Maggot's Work - A poem. A story. A life.

 

 Maggot's Work

 

 I’ll clean this up, assures the maggot

The voice whispers in my ear as I pick myself up

After a sucker punching shadow grew from my candle

Standing in a field I continue the work

I train a sun dog to sit

I dance with Grendel

I absolve a murder of crows

 

I’ll clean this up, assures the maggot

The voice whispers in my ear as I pick myself up

After a pleading shadow clawed at my feet

Standing on a road I continue the work

I buy a value

I cheat a mettle detector

I reflect on a mirror

 

I’ll clean this up, assures the maggot

The voice whispers in my family’s ear as I am lowered

After a light stepped out from the shadow in my eyes

Lying under a low ceiling I continue the work

I count the sand of the world

I hold tight to a moment

I ask for more

 

 

 

 

The Grendel Who Stole Christmas

Hrothgar's men are going to get it tonight!

Four years after originally posting this idea on our FaceBook page I stand by it with great vigor. In fact, I think the point is made all the stronger with this dramatic re-enactment of the Beowulf/Grendel conflict as told through the eyes of 1970's American television. Adding to this salient observation may become a Holiday tradition.

Here the original post with a bit of the completely original poem sprinkled on the end:

Watched The Grinch Who Stole Christmas tonight. Twice. It dawned on me there are parallels between The Grinch and Beowulf. Stay with me here, but in both stories there is a creature is an outsider both drawn to, and angered by, noisy celebration. Both exact vengeance upon the source of offense. Both live in a dark, dank place. Both have unusual physical characteristics and exhibit superhuman strength. The endings could not be further apart, true, but there is some definite similarities in the beginning. So what I'm saying is: Beowulf totally ripped off Dr. Seuss. 

"There came unhidden tidings true to the tribes of Who, in sorrowful songs, how ceaselessly Grendel harassed Whoville, what hate he bore them…"

Happy Holidays everyone!

-Sam