[stylist] Poem - "Reed College" - Final Draft

[William L Houts]

HI Jackie,

I can deeply relate to your experience, even though it was something of 
the opposite to mine.  In my family, no one had gone to college and so 
family dreams were laid on my back to carry. When I came home from Reed 
that year, I was viewed like some kind of loser christ who had failed to 
stay on the cross for the requisite three days.  The truth, though I 
couldn't articulate it at the time, is that I had suffered a nervous 
breakdown and was truly incapable of attending class. But things as 
hardcore as family aspirations don't acknowledge such things.  It's 
taken me this long, almost, to get over it and one of my brothers is 
still angry with me over the situation. Thank you, waiter, I thihnk I'll 
have your Damnation Plate this evening, together with an order of Guilt 
Salad.


--Bill





On 7/14/2015 8:08 AM, Jackie Williams via stylist wrote:
> Bill,
> This brings back a painful time in my life. I first went to Iowa State
> College where my  father had gotten his Ph.D. in chemistry and was a revered
> teacher.
> I flunked chemistry with an I, meaning I had to take it over, and would get
> the grade I earned the second time. Not much better. This in a family where
> anything but an A was considered flunking!
> And so it goes when you follow other than your own passions.
> I liked the poem. Truly accessible.
>
> Jackie Lee
>
> Time is the school in which we learn.
> Time is the fire in which we burn.
> Delmore Schwartz	
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William L
> Houts via stylist
> Sent: Monday, July 13, 2015 1:13 PM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Cc: William L Houts
> Subject: [stylist] Poem - "Reed College" - Final Draft
>
>
>
> HI Poets,
>
> Here's one I wrote some time ago, but which I haven't really shown to
> anybody.  I think it's a pretty friendly poem, but then I would, being
> its papa and all.
>
>
> --Bill
>
>
> ---
>
>
>
> Reed College
>
> It's a school of global fame,
>
> thronged with wits and prodigies.
>
> a scholar's earth: I flunked,
>
> though I clearly belonged.
>
> There's a joke in that,
>
> though it's taken thirty years to laugh.
>
> I've come to awareness, call it,
>
> by other paths.I've studied
>
> magicians and witches, the wisdom
>
> gain from walking backwards
>
> through mirrors, and forwards
>
> through minds also untroubled by schools,
>
> by rules of mental engagement.
>
> There's joy in that, and reason and rue,
>
> like walking kneewise through desert,
>
> sweltering sick
>
> and finding fountains cold,
>
> and gracious as mother.
>
> It's surprising, sustaining and true:
>
> I don't recommend it.
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-- 


"Oh, Sophie!  Whyfore have you eated all de cheeldren?"