Mr Darcy's Butterfly Collection by Alec Rapkin [PDF]

Featuring over 55 pages of poetry by Alec Rapkin.

Alec Rapkin was born in 1940 and brought up near London. He went to Oxford University and later trained as a social worker and family therapist. He has lived andworked in Derbyshire since 1970 and is married with three children. Alec is an amateur naturalist - "Natural history is one of my inspirations," he said, "I'm a member of the Derby Natural History Society and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and I'm particularly keen on orchids, dragonflies and butterflies. Most days I'm out in the countryside - and I'm glad if my poems can convey to others something of the spirit of the Peak District." In 2005 he became the first Poet Laureate of the Peak District. His first poetry collection, Under Stone is also available form Dragonheart Press.

SHAMMING

quick, the sisters are coming:
slide back the panels, slot and hook
the pricked roll – Schubert's Marche Militaire -
pull the manuals, push the pedals

and, watched gravely by two nuns,
the child at the pianola – feet pumping,
fingers stretched to keep up with the keys -
pretends venially to be playing

at their murmur of congratulation,
she ducks with triumph and shame – will it pass
for modesty ? - and since she can't stop playing,
nods, as they mercifully leave

her mother's not amused: she'll tell father,
who, when that evening they find her
fully-clothed on the bed, and breathing peacefully,
asleep, says 'she's shamming'

she doesn't know what the word means,
though she guesses: and yet, like the nuns,
they too leave; no more's said : perhaps they,
and the nuns, really were taken in

©Alec Rapkin, 1992, 2008, 2011