I decided to purchase Fernando Pessoa (Author), Richard Zenith (Editor,
Translator) The Book of Disquiet from Amazon. I bought the hardback, but it
also is instantly in the Kindle app. (yippeee!)
I purchased the book in hardback in case it turns out to be a favored new part
of my library. I have been slowly replacing the books that I treasure that were
paperbacks and buying hardback versions. The paperbacks have turned into
crumbles of yellow crisp disconnected paper and shattered glue and I'm not
willing to part with the treasures of their creators, so I try to replace them
with sturdier versions. (Finding and replacing Hesse's translated into English
works in hardback has been a challenge.) And yet I also am trying to minimize
the books of a lifetime, much like Lawrence and Ursula. Well, minimize the
books that aren't personal "friends".
David Ritchie:
Having never heard of this writer (Pessoa) until David Ritchie suggested his
work to Mike Geary, I decided to research a bit. It is summer and somehow
finding a new book that in George Steiner's words, "gives to Lisbon the
haunting spell of Joyce's Dublin or Kafka's Prague", I couldn't resist.
Considered an autobiography unwittingly, it sounded more like a journal he had
kept secret. The brief Amazon description says "When he died in 1935, Pessoa
left behind a trunk filled with unfinished and unpublished writings, among
which were the remarkable pages that make up his posthumous masterpiece, The
Book of Disquiet". I was a little dissuaded at first by comments mentioning it
was written in his mundane clerkish life's identity, but reading on the various
critiques, it sounded more interesting and appealing. He attributed his
prolific writings to a wide range of alternate selves, each of which had a
distinct biography, ideology. and horoscope. I do similarly when writing music
in various genres, so I was interested in how effective he truly did manage it.
Thanks for the reference David. I must add that your proto-rooster dilemma has
had me laughing and chuckling and sharing the tale with many. Such an ingenious
way to present ideas and opinions. As to Hamish the Ecstatic, Miss Minnie joins
him in such exuberant joy, so much so that she landed in the rose bush chasing
the stream of water just yesterday. Both drenched Parti Poodle Minnie and
shocked Knockout Roses survived the event. Drying a poodle is hard work though,
even in 90 degree weather.
Hearing the Yiddish news of Hamish, might you get a yarmulke for him for his
head when he talks to you? It would help in his confidence and respect when
dealing with his "God", I have come to understand.
Lawrence Helm: This latest poem "Mars on a cold morning" was beautifully
touching, with all the meanings and symbols connected to each line. Quite
personal interpretation for me concerning the vulture (peace eagle) and eagle
combined, but all of it delivering up a word feast of ideas. So many meanings
and directions to immerse oneself within this poem. The maturity of your Poet
is rich and enriching.
JLSperanza and Donal McEvoy, pleased the discussions continued with further
unfolding of the details on the Judge and the racist. Who knew such analysis
existed over two people shouting to another about coitus-ing themselves! ;)
Hope all is going well now.
JLSperanza:
"iii. Grice's guardian angel: You should stop smoking for good.
Grice: You too."
Funniest thing I've heard in a long time. The implication of the overt
awareness of the unconscious to the unconscious. So good. Isn't that what
dreams unscrambled do for us as well? :)
J.McCreery:Glad you are alive and live. Sounds like a great job you both have
getting to see the "weird" and creations of artists. Do they commission you to
travel long distances to shows? Please describe the artful weirdness you've
seen of late.
M.Geary: Your comments "...sex, sex, and sex" leaves me speechless. :)
Back to my hermitage.
Sherrie, lionpainter in
Wake Forest
