I collect phrases I like, ones that I hear or read in books. The trouble is I usually do nothing with them. The other day though, I decided to use one that has been knocking about for some time as a writing exercise. I do not remember where the phrase the unpopular provincial museum came from but it sparked this.
THE UNPOPULAR PROVINCIAL MUSEUM
Neither the locale nor the architecture
is anything to write home about.
The walls are lined with portraits
of people you’ve never heard of,
presumably the great and the good,
poorly executed by artists whose enthusiasm
outweighed their ability.
This one it is claimed won a Bronze,
another a cap for his country,
here it is secure, pinned to the wall,
for the few who visit to see.
It all adds up to a feeling
that nothing has ever happened here,
which given the times we live in,
adds to its attractiveness
and makes it a desirable and safe place to live.
I think the description of the museum needs to be more detailed, more damming, so that the turn at the end of the poem is more unexpected. Given the uncertainty surrounding every aspect of life at the moment who would not wish to be somewhere dull and safe?
Maya De Vitry is recording a new album at the moment. Here's a recent live recording.
Until next time.
