July 11, 2009

Letters & Drawing XVIII: Joel's Curses

Joel was swearing in the kitchen. From my bedroom I could hear him. It was for my benefit. He strung enough offensive words together that I laughed. He laughed. Then he pushed it further, improvising his vulgarity.

It became poetry of the profane when he said something about "maggots falling from the wound on the end of my tongue." I roared. He chuckled, realizing what he'd just said. I wrote it down.

Now this. Which took longer than was justifiable in a responsible person sort of way. I combined his imagery with mine.

Joel has recurring characters in his mutterings. There are recognizable settings, and an unfolding narrative. He has invented an entire universe. 27 years of development and it has taken on a real sophistication. It's an (accidental?) art. And like all arts it requires an audience. I'm his, and it is a privilege.

A few months ago I made a list of all the characters, settings, actions, etc. I have heard him mention, and posted it on our bathroom wall. I'm trying to piece it all together.

5 comments:

Jon Coutts said...

that's just pure awesome

Anonymous said...

I saw the picture, liked it and then liked it more.

Forrest

ps. thanks for choosing birdie.

s$s said...

thanks guys.

Forrest, it was my pleasure.

joel said...

Thanks Matt, I feel honored. It has also just occurred to me that when we no longer live together our precious and hilarious world will lose its purpose.

The one axiom upon which all that exists within the Maggot-World universe is that which is to make Matthew chuckle, laugh or bust-said-gut.

From this one assumption, one is able to imagine all sorts of delfortae-destructive magic-lazer wizard-tamers!

Whahahahah!

s$s said...

I guess, Joel, that we will have to spend enough time together that we can keep this universe afloat. Or we'll have to give Pollyanna a crash-course in the maggot basics.