That Railway Cat, A tribute to TSE Options

[jgdittier]

The Railway Cat is "Skimbleshanks",
as known to T.S.E.
No feline brat, a pure-bred manx,
the rails he'll oversee.
In poetry the cadence chose
repeats the sounds of wheels
and do agree, also of Poe's,
a careful read reveals.
I'll take that train to Gallowgate
and drink champaign with Skimble.
I'll help assort the night mail freight
"On time", the Skimble symbol.
In Gallogate I'll doff my hat
to Skimble and his bard.
So high they rate, both Tom and cat...
They're held in high regard.

[Guest_JohnK_*]

Just thought I'd chime in.

I'm one of those strange people - possibly unique - that doesn't like Eliot's Practical Cats poetry but regards his serious work as some of the best poetry ever written, especially The Wasteland.  I was introduced to this poem for my A levels and I've always kept a copy around ever since.

However, just to clarify, I do like this little poem.  Thanks Ron :)

One amusing fact (well, I think it is) is that Ezra Pound critted some of Eliot's poetry for him.  "Death by Water" - the shortest section in The Wasteland (about ten lines, IIRC) - was originally longer than the finished poem before Pound got his hands on it.  The only bit he left untouched was the first ten lines, so Eliot quite sensibly just dumped the rest.

A skit on the Wasteland?  Hmmm.  That would be fun.  Perhaps I'll read it again this weekend as well.

Thanks again,

John