[stylist] Poem - "Vixen"

[William L Houts]

Hi Jackie,

Thanks for reading the poem, and for your comments.  "Vixen" is now in 
its third draft, and I think I'll set it aside for a while, but I 
appreciate your counsel.  Working on a new poem today, though:  onward!



--Bill











On 4/12/2014 6:21 PM, Jackie Williams wrote:
> Bill,
> I must have read your poem at least six times. I think that must mean that
> it is a worthy poem. I can see this aged cat for what it was, and the
> graphic quality of her dying sequence.
> Wonderings:
> Polished bone, would it not be ivory-colored? If so, that is an exciting way
> to describe an old lady, cat or otherwise. Just meandering, but I really
> like your description. yellowing does describe pain in the context of your
> other color words.
> I do not find it strange at all that you felt somewhat detached at the end.
> Detachment, to me, can represent protection. In your case, we do not know
> whether it is because you really cared, or whether you wanted separation
> from the wailing women.
> Of Troy? I associate that with the women of Troy were wailing over the
> murder of themselves and the townspeople when the warriors got out of the
> Trojan Horse and started the killing. If, in fact, the women were wailing
> like that over a cat, I would think that you would have to detach yourself,
> and start composing a poem about it. Maybe, you just should not share it
> with your sister!
> I really like your poetry. Line length is original as are the observations
> of death.
> I am awaiting your sestina, I think among the most difficult of forms. Lynda
> Lambert is a master of them, in my opinion.
>
> Jackie Lee
>
> Time is the school in which we learn.
> Time is the fire in which we burn.
> Delmore Schwartz	
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William L
> Houts
> Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2014 1:09 PM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: [stylist] Poem - "Vixen"
>
>
>
> HI All,
>
>
> My sister's cat died yesterday, and we've all been dealing with it.
> Here's my poem on the subject:
>
>
>    Vixen
>
> She leads us through
>
> her dying, a cat pioneer,
>
> her breathing a clear slowing river.
>
> Vixen is old
>
> as cats ever get,,
>
> an old lady white
>
> as polished bone.Hourly laved,
>
> her fur once shone
>
> like mountain snow:
>
> it's dingy now, pasty
>
> as if yellow with pain.
>
> Sometimes she purrs
>
> while wheezing:a brave ragged gift,
>
> Tender tormentors, we grasp
>
> for more than she can spare.
>
> The end comes After thrashing,
>
> Vixen carried off on a raging sea.
>
> Silent, I sit, strangely unmoved
>
> while the women wail like Troy.
>
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>
> --WLH
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-- 
"Let's drink a toast now to who we really are."

           --Jane Siberry