An Unexpected Emperor

[Maureen K Clifford]

yes but I'm not and stunning lamb and cow poems won't be half as stunning as you might think Master Robert

[Neville Briggs]

Imaginative Stephen. Written well. Entertaining.

What it did for me is reach me with the rhythm and song of poetry. Whether I am interested in anthropomorphic penguins is beside the point. I see a broader theme of what it might be like, to be a stranger in a strange land, how vulnerable and alien it can feel.
The " story " might be thin, and no big laugh it up jokes, poetry doesn't have to be like that. And in this one I think there are some very subtle and well thought out excursions into the
use of language ; and poetry does have to be like that.


I wonder if one would find beaches with burning sand in New Zealand. hhmm maybe

[Heather]

Women just "get it" Stephen. Nuff said.

Oh, and Neville would get it too

[Stephen Whiteside]

Well, it was the North Island, Neville. Still, this time of year...

[Stephen Whiteside]

Oh, by the way, thanks, Neville, for those thoughtful comments. And you, too, Heather.

It must have been quite a sight - a metre high, standing in the middle of nowhere.

We had a leopard seal at Port Melbourne beach about fifteen years ago. Similar situation. You don't normally find leopard seals outside of Antartica. This sort of thing probably happens more often than we realise.

Leopard seals aren't very cuddly, though. Long sinuous, almost serpentine bodies, snake-like heads with pin-holes for ears, large mouths with huge teeth - and a very unfriendly reputation. Fascinating, though, and much more dangerous in the water than on the beach!

[Stephen Whiteside]

Did you see the story about the wild bear cub that was euthanased for being too friendly to humans? Must be a poem in that. Sort of thing you'd write, Bob, eh? Or Marty Boy?

[Stephen Whiteside]

But this was just a cute little cub, Marty, not a big scary adult.

[Heather]

Marty I've had the same problem with sheep and cows. Too friendly and they think they are the boss - and because they are bigger - they generally are the boss. They also dont' respect fences and other stuff too when they are too friendly. So, they then end up in the freezer which is a shame really......

That said, you're all nutters and I'm going to miss the lot of you.....(well,most of you).

Heather

[Stephen Whiteside]

How do you feel about spiders and snakes, Marty?

[Stephen Whiteside]

I was thinking about your comments that you can like and respect a large animal that can rip you apart. A funnel-web spider or a taipan is not exactly a large animal, but it can pretty well wipe you out just the same.