A rational deformation that should have been left in the drawer to ferment into something deranged as well as deformed, this is instead a poème d’occasion. As Ikkyū once said, “Ask nothing from words on a page.”
![Drawing by Malcolm Ritchie [2018]](http://www.artsjournal.com/herman/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Drawing-by-Malcolm-Ritchie-2018border-360x528enh.jpg)
A TIDING OF MAGPIES
My typically slothful thoughts
have simmered on the back burner
for so long they’re overcooked.
I should have undercooked them
sooner with gracious and, yes,
have simmered on the back burner
for so long they’re overcooked.
I should have undercooked them
sooner with gracious and, yes,
infectious spice of chitchat.
Yours showed up in my mailbox,
some days ago I think it was,
which makes me feel an ingrate
for not sending back congratulations
or greetings—a regular malfeasoner.
Now, all breastbeat & handwrung,
uncongratulating & ungreeting,
some days ago I think it was,
which makes me feel an ingrate
for not sending back congratulations
or greetings—a regular malfeasoner.
Now, all breastbeat & handwrung,
uncongratulating & ungreeting,
I ask what-ho from the rialto.
To Malcolm Ritchie (cannibalized from an email).
![Drawing by Malcolm Ritchie [2018] Click to enlarge.](http://www.artsjournal.com/herman/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Drawing-by-Malcolm-Ritchie-20181200-cropped.jpg){kind=link}
A remarkable human warmth in so much of Ritchie’s work – a sense that it is often quiet expression that has the deepest love and compassion for others. So for some odd reason, your word “overcooked” is haunting me a bit. Something about reacting to our Kakistocracy, thoughts trapped in speechless minds until they lose all vitality, expressions of nothingness, like the media going on and on about Trump, words hoarse and impotent, not even the dignity of being burned. Even a desiccated truth would be better than all the mushy impotence. Then I realize I’m just looking at myself.
For an introduction to Malcolm Ritchie I highly recommend his book of poems, “small lines on the great earth.” it is ” a pristine book of gem-like beauties, the poems finely cut and paired with [his] drawings,” some of which you can see here:
http://www.artsjournal.com/herman/2014/06/malcolm-ritchies-small-lines-on-the-great-earth.html
the book is available here:
https://www.amazon.com/small-lines-great-Malcolm-Ritchie/dp/1929048211/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546610683&sr=8-1&keywords=malcolm+ritchie+small+lines+on+the+great+earth
here is an excellent, more extensive review of Ritchie’s writing:
https://ellipticalmovements.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/malcolm-richie-and-angelina-droza-a-review/
but the most immediate introduction to him is Edward O’ Donnelly’s stunningly beautiful short film about him, which is posted on Youtube. have a look here:
http://www.artsjournal.com/herman/2018/11/steps-toward-the-invisible.html
It is his beautiful and insightful portraits, most of which seems to be done with pencil, that most strike me and give me my impression of him.
Thanks for linking to my review.
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