I didn't pick it — Anna gets that — but it was the first piece of Deirdre's I ever read, and it really, really struck me. I was really happy to see it come up. Great to be able to feature it here.
God I loved hearing you read this Deirdre! The gruff articulation of the old man, your inquisitive presence with him. Such a delight. Now, ehem, I am going to wish you read ALL your Snaps. I didn’t think they couldn’t get any better, and they just did.
Thank you and I didn't know about the poem until someone told me when I first posted this. I only knew it as an expression of something both strangely desperate and reassuring! And except for one or two details, (my neighbor does have a cat named Percy that I have to search for occasionally!) it is made up.
Very interesting. For those who don't know it, the poem, "Not Waving But Drowning," is, alas, not reassuring. I posted a link below. And that it's fiction! So minutely imagined and seemingly observed. Splendid.
I loved this one when I read it on my own but it’s even better in Deirdre’s voice. So good.
agree!
Ok so now I want all your posts narrated Deirdre!!
This was so damn good - just read the original then listened, what a treat!
A great choice Anna, thanks for sharing Adam!
Ha! oh geez, That’s what @Kimberly Warner said too! Thanks Susie, glad you liked it.
I’m not surprised Deirdre, you’re a natural!
Thanks Susie, choosing was hard… in a good way!
I would have been incapable… in a good way!
Great choice Adam. Thank you Deirdre for your writing.
I didn't pick it — Anna gets that — but it was the first piece of Deirdre's I ever read, and it really, really struck me. I was really happy to see it come up. Great to be able to feature it here.
Thanks so much for sharing this. Really great stuff. I now have a new writer to seek out!
What a great salute to one of the best writers on Substack!
Thank you Jeffrey! 🎉
100% agreement.
God I loved hearing you read this Deirdre! The gruff articulation of the old man, your inquisitive presence with him. Such a delight. Now, ehem, I am going to wish you read ALL your Snaps. I didn’t think they couldn’t get any better, and they just did.
Fantastic. Just fantastic.
I adored this story, this passage when I first read it. To hear you read it, Deirdre, is an absolute joy.
Um, is it too much to ask to get you to read all of your snaps? 😄
Marvelous what you did with the title, Deirdre. Do you think the guy knew the Stevie Smith poem?
Thank you and I didn't know about the poem until someone told me when I first posted this. I only knew it as an expression of something both strangely desperate and reassuring! And except for one or two details, (my neighbor does have a cat named Percy that I have to search for occasionally!) it is made up.
Very interesting. For those who don't know it, the poem, "Not Waving But Drowning," is, alas, not reassuring. I posted a link below. And that it's fiction! So minutely imagined and seemingly observed. Splendid.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46479/not-waving-but-drowning
I didn't realize it was fiction!
Oh cool, thank you.
Your narration is wonderful! I was right there. This has a mythic feel to it — the three bits of wisdom from a dying man.