More from my special mystery guest:


April 13, 2006,

No! I must not yield to frail human weakness lest I fail
To quell those demons that would fall on me with sharpened tooth and claw.
Though I surely might erase my pain in Bacchus’ sweet embrace
I must resist and turn my face again to matters evermore
Jejune, prosaic, tiresome and certain to ensure
The kind of gossip I deplore…

My neighbour in the garret has this week acquired a parrot
Or some other feathered creature – I am not entirely sure,
But its raucous Harpy shrieking, as he tries to get it speaking
Sets my shattered nerves to creaking, and it rubs my patience raw;
The screeching shrill viaticum that filters through the floor
Strangely sounds like ‘Nevermore’!

…to be continued