In Memoriam to a Fly
A Sorry Tale41 total reviews
Comment from John Ciarmello
Oh my goodness, Debbie! (I was browsing your portfolio). Flys are my nemesis, but I had to give this a six!
While I do understand the value of all living things on earth and how they contribute to one another, a lone fly in my home has no real value at that particular moment of annoyance and disgust as he lands on my Thanksgiving turkey and regurgitates enzymes from its previous meal of dog excrement.
That being said, about your extraordinarily exceptional piece, I will never look at killing a fly the same way again.
As much as I'm disgusted by their presence, I will now let them outside through a door or window; that is until the day comes when another enters while I'm doing so! Then the game is over, and the war begins!!! LOL> Best, JohnC.
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2024
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Oh my goodness, Debbie! (I was browsing your portfolio). Flys are my nemesis, but I had to give this a six!
While I do understand the value of all living things on earth and how they contribute to one another, a lone fly in my home has no real value at that particular moment of annoyance and disgust as he lands on my Thanksgiving turkey and regurgitates enzymes from its previous meal of dog excrement.
That being said, about your extraordinarily exceptional piece, I will never look at killing a fly the same way again.
As much as I'm disgusted by their presence, I will now let them outside through a door or window; that is until the day comes when another enters while I'm doing so! Then the game is over, and the war begins!!! LOL> Best, JohnC.
Comment Written 04-Jan-2024
reply by the author on 04-Jan-2024
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This is a wonderful review, John, for which I'm very grateful! I actually couldn't believe I was so sorry at the time. It was done so unthinkingly, something I wouldn't have done to another insect, perhaps. But, then, I couldn't stop staring at my sorry workmanship as he lay on his yellow post-it deathbed (going over the top now:)) But I still love your approach because anything over one offending creature is one too many perhaps! I love your humour here. Thanks again Debbie
Comment from tfawcus
This is a fine allegory. How we do fume and lash out at small inconveniences! Flies don't bother me too much. How could I live in Australia if they did? LOL
You reminded me of a poem I wrote not long after joining FS.
For your amusement:
Buzz
Incessant, iridescent,
Buzzing, effervescent,
A schism in the prism of my mind,
I see the fly imprisoned
In a space that is partitioned,
A space that is in limbo
Between a dark and grimy window
and the criss-cross division
of a screen.
It is buzzing with a frisson,
Frenetic beyond reason
Within its tiny prison
in the no-man's land
between.
On one side is the garden,
Sunlight in the garden,
Freedom in the garden
And delight
Within, there stands a devil,
Embodiment of evil,
An aesthetic
An ascetic,
A man who's quite poetic
With a swat.
A god he's not,
Yet the power of life and death,
The power to stop a breath,
Is what he's got.
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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This is a fine allegory. How we do fume and lash out at small inconveniences! Flies don't bother me too much. How could I live in Australia if they did? LOL
You reminded me of a poem I wrote not long after joining FS.
For your amusement:
Buzz
Incessant, iridescent,
Buzzing, effervescent,
A schism in the prism of my mind,
I see the fly imprisoned
In a space that is partitioned,
A space that is in limbo
Between a dark and grimy window
and the criss-cross division
of a screen.
It is buzzing with a frisson,
Frenetic beyond reason
Within its tiny prison
in the no-man's land
between.
On one side is the garden,
Sunlight in the garden,
Freedom in the garden
And delight
Within, there stands a devil,
Embodiment of evil,
An aesthetic
An ascetic,
A man who's quite poetic
With a swat.
A god he's not,
Yet the power of life and death,
The power to stop a breath,
Is what he's got.
Comment Written 30-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 31-Dec-2023
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Wonderful! I love it! I only wish I was such an amazing wordsmith because this captures everything I wanted to and more.... Thank you so much, Tony! Debbie
Comment from Frank Malley
This interesting poem which takes a creature that is generally despised for a number of good reasons and defends its right to life as a living thing, and one which is merely following the inevitable path its own nature mandates. Although house flies don't bite, they (for reasons I don't understand) still love to fly close to us, often close to our heads, and ofteh they choose to land on us wherever. For what? Moisture, aromas, a rest, a defecation [a disgusting but purportedly common activity when a fly lands] or some other unknowable motive. I think the in-your-face, persistent siege of consciousness that flies establish makes them onerous, as does their association with transmitting diseases. Letting flies out the door or out the window is a functional compromise, but very often flies don't cooperate with your benevolent act, and in a few minutes, they're back buzzing this odd huge creature.
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2023
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This interesting poem which takes a creature that is generally despised for a number of good reasons and defends its right to life as a living thing, and one which is merely following the inevitable path its own nature mandates. Although house flies don't bite, they (for reasons I don't understand) still love to fly close to us, often close to our heads, and ofteh they choose to land on us wherever. For what? Moisture, aromas, a rest, a defecation [a disgusting but purportedly common activity when a fly lands] or some other unknowable motive. I think the in-your-face, persistent siege of consciousness that flies establish makes them onerous, as does their association with transmitting diseases. Letting flies out the door or out the window is a functional compromise, but very often flies don't cooperate with your benevolent act, and in a few minutes, they're back buzzing this odd huge creature.
