17 Comments

Good work and great poem. Cool stuff

Expand full comment

Thanks, man. Trying to keep at it.

Expand full comment

Wow, James! Your verses really turn the modern world on its head, viewing it through old, unfamiliar eyes... I'm going to print this out and ponder it, it's something special.

Expand full comment

I really appreciate that, thank you! Glad you found it worthwhile.

Expand full comment

This is a cool poem; I love Anglo-Saxon poetry and this is awesome!

Expand full comment

It actually means a lot to hear you say that! I’ve been warned in the past by well-meaning advisors that no one would find poetry like this worthwhile or interesting. I can certainly understand that—it’s not exactly what’s flying off the shelves these days.

But I can’t help it, we’re drawn to what we’re drawn to. I also think it’s worthwhile to practice the only truly unique form of poetry to come out of the English language (as even the Norse forms of alliterative verse were different from this). It’s also versatile enough that it can accommodate a lot of different themes and styles.

Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment

I agree...poetry is meant to be funny and delightful as well as poignant and moving. I'm not interested in working out my angst and trauma via verse!😂

Speaking of Norse poetry I wrote a drottkvoet skaldic poem about John Henry; it's in my Substack if you're interested!

Expand full comment

You just used the magic word.

Expand full comment

Which word was that? Drottkvoet?

Expand full comment

Oh yeah. 😄 Such a good idea, though, applying it to a John Henry tribute. Can't think of any form more appropriate.

Expand full comment

Yeah, the tragic but heroic end really fits...

Expand full comment

"Touchglass trinkets" is what I'm going to be taking away from this!

Expand full comment

Hey, very happy to oblige! Thanks a ton for reading!

Expand full comment

James, the letter to Deor was incredibly interesting to hear. The issues he brings up sound so much like the frustrations of our own times. Well, why not? What is truly different in the condition of humanity? By the way, I have it on the best of authority (myself) that Deor's real name is Sydney Leibowitz.

Expand full comment

Thanks as always for taking the time, Sandy. Yes, that's what strikes me about the vignettes of stories he laid out, and why I disagree somewhat with the idea that we can't understand his message as we're not from the time period in which it was written. Some things are more universal.

And hey, yeah, anything's possible!

Expand full comment

Came for the writing, stayed for the sandals. That picture is awesome. I love the choice of black and white with the chrome (is that would that would be called?) mirror.

Expand full comment

Hahah thanks, it is indeed The Uniform. Dad duds gives off befuddled tourist vibes, which is helpful for street photos.

Expand full comment