Ladybirds and Mermaids

[squirmelia]

Amongst the bugs that swell and swirl, I sip the strongest coffee that I always imagine is made from brewed emperor's robes and violets. A ladybird lands on the 'b' key and then a few days later, after I notice a piece of paper on the pavement that says "incubate", a few more ladybirds appear on my desk. It is suggested that they are attracted to my newly red hair.

I think about weekends I haven't finished writing about and remember that the last one I mentioned, which contained waterfalls, cliff tops and sea foam, also contained mermaids and rainbows.

Morwenstow:

From the church, I walked through a field or two, until I came across what is apparently the smallest National Trust owned property - a small hut made from driftwood, situated on the cliff-top. I hid inside this hut where Robert Stephen Hawker, the former vicar of Morwenstow, used to write poetry and indulge in opium.

According to my guidebook, Hawker once dressed up as a mermaid on the seashore and only gave himself away when he began to sing the national anthem. I read the graffiti scratched into the wood inside the hut and the verse of Hawker's Butterfly poem, pinned to the wall: "Bird of the moths! That radiant wing Hath borne thee from thine earthly lair; Thou revellest on the breath of spring, A graceful shape of woven air!"

Gazing out at the same sea that Hawker would have, I found myself searching not for butterflies, but for mermaids.

Comments

[aellia.livejournal.com]

I must find Morwenstow when next in Cornwall
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
xx

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Morwenstow was pretty and the tales of Hawker amused me. According to Wikipedia, he excommunicated his cat for mousing on Sundays!

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

A very happy birthday to you; my turn to make it to one of your parties now!

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I don't really wear gas masks at all my parties, honest.

[idiotson.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday my dear.
Never stop writing.
Just for a moment there, I was somewhere other than where I continually am.

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think today I might try to find some lighthouses.

[minnietheminx.livejournal.com]

this is the image on my design calendar for today - happy birthday! (http://www.nova68.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AARNIOPONY&Category_Code=)

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (Although the green one looks more like a frog chair. :) )

[suzylou.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you found out about Hawker. He was, by all accounts, a complete fruitloop as well as being an incredibly good and caring vicar. There is a newish biography of him out which I am going to get around to reading one day.

He also wrote "The Song of the Western Man", more commonly known as "Trelawney", which is the unofficial national anthem of Cornwall.

I'm so jealous that you're there and I'm not ;) Happy birthday :)

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Ooh, does the biography give more examples of his eccentricities?

I'm not there any longer, unfortunately! It seemed like a nice place.

[suzylou.livejournal.com]

I believe so, I'll let you know if I ever get to read it!!

[mikej-uk.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday! :-)

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! My birthday contained a castle and a beach in the end. :)

[laslandes.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday deeeaaarr Jooooodi!
Happy birthday to you!

Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I am now as old as Kurt Cobain was when he died. It's worrying.

[laslandes.livejournal.com]

Really, are you still really that young??? It's sickening, it really is!

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

I haven't been asked for ID since I've been 27 so far! I haven't bought any alcohol or anything with "parental advisory" stickers on yet though.

[squirmelia.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the card!

[laslandes.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!