A Cat May Look at a King
04.30.2011 
Chanoir is a graffiti artist based in Barcelona, Spain, who began his career in Paris. Click photo for his website.
Here in Paris, Marley and I watched the royal wedding in London Friday. We approached the event from an anthropological perspective, curious about how the Brits do royalty in 2011.
I asked him whether he preferred to watch it in French or English and he just looked at me as if to say, Do I care?
I stretched out on the couch and surfed the channels, while he stretched out on my chest.
I stopped at the Luxe channel to listen to various commentators wax eloquent on the bride’s dress.
“This one?” I asked him.
He yawned and began to purr.
Kate Middleton’s dress was designed by Sarah Burton of the house of Alexander McQueen. It was white.
“Did you know that Queen Victoria started the white-dress-for-your-wedding tradition?” Marley asked me.
“Really,” I said. “Where did you hear that?”
Marley closed his eyes.
The dress had a full creamy skirt, nipped in at the waist with lace sleeves and bodice. Kate wore a tiara that King George VI, the one who stammered, had given his bride, Elizabeth, in 1936; attached to it was a simple veil.
Marley said, “I like the way she covers all her bases: hair up (in front), loose (in back); dress revealing (strapless corset beneath) and covered up (high-necked, long-sleeved lace bodice on top, incorporating hand-cut embroidered flowers, the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock and made of English Cluny lace); expression open (warm smile) and closed (modest glance downwards).”
“I hadn’t noticed that,” I said.
“Yes,” he said, “and another thing (the cameras were now inside Westminster Abbey), would you look at those hats!”
“What is it with the Brits and hats?” I said.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it,” Marley went on. “In what other country would you dare leave the house wearing that thing on your head?”
“I know,” I said, “it looks like Athena’s Medusa shield with lethal snakes looped around it.”
“I think that’s Fergie’s daughter,” said Marley.
“How would you know that?” I asked.
“You know how I love a good show,” he said. “I pay attention to these things. Oh! Oh! Look at that hat—two pheasant feathers! I’d love to get my paws on that!”
“And look at the chocolate cake hat!”
“That’s nothing compared to that licorice flying saucer. And the DNA spirals dangling off the dove-colored hat that Victoria Beckham is wearing.”
“Okay. I know you love the visuals, but are you listening to the words?”
“Not really,” he said, smiling.
“This cardinal or bishop or archbishop with a voice to die for just said, 'Be who God intended you to be and you will set the world on fire.'”
“He just made that up?”
“No, he’s quoting St. Catherine of Siena. He’s telling the bride and groom that marriage is meant to help a man and woman (or let’s be fair, a woman and woman, or a man and a man) inspire each other to become what they are meant to be.”
“I wouldn’t know about that,” Marley said.
“No, but I think that’s right. Now the Bishop of London is saying, “Every wedding is a royal wedding. Every bride and groom a king and queen.”
Olivia, sculpture by Jane Kitchell. Click photo for her website.
“Who needs a queen to be king,” said Marley, turning his noble profile to best advantage.
“You’re the prince,” I said (pronouncing it the way the French do, prance). “Richard’s the king in this house.”
Marley turned sulkily away.
“Don’t pout now,” I said. “Listen to this!”
“‘There must be no coercion if the spirit is to flow. Each must give the other space and freedom,’ the bishop said, and quoted Chaucer, "When mastery cometh, the god of love anon beateth his wings and farewell he is gone."
“Why can’t he speak plain English? That just sounds affected.”
“Imagine that. Chaucer was telling us in the 14th century that the minute one person dominates another, love flies out the door. Magnificent! One of the greatest writers of all time. A quintessentially exuberant English writer!”
The tenor and baritone voices of the men in the choir, soared in harmony with the sopranos of the boys.
“That just hurts my ears,” Marley said.
“It’s exquisite harmony,” I said. “Do you want me to plug in my earbuds?”
“No, no, then you can’t hear moi purring.
“Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come...”
“This brings me back to chapel at The Bishop’s School for Girls,” I said.
“I don’t remember that,” said Marley.
“You weren’t born yet. I hadn’t met Richard yet. That was in the future.”
Marley squinted his eyes. “Future?”
“It’s too complicated to explain. Anyway, I like your gift for living in the present.”
Marley closed his eyes and stretched a paw up to my chin.
“Wait!” I said. “Wake up!” Now they’re singing a song with words by William Blake, another exuberant English poet.
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
Marley opened his eyes a slit. “The queen’s dress—it’s duckling yellow. And look at that white eggbeater hat! And the mauve one with steak knives fanned out on its brim! You just want to swat them ‘til they clatter to the floor, then bat them around like a soccer ball.”
“Well, maybe not today,” I said. “Just look at that cathedral! The long red carpet that leads up to the altar, the diamond checkerboard floor.”
“I like the young green trees inside,” said Marley. “You could chew on their leaves.”
“Yes, and the gold and blue row of mini-cathedrals along the lower walls, the high silvery arches and the stained glass windows above!”
“And the red and gold of William’s Irish Guards uniform. Even the choir boys have little red beefeater jackets on!”
We were on a roll.
“Marley, you know what this makes me think of?”
“No,” he said, closing his eyes again.
“The Rolling Stones. No one puts on a better show than the Stones. All that prancing and dancing.”
“I don’t see anyone prancing or dancing in Westminster Cathedral,” said Marley.
“No, I mean the pomp and circumstance, the pageantry. Everyone putting on a good show, having fun, enjoying being British.”
“Putting on a good show—that’s the genius of the Brits,” said Marley. “I like to think it’s mine, too.” He dipped his head modestly and I thought of Catherine’s similar gesture.
“And the poetry,” I said. “Don’t forget the poetry. Now the choir is singing a song with the words of Milton! They could all hang out in that cathedral for ten years and never run out of great literary quotes. Great British quotes. And no one’s even mentioned Shakespeare yet.”
Marley jumped off my stomach. “Just looking at that duckling yellow dress makes me hungry,” he said, and sauntered off to the kitchen to rustle up a meal.
Reader Comments (22)
Dear K & R,
I loved this albumblatter.
So funny. Marley's an education.
Thanks.
--Bruce
Bruce,
Thank you! I especially appreciate this coming from you, a British-American writer. (I know, I know, it was your PARENTS who were British, but you have always seemed to me to be the quintessential British gent.)
Isn't it odd what cats have to tell us?
And thank you for that Rumi poem, one I'd never heard.
Love,
Kaaren & Richard
Ah, Marley, quel chat! I miss him so! And though I know he's too much of a gent to take credit, my guess is that one or two of the shots (with their detached bemusement) were his too.
The best part is, I got to see the wedding without actually having to watch it....! For that, a huge mercî!
Delightful! You have found a wonderful device in Marley for your quirky humor.
Is the Chaucer quote about authority and love from the Wife of Bath's Tale? If so, it contradicts her conclusion at the end of her narrative, that a woman's happiness in love is being the boss of the man.
Anna,
Marley wanted me to thank you for asking about him, and he hopes that he'll be asked for his view on events more often. I'll ask Richard if Marley snuck off with him and took some of those photos. The first one, Chanoir's chats, perhaps?
Marley claims to be one of Chanoir's models and advisors: Richard.
I wouldn't have watched the wedding either if we were in your time zone--it must have taken place in the middle of the night, California time. To tell you the truth, Marley insisted we watch it, and I'm glad we did.
He sends you a warm meow...
Love,
Marley, Richard and Kaaren
Tristine,
Thank you so much!
