The Alligator People — Film Still 1959
Gesundheit
Heil. Heil! Herr Alligator! Look at you
and your accumulation of pretty:
all shiny trinkets, sparkling bobbles dressed
in disguise as flesh and bone. Your coos, woos,
escape a deceitful craggy mouthed grin
speaking in sanctimonious tongues, lips
smack: plenitude of servitude. You’re green’s
envy, ego and duality, eyes
slits of gold truth, yet — the rest — lies, lies, lies.
You goose-step in treacherous unison,
two by two, zwei mal zwei, four feet do that
as your arresting heart quips telltale beats,
got-cha, got-cha. Achoo, shoo-shoo, I’m through
with you, you’re best suited tanned and hard-pressed
as some forlorn baggage or lone lost shoe.
Copyright © 2018 Mia Pharaoh. All rights reserved.
Copper Cranes 
You have summed it up well. I love that still shot from the film.
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Hi Tim, thank you. The still is terrific, the film however is questionable. I couldn’t remember if I had every watched it so I started watching it last night, I managed to get to about the halfway mark, maybe tonight I’ll find out how it ends.
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I’m sure if you are in the right mindset the film would be fun to watch. I’m not sure my ADHD would let me get through it, however. Even stuck on a plane for 11 hours from Paris to San Francisco, I only got through three movies. I started a dozen or so movies and couldn’t deal with them, and turned them off before I found the three that were tolerable.
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Maybe that’s just it Tim, “tolerable”. The Alligator People, may only be tolerable in small doses. I will say the music is great and the film itself is great for what it is, late 50’s Sci-fi, and out of fairness I’m probably not the best critic because I get bored very easily. That makes for a really long flight with only three movies. Glad you survived the flight!
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Three movies and a bunch of start to movies. All those bits of movies did help pass the time. I got a great deal on the return flight by going to San Fran, but it was really long. Fortunately, there were no unruly passengers or service animals on the flight. The flight from San Fran to Albuquerque was very exciting with the plane getting bounced all over the sky by thunderstorms.
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It means ‘two times two’ – I should have worked that out. I had to check it on ‘translate’. Reading back it’s clear. Would have fallen into place for most people. An aggressive fly just landed on my hand. Odd. It doesn’t matter because I’ve just read words that don’t know defeat. Words of protest. Words of power. Lyrical. Words not just what I hear when I read. Quality. Brilliant, Mia.
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Thank you, JGC. I’m so pleased you heard the lyrical quality, it’s an attempt at a metered piece. I wonder, is there truly victory in “no defeat”? Wishing you a terrific remainder of your Sunday!
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That’s a good point, PM. You have me thinking, ‘is there any such thing as victory when victory depends on the defeat on something, someone or multiples thereof. I need to think some more. Hoping all is good ~JGC
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Yes, that’s very much the way I look at it. I guess if the victory outweighs the loss, perhaps then it goes in the win column, still feels a bit off-kilter to me. Have a good week ahead. ~ PM
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Mia, good to see you’re back. I hope all is well and for what it’s worth, I’ll take the shoe. -Chris
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Thank you, Chris, for the welcome back. Likewise I hope all is well with you and I imagine classes have resumed, so here’s to a successful year. I’m with you on the shoe! Please enjoy your Sunday. ~ Mia
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Bless you Mia!
To your good health.
True story, I bought a new
belt last week made from
Alt-Right Crocodile skin,
and being surrounded by Vegans
I was wondering, should I be
feeling guilty, or something.
Thanks Mia, your wonderful
prose answered that question.
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Hi David, I’m so glad to be of assistance. Now you’re in great shape to take a trip to Gatorland in Orlando, Florida, “The Alligator Capital of the World”! Please enjoy the close of your weekend and have a wonderful week ahead.
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Thank you Mia.
Unfortunately I’m not allowed
anywhere near Florida!
Something to do with the
Spanish American War,
Fidel Castro, the Alamo,
and Mexican marching powder?
So the Alligators are safe, Amigo.
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The gators are grateful. 🐊🙂
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Hey Mia, it is good to see you.
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Hi Stories! Thank you, likewise, it’s wonderful to see you too!
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What a great piece of writing – never seen the film, it reminds me of the dog people cynocephalus of the old medieval manuscripts! 🙂 ❤
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Dear Ogden, thank you! I had a chance to read a bit about “cynocephalus”, I think I would rather encounter dog-headed people over alligator people. 🙂 💗
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Ok as long as they are baptised apparently!
