The reason why I say I'm "uncultured" or "anti-intellectual" probably goes all the way back to the time when I was in high school. I was always worried about being a sissy; I didn't want to be too delicate. To. me, no real man ever paid any attention to poetry and such things. How poetry ever got written that never struck me! So I developed a negative attitude toward the guy who studies French literature, or studies too much music or poetry - all those "fancy" things. I admired better the steelworker, the welder, or the machine shop man. I always thought the guy who worked in the machine shop and could make things, now he was a real guy! That was my attitude. To be a practical man was, to me, always somehow a positive virtue, and to be "cultured" or "intellectual" was not. The first was right, of course, but the second was crazy. - Richard P. Feynman, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
Okay I need to know how you organize your commonplace book. Do you have a topical index! The way you seem to locate the perfect quote for each comment is something of a wonder. Mine is rather haphazard, just done by book title. Maybe you have a photographic memory? LOL
Wow. Zane, what a stunning meditation on the human experience and how truth, beauty, and goodness belong to us all. So many parts within this short reflection made me gasp, such insight.
I take this with me tonight… “and the work of his hands will transfix him to the realm of transcendence.”
Using poetry to help in the fight against addiction seems like an excellent idea. This poem is like the Midwest-honest and straightforward with an underlying complexity that makes it beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Zane, thank you for choosing such a sturdy love poem. You help us see how the middle of the night love a mother has for her child, and the patient love of spouses who persist beyond disagreement is the most romantic love of all.
That's beautiful. I haven't read any of Haney's poetry before, so this was a wonderful introduction. I also appreciated what you said about poetry being for everyone. Well done.
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Hannah. Since joining Substack I have been getting books by Heaney out of the library with great pleasure. I look forward to hearing if you read more of him in the future.
So far, this has been my absolute favorite of the series. Poem, yes, but the essay- I'm nearly in tears. Maybe it was the last line about a grandfather leaving his forever home, which is where our family is right now. I appreciate the connectedness of poetry to working hands, of words lifting our hearts from the mundane. This was a wonderful way to start the day.
Zane, I love when you say poetry should be for everyone. I agree. And for so much of history it has been so. The poem by Heaney does remind us of this. A poem doesn’t have to be fancy, still less obscure or difficult. It only has to touch us at whatever point of intersection it lands. Lastly, you mention prisoners. One of my favorite poets who I had the pleasure to see read is Jimmy Santiago Baca. He spent time in prison and poetry helped him rebuild his life. There’s a poem in his collection Martin and Meditations on the South Valley about cutting down an old tree that I consider a near perfect poem. I can’t find it on the internet but will dig it up when I get home later and send it to you.
The reason why I say I'm "uncultured" or "anti-intellectual" probably goes all the way back to the time when I was in high school. I was always worried about being a sissy; I didn't want to be too delicate. To. me, no real man ever paid any attention to poetry and such things. How poetry ever got written that never struck me! So I developed a negative attitude toward the guy who studies French literature, or studies too much music or poetry - all those "fancy" things. I admired better the steelworker, the welder, or the machine shop man. I always thought the guy who worked in the machine shop and could make things, now he was a real guy! That was my attitude. To be a practical man was, to me, always somehow a positive virtue, and to be "cultured" or "intellectual" was not. The first was right, of course, but the second was crazy. - Richard P. Feynman, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
Okay I need to know how you organize your commonplace book. Do you have a topical index! The way you seem to locate the perfect quote for each comment is something of a wonder. Mine is rather haphazard, just done by book title. Maybe you have a photographic memory? LOL
Hoo! Now that would be telling! Not so hasty. - Treebeard
This is so good!! Simple but profound. Like the poem, like the love of a hardworking man.
Exactly this, Jessica. Thank you for reading and sharing your reflection with us.
Wow. Zane, what a stunning meditation on the human experience and how truth, beauty, and goodness belong to us all. So many parts within this short reflection made me gasp, such insight.
I take this with me tonight… “and the work of his hands will transfix him to the realm of transcendence.”
I love hearing the lines that stand out to you, Rosa. This is such a moving poem, and Zane’s reflection has made it linger in my thoughts.
Thank you so much, Rosa. I was a bit nervous for this, but I've been so thankful for the encouraging response.
I love this poem. I do think it will stay with me, so thank you for articulating how wonderful that is!
Yes! It is a poem that stays with me too, Clara.
Using poetry to help in the fight against addiction seems like an excellent idea. This poem is like the Midwest-honest and straightforward with an underlying complexity that makes it beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I love that you linked it to the Midwest, LaWanda. Zane’s choice of poem and his accompanying essay are such a gift.
Thanks for reading, LaWanda.
Zane, thank you for choosing such a sturdy love poem. You help us see how the middle of the night love a mother has for her child, and the patient love of spouses who persist beyond disagreement is the most romantic love of all.
Exactly this! I love how you expressed it, Ann.
Thank you, Ann. That means a lot.
Love it, brother - thank you for representing the rough end of the spectrum of humanity.
That's beautiful. I haven't read any of Haney's poetry before, so this was a wonderful introduction. I also appreciated what you said about poetry being for everyone. Well done.
I am so happy you enjoyed it, Hannah. Since joining Substack I have been getting books by Heaney out of the library with great pleasure. I look forward to hearing if you read more of him in the future.
Thank you, Hannah.
So far, this has been my absolute favorite of the series. Poem, yes, but the essay- I'm nearly in tears. Maybe it was the last line about a grandfather leaving his forever home, which is where our family is right now. I appreciate the connectedness of poetry to working hands, of words lifting our hearts from the mundane. This was a wonderful way to start the day.
That's so kind of you, Lauren. I'm not normally a prose guy, so this was a little outside of my comfort zone. I'm encouraged that it landed for you.
It seems to me, that outside your comfort zone is a pretty amazing place for you to be!
Yes! I agree, Lauren. Zane's prose is lucid, and I loved his thoughts on poetry and relationships.
Zane, I love when you say poetry should be for everyone. I agree. And for so much of history it has been so. The poem by Heaney does remind us of this. A poem doesn’t have to be fancy, still less obscure or difficult. It only has to touch us at whatever point of intersection it lands. Lastly, you mention prisoners. One of my favorite poets who I had the pleasure to see read is Jimmy Santiago Baca. He spent time in prison and poetry helped him rebuild his life. There’s a poem in his collection Martin and Meditations on the South Valley about cutting down an old tree that I consider a near perfect poem. I can’t find it on the internet but will dig it up when I get home later and send it to you.
I would love to read it, David! Thank you for this thoughtful comment.
Oh yes, please send it my way, that sounds great. Thanks for reading and commenting, David.