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Causerie \kōz-'rē\

An informal chat or talk: a friendly discussion, typically on a literary subject.

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The Lament of the New Butterfly

3/24/2013

6 Comments

 
Hello there! 

I was not planning to write again so soon, but in response to requests and in an effort to generally be friendly, here we are.  First, thanks to all who contacted me, either through comments, phone calls or emails, about the Causerie and your appreciation of its content.  The response has been quite gratifying.  I will make every attempt to keep you interested and informed...and of course share some writings. 

Below is a very new poem.  I am curious to know your opinion.  Please read it and then listen to the recording.  What you hear, is what I intended in the writing.   

PictureAren't those wings gorgeous!
The Lament of the New Butterfly

There is yellow
Coming out of
Things in the yard.
There is a lighter
Shade of green
Out there as well.

It must be Spring.
When did that happen?

I was quite liking my
Brown and grey cocoon,
So safe and quiet.
Now,  I will have to unfold my wings.

I liked being wrapped up in my self.
I liked not seeing anything else but
The inside of me.

And now with my wings unfolded,
(But oh, my Lord, aren't they gorgeous!)
With them ready to go,
I am expected to flit and fly
Visiting other creatures, that
I can only tolerate for a moment or two.

Oh, Spring, what had'st thou done to me! 


Susan Patterson 



Now that you've read the poem, here is the recording.  
What do you think?  Did it change the meaning for you?  Was the recording over the top?  I thought it was a tad so, but James, my very good husband and producer, did not.  In fact, it was at his request that I list this poem on my second posting.   I hope that you enjoy the humor.  Of course, those who know me very well, will recognize a little of me in the butterfly.  I very much like staying home and not flitting around from this place to that.  ;-) 

Just a little something else...

If you haven't discovered Margery Sharp, the British author of the early to middle of the last century, I highly recommend her.  She was an intelligent and prolific writer.  She wrote The Rescuers, if that might help you place her.  Now, I did not read her books about mice, but I have read many of her books about people.  And they are witty and sharp (no pun intended) and interesting.  She is particularly good in capturing the local dialects and the cultures of the people that she writes about.  In addition, her women characters are all very strong, and often in interesting ways.  My friend and illustrator extraordinaire, Susan Laird, first shared them with me.  Here are my favorites thus far:
  • The Foolish Gentlewoman (1948)
  • The Gypsy in the Parlour (1954)
  • Something Light (1960)
  • And the Martha Series, three books in all.  
Some of the books are quite expensive, most are not.  If you are tired of mysteries, murders and gore, then look for Margery Sharp.  You won't be disappointed.  skp

À bientôt!
6 Comments
Caroline
3/26/2013 02:37:34 am

What a beautiful pair of poems you have shared with us. I have long been an admirer of your work and these two new works show us yet more facts of your life and poetic imagination. Your work is always a delight but over the recent months it has become a comfort and an inspiration too.

Reply
Caroline
3/26/2013 11:14:42 am

Thank you so very much for your kind words. I am thrilled to be gently entering the 21st century with a blog of my newer works. I look forward to a weekly connection with wonderful people such as you!

Reply
Johan Starnberg
3/26/2013 02:43:42 am

I read a large number of blogs some come and go easily and leave little impact, but after just two postings I wanted to say that I feel this blog will be one I will visit for sheer pleasure in good writings and common sense views. You in your 'Butterfly' poem have a great sense of humour and joy combined. I really like my humour with a spice of irony and this has in in perfect balance. I feel we get to see the Susan who is all too ready to spread her wings and show us her beautiful colourings. This is a joy and encourages the butterfly hidden in us all.
Thanks for the pleasure.

Reply
Johan
3/26/2013 11:18:27 am

Ah, a comment from the European contingent, via Radio Kinver! I am absolutely thrilled by your opinions. I think that my recording of 'The Lament of the Butterfly' had a little too much whining in it, but my producer did not. I hope that you continue to enjoy the emergence of this moth...butterfly.

Reply
Janet Voss
3/26/2013 04:05:55 am

I loved your poems! I interpreted "The Lament of the New Butterfly" completely differently when I heard you read it than from when I just read it to myself. I completely understand and empathize with that butterfly, believe me! It inspired me to write my first elegy to a friend who died a few weeks ago after battling cancer for years. I never made it out to visit her due my chronic pain, something which greatly saddens me to this day.

Reply
Janet
3/26/2013 11:21:01 am

Janet,

Little did we know as we sat on the Arts Board together of the commonality of writing! I bet there are more butterflies than one realizes. My sympathies for the loss of your friend.

Reply



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    Susan Patterson is a published author of three books of poetry and a book of memoirs.  She is heard regularly on RKWP podcast-radio. She also speaks at private and public events. Find out more at the website below.

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