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The Tree Spirits: A Book of Unwanted Verse after Edward Gorey
| Dark Poetry #3 |
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The Tree Spirits: A Book of Unwanted Verse after Edward Gorey |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855
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Edward Gorey is one of my favorite illustrators of all time. Aside from his very Gothic and surreal illustrations, his words were equally gothic and surreal. He died a few years back in Cape Cod, his adopted home for many years. Here was my belated tribute to him ... It's twisted, as Gorey would want it to be. (imagine wonderfully spare, evocative drawings to go with this, one per letter) (by the way, Gorey's the one with the ever-popular "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs; B is for Basil who was devoured by bears") The Tree Spirits: a Book of Unwanted Verse after Edward Gorey The Ash grows by a traffic light; its roots crack up the road at night. The Birch is white and bleak as bone; it sits at the field's edge alone. The Cypress seems to grow green fur; don't use it in a coat for her. Dogwood bark is coarse and rough; it's best not to go near that stuff. The Elm is perfect for a climb; unless it's painted like a lime. The Fir is chopped off at its head to become a Christmas tree for Fred. The Gingko grows beside the street; its fallen leaves are bad to eat. The Hemlock can be turned to poison; its cool shade lures girls and boys in. The Ironwood is hard as metal; its roots are bars that will not settle. The Juniper is sharp and sticky; Susan touched it, now she's sicky. Kudzu is not a tree at all; a growing, growing, growing wall. The Laurel makes a perfect wreath to remember those lain down beneath. The Maple has sweet-tasting sap running down into a trap. The Netleaf does not exist; we keep it on a little list. The Oak is tall as a sooty stack; it can be white, or red, or black. The Poplar grows near the lake; it causes Kate to quiver and shake. The Quizno is a dessert plant; it's as large as the sky, and bites like an ant. The Redwood's crown is in the sky; Dawn can't see it, neither can Fry. The Spruce are scattered on the hillside; Bill clutched to one as Jill died. The Tree-of-Heaven grows in weeds; it won't answer for your needs. The Umbrella Tree has wooden spines; moth-wing leaves striped with red lines. The Viburnum is full of birds; and their secret, sung-out words. The Willow grows against the wires; it droops in tragedy for choirs. The Xebobyr can not be found; it grows underground, upside-down. The Yew spreads out far and deep; it's not awake, and not asleep. The Zilo looks like leaves of grass; and it cuts your feet like glass. These smiling eyes are just a mirror for the sun. |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
HMmmm... Must look into this Gorey fellow. This looks as if it were a fun write. ~wranx |
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bsquirrel
since 2000-01-03
Posts 7855 |
I'm sure you'd love him, Wranx. He's available (strangely enough) in the humor section at most bookstores. I have NO IDEA why. Basically, the choices are these little $8 hardcovers, or, better yet, softcover collections comprising most of his hardcover work, for only about $15. (there's three of those) I'm confusing you, aren't I? These smiling eyes are just a mirror for the sun. |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Nah... A friend introduced Charles Bukowski to me some time back, his work is similarly packaged. ~wranx |
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Anvrill Senior Member
since 2002-06-21
Posts 710in the interzone now |
*claps hands and squeals* I remember this! Still as cool as last time I read it.  "I'd rather be anything but ordinary, please." -Avril Lavigne |
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