No.30

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and Third by experience, which is the bitterest.” - CONFUCIUS

Buddhist Shrines in Tibet

photograph by Margaret

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Awake at Night
by Meg Cox

and listening to the World Service
(one benefit of sleeping on my own)
I heard a man explain he wasn't lonely;
he talked to his dead wife all the time
although he knew she wasn't there.

He told her about things she would once
have liked, and still did, according to him.
He asked her advice about the children
but didn't say if what she said was any help.

As I drifted off to sleep I wondered
if I could do that too - talk to him.
But when your own dear departed
is still living with his wife in Wembley
it's just not the same.

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The Falls of the Kalama, Albania (1851)
by Edward Lear 1812-88

Lear was always making fun of himself, as in this cartoon where the caption reads "L changed postion for the sake of variety."

Of course he is much better known as a writer of limericks. This is one of his.

There was an Old Man of Aôsta,

Who possessed a large Cow, but he lost her;

But they said, 'Don't you see,

she has rushed up a tree?

You invidious Old Man of Aôsta!'

Edward Lear is also remembered for the large number of bird illustrations he painted. This example shows two Kul's lorikeets.

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Next post - Thursday