tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post160596534129860208..comments2024-03-27T02:55:10.109-07:00Comments on Irish Papist: Jacob and the AngelMaolsheachlannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09406722311993627528noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-24550521829986253192014-01-09T23:33:35.551-08:002014-01-09T23:33:35.551-08:00Ah, Peruvian mythology. And there it was, staring ...Ah, Peruvian mythology. And there it was, staring me right in the face.<br /><br />I'm terribly sorry to hear about the hot drinks situation. Maddening doesn't half describe it, I'm sure. I hope the healing will go very quickly indeed. -MollyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-84624706269336873282014-01-09T01:46:58.848-08:002014-01-09T01:46:58.848-08:00Thanks, Molly! Well, by judgement, I really meant ...Thanks, Molly! Well, by judgement, I really meant the implied judgement on Jacob's anger, scorn, hostility, etc. Which I think is a permanent temptation to those of a more conservative or traditionalist mindset, who look askance at so much of the modern world. My idea was that he will only be released from his purgatory when he finds something to bless, not curse. There are also subtle references to Peruvian mythology and scholastic cosmology (OK, that last sentence isn't true).<br /><br />I also like poems with refrains. I was trying to be a bit Yeatsian here.<br /><br />In other news, I envy you your morning coffee as I've had some dental surgery and I can't drink tea or coffee until it heals. It's maddening.Maolsheachlannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09406722311993627528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-42091626483212364612014-01-09T01:07:59.773-08:002014-01-09T01:07:59.773-08:00I was reading over a very hurried cup of coffee th...I was reading over a very hurried cup of coffee this morning, so your disclaimer at the top of the page had no time to sink in before I had finished the poem. At that first glance, therefore, I was inclined to attribute any judgement to Jay himself with the poet standing by as a quite impartial reporter. When I had a more leisurely read through it later, the impression remained (despite a likewise more leisurely read through your explanation at the top of the page). I thought the repetition of Jacob's cry made modern desperation seem a good deal less banal and a good deal more timeless, consequential, not to mention, at the very heart of it, a good deal more hopeful. Okay, I'll admit, I do love a good refrain, and there is nothing like the cadence of Biblical speech. . .but really, the juxtaposition of scene and refrain expressed a feeling that I suspect most folks have had to varying degrees of intensity, a feeling that if there are fathomless depths of hopelessness, it is still only proper to cry, in hope, out of the dark. (Eeek. How's *that* for pretentious?)<br /><br />Or, the short version: Sorry, but I liked it. -MollyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-39970894097123416492014-01-08T06:40:18.979-08:002014-01-08T06:40:18.979-08:00It was a pretentious transposition of the story of...It was a pretentious transposition of the story of Jacob struggling with the angel in Genesis and my character struggling with his better nature. Blah, blah, blah. I think that, if the reader of a poem is confused in any way, the poet has not done his job right. But thanks for your kind words.Maolsheachlannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09406722311993627528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7091756463128804432.post-57103945077149149772014-01-08T05:39:27.484-08:002014-01-08T05:39:27.484-08:00I didn't think it was a bad poem. I don't ...I didn't think it was a bad poem. I don't understand poetry all that well though, so I suppose I wouldn't know how to read the details. It's pretty true though, how you can be angry or apathetic one moment, and then you witness something that rejuvenates your spirit.Antainenoreply@blogger.com