ones,
> > silver velvet catkins on the Pussies.*
> >
> > Great to get there in time with secateurs
> > and carry home long fronds for the house,
> > but easy to be too late, and find
> >
> > the pussies opened, yellow with their pollen,
> > less fitted for a long spell in a tall vase.
> > But surprise: this week I made it,
> >
> > my eye caught by fresh willows
> > not far from home, in Templestowe
> > where another modest creek seeks the Yarra.
> >
> > Wife and dog wait in the car, I tiptoe
> > through lank grass, lean over a wire fence,
> > and snip enough fronds to make an armful,
> >
> > now a strong display at home.
> > Where folk look, and guess, wrongly,
> > as if no-one any more knows pussy willow.
> >
> > 26 September 2007
> >
> > Max Richards
> > Doncaster, Victoria
> >
> > *From a website:
> > Pussy willows are dioecious.
> > There are male pussy willow trees and female pussy willow trees.
> > The buds, or catkins, on the male pussy willow trees look different from
> > those on the females.
> > The male catkins are showier, and it is the branches of the male trees
> > that
> > we seek for their "pussy willows."
> > The catkins of males yield numerous tiny staminate flowers later in
> > spring.
> > From the decorator's perspective, it is at this point that the bouquet has
> > "gone by."
> > Likewise, the female catkins will bear pistillate flowers.
> >
>
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