Cynocephali also figure in medieval Christian world-views. A legend that placed St. Andrew and St. Bartholomew among the Parthians presented the case of “Abominable”, the citizen of the “city of cannibals… whose face was like unto that of a dog.” After receiving baptism, however, he was released from his doggish aspect.[7]
🙂 💗
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Okay, I’ll remember that. Ah, I see why now, good to know. In my very brief reading I noticed an early Cynocephalus St. Christopher. And let’s not forget Anubis. 🙂
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There’s a logic in how the myths and legends weaved into their daily beliefs, its so amazing to think how human knowledge had advanced so quickly since that time! 🙂
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It is interesting, I suppose those belief can shake or make a one’s day! 😉 Ogden, hope you’re having a good Tuesday! 🙂
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I’ve already said so much about this piece and I’m just going to add that I absolutely adore it. It was so many days in the making and I was waiting to see it here. I just saw it and I’m glad you posted it dear Mia.
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Dear Nitin, thank you so very much. Truly it was a slow process, then again it’s all about the process isn’t it? I appreciate all of your support and encouragement, thank you again!
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Reblogged this on Fighting the dying light and commented:
I’m glad Mia’s back and that I can spend hours going through her pieces in detail. This darkly humorous piece captures a narcissist and how he/she must be treated perfectly. Thank you for this dear Mia.
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Dearest Nitin, thank you for a warm welcome back and the reblog, a wonderful gift. I’m delighted and honored, and yes, in a perfect world the narcissists should be called out.
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Mia, the visions you create with your words, your lyrics, allow us to see pieces of a frightening world ~ but your voice is strong and defiant, with some brilliant humor. Inspirational.
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Hi Randall, thank you. I’m really pleased that the humor came across, just maybe it sweetens the unpleasant enough to be looked at. I hope all is well in your world. Wishing you a lovely end to your weekend and a wonderful week ahead. ~ Mia
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My first read through, it read like a horror story, but in the following reads your defiance turned him into a caricature ~ and the photo with your gesundheit title, perfect. Incredibly well put together. Take care, Mia, and enjoy the week ahead.
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Randall, your words mean a great deal to me, thank you so much. And thank you for the lovely wishes.
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The caption for the photo to me cries out: “Kiss me, Baby!” I don’t think I would trust that gator at all! In fact, if he had a fedora and white shoes, I’m sure I know the guy! Very imaginitive illustration of the gator’s looks and personality. Glad to see you “at work” again! Have a good Sunday afternoon!
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Hi Greg, you had me laughing, “…if he had a fedora and white shoes, I’m sure I know the guy!” I thought the image was perfect, and thank you, yes, “at work”. Likewise, wishing you and the kitties a good Sunday afternoon and evening! Thanks again for your kind words.
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Good to see you, Mia. This is an excellent return. I’ve missed seeing/reading your unique artistry. Hope all is well with you!
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Hi Meg, likewise and thank you! I’m trying to get back into the groove. I hope all is well with you too!, and the summer’s been good to you.
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Ah a break is good for the creative soul. I’m sure you’ll be back to it straight away. It’s been an eventful summer; with the inevitable highs and lows, but all is well! 💜
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I so agree, Meg, breaks are most needed to recharge. I’m pleased to read all is well. I’ve never known a season yet that doesn’t have it’s ups and downs. The plus of that (I tell myself it’s a plus) is the inspiration it undoubtedly provides. 💗
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It certainly does – all experience is a writer’s well of material!
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Love it. it has a certain essence like “Lady Lazarus” by Sylvia Plath, I hear the ticking of the crocodile from peter pan. i enjoyed your use of craggy too, excellent vocabulary. every time I see your blog it reminds me of kissing crane stiletto knives. well penned.
https://www.google.com/search?q=kissing+crane+stiletto+knives&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi509iTjsjfAhVPneAKHTxYBukQ_AUIDygC&biw=1324&bih=546
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Thank you! This effort was my first attempt at blank verse, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and presently can’t seem to shake it. I’m happy to read this captured a certain Plath-like essence. I see the similarity in my header and the logo for Kissing Cranes Stiletto Knives, I won’t soon shake that either! Haha! Please enjoy your Sunday and have a very Happy New Year! ~ Mia
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