Friday, 23 November 2012

The Lunchtime Jungle Line


Rousseau walks on trumpet paths
Safaris to the heart of all that jazz...
 

With his hard-edged eye and his steady hand
He paints the cellar full of ferns and orchid vines
And he hangs a moon above a five-piece band...
 

And metal skin and ivory birds
Go steaming up to Rousseau's vines
They go steaming up to Brooklyn Bridge
Steaming, steaming, steaming up the jungle line

 ("The Jungle Line", by Joni Mitchell, from the album The Hissing of Summer Lawns)

8 comments:

Martin said...

Super photographs, Mike. Presumably taken on campus?

Mike C. said...

Martin,

Thanks -- yes, it's "Gunnera Junction" in the Valley Garden. Not every corner has been sanitized, and those that haven't are running riot.

Mike

Huw said...

And did you see any tigers?

Mike C. said...

Huw,

None yet, though several local cats are clearly living out tiger fantasies.

Mike

Dave Leeke said...

Beautifully done, Mike. Excellent. True synthesis between your excellent photos and one of Ms Mitchell's greatest.

Mike C. said...

Thanks, Dave. I did think of dragging a jazz combo along on the walk, but I didn't want it to turn into a Miles Davis album cover...

Mike

Dave Leeke said...

Or perhaps a few drummer chappies from Burundi?

Mike C. said...

Dave,

No need, the piledrivers and drills on the nearby building site provided suitable percussion...

Mike