THOM THE WORLD POET: The Daily Poem

Rob Ayling, yer Gonzo Grande Fromage, writes:

"Thom the World poet is an old mate of mine from way back in my history. Even pre-dating Voiceprint, when I was running "Otter Songs" and Thom's poetry tapes and guest appearances with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smyth and Mother Gong are well known and highly regarded. It just felt right to include a daily poem from Thom on our Gonzo blog and when I approached him to do so, he replied within seconds!!! Thom is a great talent and just wants to spread poetry, light and positive energy across the globe. If we at Gonzo can help him do that - why not?

SAME THING HAPPENS TO OUR MIRRORS

I WAS GIVING OUT POETRY@THE NATIONAL GALLERY

An elderly woman slowly passed.I offered to drive her to her tram or home.

She had trouble walking and i had a car.She said yes.We drove to the high rise buildings of (then)low rent Carlton.

She invited me up to her 19th floor apartment.Opened her door-i was ASTONISHED!

The whole apartment was full of books from carpet to ceiling.SIT DOWN!she commanded(i did)

'Who is the greatest writer of the twentieth century?she demanded.By now she looked forty years younger..

"Herman Hesse!,of course"I stammered.NO! she countered-THOMAS MANN!(Magic Mountain/Death in Venice)

We argued as to quality of Illumination,until she said."I slept with Herman Hesse..."

Shocked,i listened further.."Don't be impressed.He slept with every body".Now i like stories,but prefer truth,

so i asked her who she was ..Dr Ernestine Rothols.She had been a Dutch Resistance Fighter in WW2

And her closest friends were Spike Milligan,Felix Werder(Music Critic for THE AGE )-and William Ricketts

She showed me hand written letters of affection from all three.I now read Thomas Mann.