| | Let's get some things straight here.
I do not think that Jeffrey Lewis is a horrible poet - but this particular poem of his is pretty bad. (And I have a right to say that. God knows I have enough of my own bad verses.)
I do wish to see his other work to make an informed opinion. I looked. I did not find. And I was told in no uncertain terms that I have been remiss in missing what apparently does not exist. Has he posted here? Jason implied so. Has he posted other articles or content? Jason implied so. See for yourself, anybody:
As far as your comment about Jeffrey "testing the waters," it seems you think he's a newbie. He's actually not, and has submittted some good stuff in the past. Not sure how you missed that in your getting acquainted with the site, but there it is.
Well I asked, where is it? Click on his name and look. A big nothing. So was that just bullshit blathering, Jason, or is there a there there? And where is it? I am still asking and nobody is answering, except John Newnham, who said he has a web site. (Thanks, John, and a link would be nice if you would.)
Since this is supposed to be a discussion of poetry, I merely took most of the rest of the usable rhymes for "ived" from the rhyming dictionary and made a playful jab - a "poetic" jab I might add - at Jeffrey. I wanted to stress that he did not get across his intended effect - to me anyway, and that if you make such overuse of a resource like a rhyming dictionary (which is a wonderful resource btw, properly used), trying to find a subtle emotion comes off pompous and obscure. Overuse of rhymes is more suited to humor or when a hypnotic effect is wanted. Maybe a couple of other uses. It is not suited to a profound subtle feeling like a particular shade of distress of the heart. That is a misfire, and if you don't like that fact, there it is anyway. That fact holds true for all of us.
One thing I did not do was use any of the words he rhymed in my diddly. Not one. If he is a poet worth his salt, that detail will not be wasted on him and does not even need to be pointed out to him. I even left a nice hint that I was willing to engage in a bit of "poetic" banter with a smiley at the end of the post.
Sort of like, let's see what you've got, because this one didn't get it. I have a feeling there's something there worth finding (which is nonexistent on the parts of Solo I was able to check) and I want to draw it out.
Then I was called an asshole and a dick. Well there's real poetry for you. The SOLO standard of reasoned poetic discourse. Hat's off, Jason. Maybe you have some more enlightening comments to make poetry-wise? Other highbrow metaphors? I'm all ears.
About this snide business. I have seen so many Objectivists who do not have a sense of humor that that is not even funny. It seems that they are completely blinded by always trying to play one-upmanship all the time. There is nothing in their emotional vocabulary for being playfully prodded. Just a very thin skin. They live in a world of put-downs and sneers and - yes, I have to say the word, social competition. (Social metaphysics anyone?) So a humorous poetic retort will become "horribly nasty," "shocking" and "offensive," simply because they can't see. They look at the crowd through insecure and arrogant eyeglasses. And they think everyone is like that when those glasses are on.
That is so not me.
(I am blind! I cannot see! Assholes and dicks of the world, I cannot see! That makes you all assholes and dicks right now! Can I not see because there is no light or because my own damn eyes are shut?)
So, for the record, welcome aboard Jeffrey Lewis, if you are not already aboard. If all this personal crap has not scared you off, I, for one, would be interested in seeing what else you've got. One thing your poem did was to peek my interest enough to work out a verse or two. So that should say something. If this gave you a put-down sneering impression, then I apologize for the misunderstanding. My intent was to poke you a bit ("Hey there, dude, bring something else on"). Not to run you off or make you stop writing or posting. Especially not to show the world "how so very much superior I am to you." Somehow I think you are made of stronger stuff, though. It takes balls to post a poem anywhere.
As to being called an asshole and a dick, I don't care who you are. The only proper response to that is a sonorous fuck you too. I respect others and I will be respected. And I can get much uglier if disrespect is what is wanted.
Michael
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