Well, I enjoyed our replies, too, L. But this, as said by Max, caries a tone that allows a feeling of pastness in. Yes, he can’t be perfectly of then when you, of now, are forever translating him onto these pages, but one of the things that does it, in all the poems, is the structure, staid in its way, but as his way, & so sharp as his mind, always it seems at work…
I enjoyed it, in other words…
Doug
On Jan 22, 2015, at 8:02 AM, Lawrence Upton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Elidius
>
> I watched one tallying today. By the dock.
>
> He was superb; managing three boats, five men,
>
> with a charcoal stick against the white-washed stone.
>
> Each of the labourers had a different pace,
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> doubtless intending to outwit him; he was good.
>
> He saw, I guess, a line that no one drew,
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> a line for each man working. When each crossed
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> their line, he marked it, black on white, boldly,
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> dividing attention, without it slackening,
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> like a fisherman landing prey or guards on watch;
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> and at the fifth in every case, he cut
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> through the previous four, like one harvesting
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> with a scythe, in one movement which could only
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> be extended to mark uprights elsewhere
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> as fast and as dexterous as boys at harps.
>
> Only now I think he was left-handed.
>
> They wanted to cheat him. They didn't dare.
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> He took no part in further operation.
>
> The counted sacks, crates and bottles were snatched
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> by other men, whom I assume owned them,
>
> as a mouse or familiar takes what it can get.
>
Douglas Barbour
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Recent publications: (With Sheila E Murphy) Continuations & Continuation 2 (UofAPress).
Recording Dates (Rubicon Press).
that we are only
as we find out we are
Charles Olson
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