Commonplace Thoughts of a Residual Welshman: Satire, Cats, Ghosts, and a Hiatus

Roughly 2000 years ago the poet Juvenal wrote, “It is difficult not to write satire.” He wasn’t the pioneer of the genre, for it existed a relatively long time before he wrote that oft-quoted dictum. But a truer line, I think, was never written that could be applied to the age in which we live.

To wit:

  1. Someone named Kardashian called her own family “gross” and “disgusting.” Juvenal, Juvenal, Juvenal.
  2. In Washington state seven feline deaths have been linked to a serial killing cat (sic). For the present, he remains only a suspect, however. Juvenal, Juvenal, Juvenal.
  3. In Koln an ancient Roman library was discovered. Boy, that one caught my eye! Only problem: no books were found it in.  Not Juvenal, not Persius, not Horace, and, sadly, not Lucilius. Bummer.
  4. Returning to number 2, above, twenty-one cats were caught in offenses lesser than felinocide, and were compelled to confess. Juvenal, Juvenal, Juvenal, again.
  5. A father exhumed his infant son, only to discover a plastic doll. This is something well beyond Juvenal. I am not sure what to say about this one.
  6. A woman in Australia is seeing a ghost; not “saw” a ghost, but “is seeing” (if you know what I mean) a ghost. Juvenal, Juvenal, Juvenal.
  7. I say nothing about American politicians. Nothing, except, of course, Juvenal, Juvenal, Juvenal (to which one could aptly add, juvenile).

Indeed, it is difficult not to write satire. On a less satiric note, I shan’t be writing a blog again for at least a month. I’m having some surgery that will affect my ability to type. Follow me on Facebook, and don’t hesitate to write, though don’t be surprised if I can’t write back!

Cheers, and warm wishes,

H.R. Jakes

 

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