You're Either A Poet Or You're Dead

purtail:

mck1nnon:

purtail:

good or bad

normal or derpy

taxidermy is wrong and gross. 

how is it wrong or gross, especially when the animal dies of natural causes. why cant people appreciate an animal after it passes? 

I’m sorry I don’t appreciate putting corpses on display.

Animals aren’t a work of art for us to show off.

A part of my cultural ancestry with which I strongly identify believes that if an animal is to be hunted or found dead, all of its parts are to be put to use.

The bones, the fur, the skin, the organs, the flesh, everything.

Taxidermy is a lovely way to honor that part of my family and I’ve always been intrigued by it. As a vegan, I refuse to hunt so any taxidermy I would do would involve road kill specifically or pets who’ve died of natural causes. It’s why I use second hand bones, feathers, leather strips, and the like in much of my jewelry work. Because I wish to honor that part of my ancestry and that’s one of the best ways I can do so. Now, I have no problem with you disagreeing and finding taxidermy unappealing. There is nothing wrong with that. It’s your opinion. You don’t have to like something because a few other people like it. I want that to remain absolutely clear. This is just an explanation of why I like tasteful taxidermy (as in: “I found this poor, beautiful creature by the road side and wanted to honor it,” as opposed to “look at how many geese we’ve hunted this year”). I mean, yeah, geese hunters I guess do your thing? I don’t approve of it, but you don’t need my approval to do what you like, now do you?

The spirit of the animal has by that point left its vessel, however, leaving behind a corpse with which one can make art work. Or leather bags. Or leather belts. Or leather boots. Do you own any leather belts? I’ve bought one accidentally before. Felt absolutely HORRIBLE after, but it was too late to return it, unfortunately. It didn’t feel real at all, but I think that was the paint they put over it. Tricksy, tricksy hobbitses. It’s no longer an animal being shown off by a human. It’s a corpse. It’s a corpse that has been lovingly taken care of the same way you would for a deceased family member (unless you’re into cremation in which case: DUDE YOU REALIZE THAT NOT ONLY ARE GRANDPA’S ASHES IN THAT URN BUT SO ARE FIVE OTHER PEOPLE’S RELATIVES, SOMEONE’S GREAT AUNT, AND A DOG, RIGHT? WHY DOES NOBODY KNOW THAT. JESUS.). It’s a left over piece of nature, no longer needed by the spirit which has long since fled, now preserved. I think it’s - in its own way - romantic.

I also like having picnics in graveyards though, so you know. Might not be the best person to talk to about romance.

tl;dr: Your opinion is valid and respected, but I’d like to present mine because I find this an interesting topic. Not trying to argue or hate on your beliefs, I just like typing things. Hence why I have a blog. It’s good for that kinda thing.