it is the dream or illusion that is most beautiful and true, particularly in its conscious/ly realized forms. In literature, in music, in art, in architecture, in film, in Nature, and Love.
As Thomas Wolfe said, “For if a man should dream of heaven and waking, find within his hand a flower as token that he had really been there–what then, what then?”
What thou lovest well remains,
the rest is dross….
What thou lovest well is thy true heritage.
–Ezra Pound, The Cantos
The Valley of Ashes. After The Great Gatsby.
(Nature–one of the two main things that are relatively permanent)
(great buildings and architecture–a second thing that is relatively permanent)
(great works of art–a third thing that is relatively permanent)
………………………………………………………………….
…and opportunities, it is mostly about change/s and how people adapt to it/these. Nothing is relatively permanent except for Nature, basic human nature, and the great works of art and architecture, the latter which tend to deteriorate over time more slowly. The fame and other works and accomplishments of mortal man fade quickly, are temporal and ephemeral, having a short life. The sphere of influence of the average person is much smaller than Nature and the Great Men (and Women) of history and the arts. It will always be thus.
not having to scrape ice off my car a guaranteed 50% minimum every long winter. It goes without saying that an attached garage is really worth having if you live in Canada.
torn-up, ever-changing roads and lanes with the ever-changing signs of Edmonton. They’d be driving all over the place, crashing into pedestrians, other vehicles, and pits.
No, most of the ‘wonderful brave new changes’ coming our way are any good. They’re generally harmful and potentially destructive like the drones now crashing into planes. There will be major health problems and a spike in road deaths when marijuana is legalized for 18-year-olds. Schools and universities will really feel the effects as kids use their phones in class to buy dope or meet on the grounds to ‘do up’.
PCness has effectively limited public discourse and created a general paranoia for the average citizen. PCness is being used as an agenda card hither and yon, as in the case on the mother who left her kids to freeze in her car while she went drinking, but whom her lawyer feels should be forgiven and let off just because she’s native. No other reason. Imagine getting a free pass in courts for that reason alone. That’s how much equality has been skewed in Canada.
Nope, life has been getting steadily unfair, unequal, harmful, and downright dangerous as technology, money-grabbing politicians, big corporations, and pc-ness all have their ways with this country and its people.
What an incredible, amazing, productive final year he had! As I’ve often said, attitude is all in facing whatever. He strikes me as someone who had/chose an outstanding attitude and lived life to the fullest. No doubt he is a hero to many Canadians with disabilities and similar major health issues.
And as I’ve also said before, I wouldn’t wish cancer on my worst enemy. And goodness knows, no one needs to deal with brain cancer at 53 or any other age. I wasn’t a fan of the Hip, but I was extremely impressed by how Downie conducted himself against tremendous odds. A very inspiring guy. Great integrity. Thinking of others and To thine own self be true, big-time. He majorly deserved the Order of Canada award he was presented this past year. We could sure use more inspiring figures and selfless performers like Gord Downie today.
One sat on her kid and killed the child.
Another put her two kids in an oven.
I think this is just the tip of the iceberg of these kind of mother horror stories to come….
What a fabulous Monday evening, hosting 4 scheduled strong reader-poets and then 7 more talented folks in the open-stage portion! Great to see everybody again. Fun to introduce everybody and respond to each one in brief follow-ups. This and all the timing and note-taking took me back to my teaching (1972-2002) and workshop (1980-2010) days.
Was re-reading some Robert Frost yesterday who opined that, for him, poetry was three things: sense arising, first and foremost, from sound, dramatic performances/actorly readings, and at least one other meaning that arises from the text. On the latter, specifically, he said, “Poetry is the art of saying one thing and meaning one thing more–at least one.”
All three criteria were very much in evidence last evening every which way. I continue to be honored to be a key contributor in this Elsewhere Community (Hugh Kenner’s term). Later in 2018, I hope to be presenting my workshop, “Writing Emily”, which is about how Dickinson can influence today’s poets.
Things continue to roll along well. I expect my new all-poetry website to be up this winter and the U of A will be receiving my latest collection for consideration before Halloween. Trick or treat? Now if only Kim doesn’t cause WWIII….
is it any wonder that much/many of human existence, behaviors, endeavors, values, and beliefs are ironic or fraught with irony?
Is it any wonder, by extension, that humans are so often hypocritical, likewise?
