Still More Bestiary
Voice Card  -  Volume 25  -  Stuart Card Number 13  -  Tue, Jul 14, 1992 3:03 PM

This is ONE OF 2 responses to VC 24 Stuart 6 ("More Bestiary")... These latest 2 poems from THE BODY BESTIARY have to with the beginnings of The Duchess of Moisture's revenge against Moonlight; his lover, Princess Waterfall; their daughter, Moonlit Lake; and the rest of the creatures in this fairy tale world. The first poem, "Separate Soliloquies. . ." is in two voices, that of Uncle Caterpillar, the "Myself" in the poem, and The Duchess of Moisture, "The Duchess" in the poem. Though it is a sort of a dialogue, these characters are not together when this exchange takes place, as the title suggests. The second poem, "The Tapestry of Wishing. . ." is a simpler poem, completely in the voice of Uncle C. Enjoy! (Again, you'll want to expand the text field to get the proper lineation):

Separate Soliloquies: Where I Have Premonitions of Moonlit Lake's Fate, as Far Away The Duchess of Moisture Finds Her Sleeping in the Woods Myself: You seemed my best self     as in wonder I watched you Duchess: As you bloom     Moonlit Lake     like a spring The spirits of snow melt upon you Myself: In those lengthening days that seasons bring Beautiful pale longings     my whispering angels speak to me Duchess: a wood is an evil world Didn't they tell you     it's Myself: in this ache     chills Char my prophesying heart Duchess: like a wound It beguiles even the sweetest rose Like you     innocent one Myself:         Moonlit Lake Duchess: The lusts of Soldiers swarm beyond the sunrise For you     innocent one     for you     they come Myself:         Moonlit Lake! Angels of longing     Help me to wish for her hard If only by someone this weaving were heard! The Tapestry of Wishing: Where I Tell How The Duchess of Moisture's Revenge Against Moonlight and Those Closest to Him Began First, a frost on the spirit -- rage stirring, flower Felt; then coyly, like placid volcanic ash, Snow fell; then the wind's sea salt fervor Began; ice swathed bit by bit like a lash Unleashed upon us; pulled from me my wishes' Savaged forms scattered; Duchess revenge Sent them scouring through the night like witches Before they fell like a meteor's red edged Embers into the sea; now wending their way, Caravanned by -- whom? currents? scaled or scalloped Harbingers? -- I don't know, but far away, To the Dolphins' Pearl Citadel, they escaped, And so moved was the queen there that her strong Magic was stirred; she felt our hurt, you see, our wrong. . .