Marie Gauthier

Butterflies & Bulls.

I keep a certain picture of Vincent behind the counter at the bookshop: he’s sitting on the grassy lawn of our old house, studying a daisy in his fingers. Very sweet, yes?

Today, Lance took Vincent to the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens in Deerfield. It’s large, it’s warm (a nice contrast to the wind & snow & cold outside), and swarming with butterflies.

There was a butterfly on the floor when they walked in. The first thing my boy, Vincent, the darling lover of nature, did upon seeing this actual, live, beautiful butterfly is run over and stomp it.

Apparently no one caught him committing his violent act, and they were there a while. Vincent ran around, whooped it up, caressed a lizard, and murdered no more.

But still! Sometimes he’s such a boy.

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March is Small Press Month, and coincidentally enough I received my copy of Licorice, by Ellen C. Bush, published by Bull City Press, in the mail this morning. Licorice, at 24 pages, is, I believe, a chapbook, but it’s perfect bound, it has a spine, a gorgeous cover! If this is print on demand, it’s the best I’ve ever seen.

Sorry if I’m spending too much time on its appearance, but I’m a bookseller, and I think what houses the poems should match the contents in care and attention.  And I’m really digging the poetry inside:

From “The Girl in Her”: That water is/ the cooled version of blood, running away from itself/ in a wet murmur.

mariegauthier

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4 responses to “Butterflies & Bulls.”

  1. sara

    Magic Wings is a beautiful, though quite expensive, place to spend time. My children found the small fish pond most attractive. Upon entering the conservatory, they immediately attempted to circumvent the fishpond barrier by climbing the fence (Josh) or climbing the rocks anchoring the fence to go around it (Ben). They also enjoyed the lizards. Also the two plastic dinosaurs nestled into the vegetation. Also the building itself (the wire mesh on the walls, for instance, that is meant to become invisible but can still be glimpsed behind vines). Also the gazebo. Also the sidewalks, perfect for forbidden running. Despite my repeated attempts to call their attention to the gorgeous, many hued, fluttering and flitting butterflies in the atrium, I venture to say they went unnoticed.
    Boys!

  2. mariegauthier

    I feel so much better — Vincent did notice the butterflies, loves saying the word “butterflies”, and only killed one on purpose…

  3. Ross

    Thanks for the kind words about Licorice. I assure you, it’s not print-on-demand. 🙂

  4. mariegauthier

    I can’t imagine how you’re able to print a chapbook so beautifully & charge the customer so little, but thank you, and thank you for introducing me to Ellen C. Bush’s work — I love it!

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