8 Oct 2009

NATIONAL POETRY DAY.

Today, October 8th 2009, is National Poetry Day.

I'm not a huge fan of poetry as such, and though I do have a few books I don't like reading them myself - to me poetry is something to listen to.

Being a lover of cats I, of course, have a copy of T.S. Eliot's OLD POSSUM'S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS which Hubby reads to me every now and then. And then, of course, there's THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, a childhood favourite by Edward Lear.

Also based on cats, is this poem that was sent to me a long time ago by a friend who is also very fond of all things feline.

Cats sleep
Anywhere,
Any table,
Any chair,
Top of piano,
Window-ledge,
In the middle,
On the edge,
Open drawer,
Empty shoe,
Anybody's
Lap will do,
Fitted in a
Cardboard box,
In the cupboard,
With your frocks -
Anywhere!
They don't care!
Cats sleep,
Anywhere.

And, from another poetry book of mine, THE POETRY OF CATS, edited by Samuel Carr, comes this wonderful little poem entitled ' The Scribe' Cat' - written in the 18ty century, author unknown, it is translated from the Irish by Robin Flower.

I and Pangur Ban, my cat,
'Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

PETTY WITTER SAYS: There is lot of information about National Poetry Day available on-line but one of my favourite sites is THE POETRY SOCIETY which contains lots of poems plus a wonderful article entitled 'knit a poem' which might be of particular interest to all you arty-crafty bloggers out there.



7 comments:

Cara Powers said...

Ooh, I like what you did with your template. Thanks for posting about National Poetry. I had no idea what I was going to post about today. I put up videos of Neil Gaiman reading two poems. He was so charming. Remind me to post the William Carlos Williams poem with the cat for you. I'd do it tonight but my internet connection is down.

serendipity_viv said...

I am really not into poetry. I don't think it has ever really appealled to me. I struggle to see the attraction in it.

You asked me about The Ask and The Answer. You would definitely need to read The Knife of Never Letting Go first as you won't understand what is happening. It really can't be read alone.

Kelly said...

Poetry is something I've only learned to appreciate late in life. My sister is quite talented at writing poetry as are several of my make-believe (internet) friends. I can honestly say I've become quite a fan of some poetry.

Now, if I could just learn to appreciate opera!

Jenners said...

I am in LOVE with the poem that your friend wrote!!! That was fantastic!

And I agree with you ... a poem sounds better when read out loud.

Unknown said...

I too have difficulty relating to poetry and my writing group are looking for a poet to come and enlighten us. But The Owl and the Pussycat has always been a family favourite, definitely a classic!

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Cara: Thanks for that - I look forward to receiving the poem.

Kelly: I don't think I'll ever learn to appreciate opera, the women in particular all sound as if they are screeching. Mind you, never say never, I always thought I'd hate Shakespeare after my experiences at school but now quite enjoy some of his works.

Jenners: It's a lovely poem isn't it. If I remember correctly it wasn't actually written by my friend but her aunt.

Unknown said...

Look out for 'Terrible Chester' the cat created by Dean Koontz in his book - Forever Odd