Function Words

for me the worst of hells
is walking on eggshells
where is the limit
that I will permit?
I promised myself way back when
how could I ever let this happen again?

There are great rabbit statues in Dublin. This one is dancing on the point of an anvil. Actually they are called 'hares' rather than rabbits. They were done by Barry Flanagan. There are at least 8 of them. They are on O'Connell Street. All of them are lined up from the bridge to the needle. It is a delightful bit of whimsy.

This poem was written by a ninth-century Irish monk is St Gallen, Switzerland.
Monks who illuminated manuscripts are often referred to as the only source of light during the dark ages.

Pangur Bán

I and Pangur Bán my cat
'Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
'Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill will
He too plies his simple skill

'Tis a merry task to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.

Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur's way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.

'Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
'Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.

When a mouse darts from its den,
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!

Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.

...at 5:00 pm
I doubt if I will be able to blog while traveling.