Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Nearer the Equator


So, here I am - reporting for the first time from down under ie: the people's republic, ie: two and a half hours down the road, ie: Cork.

Yes, my car radio will only tune in Red FM, everybody knows my name (well, I ran into some one from school in a book shop today), and I'm currently staying at the place of my childhood, with the people who were adults when I was a child. (Now they're kids again, of course) It's funny. Of course I've been back for visits in the mean time, but they were always short term.
Now I'm seeing the place again as a place to actually live. It makes things different. It's shinier and stranger and bigger than the town ever was before. Everything is changed; there's walls where there used to be very different walls, a post box beside the post office, people on the street have a familiar accent and talk about their health. I've spent four hours today at one of my oldest friend's houses, just drinking tea, trying to amuse her 2 year old and five month old.

Anyway - there is other news, apart from the moving news (and new work starting tomorrow news!?!?!)
I have had a very talented artist offer to illustrate my Poems to Dissuade. One of the first
drawings to come through is here, and I think they've very nicely captured the spirit and mood of the series. This one below is for the "Poem which attempts to dissuade you from bringing your Sloth to Dunnes" I'd really appreciate your feedback on it - a closer view can be found here

A Poem which attempts to dissuade you from bringing your 3 toed sloth to Dunnes

.
Don’t bring your three toed sloth to Dunnes
He’d surely linger by the buns
Would get stuck on the sticky ones
It wouldn’t be good craic
.
He’d want to eat all the free samples
Through deli counters he’d slowly trample
And squash the fruit, his butt is ample
Before it’s too late turn back!
.
Yes sloths are worst in groceries
The choosiest choosers at the slowest speed
They only think of their own greed
When they browse the shopping racks
.
So tell the sloth he’ll have to wait
At home, or slowly at the gate
He’s not getting out there, no mistake
No Dunnes for your three toed sloth today

12 comments:

NanU said...

I want one! I want one! I want one!
Ok, I want three.

Totalfeckineejit said...

Ok. First things first. There is only ONE real republic within the republic, and that is not 'the republic of cork' it is 'The Peoples Republic Of EEjit' with special capital letters and gravitas and shit.And pleae tell everyone in cork that TIPP are all Ireland champions.

But good luck in your homeland of the sing songy voice and lack of Liam McCarthy cup for a good while now.
I hope sofa dispensation will be granted to Doris, and that the production of this sketch means that the public will get their longed for book of dissuasion poems.Put me down for twenty. Or one if we have to pay for them. Good luck at work tomorrow.
Ps you don't sound an inch further away!

Niamh B said...

3 sloths? or buns NanU?
Thanks Mr TFE, I will tell everyone in Cork to stop goin on about the people's republic etc, they're sure to listen to me.
Sofa talks are underway, but not looking good, if anything though the gold fishes are enjoying their new situation.
Yes - sketch is the beginnings of it alright, 20 of the special edition with real squashed animals included will be reserved for you, better visit the bank manager.

Louise said...

Brilliant,brilliant,brilliant!! But the cat one is my favourite!

Words A Day said...

Great illustrations - really clean, unfussy and witty! They fit well with the spirit of the poems.
Best of luck in Cork!

Batteson.Ind said...

oh my god! just caught up on your news! fantastic! congratulations about everything. I'm loving that sloth picture too, perfect.
I take it you're only a stones throw from us at the mo then?.. how exciting!

Titus said...

But you are still on the continent of Europe, right? Golly, there's so much to keep up with at the moment.

Yay! with great big shiny bells on to the illustration(s). Have you seen the cat one? The cat one's brilliant! And the fox! I'm almost in meltdown. Bring that book on!

Niamh B said...

Tks Socks, and Words.
And thank you cats, yes, if you're near Midleton, we're near Midleton - we should go to O'Bhéal or some such culturey thang together!!!
Tks Titus - yes the Cat one seems to be winning the popularity contrast so far, I will let the artist know!!
(he's the fantabulous Mark Halpin by the way)

Dominic Rivron said...

Quite right - really captures the spirit of the poems.

I'm as English as they come, so perhaps I should keep shtum - but which is the best spelling: craic or crack? I read somewhere that "craic" is made-up gaelic that someone coined quite recently and before that everyone just wrote "crack". "Craic" looks good, though. I'd be interested to know what you think.

Just trying to open the TFE interview for a listen.

Niamh B said...

dominic, thanks, I'll ask my local expert and get back to you on that one

Peter Goulding said...

I feel certain the book will be a best seller. Great illustration!

Niamh B said...

Dead Cert Peter! Thanks