We saw the last of our brood off early this morning and have spent the day being busy with the humdrum things to cover up the silence. The drive is almost empty now.
Cars in the drive
Singing this evening was wonderful.
‘This Poem” is the first one in my new book and I offer it to you. The poet, Elma Mitchell is new to me. She died in December 2000 aged 81 and I shall be seeking out more of her writing.
This poem is dangerous: It should not be left
Within the reach of children, or even adults
Who might swallow it whole, with possibly
Undesirable side-effects. If you come across
An unattended, unidentified poem
In a public place, do not attempt to tackle it
Yourself. Send it (preferably, in a sealed container)
To the nearest centre of learning, where it will be rendered
Harmless, by experts. Even the simplest poem
May destroy your immunity to human emotions.
All poems must carry a Government warning. Words
Can seriously affect your heart.
I am sad that she felt that the nearest ‘centre of learning’ would ‘render it harmless’ but sometimes that is what the demands of a syllabus can do. I hope my pupils found a love of poetry with me, some of them at least!
