Fiona Pitt-Kethley is an idiosyncratic poet whose work I have always enjoyed. I don't really need to comment further on this one.....
Song of the Nymphomaniac
Fiona Pitt-Kethley
From Baffin Bay down to Tasmania
I’ve preached and practised nymphomania,
Had gentlemen of all complexions,
All with varying erections:
Coalmen, miners, metallurgists,
Gurus, wizards, thaumaturgists,
Aerial artists, roustabouts,
Recidivists and down-and-outs,
Salesmen, agents, wheeler-dealers,
Dieticians, nurses, healers,
Surgeons, coroners and doctors,
Academics, profs and proctors,
Butchers, bakers, candle-makers,
Airmen, soldiers, poodlefakers,
Able seamen, captains, stokers,
Tax-inspectors, traders, brokers,
Preachers, canons, rural deans,
Bandy cowboys fed on beans,
Civil-servants, politicians,
Taxidermists and morticians.
I like them young, I like them old,
I like them hot, I like them cold.
Yet, I’m no tart, no easy lay –
My name is Death. We’ll meet one day.
‘Song of the Nymphomaniac’ is included in Fiona Pitt-Kethley’s Selected Poems (Salt Publishing, 2008).
.....OK so I decided to comment further.You may have been chuckling as the list grew longer but I bet you were stunned by the last line!
10 comments:
Yes, I was! What makes it all the worse is that I am not feeling all that well today. I will think happy thoughts though and make it go away.
Sorry to learn that you aren't feeling well Arleen. I hope you manage to have a good weekend. I find a generous dose of grandchildren usually does the trick!
Dear bazza,
Yes, that final line is certainly surprising, but I think it adds depth to the poem. Anyway, I'm sure I've read this somewhere before, but can't remember where. It must be that final line again. It certainly sticks in the mind.
Very Best Wishes,
David.
David: I'm not sure how widely her stuff was published but she had a lot of media exposure in the 1980s as a feminist poet. When I had her (oops!) in the 'My Heroes' series she actually commented and emailed me. See: http://bazzablog-uk.blogspot.co.uk/2006/09/my-heroes-14-fiona-pitt-kethley.html
Hey bazza,
Well that was certainly a fascinating poem with an ending to die for.
Glad she had a lot of media 'exposure'.
See you, old chap.
Gary: I think she would expose her thoughts at the drop of a hat!
Toodle pip!
Wow. Yeah... like I'm kind of reading the comments made before (which I haven't done on any blog until now), I wouldn't have guessed the the words were coming out of the mouth of DEATH.
I think you just gave me a mind-f*ck with this one. I thought, of course, the words were coming from a woman.
The bandy cowboys eating beans made me laugh and then... BAM... the words are from DEATH. Shock! Next time, just send old Kezza an electric cattle prod straight to the heart. lol.
Great poetry. You know the poetry is great when you want to read it several times. Fiona had a unique way with words.
Take care, Bazza. For once, you have really screwed up my mind. lol. Take care.
Kezza: Funny thing is that she writes humorous and thought-provoking lines but this would have been more her usual style without the shock ending.
Still, I'm pleased I have some power over you!
Oh, my.
Dixie: Indeed:-)
I hope you're not too shocked!
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