[lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
- From: "Andy Amago" <aamago@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 18:22:07 -0500
Mike's talent is exceptional. Actually, I've never ready any poetry on this
list that has been anything but professional caliber. I think inherent in
"failed poet" is the idea that the standards of the poet are higher than those
of the outside world. In my opinion (and I think in fact) the difference
between someone for whom writing is a labor of love and a "professional" is one
of connections and not quality. I would wager that the problem is that your
standards are much too high and you can't see your poetry for what it is. Even
in getting turned down, it's easy to forget that many of the finest writers
were often rejected by both editors and critics, only to be proven by
posterity. People who labor for love can hardly be described as failed
anythings.
----- Original Message -----
From: Stan Spiegel
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 12/19/2005 5:47:16 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Andy / Irene -
I think it's too easy to underestimate Mike's work because he kids around so
much. This Christmas piece shows more craftsmanship than I think you're giving
him credit for. I think he was just a little careless about a comma or two, but
otherwise something to enjoy and appreciate. As a failed poet myself, I would
feel a sense of accomplishment with this piece under my belt -- even though I
don't celebrate Christmas and feel kind of alienated by the season. Happy merry
and so on.
Stan Spiegel
Portland, Maine
----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Amago
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 3:24 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
"But old Robert Graves would have been happy to have produced such a piece too."
Stan, I don't think so. That was a gag. Unless I *really* can't read poetry.
Or puns. Maybe you were riding Mike? (Get it, Riding Mike?)
---- Original Message -----
From: Stan Spiegel
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 12/19/2005 11:11:43 AM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Mike, you're welcome. But old Robert Graves would have been happy to have
produced such a piece too. By the way, who's Laura Riding?
Stan Spiegel
revealing my blissful ignorance in
Portland, ME
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Geary
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005 11:59 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Thank you, Stan, I'm sure Robert Graves is turning over in his grave knowing
that you thought he might have written that. But then wouldn't the Majorca of
his poetry cause everyone hadn't jumped out a window to do so?
Thanks for the compliment though.
Laura Riding
Memphis
----- Original Message -----
From: Stan Spiegel
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005 9:25 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
Mike -
Is that you or Robert Graves? Whoever it is, it's awfully good. Thank you for
the poem.
Stan Spiegel
Portland, ME
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Geary
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005 7:03 PM
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: FAVORITE CHRISTMAS CAROL
I'm Dreaming Of A White Goddess Christmas
White Raiser, Red Reaper, Dark Winnower of Grain,
Mother of Mountains, Dispenser of Rain,
We offer you the blood of the king
Your seas we seed with his semen still warm,
We eat his flesh still fresh from your arms.
Whether God is other people
Or God is Other, people.
Matters not to the Steeple,
Where only your tithing can lessen God's writhing
on the cross, or so sayeth the Boss.
Saturnalia celebrated the killing of the King,
a sacrifice that caused the return of Spring,
now we celebrate the birth of one who will bring
meaning to our death.
But I'm not holding my breath.
Robert Graves
from beyond the grave.
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