The McSwindle
As I was going to St. Ives,
I met a scheme with seven lies.
Each lie had seven poetry prizes,
In seven different new disguises.
Each disguise drew seven hundred hopefuls,
They sent fees and poems by the boatfuls.
I met a scheme with seven lies.
Each lie had seven poetry prizes,
In seven different new disguises.
Each disguise drew seven hundred hopefuls,
They sent fees and poems by the boatfuls.
Poems, hopefuls, prizes, lies –
How many were published at St. Ives?
How many were published at St. Ives?
One.
________________
Hieronymus Bosch’s The Conjurer: The Frog, the Dog, and the Owl
What’s with the owl in the basket? Why is the conjurer’s mark vomiting a frog? What’s on the table?
This is a painting with an amazing story. If you would like to read a description of what is going on and how it is interpreted, go to
Illusion and Deception: Construction of a Proverb in Hieronymus Bosch’s The Conjurer, by Elina Gertsman (Click PDF for a download.)
If you want to read about the story of how it’s a copy, how it was stolen, and where it is, and why you will be very unlikely ever to see it, go here.
The McSwindle – written in response to Deanna’s Mother Goose Muse Challenge: “Use a nursery rhyme as inspiration for an original poem” via The Skeptics Kaddish. Go here to find out more and join in.
This is an excellent commentary on the more nefarious practices in the literary world. Well done
Thank you, Kim. I hope people don’t read it as a criticism of all those who love language and just want to be seen and heard.