The results of editing

During this seemingly protracted editing exercise, I have been amazed at how some poems have essentially been rewritten, with a minority undergoing subtle revision - with all having a change in emphasis, meaning, although final interpetation is, as always, left to the reader.

The iPOD Perv & Cistern Kid doubt I am actually doing any editing. To assuage their fears, here is one of the recent cuts.

First, the original:


'Catalyst'

Catalyst:
1. A person or thing that precipitates a change.
2. A substance that aids or speeds up a chemical reaction while remaining unchanged itself.

My arrival was
unannounced,
spinning, as I was,
in a whirlwind.

I was, to say the least,
quite surprised
that my moonbeam,
flung haphazardly,
was caught.

Strutting across
all obstacles,
I stayed the course,
turning things
helter-skelter.

But now,
the chemical reaction
has run its course.
The catalyst –
this thing
must now return
to the galactic
special effects
cupboard,
ready for the next
spiritual alchemist
to fling a moonbeam.

21st February 2004


Here is the tweaked version:


'Catalyst'

Catalyst:
1. A person or thing that precipitates a change.
2. A substance that aids or speeds up a chemical reaction while remaining unchanged itself.

My arrival was
alarming, a
spinning, twisting,
thundering, threatening
presence;
mostly disarming.

But I was
bushwhacked,
stunned at
the intensity
of my reception -
by way of
an explosion.

Strutting across
all obstacles,
balancing love
and laughter
in each hand,
I stayed the course,
breaking, building,
turning things
helter-skelter,
everywhichywayndat.

But the thrill
has fizzled out
following encounter
unstable,
and this queer smear
must return to love's lab,
as just another part
of the periodic table.

That ole red leather chair, 13th January, 2007