Loving poetry. I thank the Lord that I didn’t write for a living. It only was diagnosed and started when I retired 26 years ago. I based the titles of three of my recent books on Joyce kilmer’s “Vain is the Chimming of Forgotten Bells.”
1 - “The Chimming of Forgotten Bells.” 2 - “Light Songs We Sing.” And 3 - “Swaying in the Wind.”
I’m certainly fearful that the face of fascism is already poised and in place to challenge the results of any election.
Greg lightens the tone of the latest NBC hire here today, with his wit and knowing of authors I’ve never heard mention of! I admit to knowing Millers work rather well, and Mad magazine quips that captured my youthful imagination!
Despair is unAmerican but also very much undemocratic. Despair is the opening that invites authoritarians from both the right and left to plant the seeds of hatred and division.
Thank you for the introduction to Guiterman! What a joy!
I learned for the first time from this piece that Joyce Kilmer was male. I will always remember his Trees poem because we all had to recite it in Miss Weeks’s 4th grade class and each of us had to say the word “breast” out loud.
In the spirit of the thornbush, despair that leads to inaction is bad, despair that leads to positive action is good. I choose that latter version of this thornbush.
I found Guiterman’s poetry delightful! And I appreciate his thoughts on making a living as a writer. My self-published book on my escape from fundamentalist Evangelicalism has earned me enough to buy several cups of coffee (and, fortunately, was invaluable as the therapy I needed). But in my job as a software engineer, I get paid very well for the writing of not only the code (which is itself a form of creative writing) but also the considerable amount of “paperwork” that goes with the job. I manage to satisfy much of my need to be creative even in technical writing. One has to go where the demand is.
Thanks, Earl. Personally, I think it's a little of both. It's not the best use of time, I think -- and Guiterman says this in the article -- to write an epic poem. But creativity comes from all different places, and sometimes great work makes markets and not the other way around.
I can raise my hand about Mrs. H Ward because at one point I entertained a project of reading a now unknown bestseller from every year after 1900. The project fizzled, and I never read many if any (too many books, too little time). But her name did come up and I briefly contemplated reading her.
Project is now a dead duck because I can now only read books on Kindle. Thank you eyes and hands.
I definitely remember “On the Vanity of Earthly Greatness” but I think I thought it was Dorothy Parker. But I've frequently felt like quoting it.
As to aiming poems at the market. Depends on whether you care about making money from it. Most poets, me included, have always thought that THAT idea belong on the Bonfire of the Vanities.
I love, loved, loved, as it were, every comma, every single one of them, in the opening paragraph. You might think I am joking, but I am not, for I am also of the serial comma persuasion, and use them often, to the consternation of all, well maybe only some, who must edit me, I fear. x
Indeed, placing election deniers. those who view insurrection as a friendly gathering along with Russian and fascist supporters make excellent voices for our corporate controlled media influence on we the serfs!
I loved the poem (s) and the reference to Mad Magazine which kept me entertained in my teen years. I really REALLY loved the graphics in the video before your get-together with Stephanie! Are you responsible for that?
Hey Greg. Great piece!
Loving poetry. I thank the Lord that I didn’t write for a living. It only was diagnosed and started when I retired 26 years ago. I based the titles of three of my recent books on Joyce kilmer’s “Vain is the Chimming of Forgotten Bells.”
1 - “The Chimming of Forgotten Bells.” 2 - “Light Songs We Sing.” And 3 - “Swaying in the Wind.”
So I really appreciate your work.
Billserle.com
Thanks, Bill. I actually don't know anything about Kilmer beyond the one poem. I shall look into him. Thanks!
Hear hear Greg Olear — clever, informative, humorously instructive not to mention both marked & marketable! Thank you sir😎
Thanks, Dock. I loved that line of his. He was clever!
Pleasure, & as to clever, etc. — U2!
It’s up to us that America never fails.
Ironic that the religious freaks who fled persecution in Europe by coming to America are now the ones wreaking havoc with our country and the world.
The stronger the faith, the closer the devil 😇 #TaxTheChurches
I’m certainly fearful that the face of fascism is already poised and in place to challenge the results of any election.
