Technorati Tags: Unconscious Mutterings,words
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Sunday, November 30, 2008
Unconscious Mutterings Week 205
Letter Writing
Snow fell upon our fair city overnight. The ground was covered this morning and the dogs romped in it. It's gone from the roads and much of the yard has already given it up. I haven't heard the forecast but the sky looks like it held some back perhaps for later today.
Yesterday, a rejection letter visited my e-mail. I guess that means I'm just one more no closer to a yes.
I've started reading Letters of Ted Hughes, and while I am not far along in the book yet, I've realized that even in general correspondence with family and friends he was masterful with language. His descriptive examples often quite poetic. There is no amount of creativity lost from his ordinary writing, which is really to say there is nothing quite ordinary about his writing at all.
With letter writing all but dead in this day and age, I imagine anyone still doing it would be hard pressed to make their letters quite as interesting as Ted did. I am certain that as I get further along in the chronology of this book I will discover other most interesting facts about Hughes and as well as those in his circle of influence. I do so enjoy the biographical and psychological aspect of the lives of poets through their journals and letters. It's not quite voyeuristic but I suppose it is a bit like looking for the pathology within a poet's mind.
At any rate, you can count on me posting any other significant observations as I read on.
Technorati Tags: Letter writing,Letters of Ted Hughes
Friday, November 28, 2008
Out For a Drive
The flames rise on either side of the curves
and the fall wind threatens to spread the colors
about the ground.
The asphalt with shapely hips allures countless lookers
trusting the calendars will not deceive them
or waste their valued weekend.
A new delight awaits past each camber;
imperial topaz and alexandrite flickers in the autumn sky
subdued only by the occasional rust, tan or brown filament.
Technorati Tags: fall poem
A Bear Market for the Arts
Under normal conditions the outcome of the Presidential election might well have been one to favor the arts. There were signs that Obama acknowledged that art plays a significant role in society and examination of McCain's various policy statements showed his public policy on arts education to be quite contrasting. Additionally McCain had a well known record as he voted repeatedly to cut funding for or terminate the National Endowment for the Arts.
But these are not ordinary times. Today is supposed to be the big retail day of the year and shopping results will likely be disappointing to those who mull over the the sales stats looking for a some kind of trend.
The economy that is being transferred from the existing administration in Washington to the new President Obama is dismal. Employment figures are taking a beating. Sales of big ticket items, cars, homes, etc. are stalled and investments in traditional commodities and job creation are in decline. It is not likely that as the song goes, "Happy Days are Here Again."
Poets & Writers online features a story this week that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt recently requested that its editors stop acquiring books. We are talking about a significant sized publisher here.
In these hard times that are likely to grow even more worrisome in the months ahead, it is hard to see how the arts will likely benefit from much philanthropic activity if business are fighting for survival.
Small publishing houses who often find it hard to make ends meet will be challenged even grater. I can't imagine the state of writing grants improving. These things surly will make the competition for those looking to get their first manuscript published more exigent.
It is hard to see the way out of this economic calamity that we are in, but I might suggest that if you are one who is still doing Christmas/holiday exchanges, you might consider giving a new copy of one of your favorite poet's works that was published by a small press. It's a place to start.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A Long Short Week
These three days have been long ones. I've been so anxious for the holiday to start because I truly need a break. But enough of that, it's here!
Tomorrow being thanksgiving I suppose I should take inventory of that for which I am thankful, and there are so many things both large and small. As I make a list here, keep in mind two things... first, this list is in no way inclusive. Second, that order is not reflective of importance. With that disclaimer, here I go.
- MY FAMILY - my wonderful wife and my four children who are all adults now and each one make me proud.
- MY HEALTH - which is reasonably good and what issues I have are well managed.
- MY JOB - at a time when the economy is at a point of great uncertainty, I'm grateful that I have a job.
- BASEBALL - even when it's over for the year, there is the hope it brings with spring.
- BOOKS - food for thought, entertainment, and the simple beauty of language therein.
- HOUSE RERUNS - my addiction
- CHARDONNAY - an occasional glass
- WRITER FFRIENDS - their honesty and the time they give in critique of your work.
- C-PAP MACHINE - this I have a love hate relationship with.
- FALL COLORS - reds, rusts, amber and gold.
- CALLS FROM MY KIDS - knowing they are safe
- $1.37 GAL GAS - what I paid today!
- MAPLE SYRUP - in limited amounts.
- OUR CAR - the commute would not be possible otherwise.
- SLEEP - as needed.
I'm sure I could go on, but where would I stop? So, I stop here.
photo credit: www.freeimages.co.uk
Technorati Tags: counting blessings,thanksgiving
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Food for the Imagination
At the left is a maple flavored coffee drink that I indulged in while back at a poetry reading/book signing event. I think maple has to be my favorite flavor. I should have been born in New Hampshire or some other northeastern state. I'd have my own maple tree tapped and would lie under it and let it drip into my mouth. Okay, it wouldn't do anything foe my diabetes, but it would sure improve my disposition.
I broke down yesterday and ordered a copy of Letters of Ted Hughes (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, edited by Christopher Reid. Since I have an extensive collection of books on Hughes and Plath, it would only be fitting that I add this to my collection. There is however a larger reason to the purchase. I find the journals and correspondence of poets to be fascinating. I've managed to read all or most of several such works. Sexton, Lowell, Ginsberg Letters, and Plath's Letters Home as well as Journals. The Poets Notebook which has excerpts of the journals musings of some 26 poets. I always think know more about a poet and what goes on in there mind should enhance our appreciation for their work. Of course I'm not sure that I can prove anything in particular by reading and studying such writings, but it is interesting to allow one to draw broader conclusions at times based on the expanded knowledge of a poet that comes with reading their letters or journals. These conclusions may or may not have much validity, but the speculation feeds the creative imagination of one's own brain. And oh how I love to feed the imagination.
Friday, November 21, 2008
What Poets Do....
I've been a little lax in blogging of late, so I will try and catch up a bit tonight
. It's been a long week and I am so glad that Friday has arrived. It will be so nice to have a short work week next week.
I elected to pass on the Mia Leonin reading at Rockhurst University last night so I'm unable to provide a review. Instead before retiring last night I read some of the poetry of W.S. Merwin and Dana Goodyear. Two poets I enjoy but quite different in style.
This week I ran across a short but dynamite explanation on the net written by Joe Carter entitled What Poets Do. In the simplest of terms, Carter discusses what poets do that makes them invaluable. Yes, I said invaluable. With all the usual suggestions that poetry is closer to irrelevant then not, such words pulled my eyes out of my sockets. I recommend taking a peek at his explanation here.
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