The title of my 1994 booklet Low Probability of Racoons derives from a poem I wrote, a parody of Inventaire by Jacques Prévert, or rather of a translation of that poem. My parody, plus this extract from Prévert's original, should make everything clear... une minute de silence C'est la GuerreA man procuresAn infinite number of word processors, A similar quantity of racoons. He gives a word-processor To each of the racoons, Lights a cigar And waits. He is disappointed: The racoons do not type An English translation of Jacques Prévert's Paroles. Instead, They wash The word-processors Before attempting to eat them. This is beneficial Neither to the word-processors, Nor to the racoons. The man attempts to pay off His enormous electricity bill By selling Racoon-skin hats. © Peter Howard from Low Probability of Racoons This page is maintained by and copyright by Peter Howard
|