Tuesday Morning at The Bird and Baby
Maybe it was the formation of smoke rings
hovering overhead
or the lions roar
of laughter from the far end of the room
or the sound of boots and
(was it?) goat hooves
across the worn wooden floor
I watched as the hooded men
and (could it be?) children
visited that room
And there were others in the shadows,
listening and watching for a glimpse
of finely worked brooches
or translucent pointed ears
of (maybe?) elves
or (what?) talking badgers
I crept a little closer
only to be brushed aside by
(what only could be described as)
a cloaked wizard or two
making their way into the collegial company
As the conversation and discourse flowed
with tea and pints
I looked for a place to hide
maybe I will just open this
wardrobe…..
**** love the works of JRRTolkien and CSLewis. Had the chance many years ago to visit the Marian E. Wade Center on the campus of Wheaton College in IL. There they have many works and artifacts from the lives of The Inklings, including the table from The Eagle and Child where these giants met each Tuesday morning and where the Lord of the Rings and Narnia were first read.
thecourseofourseasons 
Hi Kathleen. I like the insertion of the bracketed questions… makes it all very mysterious and adds a kind of hesitation to the poem… Jane
C. S. Lewis my fave here….i would hope children would want to have a conversation with both as well…..lastly for me would Harry Potter, but I’m sure he’s at the top of some lists…
Great choice and beautiful piece… love what you did with your wardrobe!
What I truly enjoyed about this poem is that you never had to name drop; rather you immersed us into a swirling Tolkien/Lewis world, letting the hooves rap where they may. I felt a bit of each, but leaned toward Tolkien as I read; but after re-reading leaned toward Lewis. Thanks.
Well, I hadn’t counted until you said that – but I think Tolkien edged Lewis out a bit. *smiles* I so appreciate you dropping by, Glen and appreciate your time and comment. Thanks! K
I use to play big time Dungeons and Dragons in my younger years, they say Tolkien inspired the creation of the game. After reading “The Lion, the Witch and wardrobe” as a kid had a huge fascination with wardrobes (go figure). I love your mingling of these two epic fantasy, very nicely done.
Thanks Gavin – always find it remarkable that these two were so close and actually read the others works in progress – ahh to have been a fly on the wall! K
Great choice, and I liked your use of rhyme.
Thanks – have always been fascinated by the Inklings! K
Oh yeah…would love to talk with these guys and yeah I’d have to hide in the wardrobe!
I know! It really was all I could do not to peek inside when seeing Lewis’s wardrobe in the colleges collection. : ) K
Love it! Definitely prefer Lewis to Tolkien though. And I’ve been to the real life Bird and Babe 🙂
So cool! I understand that the college has started another Inklings group there – wonder if any of the genius will rub off! K
This was great fun… I am a huge fan of them, too… as is my whole family. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a favorite. Claudia cracked me up.
I know – too funny – but really didn’t we all think that after reading the story! Thanks, Laurie, K
Yes!
Smiling… would love to pick Lewis’ brain, I know little of him, but what I do know makes it seem like he was quiet and shy on the outside, but the inside of that mind was pure treasure. And Tolkien, oh my, just to sit back and listen to a conversation would be fabulous.
I feel the same way- can just imagine those Tuesday mornings with Tolkien, Lewis, Williams etc – and to hear those stories for the first time – Thanks so much! K
Oh, wrapped me right into it. I would hide in the wardrobe too, and end up in Narnia, or some other place.
Thanks Susan! K
Love those translucent ears 🙂 great take on the prompt. I think I head into a wardrobe too
So happy you liked it! K
Creative take on the prompt! This pulled me right in.
Thanks so much – that is nice for you to say! K
Very creative. A very imaginative and well presented form for such a tribute. I liked the form the very much, your voice was awesome and the asides were excellente.
Henry – I so appreciate your kind words – thanks so much! K
I’ve always liked C.S. Lewis more than Tolkien, but recognize the greatness of both. I loved the ending. I always thought it would be great to be able to open a door into another world……
I’m a big fan of Lewis’ Narnia stories and his memoirs and nonfiction. But a huge fan of Tolkien – still my #1 fave author. They both open doors for us into new worlds Thanks Mary – K
oh two of my very favorites….read tolkien to my son this year so was nice to share it together…and i have always loved a bit of fantasy…so not just meeting him but maybe a few characters would be very cool….
Hard to beat these two – thanks, Brian – hope things are better on the home front! K
very cool…i love tolkien and lewis as well and how cool would it be to talk to them or one of their book characters…love that you weave in the wardrobe as well… i tried several times with my wardrobe you know..but nothing but clothes…no back door…maybe will re-try tonight again…smiles
Claudia – that is so funny….but you just never know – keep me posted on your wardrobe adventures : ) K