The Creatures' Choir

by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, Rumer Godden (Translator), Jean Primrose (Illustrator)

Book by Godden, Rumer, De Gasztold, Carmen Bernos

Genres: Poetry

72 pages, Paperback

First published November 29, 1965

Reviews

[J]

The Snail


Lord,
You try for a little while
to walk on one foot
carrying Your whole heaven on Your back.
As for me,
I drag, drag, drag on,
trailed by my iridescent track,
and swaying this hollow mountain,
my small house,
but where is there a coilaway
from gardeners and hens?
You must admit, Lord,
You have made my life hard.
So many enemies!
And just to bring home
the smear of my helplessness,
these two eyes on the tips of my horns
are two timid periscopes.
Lord, You know,
that someone who drags along complains.
Don't be offended
by this misanthropic heart
but, to lighten its burden,
send a paradise of lettuces-for one-
and the warmth of a thunder shower.
Amen.




The Oyster.


Moist, glaucous,
in my mother-of-pearl house,
its door tightly shut
against intruders,
I drink in a dream from the sea:
Oh, let an iridescent pearl--
a milky dawn,
a faerie sheen--
find its tints in the heart of my life.
Then if, slowly,
day by day,
this mysterious seed
grows more perfect,
for my joy
and Your glory,
Lord,
nothing else will matter.
If it must be, I shall die
to let it reach its fullest splendour,
shining--only for You,
Lord--
at the bottom of the sea.
Amen.




*

[Doris Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved these poems! All of the animals in the poems present their troubles to the Lord. They may ask for small favors, but, for the most part, they are ready to lived with their failings. I had many favorites. I especially liked the parrot who acknowledged he talked too much and kept repeating his words, but he felt he could help the Lord by repeating His words. I also liked the peacock who loved his beautiful tail with the eyes but disliked his "voice", his screech, and wondered why God could not have made them both beautiful. I also liked the illustrations. They were very simple but got the main point across. A wonderful book.

[Eugene · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional and charming book with depth and wisdom to spare. If you liked Prayers from the Ark you will like this. If you have not read either then you should. The poet has great insight into the spirituality of humans and our perceived spirituality of animals. She seems to capture each of the creatures' personalities and thereby captures ours.

The "decorations" are wonderful too.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another sweet collection of poems from the perspective of various animals, a companion of sorts to Prayers from the Ark by the same author/translator/illustrator. Once again, I enjoyed the gentle illustrations, as well as the inclusion of a representative portion from each poem in its original French as a highlight to its lovely illustration. I especially enjoyed The Mole and The Oyster!

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Motivates me to read poetry more often. Accompanied by really beautiful and graphically interesting illustrations.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small prayers in the voice of various animals.