The Interview Rose

This collection – Elizabeth Smither’s 20^th – embraces themes of nature, religion, and philosophy, expressed with quiet reflection plus several doses of wry observation.

Amongst her poems about animals, The cat and the Wittgenstein quotes is one of the most delightful. Feline incorrigibility has a cat squatting on a page of the philosopher’s work, oblivious – well, of course – to the nature of the words beneath. Philosophical wisdom contrasts with the cat’s actions and the effect will make not only cat lovers smile! “I don’t know why we are here, but I am / pretty sure it is not to enjoy ourselves.” So says Wittgenstein. Our cat agrees – or does he?

Handbag spoke loudly to me. As owner of a shamefully vast collection of this particular accessory, I had to nod in recognition of desiring yet another, even if it’s an urgent replacement. “I need to buy a sale-price one” is the poet’s wry conclusion.

Religion enters the picture with The travelling reliquary of St Teresa of Avila with its description of a reliquary as “a nice piece of furniture, a travelling church”. Our poet goes on to reflect – wryly once more – on the possible contents of such a revered object, contrasting the reason behind it with everyday behaviour.

Jane Austen fans will especially enjoy four poems with much-loved heroines and their actions as their subject. In Jane Fairfax’s Piano half a dozen recognisable women feature as their piano playing is celebrated or commented on by those present. “Elizabeth has a good notion of fingering, / Marianne has a sweet untrained voice”, and I encourage readers to enjoy the final few lines of this poem!

From the sublime to the banal, Smither now offers us De-stringing beans, at once a piece of practical advice on this domestic task and a recommendation for eating the result. And there’s satisfaction to be gained from such a humble-sounding task.

I have referred three times to this poet’s wry expression – evidence of maturity I think, and the philosophical attitude from which it originates.