Dear Arthur,
My comment re the cricket match was recalling my first read of the poem and
my
comments then -not the present version.
     I'm trying to catch up on a backlog of list mail (owing to computer
problems) so my responses are erratic at present, I'm afraid,
Now, I may have misunderstood you here, but you seem to be suggesting that
when I give advice, I should follow it myself. Surely you can't mean that?
LOL.
To be more serious, perhaps what I feel about the title that perhaps it
means more to you, and adds a resonance to the poem that it will not carry
for other readers. The poem worked for me but the guilt you mentioned didn't
come through. If this is an essential part of what you wish this poem to
convey, I feel a little more has to be put into the poem, otherwise you are
expecting the reference of the poem to do too much work.
    You can accuse Megaera and Tarocchi of having obscure titles, but I
think they are both poems that rely on a textual complexity, whereas I think
the strength of this poem is its very simplicity, with which any reader can
connect. For me, it's almost as if the reference to Joyce distances it. I
realise it's a very resonant allusion for you personally, but I'm not
convinced it will be for everyone, and perhaps puzzling over the title will
be a distraction, rather than adding to the poem. Just my reaction..
Kind regards,
   grasshopper

----- Original Message -----
From: "arthur seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: [THE-WORKS] New Sub: Agenbite of Inwit( grasshopper)


> Thanks for the read and comments, Grasshopper.
> The poem is one of a set based on experiences in the Solomons. Read in the
> context of the other poems I doubt whether a cricket match would come into
> it.
> In the Islands it is always very hot and privacy and cool air are made
> available by using a curtain rather than a door. To hang a curtain is to
> state your desire for privacy. No one would breach the privacy of a
curtain.
> In that context the curtain is significant but how much explanation does
one
> put into a poem before one is accused of telling not showing. It is a nice
> question and one to which I give most thought, erring often on the obscure
I
> am afraid.
> The title! Ah! One might say the reader should know the quote but I will
not
> go that way, for it is truly intellectual elitism to argue so. Without
> getting into a silly argument I have to say that both Megaera and Tarocchi
> as titles sent me to Google in order for a full appreciation of the two
> poems was available to me. I do take your point though while at the same
> time knowing deep inside me that the title, whose meaning, on  being
> understood, reflects perfectly the pangs I went through on receipt of the
> message.
> Thanks again for reading and taking the time to comment.
> Incidentally I got Christina 's addendum to your message two whole days
> before I got your original and this has been happening to quite a few of
my
> receipts from the List is this happening to others?? Arthur ----- Original
> Message -----
> From: "grasshopper" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2003 2:02 AM
> Subject: Re: New Sub: Agenbite of Inwit
>
>
> > Dear Arthur,
> >     I remember reading the first version a while ago -I thought the
> narrator
> > was at boarding school and the spectators were pupils playing cricket.
> > The problem I have with this is the curtain. I stopped dead at the first
> > mention, trying to visualise in what circumstances you lift a curtain.
> > rather than pushing it aside.I even had vague thoughts of a hospital
> > cubicle. The curtain is used again at the close-it's an important factor
> in
> > the poem, so I wonder if you should explain more about it.
> >    I don't know about the title.It's not a reference that came to my
mind,
> > or explained anything in the poem to me, but probably that's down to my
> > ignorance. I'm not sure in general about titles that seem to need a
gloss,
> > especially with a poem that's quite enigmatic, like this one.My feeling
is
> > to go for a simpler title.
> > Kind regards,
> >   grasshopper
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "arthur seeley" <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2003 8:32 PM
> > Subject: [THE-WORKS] New Sub: Agenbite of Inwit
> >
> >
> > >      Agenbite of Inwit.
> > >
> > > In the murmur of voices I recognised my name,
> > > laid my book aside, lifted my curtain, stepped into the glare
> > >
> > > of their scrutiny. They had gathered in shade
> > > under the banyan where light through leaves
> > >
> > > flickered over the grass and tufts of kapok floated.
> > > They waited as I read the message.
> > >
> > > My mother, somewhere, at home,
> > > home, somewhere, my mother was dying.
> > >
> > > They searched my eyes as I folded the paper,
> > > neat as a bed-sheet fresh from the line,
> > >
> > > and tucked it into the breast pocket
> > > of my chilled, soaked shirt.
> > >
> > > I turned to find my long road home;
> > > the curtain bulged in a wind from the west.
> > >
>