The Chaucer quote IS from The Canterbury Tales, but not from the Wife of Bath's Tale; it's from The Franklin's Tale, a tale of a (radical for the time) marriage of equality. In this tale (in the form of a Breton lai, and originally from Boccaccio's De Cameron), the franklin (a medieval landowner,) recounts how two lovers decide that their marriage should be equal in status. However, in public, the husband, Asveragus would pretend to be Dorigen’s master, because at that time a marriage of equality would have been socially unacceptable, even shocking. The story emphasizes the traits of gentleness, generosity, honor and equality between the sexes. It reflects the Celtic world view and that of the troubadors, as well as Chaucer’s own moral values, which are better reflected by this tale than by that of the Wife of Bath.
Here’s a link to the tale itself:
http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/gchaucer/bl-gchau-can-fran.htm
Love to you,
Kaaren & Richard & Marley
Love love it !! how do you find all the pictures that Richard
has taken that just fit so perfectly into a journal ??
Thank you, Betsy! Richard is out at least once a week shooting; if we know the subject in advance he's looking for specific shots, and he also has a library of photographs he's taken. I write the post, he reads it, and finds photos that resonate with the writing. He edits my writing, and I help select photos. In each department, one of us leads, the other supports.
So glad you enjoyed the post!
Love,
Kaaren and Richard
Dear Kaaren and Richard::
How delightful! I have this incredible relationship with my Cat Frankie and Dog Lola, so I relate. You know there is a little tradition of fine animal-as-person lit out there. Knowing Marley made the read oh so much better.
Richard: I love the way you work the photos into the text and then also set them apart. The two dimensional art on the wall puts me on the Paris Street with the dancers or the cats or so many of the other images in other posts. You also celebrate the work of your friend sculptor Olivia in a wonderful way. Of course the little creatures with the raccoon eyes seem to inform Kaaren's dialogue with Marley. Reading Movable Feast is gives Shakespeare and Co photo new meaning.
You guys are the best.
as always,
Jon
Hysterical. I actually woke up at 2A the night of the wedding and watched the whole damn thing. It was rich on the eyes and ears, melodious - both song and voice, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Especially the piece by the Welsh composer - that William and Catherine chose, my god it was downright inspirational. Very deep. I thought about it too as a nice happy event for the world to experience, instead of the dreadful news as it is presented every day by the mass media. Reading this passage about Marley and your recent experiences in the city of light (is that right?), I must say is a delight. Your posts are picking up speed or something, I cannot explain it. As Paris is absorbing you, you are absorbing Paris - and it comes through in your writing. Do press on, I'm willing to stay up and lose my precious sleep just to read about your latest capers, my dears!
Hi Kaaren and Richard,
Just back from the South Island with Bayu (no internet access). We both watched the Royal Wedding with the same intention- anthropological research. This post was so funny... it really struck a chord. The absurdity, joy for a joy-starved public, the HATS!! And as usual, Richard's photos adding punch to a bizarre reality. thank you both. Humor is balm.
Jane
Hi Kaaren, Richard and Marley,
I loved reading your wedding commentary!!!! Marley you have a new career in fashion with your "cat eye critiques"...I would be a faithful follower:)))
Richard, your photos are fantastic.....is there a photo book in the making?
Wouldn't THAT be fun! Thank you! --RB
Kaaren, it is a pleasure and an honor to read your PARISPLAY/journal.
Had dinner with Elo and Colleen last night and we recommended reading your blog to several friends.
Love to you and am so happy you are living your dream.
Robi
I missed the wedding and the hoopla surrounding it, so I'm delighted to hear Marley's commentary! I smiled through the whole piece and am still smiling. Your affection for Marley and his for you shines through every time you write about him. What a great relationship! I feel closer to my cats now, and will listen more carefully to what they have to tell me. They surely aren't as smart as Marley. I look forward to more feline fun in the future!
And Richard's pictures are beautiful, taking turns at being fun, exquisite and interesting. I often get lost in the text and replay the letter so I can lap up the photos! I especially love the couple dancing and the ferrets (is that what they are?) Often want to know when, what, where and how they were created, but wondering is just fine with me. Such a talented pair you two are and what a double treat for us. If I do go to Paris again, I will see it with fresh eyes.
