By Louis Nizer, a British-born, U.S. lawyer and a literary genius…
” A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.”
Photograph ‘Parisian Night’ by Mark Ashbee
Through the looking glass what do we see? I’ve just this evening finished reading Lewis Carroll’s Alice through the Looking Glass and what a strange old tale it is. It seems to have taken an age to read, and my tongue-tied speech often stumbled over the lyrical genius but 7 year old Henry has taken it all in his stride, as though talking chess pieces and walking legs of mutton are quite the norm around here. Oh to be back in the world of my childhood imagination once more.
The last page is a poem and the last verse is one I know well, without knowing I did, so I thought I’d share on this autumn eve.
Enjoy.
” A boat, beneath a sunny sky
Lingering onward dreamily
In an evening of July-
Children three that nestle near,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Pleased a simple tale to hear-
Long has paled that sunny sky:
Echoes fade and memories die:
Autumn frosts have slain July.
Still she haunts me, phantomwise,
Alice moving under skies
Never seen by waking eyes.
Children yet, the tale to hear,
Eager eye and willing ear,
Lovingly shall nestle near.
In a Wonderland they lie,
Dreaming as the days go by,
Dreaming as the summers die:
Ever drifting down the stream-
Lingering in the golden gleam-
Life, what is it but a dream?”
Genius x
The Garden Path 