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

Tue Jul 14 17:41:59 UTC 2015

I went to college at Iowa State in 1977.  My aunt worked there, in the athletic department.  Even though she said she didn't care where I went to college, she gave me a lot of ISU stuff for Christmas my senior year (she cared).  I ended up getting a BA in Political Science and then a MS in Statistics (there just weren't jobs at the end of the Political Science rainbow).

I have no regrets about going to old ISU, it was the best six years of my life (probably the busiest).  This despite having my share of disasters during college.  The disasters were also instructive.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 1:10 PM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [stylist] Poem - "Reed College" - Final Draft

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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