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

Tue Jul 14 17:09:58 UTC 2015

My entire dad's family attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln and
studied business. My dad and uncle have MBA's. My sister deviated a little
and studied secondary education, getting her masters in education. My uncle
and I were the first to truly change things up, he receiving a BA in
broadcast journalism, and me, a BFA in creative writing and vocal
performance. My uncle never spent a day as a journalist of any kind though,
opting to follow his true dream of performing. He performed in several
Broadway tour productions, and worked regional theatres for years as well as
spending several years performing on cruise ships. He now is a head-hunter
for a video game company, but he was always my role-model. I wanted to be
just like him. I was ensnared by the performing bug at a very early age,
grin. I too do not perform much anymore, but I'm still in the fine arts
genre, and I don't doubt my choices at all in terms of vocational goals. And
writing, in a way, is a little like performing, I think.

I think college is a great thing for those who want to attend and are meant
to attend, but I also believe it's not necessarily the path for everyone,
nor does it always bring better opportunities. My hubby and I can attest to
this fact. I support and encourage higher learning, and I think a liberal
arts education in particular can be great for people, but I don't think it
has to "mean" something if you did not attend university, and it's certainly
not a comment on one's intelligence.

Another uncle, on my mom's side, has never spent a day at university. He
apprenticed for an engineer when people could actually still apprentice. Not
only does he run his own very successful business, but he very famously
invented and built some device that helps operate the Henry Doorly Zoo's
aquarium, and our zoo is in the top five in the country. So just goes to
show.

And I completely credit my formal education for helping me learn to write. I
do not think I would have been as focused nor would I have developed my
voice and style without spending time int the classroom. I advocate writing
classes for anyone wanting to learn more about their craft. But I know great
writers who have never formally studied it. It's all about the individual.

Though, to play Devil's Advocate, it bothers me when young people who
haven't truly considered their options use examples like these as reasons to
not attend university. Whether you go to university or not, it still takes
hard work to accomplish anything and be successful in life, whatever your
measure of success looks like. And whether it's writing, performing,
business or anything in between, you will have to "study" on some level,
learning what you must.

Before I formally studied music and theatre, I spent most my time in dance
studios, acting classes and voice lessons, doing anything I could to develop
my skills. As a writer, I now apply this focus to my writing, reading what I
can, writing what I can. Though, I confess I do not spend near as much time
on my writing lately than I use to on my performing. Lesson to all you young
kids, buckle down and work on your goals before too much life gets in the
way, smile.

And back to all the business majors in my family, funny thing nowadays,
often corporations are seeking potential employers with BFA's or liberal
arts degrees as opposed to people with business degrees. They want employers
who think outside the box, have unique perspectives.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jackie
Williams via stylist
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 10:09 AM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
Cc: Jackie Williams
Subject: Re: [stylist] Poem - "Reed College" - Final Draft

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.

-- 

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

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