[stylist] Marie Antoinette, and other remarks

[William L Houts]

HI Jackie,

Thanks so much for your detailed, thoughtful post about my stuff. I 
cringe a little when you refer to my chracterization of Stylist 
responses sometimes seeming lazy to me.  I did say something to that 
effect, I know, but on further reflection, everyone has been thoughtful 
and gracious in their responses, and I'll always be open to their 
critiques --even when they sting a little, LOL.  I positively glow with 
pride, though, with your comments about my work in general.  I do admire 
the work of Charles Bukowski, even though he sort of put me off in 
younger days.  However that might be, I think my style is closer to 
Allen Ginsberg, though I thereby dare no comparison between his work and 
mine.  AS a certain song goes, I'm just picking up clues at the scene of 
the crime.  Thanks again for your kind comments.


--Bill





On 3/23/2014 1:42 PM, Jackie Williams wrote:
> Bill,
> I have been reading your poetry for the past weeks. I think you are a good
> poet in strange and powerful ways. Am I wrong to think that you remind me a
> bit of Charles Bukowski?
> I want to speak briefly to your concern that the nature of the comments you
> get from the list may be due in part to laziness.
> One reason I dropped from the list this last year was due not only to a
> series of severe losses, but more importantly, I could not keep up with
> quality and detailed critiques, and I had no time left for creating new
> poetry. I am quite serious about making money from my poetry, requiring
> making many submissions to innumerable contests, and so, in a clinch, I
> forgo detailed analysis of poems submitted on this list.
> I need to read a poem, using JAWS many times and take time to think. As yet,
> I have not done that with yours. A quick comment about your Marie Antoinette
> is that you have captured the social rage of the times, and your title was
> justified as an explanation. Sometimes when I cannot make sense of a title
> or of some words, I google them for extra insight. But this takes time and
> dedication.
> For the moment, I will attach my poem about Marie Antoinette, which implies
> some things about the feelings abounding in France, but is more about the
> woman herself. While it is a sonnet, it is in no specific form of the
> sonnet.
> I get "Poem a Day" and no longer do I wrestle with the deeper meanings. If I
> don't get it in two readings, but like a line or two, I might save just that
> line in my folder, Good Lines."
> Late in life, I feel that poetry should be accessible, which cuts me off
> from much modern poetry. Billy Collins is a favorite of mine. Whether this
> indicates laziness, or a time management problem, is up for grabs.
> But perhaps you have the makings of a great poet, and as such, must write
> literature. Don't let the paucity of the critiques from this list discourage
> you. You might want to look for a good critique group. That has saved my
> writing life as well as JAWS.
> I will go back and re-read your posts, time permitting.
> Jackie
>
> 31. Dorman John Grace Memorial Award		Jacqueline Williams
> Petrarchan-Shakespearean blend			1431 W. 7th Place
> 								Mesa, AZ
> 85201
> 								AZ State
> Poetry Society
> Marie Antoinette
>
> The Conciergerie is prison now-
> its window frames the waiting guillotine
> and bucket for the head of hated queen.
> They took my second son. I disavow
> the charges of abuse they threw at me.
> At times, in youth,  I was quite frivolous.
> My husband's impotence, erroneous,
> belied my children's authenticity.
>
> If I wore lace and jewels, I was condemned.
> My preference, muslin dress, brought jeers as well.
> There was no honest way that I could quell
> a revolution that could not be stemmed.
> Nine months before, my Louis lost his head,
> a fate I now await with certain dread.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William L
> Houts
> Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2014 12:33 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Poem - "Dad"
>
>
>
> HI Chris,
>
> Thank you very kindly for the note, Chris.  I know you're a tough one to
> please, too, so your good word goes a long way with me. Have a happy
> Sunday, sir.
>
>
> --Bill
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 3/23/2014 10:46 AM, Chris Kuell wrote:
>> I enjoyed this poem very much, Bill. You do a great job of sketching
>> the man in verse.
>>
>> chris
>>
>>
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-- 
"Let's drink a toast now to who we really are."

           --Jane Siberry