Comment Written 29-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 29-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Frank, for this wonderful review and all your thoughtful comments which I greatly appreciate! Someone referred to my crisis of conscience. It wasn't that, just a calm reflection on the way we often so unthinkingly treat nature around us. Swarms, maybe, but single creatures like this one of absolutely no threat to us...well, it's a bit pathetic isn't it? They love people and animals though so don't do themselves any favours in the survival stakes:)) Take care and Happy new Year! Debbie
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Excellent poem, Debbie. I enjoyed reading it. The development from a plain idea to a fine poem is amazing. I remember watching the Fly.... the movie showcased how disgusting flies are. Thank you for the informative author notes.
Gypsy
"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason" -- Novalis
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Excellent poem, Debbie. I enjoyed reading it. The development from a plain idea to a fine poem is amazing. I remember watching the Fly.... the movie showcased how disgusting flies are. Thank you for the informative author notes.
Gypsy
"Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason" -- Novalis
Comment Written 28-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Gypsy, for your kind review and thoughtful comments, all greatly appreciated! Take care Debbie
Comment from Mary Vigasin
A kindred spirit! I have to say I would rather show the fly or any other living creature the door then crush it. I think this comes from seeing flies struggle on those sticky fly traps that were in my aunt's farm.
Fly lives matter! As you noted in your notes.
Mary
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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A kindred spirit! I have to say I would rather show the fly or any other living creature the door then crush it. I think this comes from seeing flies struggle on those sticky fly traps that were in my aunt's farm.
Fly lives matter! As you noted in your notes.
Mary
Comment Written 28-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Mary, for such a kind and thoughtful review! Greatly valued. Take care Debbie
Comment from Lisasview
Just reading this my nose went weird..sort of up because I hate flies... I got bitten by a horse fly a month ago and what a real pain it was..
I know that flies can help the world... but the thought makes my stomach ache..ha ha..
Good write of course...
Lisasview
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Just reading this my nose went weird..sort of up because I hate flies... I got bitten by a horse fly a month ago and what a real pain it was..
I know that flies can help the world... but the thought makes my stomach ache..ha ha..
Good write of course...
Lisasview
Comment Written 28-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Lisa! Yes, we can rightly turn against them when they attack but I wasn't in any danger of that. Just an automatic gesture because he was so easy to swipe! Take care Debbie
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We suffer with mosquitoes here in Spain... And, I want to massacre them all...
One bite turns into a baseball...well, for me..
Lisa
Comment from Bicpen
Excellent ... the fly could have quite easily retired from the fray and removed its annoying buzz so the blame cannot always be attributed to the one who committed the heinous act of violence however violence is a mastery for the ultimate display of denouncement and annihilation where dominant rule must be accounted for and controlled to serve as the superior power.
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Excellent ... the fly could have quite easily retired from the fray and removed its annoying buzz so the blame cannot always be attributed to the one who committed the heinous act of violence however violence is a mastery for the ultimate display of denouncement and annihilation where dominant rule must be accounted for and controlled to serve as the superior power.
Comment Written 28-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much for this very thoughtful review which I greatly appreciate. Take care Debbie
Comment from Paul McFarland
That's a good one, Debbie. A nice poem, created from a very simple idea. Your notes were also really good. I'm going to think twice next time the fly and I have an encounter.
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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That's a good one, Debbie. A nice poem, created from a very simple idea. Your notes were also really good. I'm going to think twice next time the fly and I have an encounter.
Comment Written 28-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Paul! What lovely comments! Take care and Happy New Year to you. Debbie
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Debbie,
my word, I've never met anyone who felt regret at killing a fly. They spread disease. It's not uncommon for one to land on feces outside and then fly around and land on something you might be wanting to eat. I'd kill all I could, especially if they are inside the house. No mercy from me. Thanks for sharing this interesting poem gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Hello Debbie,
my word, I've never met anyone who felt regret at killing a fly. They spread disease. It's not uncommon for one to land on feces outside and then fly around and land on something you might be wanting to eat. I'd kill all I could, especially if they are inside the house. No mercy from me. Thanks for sharing this interesting poem gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 28-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much for this thoughtful review! As ever, I greatly appreciate your kindness and support. Take care Debbie
Comment from Lea Tonin1
That's an interesting poem and from a unique perspective! Your note are very intuitive turning into a well told metaphor with true meaning. Great job! Hope your day is grand!
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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That's an interesting poem and from a unique perspective! Your note are very intuitive turning into a well told metaphor with true meaning. Great job! Hope your day is grand!
Comment Written 27-Dec-2023
reply by the author on 28-Dec-2023
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Thank you so much, Lea! I really appreciate your thoughts here. Am also sorry to hear that your foot is still causing you a lot of pain. These things happen so quickly and, if like me, you always wish you could just rewind those last few minutes. But good that you got that hospital treatment to prevent infection and things should begin to ease soon I hope. Love Debbie
