Doug - Liked the Stead. Captures that "manic" (for wont of a better word)
energy of Catallus' that has always appealed to me. Must agree with you
about comparison to Catullus. On mature (?) reflection, I suppose that,
given my druthers, I'd druther be remembered as the Catallus of my age than
anything else. (But, given the paucity of my output, this is a huge and
unwarrented ego trip!)
Cheers,
Viv
Douglas Barbour wrote:
> Viv
>
> Enjoyed your 'imitation' of Catullus, whom, as a poet, I would never mind
> being compared to!
>
> One of the most enjoyable I have read is the New Zealand poet, CK Stead's,
> which includes this delightful short section:
>
> Air New Zealand
> old friend of Catullus
> you offer a quick hike
> to Disneyland
> the South Pole
> Hong Kong's hotspots
> to ease a jealous ache.
>
> Thanks brother
> but I'd rather
> you flew downcountry a message to Clodia.
>
> Tell her she's known to her 300 loveless lovers
> as the scrum machine.
> Tell her
> Catullus loves her
> as the lone lawn daisy
> loves
> the Masport mower.
>
> (_Geographies_ [Auckland UP, 1982] 65).
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