Another Molly, a manger and a poet

I went to visit my old friend, C, in Cumbria today. It was a lovely clear sunny day. We enjoyed chatting over coffee, over lunch and after lunch. It's always good to see her.

I took my camera (of course) and wondered just what to blip. C's hands came a close second to Molly, the cat. (Sorry Molly the gorgeous collie - but I do still love you!)

I saw the Christmas nativity scene in the background and it reminded me of one of U.A. Fanthorpe's poems, The Cat in the Manger published in BC-AD which is a collection of Christmas poetry. You may have heard an excellent programme on Radio 4 before Christmas about UA and this book.

U.A. came into my life when I read the collection Side Effects many years ago. I liked the wittiness and pinsharp observations she brought to poetry. If you don't know her work I can recommend the Collected Poems or a wonderful little book of love poetry From Me to You. I met her 3 years ago at the Keswick Literary Festival where I said things like "I so love your poetry" and other bits of inane nonsense, while she signed a book for me.

In the story, I'm not there
Ox and ass arranged in prayer
But me? Nowhere
from The Cat in the Manger by UA Fanthorpe