Glorious

I would certainly endorse Fiona's recommendation of Savage Detectives. Such energy over such a long book.

Here at her suggestion is Gloria. I suppose it's possible for someone savvier than me to post up the picture too. Looking forward to seeing more things here soon.

GLORIA

(after “A Game of Patience” by Meredith Frampton)

I’m not unused to being special,

an only child, now the mistress here

by the terms of my father’s will.

Still your news is unusual.

Are you sure you’ve come to the right address?

Did you ask for me up at the Hall?

All around is frank fertility

all sowing of seed and bringing forth;

I’m thought too good for the local gentry.

I shelter from the August sun

Laying out patience in the Temple of the Winds

While the estate work broils on.

One might enquire, if he wants a son,

Why he doesn’t get one as a man does

Or as a god would have done –

A swan or a bull could have brought me joy;

I would have relished their rough disrespect.

Instead he sent the errand boy.

Forgive me, that’s most impolite.

I have been preferred and my hauteurs

Must seem paltry in his sight.

I will do as the master wishes

I hereby choose to be his chosen

Frozen at acceptance she loses

her girlish future and her past

dies to her

Most feel it hard

to turn cards they did not deal

but not our Lady Gloria!

[Apocryphal envoi by estate workers:

Marie-Antoinette has had her cake

No more Pomona or playing Lady Bountiful

She’ll cancel her flight to Sharm el-Sheikh.]