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I Sing the Noble Swine

by James Graham 

Posted: 15 April 2008
Word Count: 187
Summary: A sort of praise poem - which seemed to want to be written in the style of Walt Whitman.


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I Sing the Noble Swine

I sing the noble swine, sus scrofa or domesticus, that much maligned yet paragon
of animals;

Creature of the wild wood and orchard, I fix my eye on him and praise him.

He does not sweat, but rolls in mud to cool himself, which is not dirty.

What need has he to fly? He is a creature of earth, he digs for his food.
He is no glutton, he eats enough to be satisfied.

He mates together with the same sow, the self-same couple year after year.

I praise the pig-farmer above the shepherd and cattleman,
And think of old Eumaeus, loyal swineherd, who mixed with the monstrous suitors at Odysseus’ court,
Carrying urgent messages, hastening to and fro,

But soon having had his fill of wine, and roast meat, and conspiracy,
Uttered some of the wisest words in that ancient book:
‘I must be off,’ quoth he, ‘to see to the pigs’.

A sow’s ear indeed makes a fine purse, more durable than silk.

And thus, if you call me a swine I shall be honoured, and gladly return the compliment.






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Comments by other Members



Nella at 08:21 on 16 April 2008  Report this post
I liked this very much, and enjoyed your wit. Good work, Walt!

Inspiration at 19:26 on 16 April 2008  Report this post
Poor 'made-into-a-purse' pig. I do like the way you end this - usually we call people pigs in a derogatory fashion, and here, in it's praise, you are honoured 'and will gladly return the compliment!' Ha!

Cute.

I'm off to see a man about a pig.

XXInniXX

MarlaD at 02:06 on 17 April 2008  Report this post
I love pigs..I'm a metal one according to the chinese..love the style & had a pen & ink image in my head..great! x

joanie at 20:57 on 17 April 2008  Report this post
James, this is exactly what I would have expected of you! I just had to google 'Walt Whitman' - interesting. I love the subject matter and the voice of this. I like 'I sing'and 'I praise'.

I'm sorry to be repetitive but I do keep returning to re-read.........

A very enjoyable experience, as always.

joanie

NinaLara at 11:35 on 19 April 2008  Report this post
This made me chuckle! And chuckle some more. Especially

He does not sweat, but rolls in mud to cool himself, which is not dirty.


and

A sow’s ear indeed makes a fine purse, more durable than silk.


very clever and satisfying


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