I thought it might be apt to inaugurate my collection here with an invocation to my muse. The Goddess of Verse or the Patron-Saint of Poetry. She is rather prone to mood swings, I find, and I'm not usually in her good graces. Sometimes, though, she showers me with inspiration. On one occasion, when I was plagued by the nagging feeling that I'd somehow managed to slip from her favour (again), I decided to petition her for her blessings. That was nearly three years ago. Somehow, I think this plea is still languishing with her receptionist.