But David, we all come across stuff like this, and in person too. It's
perfectly possible to steer a path between being confrontational about its
undoubted awfulness and giving it tacit approval. I usually go for a tactful
'not my cup of tea, I'm afraid', which may be a bit of a cop-out but is
surely better in a social situation.
If you've been engaged to write a review of something, that's a different
matter, though I personally do still try for a modicum of tact. In
conversation in the local Arts Centre strikes me as not exactly the place to
wield a critical bludgeon. And, as you've seen, your point did not get
across.
Of course I know damn well that you are a far better poet than this K.Berry.
But if he can't see this for himself, he's sure as hell not going to take it
on your say-so.
best joanna
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bircumshaw" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2006 11:45 PM
Subject: Local Poetic Culture
> Slightly recovered here now, as matters have now risen to the level of
> apparent death-threats to me, or at least being 'cut up' or 'bled' or
> 'skinned' by persons unknown. I might re-iterate that behind all this was
> my
> lack of veneration for a local poet, who, I must add, was in now way
> directly responsible for what developed, and is from all reports quite
> appalled by it all, but my original crime, which has now been compounded
> from talking too loud without respect to ruining a drug-dealer's pitch and
> trade in our dear arts centre, hence the alleged threats (if real)
>
> but here's an example of the maestro's work, for not liking which
> sufficiently I have been hit, threatened, insulted, barred, vilified and
> generally trod upon:
>
> The Dodo
>
> It's sad the dodo is extinct
> when once the creature winked and blinked
> and in a manner so succinct;
>
> on that far-off Mauritius isle
> the sailors treated dodos vile -
> were only out to make a pile
>
> they introduced domestic pets
> and caught the dodo in their nets,
> on its survival hedged their bets
>
> and, growing grossly overweight -
> its diet got in such a state -
> ship's crews ate dodos off a plate!
>
> With quaint physique it might have filled
> the place of some bright bird that trilled
> of slimmer, more athletic build
>
> but that was not to be the case -
> odd beaks and feet, and funny face,
> it's disappeared without a trace!
>
> from 'Building New Bridges'
>
> copyright K. Berry 2000.
>
>
> best
>
> Dave
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