Oh.  Surprised just because his longer e-mail was so absurd.  I still get
surprised by adults making an ass of themselves in that kind of way--does he
really feel justified in saying shit like that to you?  Apparently so, but
jeez.  I think you are right, and Mark's advice seems appropriate--best not
to engage.


On 1/28/07 12:02 PM, "Jennifer Compton" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> why were u surprised?
> he is such an idiot - alas - and wants me to debate him into some kind of
> safety
> no safety - weeping in the gutter of Melbourne -
> 
> 
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: Elaine Brown <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: Poetryetc provides a venue for a dialogue relating to poetry and
>             poetics <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: lomg boring email from, very bad poet
> Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 10:41:22 -0500
> 
> Wow!  That's quite a response e-mail from him.  I have to admit I'm
> surprised; but he was obviously offended and many take such a tack to deal
> with getting their feelings hurt.
> 
> So, were you a "coward" or did you respond and debate?  (Lordy.)
> 
> Elaine
> 
> 
> On 1/28/07 6:38 AM, "Jennifer Compton" <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> 
>> normally i would just delete and go out and dance
>> but for yoir amusement\\Dear Jennifer,
>> 
>> I"f you feel so strongly, that the poem is bad - then why don't you
> outline
>> your concerns in a letter to the editor of The Australian. I would be
> very
>> interested to read it.
>> 
>> Of course, if your objections could amount to an essay, then send it to
> Les
>> Murray at Q - this would then allow me the opportunity to reply.
>> 
>> However, if you are not prepared to say why you think it is a bad poem,
> then
>> you may be better off saying nothing.
>> 
>> I suspect you are more aware of the price of gin in Rome than you are of
> any
>> poetry that is not trying to be another bunch of flowers.
>> 
>> You probably cannot escape your own PC mucus and remain stuck in an ego
>> constructed, self obsession and vanity - which, in the end, has
> everything
>> to do with your ideology, not my poetry.
>> 
>> You don't know me well enough to write to me as you have. I have shown
> your
>> emails to several poets, who all disagree with your monosyllabic rather
>> silly comments.
>> 
>> I will note your rude impetuous emails for future reference.
>> 
>> If you are not a coward, then you may actually take up my challenge to
>> debate the poem.
>> 
>> ...but I bet your a coward.
>> 
>> 
>> P. "
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jennifer Compton"
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2007 1:53 PM
>> Subject: Re: Did you write this poem?
>> 
>> 
>>     It hasn't upset me - it is just so bad! I really couldn't believe it
> was
>> you that wrote it.
>> Any poet can write a bad poem - but it makes one wonder about the intent
> of
>> the person who publishes the poem.
>> Can you tell me who commissioned you?
>> 
>> regards - jen
>> 
>> 
>> ----Original Message Follows----
>> From: "patrick mccauley" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: "Jennifer Compton" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: Did you write this poem?
>> Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 05:05:46 +1100
>> 
>> Dear Jennifer,
>> 
>> Yes, I wrote this poem. It is the second of a suite I am writing around
> the
>> subject.
>> I am sorry you found it 'incredibly' bad. If you had just found it 'bad'
> I
>> would have been more concerned.
>> I am including a copy of 'How to be Australian (1)' which was published
> in
>> the Australian on Australia Day 2006. The next in the suite will be
>> published on Australia Day 2008. I am also attaching an essay which picks
> up
>> on some of the concerns of the poem, so you will be able to be fully
>> informed on the thinking which has clearly upset you.
>> 
>> cheers,
>> 
>> Patrick.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jennifer Compton"
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 4:05 AM
>> Subject: Did you write this poem?
>> 
>> 
>>     http://theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21119511-601,00.html
>> 
>> it is being discussed on poetry etc?
>> 
>> it is an incredibly bad poem - i so hope it wasn't you
>> 
>> cheers from jen
>> 
>> ----Original Message Follows----
>> From: "patrick mccauley" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: "Jennifer Compton" <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Re: seeking Vivian Hopkirk
>> Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2007 15:05:18 +1100
>> 
>> Dear Jen,
>> 
>> Yes he stayed
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ----Original Message Follows----
>> From: Alison Croggon <[log in to unmask]>
>> Reply-To: Poetryetc provides a venue for a dialogue relating to poetry
> and
>>             poetics <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: How to be Orstrilian
>> Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:13:16 +1100
>> 
>> Thanks Jen - a sort of masochistic curiosity prompts me to ask you to
>> post the essay, though I think I know the thesis already -
>> 
>> Cheers
>> 
>> A
>> 
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> Advertisement: Fresh jobs daily. Stop waiting for the newspaper. Search
> now!
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>> 
> http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fninemsn%2Eseek%2Ecom%2Eau&_t=7
>> 57263760&_r=Hotmail_EndText_Dec06&_m=EXT
>> 
> 
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