Greg lightens the tone of the latest NBC hire here today, with his wit and knowing of authors I’ve never heard mention of! I admit to knowing Millers work rather well, and Mad magazine quips that captured my youthful imagination!
I also like the rose bush without thorns but am fully aware of MAGA extremists having infiltrated every media platform. 🌹
I loved that one.
Thanks, Patrick. I mean, any time a news organization can hire an election-denying fascist, why not do so, amirite?
Ooo, I like that...closer the devil. Did you make that up?
It’s an old saying 😇
Despair is unAmerican but also very much undemocratic. Despair is the opening that invites authoritarians from both the right and left to plant the seeds of hatred and division.
It's up to us now, "the work is but begun".
Thanks, Rick. You're right. Despair paralyzes.
Well needed humor for a Sunday morning
Thanks, Julie.
"The marked ability / market ability line is..." our very own Greg Olear. He even brings non-poetry enthusiasts along on his ride.
Thanks, Lynell. I love that line so much.
Thank you for the introduction to Guiterman! What a joy!
I learned for the first time from this piece that Joyce Kilmer was male. I will always remember his Trees poem because we all had to recite it in Miss Weeks’s 4th grade class and each of us had to say the word “breast” out loud.
Okay, that made me laugh out loud...all those kids blushing and trying not to giggle.
😆
In the spirit of the thornbush, despair that leads to inaction is bad, despair that leads to positive action is good. I choose that latter version of this thornbush.
Yes yes!
I found Guiterman’s poetry delightful! And I appreciate his thoughts on making a living as a writer. My self-published book on my escape from fundamentalist Evangelicalism has earned me enough to buy several cups of coffee (and, fortunately, was invaluable as the therapy I needed). But in my job as a software engineer, I get paid very well for the writing of not only the code (which is itself a form of creative writing) but also the considerable amount of “paperwork” that goes with the job. I manage to satisfy much of my need to be creative even in technical writing. One has to go where the demand is.
Thanks, Earl. Personally, I think it's a little of both. It's not the best use of time, I think -- and Guiterman says this in the article -- to write an epic poem. But creativity comes from all different places, and sometimes great work makes markets and not the other way around.
I can raise my hand about Mrs. H Ward because at one point I entertained a project of reading a now unknown bestseller from every year after 1900. The project fizzled, and I never read many if any (too many books, too little time). But her name did come up and I briefly contemplated reading her.
Project is now a dead duck because I can now only read books on Kindle. Thank you eyes and hands.
I definitely remember “On the Vanity of Earthly Greatness” but I think I thought it was Dorothy Parker. But I've frequently felt like quoting it.
As to aiming poems at the market. Depends on whether you care about making money from it. Most poets, me included, have always thought that THAT idea belong on the Bonfire of the Vanities.
I knew someone would have heard of her, and you would have been my first guess, Susan.
The problem with reading bestsellers is that most of them are objectively awful.
I think of Guiterman as in the Venn diagram between Ogden Nash and Dorothy Parker, but then commercialized. It does sound like her for sure.
Excellent!!!!!
Is Marked Ability a life lesson?
You, Kindness, know about marked ability!
Proverbs 27:17 You are a SMART, amazing, incredible/credible person, Greg.
Thank you, Greg ❤️
Thanks!
I love, loved, loved, as it were, every comma, every single one of them, in the opening paragraph. You might think I am joking, but I am not, for I am also of the serial comma persuasion, and use them often, to the consternation of all, well maybe only some, who must edit me, I fear. x
Thank you. I myself love it in a long sentence when there are commas, necessary ones, between single words.
I mean, exactly!
I feel like a long sentence like that works at the beginning of something, to lull people in with the rhyhms.
I agree. An ambage...get ready. Sertle in. Fun awaits. It's very you, and your writing sings. x
Indeed, placing election deniers. those who view insurrection as a friendly gathering along with Russian and fascist supporters make excellent voices for our corporate controlled media influence on we the serfs!
I loved the poem (s) and the reference to Mad Magazine which kept me entertained in my teen years. I really REALLY loved the graphics in the video before your get-together with Stephanie! Are you responsible for that?