I have been experimenting with the poetic form – The CHERITA . . .
‘Cherita’ is the Malay word for story or tale. A cherita consists of a single stanza of a one-line verse, followed by a two-line verse, and then finishing with a three-line verse. It can be written solo or with up to three partners. (See the website at: https://www.thecherita.com for further information).
1.
A letter arrives.
Hope stirs;
Is it from her?
Addressed to:
‘The householder’.
One more disappointment.
The Story behind the song . . . This song, a favourite of mine, was composed by Cole Porter in 1934. It tells in wistful, melancholic mood, of a lady who, distraught after her lover’s taking advantage of her, but then unceremoniously abandoning her, kills him with a single shot of her gun. She then, after a final apology, just before she is lynched by a revengeful mob, apologises with the words, “Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today”
The following uncorroborated story is told of how Cole Porter came to write “Miss Otis Regrets“
It goes that while Cole Porter was dining in a restaurant, he boasted that he could write a song on any subject. His companion then issued a challenge to write one about whatever the next thing was that they overheard being said. At this point a waiter is supposed to have approached another table and said to the diner waiting for someone to join them “Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today, Madam“.
I give the song’s lyrics below, followed by a link to my favourite version, sung by Brian Ferry, originally lead singer with Roxy Music, now a mainly solo artist . . .
“Miss Otis Regrets” – The Lyrics
Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today, Madam
Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today
She is sorry to be delayed
But last evening down on Lovers Lane she strayed, Madam
Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today.
When she woke up and found that her dream of love was gone, Madam
She ran to the man who had led her so far astray
And from under her velvet gown
She drew a gun and shot her lover down, Madam
Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today.
When the mob came and got her and dragged her from the jail, Madam
They strung her upon the old willow ‘cross the way
And the moment before she died
She lifted up her lovely head and cried, Madam
Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today
Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today.
I sit and I look at my keyboard,
That world of words unexplored,
The umbilical cord to my computer,
All else completely ignored.
I stare at those magnetic keys
As they draw me into their world;
And so often to start I just freeze,
Before slowly ideas are unfurled.
As enlightenment slowly is born
My fingers react to my brain;
At their touch then the words will emerge,
A true feat of legerdemain.
Every jot, every tittle I fix;
The whole keyboard is hot to my touch.
Then I look at what I have written –
Do I like it? – No not very much!
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
APHORISMS: On consideration of the Nature Of TIME
When Yesterday’s dream
BecomesToday’s reality
All mystery is lost.
When life’s great passion
Turns to dust
Is life still worth the living?
When tomorrow’s goal
Is reached today
How empty becomes the future.
When life and love
are intertwined
Where does pleasure end?
When age has killed
youth’s certitude
What price is placed on doubt?
When yesterday’s promise
Turns into today’s disappointment
It becomes tomorrow’s regrets.
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
Two words,
‘Not now’
Gave me
Some hope.
Two words,
‘Of course’
Made sure
You would.
Two words,
’Let’s wait’
Denied
That hope.
Two words,
‘In time’
Killed off
My trust.
Two words,
’Give in’
Made me
Despair.
Two words,
’Stay Cool’
For heat
Will kill.
Two words,
‘Look back’
The past
Will teach.
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com
Photo by Rakicevic Nenad on Pexels.com
An aphorism for each day, keeps the doctor away. Each day this week I am offering a common aphorism, just slightly embellished – for good or ill.
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all;
Believe that if you will, my dears,
For me, I try to tell myself,
Better that I count the cost
Of all those ties which brought me tears.
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