Richard replies: I will tip you to the meerkats, who were spectators at the wedding. I was on the sidelines. But seriously, thank you. We choose the art carefully to be fun, entertaining, and oblique, in most cases, and sometimes I go out and shoot pieces to order. The meerkats, however, were taken last October at the San Francisco zoo, and were just waiting for their royal moment.
Hi Jon,
No, YOU are the best. But we never got to meet Frankie and Lola. Yes, there is a tradition of animals writing. Virginia Woolf wrote a cross-genre book called Flush: A Biography, in 1933, in which Flush, a dog, tells the story of his owner, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It was just reprinted in 2005 by Persephone Books. It might be the only book by V. Woolf that I haven't read. Maybe it's time.
Olivia is the sculpture; the sculptor is my sister, Jane.
Marley wanted me to tell you, miaowwwww.
And Richard and I say, thank you, merci, gracias!
Love,
Kaaren & RIchard
Lisa,
Wasn't it rich? I had the same response. I wanted to see it from an anthropological perspective, but then found myself quite stirred by the depth of the words of the service and the lyrical beauty of the poems and music. And what a visual feast! I just read that the Welsh composer, Paul Mealor, comes from Anglesey, where William and Kate now live. The music was beautiful, wasn't it?
Marley is really grateful to you for appreciating his fashion commentary. He's hid that particular interest in the past, and wants to just purr about it a bit. He wanted to know how the various BIRDS of Ballona Wetlands are doing, and if you need any help in rounding them up...?
As far as the posts picking up speed, Marley and I wrote this quickly as soon as the wedding was over, so maybe that's what you're hearing; the writing goes faster with Marley's help. But do not lose any sleep, dear Lisa. Your alert mind is needed over at Ballona Wetlands.
Love and gratitude,
Kaaren and Richard
Dear Jane,
Wish I could go to the South Island (sounds like a '50s musical) with you. I'll bet it was hilarious in the room with the two of you watching. The Royal Wedding was the anti-Osama Bin Laden event, life in contrast to death, joyful in contrast to grim. I think it captured the British soul in all its splendor as very few events I've seen have done.
Humor is necessary, isn't it?
Glad you'll be home soon. I'll talk to you then.
Love,
Kaaren and Richard
Dear Robi,
What a thrill to read your comment. Marley thanks you and is mulling over the idea of doing a Cat's Eye Column. He sees no reason why Richard and I have to take up space on his column. I told him he may need us to edit his miaowing.
We've had a few people suggest collecting the best posts and putting them between covers, and we might do that.
So happy that you and Eloise and Colleen are enjoying the journal and recommending it to friends. If anyone would like us to add their name to our e-mail list, just send us the address.
Don't you think this should be taught in school: encouragement as to how to live our dreams?
Still grateful to you for helping to organize the move. We couldn't have done it without you.
Love,
Marley, Kaaren and Richard
Dear Diane,
We should have brought our cat together for a play date. Marley needs more feline friends. And do not underestimate their intelligence.
They may know far more than we do.
What greater goal hath we than to make you, our friends, and family smile?
So grateful for your appreciation!
Love,
Marley, Richard and Kaaren
Marley-you are so right, never wear duckling yellow!
YOU should have done the commentary on CNBC for the wedding.
And those hats...I hope SNL does a skit on those.
--XO Anner
Dear Anner,
I just saw this post from you, and I'm thinking of you today, Mother's Day, with Betty. She told me she was going down to PVCC to hang out at the pool with her great-grand-daughter. Pretty wonderful.
Marley really likes your idea of doing live commentary, but CNBC is too serious for him. He'd REALLY like to do a skit on SNL concerning Britiish hats, especially the ones designed by Philip Treacy, whom he thinks is a sadist and misogynist. But who knows, maybe that's why British women like him?
Love,
Kaaren