Miss. Esme G. Cameron

Miss. Esme G. Cameron

 

Despite the fact she

knew all

the Latin names for

garden plants

and was a dab hand

at ikebana ..

She also played viola,

flute and piano ..

Every now and then,

she would also

appear in church on

Sundays

and was renowned

for writing

an occasional novel ..

It is said

she may have looked

like a nun

and dressed like some

old librarian

but she thought and

wrote like a

well-versed dockyard

hooker ..

Although to be fair,

somewhere

beneath her pince-nez,

the tartan shawl

and tweeds, our not yet

quite famous

Miss. Grace Pratt didn’t

only sweat,

but she also, did bleed

some of the

most exquisite poetry

you are ever

likely to read and the

more risqué,

the better it seemed ..

But then that was her

secret you see ..

At times in-between

her verses

and stanza’s or prose,

only a handful,

the privileged few, ever

knew she

would occasionally puff

on a cigar,

or one of those French

cigarettes,

that she always kept in

a drawer filled

with old fountain pens,

a few saucy postcards

and a single

letter marked Flanders,

France 1918 ..

Grace Pratt helped me

one hell of a lot

while I was growing up

and falling in

love with this beautiful

beast that

we now all call poetry ..

But the reason

I write now, is I recently

read that

Miss. Esme G. Cameron

formally known

as Grace Pratt, died at

home in

her sleep then aged one

hundred

and one whole year’s

young, but who’s counting ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Because she was worth it and for anyone who might be interested, Esme G. Cameron was Graces pen name ..

 

  

Reviews

[Soren]

What a wonderful portrait of a poetic soul. The internal rhyme added such flavor and flow. I felt that I had seen this lady and somehow knew her. Your images were like dreamlike memories that flash through the mind. It appears that you learned well some of her poetic secrets. An inspiring memorial.

[Neville]

thank you so very much my friend .. she was a very patient teacher .. Neville

[John the Baptist]

"but she thought and wrote like a well versed dockyard hooker." That line alone made me love this colorful character sketch. I will have to seek out Grace Pratt's poetry.

[Neville]

how kind .. sadly none has survived her I just have a few notes in an old pad she left me and her ovel A Change of Face is no longer in print .. This was my way of trying to keep her memory alive a while longer .. Neville

[Betty Hermelee]

A wonderful tribute to your mentor who on the surface appeared rather rigid and ordinary, even though she published books, as you tell the story, she becomes this sensual bohemian splendor, and writes grand poetry... and inspired you to do the same.... I would for sure honor her... and remember her as a exhilarating person ....excellent write, very interesting details...
Warmly, B

[Neville]

thanks for seeing it my way Betty .. she was indeed special .. Both kindly and warmly, Neville

[Betty Hermelee]

You’re very welcome Neville
Warmly
B.

[NormaZ]

I love how you portrayed her, seemingly conservative on the outside, but teaming with life on the edge on the inside. She sounds like an amazing person. I love all the details you used to describe her.

[Neville]

Thank you so very much NormaZ .. Neville

[Stella Armour]

Have to say i don't or didn't know the lady ...

but she sounds like she didn't give a fig about convention and was amazing..... :)

[Neville]

She was Stella .. please see below under willweb for more on her .. AGT's your pall Neville 👍

[willweb]

Wow, I am not familiar with her but I have a feeling I will be very soon. She sounds remarkable. Nicely done my friend.

[Neville]

thank you most kindly Will .. She was my neighbour while still a young lad .. and yes, she was a remarkable woman .. I doubt that her novel 'A Change of Face' is still in print .. I just did not want her forgotten .. Neville

[Arundass TP]

This is an interesting poem. Lots of personal description I feel.

[Neville]

Thank you kindly sir .. Neville