Carr, G. M.

English

SWOSU Digital Commons (Southwestern Oklahoma State University)

Volume 2 Issue 2 Article 7 3-15-1973 BIRDS G. M. Carr Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythril Recommended Citation Carr, G. M. (1973) "BIRDS," Mythril: Vol. 2 : Iss. 2 , Article 7. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythril/vol2/iss2/7 This Poetry is brought to you for free and open access by the Mythopoeic Society at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Mythril by an authorized editor of SWOSU Digital Commons. An ADA compliant document is available upon request. For more information, please contact phillip.fitzsimmons@swosu.edu. Mythcon 51: A VIRTUAL “HALFLING” MYTHCON July 31 - August 1, 2021 (Saturday and Sunday) http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-51.htm Mythcon 52: The Mythic, the Fantastic, and the Alien Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 29 - August 1, 2022 http://www.mythsoc.org/mythcon/mythcon-52.htm Abstract The birds nest in the broken gutters, Keywords Mythril; Mythopoeic; Poetry; Birds; G. M. Carr This poetry is available in Mythril: https://dc.swosu.edu/mythril/vol2/iss2/7 The birds nest in the broken ~tters, in crevices of .orna~ental eaves. They hide oetween the buildings, among the broken bricks ••• Eo soft shade of leaves for these poor nestlings. But mother, with quick soft, bird-talk, utters lullabys for their rest. BIRDS by G.M. Carr TO BE CONTINUED " ••• and since you do not at present have a suitor to entertain, you may spend not one, but three hours each afternoon on your embroidery. This will relieve Juliana a little of her duties, and will prov id& you wi tr, o.,: opportur.:;. ty to complete that hanging more quickly. You may keep your maid Joan with you for com- pany: she seems to have a good influence upon your in- dustriousness. OtheMlise, you will see no one." Elis~o~~ rose, ~n~ r.1pr;~~~; in a daze, rose with her. "This schedule will commence on the morrow," she beard the (./ueen say. "You may go now to prepare yourself for dinner." Clarissa curtsied and went out with dignity, followed by a silent and docile Joan. They proceeded without speaking until they had put three beuds cf the pe~~abc be~~~~ thco; then Joan burst into giggles. "Chirping chaffinches! Chortling chokecherries!" shrieked the princess as loudly as she dared. "Did you hear her? Three hours!" She whirled Joa~una-rii a circle. "I'll be able to ~o all the way to Thorn flood and back!" "But won't it be dangerous?" said Joan, suddenly serious. "If the blackbirds are after you--" -- "I'll be disguised," Cla- rissa reoinded ner . "'~bey wouldn't know me frora the low- liest milkmaid in the dairy. I shall come end go as I please. I'll show those silly men-at- arms! I shall track the black- birds straisht to their lair and--phoomp!" bhe cede a pran- cinc gesture. 111-/hat marvellous, marvellous luck!" And Joan, d!'eaming of crisp, snowy linen end of the 5lowin~ colors of embroidery thread, could only agree. 19 She returned to the matter at hand in time to bear her mother say, that she must look do"fnright pale. Then, dismissing her ladies with a wave of her hand--how uo.!ortunate that they bad overheard his Lord- ship's outburstt--sbe swept down the passage to her parlour, from whence the Duke bad just made such & hurried exit. C larissa looked up as her mother opened the door, and detected trouble. Ma.ster Pickenby, who was equally perceptive, sprang to bis feet and bowed deeply, clutching his beribboned lute. Joan bobbed. "Master Pickenby," said the l,/ueen, "you may retire." The music master did so. When he had closed the door behind him, Llianora, who had apparently not noticed Joan, seated herself opposite the princess and folded her hands in her lap. Clarissa waited. "First of all," said the l.lueen, "the Grand Duke has withdrawn bis suit for your hand. This is entirely due to your deplorable lack of accomplishment in your music, the results of which he ~n- fortunately overheard today as he passed by the parlour." The Queen was too well- bred to repeat the Duke's own admission that he bad stooped to eavesdro?ping. It would never do to set Clarissa a bad example. "Secondly, and corollary thereto," continued ~lianora, "iiis Majesty has given me orders not t~ permit you out of doors. This is for your own safety," she raised her voice slightly at Clarissa's expression of protest, "since the blackbirds displayed an especial interest in your chamber during tbeir--um, their 'attack.' You will, therefore, remain within the castle until such time as His Majesty may deem it safe for you to venture out. Accord- ingly," she went on, "I have devised a schedule for you which will be in keeping witb this new aevelopment. On l·ionc?-ays in tP,e morning you will assist me ••• Clnrissa's attention strayed from the hateful work schedule to her father's un- fairness. She, who had so valiantly taken cb~ge of the castle's defense, was to be shut up inside while the men- at-arms, who had done nothing but crowd her doorway, would be allowed to join in the en- suing caapaagn! It wa.s down- ri;ht unjust, was what it was. She'd show them somehow! But how? ~lianora mounted the stairs to the Uorth wing, still wearing her self-satisfied smile. J...ady Margaret and Lady Viola, who had been uade to wait outside durin5 the Queen's visit to the King, trailed behind at a respectful dis- tance • .Lady Marr,aret had re- marked on Her Majesty's benevolent air and had con- cluded therefrom that the ,ueen had once more prevailed upon her boor ol' a husband with cnarac teristic gentility. ~lianora's composure, however, was doomed to an untimely end: i: shattered abruptly as angry ~oo:ste~s came toward her down :he bali. A moment later, rounains a bend in the corri- dor, she nearly collided with the urand uuke, who scowled at her in a cost ungracious manner. "Nhy, your lordship," re- marKed the ~ueen in a voice tnat cana.~d to convey both surprise and mild reproof of hi:; :-ucieness. "rlas sor~ething upset you?" "upset me!" shrilled the ~uke, nearly droppin6 his eye crystal. "Hadam, I have been ~rossly deceived! You led me :o believe that rler highness :he orincess was an accom- plishe~ ousician, who would soothe my aging ears with her melodies! I took the liberty of following her to her le:;son--" ~lianora's heart sank at this. "--in hopes of enjoying some ease froc the unnerving events of the afternoon: but the sounds which I overheard through the door were hardly more musical than the racket of those infernal blackbirds! I had been prepared, Madam, to overlook the--peculiarities --of Her Grace's behavior for :he sake of the advantageous match, but this is too much! I~ever would I consider taking a bride without musical ac- co~plishments! You may send servants to my apartments, r~adam, this very hour, for I shall take my leave ere nightfall. Good day, Your Majesty!" He stomped off. Elianora ran her hands over her headdress, straight- ened it slightly and patted her cheeks to bring the color up. :r·rom her emotional state, she supposed (and rightly) 81,.ACKBIRD PIE FROM PAGE 15 suit her better. She curtsied deeply and Yithdrew. King Toby gnawed his whiskers thoughtfully for a moment, and snapped his fingers at the nearest page. "::>uU1mon the royal scri- vener and the keeper of my seal. I wish to make a de- cree." 1Carr: <i>BIRDS</i>Published by SWOSU Digital Commons, 1973

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