Spotlight on T.S. Eliot’s “The Song of the Jellicles” and Context for “The Song of the Maltipoos”:
Our dog, Stella, is an agile, six-year-old Maltipoo, who practically does back flips each morning for joy when her breakfast is presented. Until we adopted her a thirteen months ago, we had never heard of the Maltipoo (Maltese + Poodle) breed. The name cracks us up. Tim calls Stella “The Maltipoo Princess.” As she spent the first five years of her life in Houston, TX , is very finicky about rain and snow, loves comfort and waltzing for joy, I call her “The Southern Belle.”
One day, recently, as I brought Stella her breakfast, I thought of T.S. Eliot’s poem, “The Song of the Jellicles,” from his whimisically light collection, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, which was the inspiration for the long-running (possibly immortal) Broadway musical, “Cats”. Specifically, when I looked at Stella, I thought of the magical phrase “Terpsichorean powers.” The first time I ever heard of the name of this Goddess of Dance was in high school when I joined a small modern dance club called Terpsichore, and learned that she was the Greek Muse of Dance (and some say of lyric poetry as well, though most sources credit Erato or Euterpe for this function.)
The result? This light-hearted paeon to dancing in the moonlight by Eliot (itself inspired, to my ear, by the song “Buffalo Gals“) –and our Stella–inspired this rendition in honor of tonight’s Full Moon.
(If you don’t already receive a poem each day in April via email but would like to, drop me a line at winonapoet@gmail.com.)
Happy Full Moon!
Until tomorrow, may you find a moment to kick up your heels!
LESLIE
Hi Jane (and Petti Paws)!
Thank you for this comment. I didn’t know anything about Eliot’s actual cats!
Leslie
Thanks for this posting! I too have returned to Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” when I acquired a kitten a year ago. But I named her Petti Paws which is a name Eliot gave to one of his (real) cats.
I do enjoy your messages.
I think you are right about Lear!!!!! Never thought of that!
This made me smile and laugh! I’m so glad you shared lots of photos of Stella!
Immodestly, I was so pleased to learn I was able to identify the poetic inspiration. It does have a little bit of Edward Lear about it too with his “Owl and the Pussycat.” Hope Stella doesn’t take offense at that! 🙂
Very fun post!
Hi Lynn,
Thank you!
May the Full Moon bring you, serenity, too–such a lovely wish of yours, I can only echo it back! Leslie
Leslie, I just loved this post and learning about and seeing your photos of Stella. She is just adorable. I had never heard of a maltipoo either. Reading of your associative links, like in this case to TS Eliot is so enriching.
Thank you !
May the full moon bring you serenity.
best,
Lynn