the grotesque

A couple grotesque lunchtime images for you. I generally like to take my lunch break in the park across the river from where I work. It's a minute's walk and anyway, the Heavenly Brew and my 25 cent refill is right en route to the footbridge. Only trouble is there are vicious squirrels about as well as some rather assertive geese. These animals are used to sharing... I try not to be too ritualistic in terms of sitting in the same spot daily so this time I made a break for a swinging bench near the river to eat and read. I was wondering why no one had taken it since there were lots of folks about and the benches and picnic tables can become sort of coveted. Well I soon found out. Right in front of the bench, on the ground, was a freshly beheaded goose. Bloody with flies, but almost sort of hollowed out looking. It reminded me of a 7th grade coil pot with feathers. It also made me think of the Holmes story with the jewel inside. I thought it was wierd because the head was missing. The meaty part was left, so I guess you could say it must have been for sport? I know if I were homeless I'd be trying to kill and cook one of those. They're everywhere.
After that I figured I better start carrying a camera with me, but I didn't. I was lazy, and it's already hard enough to balance my bag, and a book, with those dripping coffee cups.
A couple days later I was on a sidewalk moving toward the bridge to cross into the park, when I saw something tiny that was glistening in the sunlight. It was a mouse stomach. I only knew it was a mouse because its head was laid out perfectly next to it. No body. I guess this was the work of some feline artisan. The whole thing had the look of a meticulously thought out still life. Perhaps he'd be returning to sketch it.
A day later I found 3 swatstikas carved in a stone nearby. Probably no connection...
Eventually, I'll begin carrying a camera, and then who knows - you may find a headless goose adorning the top of this blog. It's not that I'm drawn to the gruesome. I've never been a fan of splatter culture. But I am drawn to the grotesque, that surreal mix of beauty and repulsion that makes you glad to be a live on your lunch break on an average day.
Joe