The Fairy Reel (Fragile things group read, Week1) by

11 September 2011


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Third post on the group read of Fragile Things. I started with the introduction, where some people like to start, then the first story, A study in emerald which was very enjoyable. And now on to week 1, part 3. The first poem, entitled The fairy Reel which you can read online at http://www.endicott-studio.com/cofhs/chFaeryReel.html

I’m not much of a poetry reader. I was just commenting recently on another blog that I don’t tend to read it at all, and when I, infrequently, do, it tends to be poems I already know. Ones I studied at school or grew up with. So I’m far from an expert.

Gaiman himself has said that this is designed to be read aloud, or even song. There should be a beat to the reel. Obviously, it is a reel after all :)

Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman

It is a poem of regret. The narrator tells us all the things he wouldn’t do if he were young. But the fact is that he is old and already did them. A fact he regrets and, I suppose, is warning others not to do.

The fairy world is more of the “come away oh human child” variety. Where fairies may enchant you, but they aren’t about to do you any good. It is all for their own sake that they act, and when they are done with you you will be discarded and left to mourn what you are now excluded from.

But I don’t think that I would count this as one of the poems I’ll be returning to. Maybe I miss to many of the allusions, or maybe it is simply that poetry ain’t my bag baby, but this does very little for me.

Wouldn’t put me off trying some more though :)

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4 Responses

  1. Carl V. says:

    I really like the poem but, unlike "Instructions" which we will read later, it isn't one I come back to and read on a regular basis. It is fun to hear read aloud on Gaiman's audio though. He does it so well.
    Carl V.´s last blog post ..Fragile Things Group Read, Week 1

  2. Kailana says:

    I didn't love this poem, but it was still fun to read aloud… I am not a huge poetry reader.
    Kailana´s last blog post ..Week in Review (32) and Short Story Sunday