Hatrack River Forum: Looking for a poem (found!)

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Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :

There's a poem that talks about a guy who never smoked, never drank, never did anything "fun", and at his funeral, it was decided that since he'd never lived, he couldn't really be said to have died.

Does this ring a bell with anyone?

[ July 11, 2007, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: Lisa ]

Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :

Sounds like a folk poem I've heard. Likely it is a traditional poem from America, mid 19th century, maybe near the realist movement. I would bet that there are a number of variations and probably you'll get multiple citiations

The moral lesson smacks of Thoreau, but the anti-puritan attitude does not. I might say Dickinson, or maybe Crane, who is especially fond of these very ethereal "it was decided" kind of interactions. Good luck, I'll think on it.

Posted by AutumnWind (Member # 9124) on :

Hey Lisa, this is what I found A Vital Statistic

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

I disagree with the idea that drinking and smoking are really necessary to be "living."

I WOULD agree that romping and playing are necessary to be "living."

Anyway-- here's a link to one of my favorite poems in the same vein:

Curiosity, by Alistair Reed

Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :

quote:
Originally posted by AutumnWind:
Hey Lisa, this is what I found A Vital Statistic

Very cool! I'll pass it on and see if that's the one.

Edit: That was it! I just showed it to Havah and she screamed. She heard that back in 4th or 5th grade, and she's been trying to find it for decades. Thank you so much. And big thanks from her as well.

[ July 11, 2007, 09:38 AM: Message edited by: Lisa ]

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

*grin

I, too, would've noted "Curiosity" as an aside.

Lisa, the only thing remotely similar to your poem that I can come up with is Richard Cory, but from your description, that isn't it. [Frown]

Good luck!

Posted by Lisa (Member # 8384) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese:
Lisa, the only thing remotely similar to your poem that I can come up with is Richard Cory, but from your description, that isn't it.

I'm obviously an illiterate, because I had no idea Richard Cory was a poem. I thought it was just Richard Cory, the Simon and Garfunkel song.

Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :

And I didn't know about the song.

(Together, we fight crime! [Big Grin]

)

Posted by Artemisia Tridentata (Member # 8746) on :

There is a moving, modern poem expressing the same sentement by my wife's favorite poet Carol Lynn Pearson Millie's Mother's Red Dress It is not strophic so it's hard to memorize. But, I read it from time to time, just to remember.

Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :

I already love this thread. I had never read "Curiosity"--thanks for sharing it.

The first poem that popped into my mind when I read your question, Lisa, was "Lucinda Matlock" from Masters's Spoon River Anthology. I knew it couldn't be right, but seemed to express a similar idea.

And any time I read "Richard Cory" I also think of "The Rich Man". [Smile]

Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :

Scott: Would you agree that if a man in addition to never smoking or drinking had, "NEVER ROMPED OR PLAYED"

or

"EVER KISSED A MAID"

That signs point to, "He's never lived?"

Posted by AutumnWind (Member # 9124) on :

quote:
Edit: That was it! I just showed it to Havah and she screamed. She heard that back in 4th or 5th grade, and she's been trying to find it for decades. Thank you so much. And big thanks from her as well.

Glad that was it!

Here's one that I think you will like. Fable of The Mermaid & The Drunks by Pablo Neruda
The translations are all slightly different, this was the closest one.

Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :

I'm personally partial to kissing maids, but I've know a few Roman Catholic priests who have never done so. And they are perfectly happy, fulfilled people.

Of course, they also romp and play.

Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :

This sounds like a gravestone epitaph. I doubt it was written by a major poet.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

quote:
Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese:
Lisa, the only thing remotely similar to your poem that I can come up with is Richard Cory, but from your description, that isn't it.

E.A. Robinson was such a cheerful poet. Richard Corey, Miniver Cheevy . . . [Big Grin]