Author Topic: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!  (Read 2260 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Online Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109305
  • Reputation: -115
I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« on: July 15, 2008, 10:43:41 AM »
A Martian Sends a Postcard Home
Craig Raine, 1979

Caxtons are mechanical birds with many wings
and some are treasured for their markings--

they cause the eyes to melt
or the body to shriek without pain.

I have never seen one fly, but
sometimes they perch on the hand.

Mist is when the sky is tired of flight
and rests its soft machine on the ground:

then the world is dim and bookish
like engravings under tissue paper.

Rain is when the earth is television.
It has the properites of making colours darker.

Model T is a room with the lock inside --
a key is turned to free the world

for movement, so quick there is a film
to watch for anything missed.

But time is tied to the wrist
or kept in a box, ticking with impatience.

In homes, a haunted apparatus sleeps,
that snores when you pick it up.

If the ghost cries, they carry it
to their lips and soothe it to sleep

with sounds. And yet, they wake it up
deliberately, by tickling with a finger.

Only the young are allowed to suffer
openly. Adults go to a punishment room

with water but nothing to eat.
They lock the door and suffer the noises

alone. No one is exempt
and everyone's pain has a different smell.

At night, when all the colours die,
they hide in pairs

and read about themselves --
in colour, with their eyelids shut.
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Online Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109305
  • Reputation: -115
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2008, 11:32:38 AM »
I hitch it up!
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Offline Uncle Mort

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 21891
  • Reputation: 2
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2008, 11:54:45 AM »
Thanks Nick.

Wasn't sure I liked it at first.

But... once you understand that it's it's looking at the mundane with a fresh pair of eyes, 'Martian eyes' so to speak it's rather enjoyable.

A great text to teach children to see things from a different perspective.

Online Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109305
  • Reputation: -115
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2008, 01:00:18 PM »
 cloud9:

Uncle is on the ball!
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2008, 01:07:00 PM »
An alternative point of view could be that it is a load of pretentious old tosh.













Just looking at it from a different perspective you understand. whistle:
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Online Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109305
  • Reputation: -115
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2008, 01:10:18 PM »
Make yer own mind up
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Offline Darwins Selection

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 39138
  • Reputation: 6
  • I mostly despair
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2008, 04:54:06 PM »
Make yer own mind up

I find myself with Snoopy in the 'pretentious old tosh' camp.
I mostly despair

Online Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109305
  • Reputation: -115
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2008, 07:04:53 PM »
Philistine! evil:

Here

Have a turnip
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile

Offline Barman

  • Administrator
  • Needs to get out more...
  • *****
  • Posts: 154190
  • Reputation: -50
  • Since 1960...
    • Virtual Pub!
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2008, 05:26:42 AM »
Philistine! evil:

Here

Have a turnip
I think the problem was that you got the spaces all wrong... try this...

Caxtons are mechanical birds with many wings
and some are treasured for their markings
they cause the eyes to melt
or the body to shriek without pain.
I have never seen one fly, but
sometimes they perch on the hand.

Mist is when the sky is tired of flight
and rests its soft machine on the ground:
then the world is dim and bookish
like engravings under tissue paper.

Rain is when the earth is television.
It has the properties of making colours darker.

Model T is a room with the lock inside
a key is turned to free the world
for movement, so quick there is a film
to watch for anything missed.

But time is tied to the wrist
or kept in a box, ticking with impatience.
In homes, a haunted apparatus sleeps,
that snores when you pick it up.

If the ghost cries, they carry it
to their lips and soothe it to sleep
with sounds. And yet, they wake it up
deliberately, by tickling with a finger.

Only the young are allowed to suffer
openly. Adults go to a punishment room
with water but nothing to eat.
They lock the door and suffer the noises
alone. No one is exempt
and everyone's pain has a different smell.

At night, when all the colours die,
they hide in pairs
and read about themselves
in colour, with their eyelids shut.

Nah... still shite... and you spelt a word wrong too...  whistle:
Pro Skub  Thumbs:

Offline Bar Wench

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 13786
  • Reputation: 0
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2008, 08:02:13 AM »
Ahhhhh now I get it!

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2008, 08:13:15 AM »
Ahhhhh now I get it!




Better late than never  ;D
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Offline Bar Wench

  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 13786
  • Reputation: 0
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2008, 11:45:08 AM »
You shouldn't mock the afflicted!  sad24:

Offline Snoopy

  • Administrator
  • Power Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 54191
  • Reputation: 0
  • In the Prime of Senility
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2008, 05:42:55 PM »
 redface: Sorry!
I used to have a handle on life but it broke.

Online Nick

  • Needs to get out more...
  • ******
  • Posts: 109305
  • Reputation: -115
Re: I just refound this poem and still quite like it!
« Reply #13 on: July 17, 2008, 07:30:34 PM »
Don't apologise, she has to learn! eveilgrin:
Warning: May contain Skub
Cat sitter extraordinaire
Semi-professional crocodile