To my truly dear friend (and ex-tutor of English Literature) Vesko Budakov, whose name (quite unexpectedly) became a search-word leading to my Horseshoe Blog
He was the assistant of a Female Tutor from Turnovo (a genius enchanted by the talent of William Blake), notorious for being hard to please with even more than sufficient knowledge of the English writers… The night before the exam I asked Ves to excuse himself when my turn was about to come (which he duly did the next day – such a subtle sense of friendship!). In my heart I had far more respect for him, than I had for Her – the Tutor. I would be more relaxed with him outside the room.
Sense and sensibility
My „Chinese lucky piece“ -
A novel.
The Exam could begin.
His eyes gleamed (somehow in conspiracy)
as She demanded (loftily) my booklet.
I panicked. (Why, the hell,
diminutive
for Austen’s novel?!)
I had it not with me.
Full gaping, with a voic-ed stammer,
I vaguely felt my lips to utter:
- Regretfully, it is at home…
She grew a little pale, then hurried
to rush into a blush (Her turn to gape):
- You can’t have come… WITHOUT your booklet!
Truly, I had it not.
My sense, that is.
The sensibility had taken over.
His eyes were somehow shocked,
then blazing with a-muse-ment:
- Val, She meant
your student’s booklet,
dear!
He hurried to excuse himself
and vanished
in the rear.
* * *
I had an „A+“. She even suggested a paper on the book – under her guidance. Such a pity I did not take the opportunity!
Току-що прочетох този запис на ѣрен и взе, че ме връхлетя музата:
I had just read this post by Ӕren when I was hit by the Muse:
Ovid’s whisper in my words:
For, neither virtuous, nor vicious is the humanborn.
And best he is, who in the least pursues demands.
Sweet male friend, when the scales are put to even
and graceless qualities do match the graceful ones,
you’d rather open out to love, thus wishing for the virtue
to show in greater quantity and weigh the most.
Should bitterness you seek, go lean onto the other side
and cause the scales to break their equal level.
Try, if you wish so, and do love – the balance is restored.
Thus, all who with affliction suffer and indulgence crave
should then in turn forget about thy weakness:
Remember, faults are thick where love is thin
and sin is always best redeemed by grace,
for, he who seeks forgiveness, should forgive.
I wrote that several years ago, at night - in the town of Shumen, Bulgaria. I was there for another Easter holiday. As we were climbing the cobbled street on our way to the church, I reminded Terry about the rainbow miracle of the previous Easter - just above the bell-tower. She replied „Well, you know what we say in Bulgaria: not every day is Easter… Though it is, today, we could never experience the same thing twice!“ Then it hapened. Again. I was so impressed that I could hardly fall asleep that night – I craved to share the moment with Alistair, whom I really loved and missed…* * *
Easter Colours
(To Alistair)
Shumen – fresh and clean. And so welcoming!
Wet cobblestones – like fish-scales on the street.
Подковата ми дрънка, йееее! My horseshoe jabbers - wow!
Such a pity I did not take the opportunity!
salvador dali’s 
