The Quest for Hieronymus Bosch

Hieronymus Bosch, who was only four,

Had toddled right out of my life,

I didn’t know whether he’d gone on his own

Or left with the trouble and strife.

She’d rave and she’d threaten to fly the coop

As she said that my ways were strange,

But whether she’d bother to take him too

Would have meant a remarkable change.

 

‘Why did you pick such a horrible name,’

She’d say, as she ladled the stew,

‘You gave him the name of a painter insane,’

(As he baited the bears at the zoo).

‘How can he live a commonplace life

With a moniker he can’t spell?

You’ve sentenced your son to eternal strife

Like that panel, a painting of hell.’

 

Hieronymus, he didn’t care about this,

He wanted to picture his world,

He’d flop and he’d slop in the mud, in his bliss,

And paint, till his toes had curled.

I knew that he’d be a surrealist when

He played with his mash, and was cute,

He swished it around on his palette to look

Like a man with a nose like a flute.

 

‘That kid is so gruesome,’ the wife had exclaimed,

‘He’s set on a roadway to hell.’

He’d crayoned a picture of me and her sister

Entwined on her favourite bell.

‘He isn’t like others,’ I used to exclaim,

‘He sees what he sees inside out,

He doesn’t like others, like hair-splitting mothers,’

And that’s when she started to shout.

 

I’ve searched and I’ve searched for Heironymus Bosch,

I’m trying to follow his trail,

The long line of beetles he captured in treacle,

The dead dog that’s eating its tail.

I know that he’s not with the trouble and strife

For she went into hiding in Greece,

He should be called Chester, the lad’s such a jester,

I guess I’ll be calling the Police.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Vishuddha]

I never before wondered what it might be like to be the parent of the original Heironymus Bosch but now I get a glimpse. And, where did this one go? Wandered off into one of his nightmares? Did he grow up to be David Lynch? Such an inventive poet! You always set me thinking.

[B]

And he is a surrealist painter lol
and i feel so stupid right now lol
but laughing

at least i am laughing
didn't lose my sense of humor

Losing My brain cells is alright :P

Either way
Love your Talent Sir David :)

[B]

For some strange reason a see Bosch as a war hero .....
I am not sure if i am correct

Filled with wisdom

I could be very wrong