I wasn't joking, Martin, and I knew Andrew was being humourous. Folks apply
PC differently and variously, but I wanted Andrew and others to consider the
issue. I've certainly said ageist things about myself as do many over-50
folks I know. Usually I've made the remark automatically as a brief,
self-deprecating intro. No matter what the reason and circumstances may be,
though, ageist comments are negative stereotypes. I'm trying to stop
'buying into' it, which is taking some work, but I think it's worth it.
Best,
Judy
2009/4/2 Martin Walker <[log in to unmask]>
> I challenge this "ageist" thing, Judy (if you're not joking) - if a retired
> person can't indulge in a little self-mockery (as I understand Andrew to
> have been doing) then PC Orwell rules OK. So 65+s "fiddle and fart" - I know
> I do. It's an observation, that's all. I've got plenty of ageist
> observations about young urban folks, specially girls, who are often
> incredibly rude on the street nowadays: like, nobody else exists. But hey,
> they're not all like that.
> mj
> _______________________________________
> But I am but a nameless sort of person
> (A broken Dandy lately on my travels)
> And take for rhyme, to hook my rambling verse on,
> The first that Walker's Lexicon unravels
>
> - George Gordon, Lord Byron
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Prince" <
> [log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 4:42 PM
> Subject: Re: Blake poem
>
>
>
> I challenge your tone [yes I know you're being humourous] about retired
>> folk, 'Droo; it's ageist and makes me [can't speak for others] feel
>> negative
>> about retired folk. I hope we can be positive about folks who we don't
>> feel
>> are young. Our cultures [yours and mine] have a low opinion of old folks.
>> It's a damaging stereotype and one of the most persistent, if we buy into
>> it or accept it. Thanks for considering the issue.
>> Now to your poem. I like it much much better! It's smooth, still very
>> visual, and now makes clearer the narrative whole [start, middle, finish],
>> so that the 'feel' and fact of your theme and point stay sharp.
>>
>> Natch, tho, I always 'cut' redundancies and distracting excursions, so
>> I've
>> removed them, below. My opinion only, acourse! Figured you'd like that
>> ;-)
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Judy
>>
>>
>> 2009/4/2 andrew burke <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> What do retired people who write poetry do but fiddle and fart around
>>> with
>>> their own words. Here is the latest and perhaps last version of that
>>> lumpy
>>> text I threw at you earlier this week. Thanks to Judy, Patrick, Doug,
>>> Frederick and anyone else who addressed the mess for me. Off list, Andrew
>>> Taylor also helped steer me right.
>>>
>>> The Poetical Works (title)
>>>
>>> Forty six years on
>>> and still I warm my hands
>>> over it. It opens me out like
>>> a choir singing rounds
>>> in eighteenth century London.
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> I take it down from the shelf to
>>> remember her, sophisticated lady
>>> in a Sydney harbourside mansion who
>>> placed Blake's poems in my hands
>>> patted their flimsy skin, aged veinless patina.
>>> 'We know you'll enjoy this, boy.'
>>>
>>> I went down my own back roads
>>> through cities and fields,
>>> an awkward pelican landing
>>> on this seat this morning
>>> remembering my bottle-scarred muse alive
>>>
>>
>> with Blake's pulse in the skein of days.
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------[altered by jp]
>>
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Thanks all.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Andrew
>>> http://hispirits.blogspot.com/
>>>
>>>
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